hgmike said:
I'm interested in shooting competition for fun while improving my skills. I'm only interested in shooting pistols right now.
What are the main differences b/w these shooting clubs? Is USPSA and IPSC the same or related? And which one do you think would fit me the best? They all have 'practical' as part of their names but which one is the most practical? Thanks!
USPSA and IPSC are more or less the same for domestic purposes. The USPSA is the organization that handles IPSC events here in the U.S..
The IPSC and IDPA rulesets are somewhat different, and which one is more "practical" or "realistic" is up for debate.
Off the top of my head:
IDPA:
Often requires the weapon start concealed.
Limits all magazines to 10 rounds.
Reloads require you to be at slide-lock or you must retain/retrieve the half-empty mag.
Scoring is simpler.
Requires firearm be reasonably close to "stock" for most divisions, and limits modifications somewhat in all of them.
USPSA/IPSC:
Less restrictions on how you carry.
No limits on magazine capacity in Limited and Open formats (although there's a size limit to the magazine so in Limited it's not ridiculous).
Reload however you like.
Scoring is more complex (but arguably more accurate).
Firearms are allowed more modifications in some divisions, ranging from Production (where firearms must be close to stock) to Open, where serious competitors will have decked out "Raceguns".
If you just want to practice shooting and moving, reloading, and other basic skills for self-defense, and you don't care how you rank compared to other shooters, shooting IPSC Limited is probably the best place to start. There's very few technique-based rules you have to follow, you can pretty much shoot what you want and how you want.
If you want to take a stock gun and be competitive, and be forced by the rules to conform to what many people consider "realistic" (specifically, reloading only from slide-lock or forcing you to retain a non-empty mag), then IDPA is better.