Action Shooting
ACTION SHOOTING is a sport where the participant competes by engaging multiple targets including both stationary and moving targets while moving through a course of fire containing multiple firing positions. Some of these positions will be positons of cover such as walls, doorways, and hallways. The sport requires engaging these targets utilizing practical/defensive shooting skills including drawing you gun, shooting “threat” targets on the move while avoiding “friendly” targets, reloading and reengaging targets, and shooting from positions of cover. Action shooting events at MRGC are the only events that allow members to draw a loaded gun from a holster and load magazines with more than 6 rounds.
The two major organizations sanctioning Action Shooting events in the United States are the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) and the United States Practical Shooting Association. Click on the links for more information.
Although MRGC is not affiliated with either the IDPA or USPSA organizations we do adhere to their rules and run our matches and practices using their rules. By doing this we prepare our members to safely participate in matches at other affiliated clubs. MRGC members regularly compete at clubs throughout New England and have participated in State, Regional, and National Championships. Our monthly matches are held on the second Sunday of the month and alternate between IDPA and USPSA rules. The match schedule and registration information can be found below.
We run a cold range and all firearms must be holstered and unloaded except when under the supervision of a safety officer when shooting a course of fire. The safety officer will instruct you when to load and make ready to execute the stage and when to unload and holster the gun after completing the course of fire. We have over a dozen IDPA and/or USPSA certified safety officers (SO’s) at MRGC that work our practices and matches. Most of these SO’s also work at other matches in the area.
MRGC holds 2 practices and 1 match a month. The club calendar has the dates for these events. Weather permitting, we shoot outside using three pits on the outdoor range. You must attend 2 practices before you can participate in a monthly match although spectators are always welcome. You must be trained and certified by 2 safety officers before you can draw from the holster at a match. Certifications usually take place at practices. Before certification, stages are started with the loaded gun held at a “low ready” position.
2017 Action Shooting Schedule
- January 8 (USPSA)
- February 12 (IDPA)
- March 12 (USPSA)
- April 9 (IDPA)
- May 21 (USPSA)
- June 11 (IDPA)
- July 9 (USPSA)
- August 13 (IDPA)
- September 10 (USPSA)
- October 8 (IDPA)
- November 12 (USPSA)
- December 10 (IDPA)
Here is some video from recent matches:
MRGC members can click on Competition Results and our Action Shoot Forum
Links:
International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA)
United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA)
USPSA Hand Gun Rules
Contacts:
Chris DiCenso chris@dicenso.com
Steve Trindall strindall@comcast.net
Dan Rosen rosen.daniel.p@gmail.com