A common refrain sung by people who have never attended an organized shooting event is that organized shooting events, such as a match, offer no training value. Here’s why that is bunk.


Despite having attended a number of formal shooting schools my advice for new firearm users is to first find a local range hosting some form of organized shooting events that appeals to you. Local competition shooters are as skilled, and possibly more so, than the instructor staff of even good schools.

Find a club running matches, learn the event and start attending. Find the consistent winners and “bribe” one of them to go shooting with you to better learn the game and know how to practice better. Your increasing scores provide feedback on your improvement.

Any school is going to charge a couple hundred dollars per day for a class. Local matches will cost $10 – $20 and the top shooters there are possibly more skillful.