Hello group! I’m currently in Va but will be locating to the Philadelphia, PA area. I was wondering if there are any facilities in that area that offer competitive shooting practice facilities and also matches I can find?
I never really looked into getting into competitive shooting/competitions so any information regarding how to get started and more importantly places in/around the Philadelphia area would be great!
Thanks in advance!
What kind? There is uspsa and 3gun.
A place called Ontelaunee has longer range stuff available as well.
What city are you actually moving to? Theres a few members here in that area.
Probably both, would like to try each out if there is a facility that allows you to practice, so that I get an idea of how I’d feel about it. I have the gear to do either or.
I’m moving towards the outskirts of Philly. My wife wants to stay in the Delaware County area (that’s where her family lives), but I’m trying to move further out, maybe Montegomery County (around K.O.P) or Chester County. I have a feeling though that we’ll end up being in the Broomall or Newtown Square area.
Set up a practiscore account
Done!
How do people generally get started? Do they just jump right into competitions without going somewhere that has similar setups so that you can run through courses that would give you an idea of how things go?
Personally, I would like to go somewhere that offers ranges with setups that you would find during competitions for people who don’t compete, so that I could get myself familiarized with the notions and what not. I’m pretty versed with gun range safety and muzzle awareness, but that’s at a range where everything is straight and down range. There isn’t much running and gunning along with the stress of making a good shot placement while time is ticking when I’m going to the range. If that makes any sense!
By the way. Thanks for the info.
Wish I could help but im in the northern suburbs, Bucks Co. If you end up in MontCo on the side of
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If we end up in Delco I hope it’s the outskirts. I’m not a fan of crowded neighborhoods, which is all I see whem I’m in town visiting with the in-laws. Anyhow, seems like Reading has a good facility, which is a little over an hour away from whwre we might be. Just gotta call them up and see what they offer.
Well if you don’t mind driving there’s guardian training center in Warminster
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Its a hike, but Easton Fish and Game has (at least had) a first time competitor course to get you familiar with the range rules and commands and general workings of a competition. Things are winding down this year, but will kick back up in the spring.
They also do a “steel shoot” once a month which is similar to a match setup. There are no scores and its a fun, laid back setting, but doing and getting used to something like that will make a first uspsa more comfortable.
Dont expect to be smooth your first time. Be calm, but being safe is #1 &2. You will make friends and people will show you the way if you are SAFE and eager to learn. Take your time and get good hits at first, missing leads to more frustration, which leads to loss of concentration, and can lead to safety violations, at least in my experience.
Go slow, take your time and get hits, listen to range commands, and have fun.
If you get DQd, acknowledge that you know what you did wrong and dont take it too personal, happens to a lot of us (myself included).
Thanks man! That’s good info and I’ll definitely take heed to any instructions given. I know it’s a bit late in the year, but wanted to get my ducks in the row prior to the big move. Again, thanks for the info, can’t wait to get started and start using my stuff for things other than a typical gun range visit.
Lower Providence is a big IDPA and practical shooting club. Mostly pistol though.
Anyone in the area do PCC competitions?
Every place ive done uspsa at had pcc class.
I’m looking to send my application to Ontelaunee next month. It’s about 45 minutes from my house, but looks like they have about every thing I want in a club to 200-300 yard ranges.
As far as just getting started in IDPA, 3-gun, etc, I’d say not to worry about it. I’ve never done any competitions either and may even shoot 3-gun with my pump Benelli Supernova. Will I look like a douche to some? Sure, but I don’t really GAF as long as I’m having fun; I don’t feel the need to impress anyone.
Ontelaunee has nice range facilities compared to other ranges I’ve shot at in the area. I’m in the Allentown area and am a member at Ontelaunee. The club offers an intro to competitive shooting class that you could go to, but after taking it myself I don’t think it’s worth it. I’ve shot two East coast steel challenge matches at the club, and depending how my schedule works I’m looking to shoot the IDPA and 3 gun shoots. The people at the matches that I’ve competed with have all been great, very willing to help you out.
With that said the club doesn’t have dedicated setups that you could run for practice, they do have a pistol range where you can setup steel plates and practice, if you have them.
If you want to shoot at the club before joining send me a message.
Some additional clubs that have very good programs include New Holland Rifle and Pistol (my home club), University Rifle Club in Reading, Southern Chester County Sportsman, Topton Fish and Game, and West Shore Sportsman near Harrisburg (a drive for ya, but good to have the extra one). This is an amazing area for competitive stuff.