Nemo Posted August 15, 2007 Share Posted August 15, 2007 The author should've shared it with us here. What makes USPSA...special ?I don't know about the area you live in, around my area I have many different shooting games that I can choose from. Lets see if I can name all the local stuff: - Bowling Pins - Steel Challenge - NRA Action Pistol - IDPA - Cowboy Action - High Power - Rattle Battle (huh?) - Silouette - Bulls-eye - We have a popular pistol match locally that isn't affiliated with USPSA or IDPA - Then there are the shotgun sports, archery, etc. Now, some of that stuff isn't as appealing to me as others. I clearly prefer USPSA style shooting. So, what makes USPSA special? For me to figure that out, I can't help but think of what Brian Enos has written/taught. Brian talks about boiling things down until you are left with the fundamentals of a thing...the essential part or parts. We can shoot any game. I ask myself what makes USPSA special. I can come up with many things. We use different guns than some games. We have more movement than other games. We have longer cof's that allow us to test a variety of skills at once. I could go on, and you probably have some aspect of it that tickles you fancy. But, when I start to boil it down...when it get down to the essential elements...the thing that stands out is that USPSA shooting is Freestyle. We are free to solve the shooting problem presented to us. We are allowed to use our brains. That may be the biggest shooting test of all. We get to do it our way. And, we get to live with the results...good or bad. We stand on the line and put it out there. If somebody thinks their way is better...they can step up and show us. We compete on a larger scale...including the brain. And, through that, we learn more...compete better...maybe even think better. Freedom. As per the rules he (the author) so efficiently enforces, I left out his last paragraph because of mild political content. Thanks, KF! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Stoeger Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Norman Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I honestly think tha the thing that makes USPSA shooting special is the people. If this sport were populated by snobs, as some other sports, both shooting and non-shooting are, it wouldnot be special. USPSA is full of some of the best people I have ever met. Yes, all the rest counts too, but no matter how good USPSA style shooting is, if the people in it sucked, so to would the sport and I deal with enough suck in real life that I don't need to deal with it when I am supposed to be having fun. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GentlemanJim Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I honestly think tha the thing that makes USPSA shooting special is the people. If this sport were populated by snobs, as some other sports, both shooting and non-shooting are, it wouldnot be special. USPSA is full of some of the best people I have ever met. Yes, all the rest counts too, but no matter how good USPSA style shooting is, if the people in it sucked, so to would the sport and I deal with enough suck in real life that I don't need to deal with it when I am supposed to be having fun. Jim That comment pretty much sums it up for me Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 I shoot with fantastic people in other shooting sports too. Shooters are some of the best people around. USPSA shooting is special to me...beyond that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dajarrel Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 (edited) I heard it put this way once: I came for the shooting, I stayed because of the people. I like being given a set of rules for a game. The same rules for everyone. Then you make your way as best you can. It is as individual a sport as I can think of. But then, you have the people. everyone is willing to help, everyone has a suggestion or idea that you are free to use or discard. It's also neat how most of the "bad eggs" just seem to go away after awhile. Great topic, Flex (and Nemo :-) ) dj Edited August 21, 2007 by dajarrel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwt Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 The first thing I think of anymore is the"Rule Book" ,getting Thicker every year . Loads of good people in USPSA !!! Dale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Of course it's the people. It takes a special kind of fool to run pell mell through an obstacle course shooting a deadly weapon as fast as humanly possible. I'm so glad I found y'all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurtm Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 The ONLY "deadly weapon" is found between the ears! The rest is meerly a way to facilitate the desire to impart that force to the outside, be it for good or bad! As to the people in USPSA, or any shooting sport,: there also good and bad, but they are far beyond the average and I enjoy them immensly! But Please quit telling me there is a magazine in My pistol when I get to the match as it is SUPPOSED to be loaded untill I can get to the clearing area so I can be empty to shoot the match Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micah Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 I came for the shooting,I stayed because of the people. +1, but I'd add: I keep coming back for the competition! There is a feeling that I get from winning local matches, only to have my head served on a platter at a major level, that keeps me coming back for MORE! And I like the sun on by bare noggin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
driver8M3 Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 i had a long list of things...and then i realized they'd all apply to most other shooting sports too. what i think separates uspsa from the others is the freestyle component. that applies to both stage design and the way we shoot stages...there's so much variety (within matches, and between matches). and the higher round counts...while i like a good short stage (swingin' six at area 5 looked really cool), i love a well thought out 32 round stage... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ap3 Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 To me it is the people, and what makes the people so special is this: easy to get along with creative thinkers either own something,run something or lead something very competitive, but always patting you on the back for a great run thrill seekers The only other thing that makes USPSA so special is that it ALWAYS provides a significant challenge to your mind and your fine motor skills like golf but much better. The ultimate gentlemans sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rojo Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 (edited) Rules keep us safe. Large COF's make it fun. Round count, cool gear, big mags, it's all good. But, as previously stated, " I came for the shooting, I stayed for the people". The people. Bob Johnson Edited August 22, 2007 by Rojo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blueridge Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Let's see.... I participate in Olympic Style Fencing, SASS, IDPA, USPSA, and Archery. All of them I enjoy, and for different reasons. I am a competitor at heart, and that is what makes the difference for me. Many people can do any ONE of these sports better than I can, but few can do all of them as well as I can. I compare my experience to a decathalete in that they are never the best at all of the events, but put together all their accomplishments few are better. USPSA like most every sport that I participate in has great competitors and camaradie I have found. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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