Shooting Matches In Kentucky?? - Page 3 - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

GaryXD · 09-06-2007, 10:55 AM

Every club I have ever been to has allowed spectators as long as they had eye and ear protection. HOWEVER you have to get that first match under your belt sometime, and it might as well be sooner than later. Seriously you will learn more by shooting one match than you will watching a hundred. Just tell the Safety Officer you are new and you won't have to go first.

Airedale · 09-06-2007, 12:36 PM

You are in a pretty good area for shooting matches. BGSL near Wilmore is probably the closest. The USPSA guys are a great bunch of folks and always welcome new shooters. ( I don't know the IDPA guys) I wouldn't drive an hour to watch a match. Bring your gear and join in. If you are safe, you'll be more than welcome. If you aren't familiar with your pistol, grab someone and they will give you some instruction. You may well shoot like a blind man your first match-who cares?

Try www.practicalshooters.com That website has many of the local clubs and their schedules listed.

This Sunday is Silver Creek near Sellersburg,IN (just minutes from Louisville). It's another good club. I'll probably be shooting single stack. Silver Creek also hosts the steel challenge match on the 4th Saturday each month. Great fun. Join in.
Dave

selectedmarksman · 09-06-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wot_racing

Do you all care if someone comes to just watch and doesnt shoot? I really would like to see what is involved before I embarass myself..

Everybody at the BGSL is really friendly. My father and I just 'showed up' on of their orientation days and they gave us a tour. They happened to have an IDPA event going on that day in the pits and I believe spectators were allowed. I'll forward official positions on spectators to the folks who run the BGSL and the SOP's for the event (You can call 859-858-4060 and they'll be happy to help you and/or set up a tour). Being as it is a private club the electronic gate is closed unless there is an Event allowing non-members (I don't know of any members-only events, but members get discounts for event fees).

Outside of attending one of those open events you should probably either set up a tour or go with a member as a guest. Members are allowed two guests at a time (for safety reasons) and there is no guest charge unless you plan on shooting, then it's a mere $10 for the entire day.

If you think you might be interested in joining the BGSL and not just showing up for the IPSC/IDPA/GSSF events, shoot me a PM and I can be your Sponsor.

Oh, and BGSL's website is www.bgslinc.com
Click hear for an aerial photo of the facilities

wot_racing · 09-06-2007, 06:33 PM

My reason for wanting to watch is the fact that I simply dont know what to do!!

selectedmarksman · 09-06-2007, 06:42 PM

Again, not a problem! I actually haven't gotten into competition yet myself, I'm making sure my safety and basics are solid first. At the BGSL you must go through a short orientation course in how to operate safely in the shooting pits which includes demonstration of that ability.

Here's my plan: Join the IDPA and/or IPSC and just do my first few matches like I'm in underwater. Screw the clock. Nobody's going to look 'cool' their first few times out, so I'm just going to be safe, have fun, and learn the procedures.

If you have specific questions on how things go, you might check out the websites for the IDPA/IPSC/GSSF orgs. I'm sure you'll find info on procedural matters (range commands, reloading methods, etc). I'm 90% certain that you can watch the events so long as you're within BGSL's SOP's for being on the premises (are there with a member, called ahead and made some sort of arrangement, etc.) I'm not personally part of the orginizational staff though, just a member, so be sure to get it from the horse's mouth.

I was intimidated by IDPA at first, but I watched a match once and it suddenly wasn't so scary. I think watching to find out how things are run and what the safety procedures are is a wise thing indeed.

Airedale · 09-07-2007, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selectedmarksman

Here's my plan: Join the IDPA and/or IPSC and just do my first few matches like I'm in underwater. Screw the clock. Nobody's going to look 'cool' their first few times out, so I'm just going to be safe, have fun, and learn the procedures.

You are on the money!
And don't worry about going fast or any of the cool factor stuff. I guarantee that when squaded with a new shooter (or new to the sport), that I'm watching for safe operation. When I see a new shooter (at the unload and show clear command) slingshot that slide and catch the last round in the air, I make a mental note-don't squad with this clown again.

Dave

KYDoc · 09-07-2007, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wot_racing

Do you all care if someone comes to just watch and doesnt shoot? I really would like to see what is involved before I embarass myself..

You are absolutely welcome to watch but it won't take long to see what it's about. There is a new-shooter orientation at 9 am before every USPSA match. Send a pm on this board to "fynky" - a guy named Frank. He runs it and is good at giving you the overall concept.

If he doesn't reply (haven't seen him on the board lately) then let me know by PM or just show up at 9 and ask for Frank.

Bring a gun/mags/1 or 2 mag pouches and a good belt/holster even if you don't plan on shooting. You'll pick up on it pretty quick and you'll wish you could shoot!

To look at basic equipment, go to the www.uspsa.org site and check out the rules handbook.

KYDoc · 09-07-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by selectedmarksman

Again, not a problem! I actually haven't gotten into competition yet myself, I'm making sure my safety and basics are solid first. At the BGSL you must go through a short orientation course in how to operate safely in the shooting pits which includes demonstration of that ability.

Here's my plan: Join the IDPA and/or IPSC and just do my first few matches like I'm in underwater. Screw the clock. Nobody's going to look 'cool' their first few times out, so I'm just going to be safe, have fun, and learn the procedures.

If you have specific questions on how things go, you might check out the websites for the IDPA/IPSC/GSSF orgs. I'm sure you'll find info on procedural matters (range commands, reloading methods, etc). I'm 90% certain that you can watch the events so long as you're within BGSL's SOP's for being on the premises (are there with a member, called ahead and made some sort of arrangement, etc.) I'm not personally part of the orginizational staff though, just a member, so be sure to get it from the horse's mouth.

I was intimidated by IDPA at first, but I watched a match once and it suddenly wasn't so scary. I think watching to find out how things are run and what the safety procedures are is a wise thing indeed.

Our club matches are open to all -- no membership required. During matches (IDPA/USPSA) the gate is left open. Just go through the open gate and follow the signs to the pistol pits. They are on the left just after the "Bluegrass Pistol Club" sign

**Ed Ely** · 09-07-2007, 10:30 AM

Might want to try this site also -

http://rledwards.home.att.net/

Ed

selectedmarksman · 09-07-2007, 10:50 AM

Thanks for clearing that up KYDoc, I wanted to be sure not to pass on incorrect information.

See how helpful those BGSL guys are? ; )

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09-06-2007, 10:55 AM	#21
GaryXD XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Corvette City Posts: 149	Every club I have ever been to has allowed spectators as long as they had eye and ear protection. HOWEVER you have to get that first match under your belt sometime, and it might as well be sooner than later. Seriously you will learn more by shooting one match than you will watching a hundred. Just tell the Safety Officer you are new and you won't have to go first.

09-06-2007, 12:36 PM	#22
Airedale XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 104	You are in a pretty good area for shooting matches. BGSL near Wilmore is probably the closest. The USPSA guys are a great bunch of folks and always welcome new shooters. ( I don't know the IDPA guys) I wouldn't drive an hour to watch a match. Bring your gear and join in. If you are safe, you'll be more than welcome. If you aren't familiar with your pistol, grab someone and they will give you some instruction. You may well shoot like a blind man your first match-who cares? Try www.practicalshooters.com That website has many of the local clubs and their schedules listed. This Sunday is Silver Creek near Sellersburg,IN (just minutes from Louisville). It's another good club. I'll probably be shooting single stack. Silver Creek also hosts the steel challenge match on the 4th Saturday each month. Great fun. Join in. Dave

09-06-2007, 06:33 PM	#24
wot_racing XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Harlan, KY Posts: 473	My reason for wanting to watch is the fact that I simply dont know what to do!!

09-06-2007, 06:42 PM	#25
selectedmarksman XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 141	Again, not a problem! I actually haven't gotten into competition yet myself, I'm making sure my safety and basics are solid first. At the BGSL you must go through a short orientation course in how to operate safely in the shooting pits which includes demonstration of that ability. Here's my plan: Join the IDPA and/or IPSC and just do my first few matches like I'm in underwater. Screw the clock. Nobody's going to look 'cool' their first few times out, so I'm just going to be safe, have fun, and learn the procedures. If you have specific questions on how things go, you might check out the websites for the IDPA/IPSC/GSSF orgs. I'm sure you'll find info on procedural matters (range commands, reloading methods, etc). I'm 90% certain that you can watch the events so long as you're within BGSL's SOP's for being on the premises (are there with a member, called ahead and made some sort of arrangement, etc.) I'm not personally part of the orginizational staff though, just a member, so be sure to get it from the horse's mouth. I was intimidated by IDPA at first, but I watched a match once and it suddenly wasn't so scary. I think watching to find out how things are run and what the safety procedures are is a wise thing indeed.

09-07-2007, 10:30 AM	#29
Ed Ely XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: 37.65N -84.76W (Elev. 932 ft) Posts: 7,518 Blog Entries: 1	Might want to try this site also - http://rledwards.home.att.net/ Ed

09-07-2007, 10:50 AM	#30
selectedmarksman XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 141	Thanks for clearing that up KYDoc, I wanted to be sure not to pass on incorrect information. See how helpful those BGSL guys are? ; )