gittist Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I haven't shot for a few years and wanted to get back into it but 3 of the local clubs no longer have USPSA/IPSC pistol matches. One now has IDPA, one has gone to 3-gun, and I don't know if the 3rd has any 'action' shooting at all. What has happened? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I haven't shot for a few years and wanted to get back into it but 3 of the local clubs no longer have USPSA/IPSC pistol matches. One now has IDPA, one has gone to 3-gun, and I don't know if the 3rd has any 'action' shooting at all. What has happened? Thanks In most places, it seems like it's only a handful of people doing all the work. If a couple of them got more interested in something else, and no one else stepped up to fill the void, that's what you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titandriver Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Lack of volunteers to run the clubs most likely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Lack of volunteers to run the clubs most likely. +1. or +2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkCO Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 IPSC/USPSA ruled the roost for years, now they have to compete with IDPA, SASS, ICORE, SC, Rimfire, 3Gun, PRS, etc. The consumer shooter, industry putting more $ into 3Gun, old guys getting burned out, politics and some shakiness (real or perceived) in the running of USPSA in general are also factors that account for some of the decline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 politics and some shakiness (real or perceived) in the running of USPSA in general Nice touch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Miles Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 IPSC/USPSA ruled the roost for years, now they have to compete with IDPA, SASS, ICORE, SC, Rimfire, 3Gun, PRS, etc. The consumer shooter, industry putting more $ into 3Gun, old guys getting burned out, politics and some shakiness (real or perceived) in the running of USPSA in general are also factors that account for some of the decline. Exactly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpaw Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 Check out Ontelaunee Rod & Gun, I've heard they put on a good match and don't think that's too far from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I agree with older guys burning out. Especially when they are MD or even just regular helpers. I know of MD's that only keep going because nobody else will step up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2MoreChains Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) USPSA is still going strong in SW Idaho. In fact I think it is stronger now than it was in 2008 when I started. There are 3 matches a month within 45 min or less of my house and 3 more if I am willing to drive 2-3 hrs. Literally a match every weekend and sometimes two. MD's rotate each quarter to help stave off burn out. Steel Challenge, IDPA, and 3-gun are also well represented, and sometimes you have to choose which match to attend that day. Edited February 23, 2015 by 2MoreChains Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prov1x Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) "Volunteer" and the older guys getting burned out of having to set up, I would guess, is a big part of it. Edited February 23, 2015 by Prov1x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve RA Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 The Dallas area has really changed from the mid 80s to mid 90s when I was pretty active. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesquire Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 IDPA is much more common in my state (Arkansas). Only one USPSA match per month in the central Arkansas area to my knowledge. There's IDPA every weekend. Sometimes the clubs almost seem to blend them together with blatantly rule breaking stages that are long with multiple mag changes in idpa though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gittist Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Check out Ontelaunee Rod & Gun, I've heard they put on a good match and don't think that's too far from you. Actually they're the closest one to me, they also shoot IDPA. I'd like to have fun, safely, and learn a few things (and not get DQ'd or asked not to come back). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gittist Posted February 23, 2015 Author Share Posted February 23, 2015 Thanks for the info. I knew there was a falling out between the USPSA people and one local club but not why. I can understand the 'burn out' factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriotMRD Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 I haven't shot for a few years and wanted to get back into it but 3 of the local clubs no longer have USPSA/IPSC pistol matches. One now has IDPA, one has gone to 3-gun, and I don't know if the 3rd has any 'action' shooting at all. What has happened? Thanks In most places, it seems like it's only a handful of people doing all the work. If a couple of them got more interested in something else, and no one else stepped up to fill the void, that's what you get. ^^^ This is a big factor in many clubs. It leads to a lot of burnout. You have you MDs and that small core group for stage design/setup and very little other help. If some of that core group can't make it you're screwed. That core group may be getting older or have other obligations. Getting new blood to step up is difficult. I once found myself alone setting up for a match and almost cancelled it. Thankfully, a handful of our core group came back and helped me finish. Setup crew shoots free but, often it doesn't matter to many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 23, 2015 Share Posted February 23, 2015 (edited) I see lots of new blood on the range, but very few end up volunteering to help. A lot of folks don't think of it as "our match", they think as consumers of a product they pay for, forgetting that the people putting it on don't get payed. Some do help, and that is appreciated, but we are seeing fewer people wanting to design stages and work on match management outside the shooting day. I know I just started my 10th year as a match director, and it is my last even if no one else steps up to take over. That and 3gun, which for lots of us is more fun. Edited February 23, 2015 by Vlad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 The newer shooters think that the match is there for them, and not the other way around. They need to realize they are there to help. None of us are getting any younger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hops Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 Check out Ontelaunee Rod & Gun, I've heard they put on a good match and don't think that's too far from you. Ontelaunee puts on one of the nicest matches around. I highly recommend it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I see lots of new blood on the range, but very few end up volunteering to help. A lot of folks don't think of it as "our match", they think as consumers of a product they pay for, forgetting that the people putting it on don't get payed. Some do help, and that is appreciated, but we are seeing fewer people wanting to design stages and work on match management outside the shooting day. I find that many people are willing to help once the need is explained to them, and it quickly becomes part of the socializing and fun. One of the questions on our club membership application is "how can you help?" I think it's good to set those expectations right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vlad Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 I find that many people are willing to help once the need is explained to them, and it quickly becomes part of the socializing and fun. If you can tell me what witchcraft you have done, let me know. This has not been my experience, after years of patiently and gently explaining it to people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 (edited) I find that many people are willing to help once the need is explained to them, and it quickly becomes part of the socializing and fun. If you can tell me what witchcraft you have done, let me know. This has not been my experience, after years of patiently and gently explaining it to people. Well, you are in jersey, and I am in idaho. It's been my experience that people are alot more friendly and helpful here, which is part of why I live here. Probably just because there's less traffic, frustration, pollution, etc... I suppose the rational solution if people aren't willing to help is to make MD a paid position, raising the entry fees a couple bucks if necessary. If the MD made $50 or so each match to spend on ammo, beer and topless girls, it might make the job less of a thankless chore. Edited February 24, 2015 by motosapiens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 IMHO the volunteer system is broken. Everyone expects to just pay 20 or 30 and show up and shoot like its a business. Usually now its just a bunch of old guys doing the setup and scoring. Is saving 20 worth it for people to come out and help? Nope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motosapiens Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 IMHO the volunteer system is broken. Everyone expects to just pay 20 or 30 and show up and shoot like its a business. Usually now its just a bunch of old guys doing the setup and scoring. Is saving 20 worth it for people to come out and help? Nope If I had to pay $30, I would shoot like it's a business too. we pay $7-15 here. For $30 you should be able to pay an MD and a setup crew and have plenty leftover for supplies, the club, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandbagger123 Posted February 24, 2015 Share Posted February 24, 2015 All our fees go to the range and any cost taken out of that. The set up crew gets a free shoot but is it enough to have people spend a few hours at the range? The amount of people that show up to set up tells us that it does not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now