Practical Pistol - Getting Started
Equipment
Handguns
Most pistols out-of-the-box are perfectly adequate for shooting Practical Pistol. Many shooters are perfectly happy with a standard Glock. I use a Glock 34, but found that better sights improvemd my shooting at modest cost. Don't let yourself get caught up by the current fads and fashion.Nothing is as important as reliability. A reliable pistol with standard sights and a standard trigger pull that functions 100% will win every time over a full-house race gun that doesn't work. If the handgun functions correctly with your ammo then all is well. If not, your first concern is to make it reliable.
Modifications which improve accuracy are good sights and a good trigger. Modifications which increase comfort, control, handling, and speed are items like beavertails, extended magazine releases, checkering, extended thumb safeties, oversized magazine wells, etc.
Holsters
The holster must cover the trigger and should allow the second finger to be placed on the stock when the shooter grasps the pistol as part of the draw. It should be placed on the belt so that once the hand is dropped onto the pistol, a firm firing grip may be obtained. It should hold the pistol firmly yet allow a smooth draw.Magazine Requirements
At least 4 magazines, and probably more, are required for most courses of fire. The magazines should drop easily when the magazine catch is depressed.Magazine Pouches
Pouches should be cut low enough to ensure that the shooter can get a proper grip on the magazine. The front of all magazines should be facing forward. The number of pouches required is one less than the number of magazines. Magazine pouches should have adequate retention yet release on demand.Gun Belt
The belt should be 1.75 inches wide and must be of sufficient strength and stiffness to hold the holster in the same position at all times. The holster should not be able to slide on the belt and the belt and holster loops should be the same size as the belt.Safety and Responsibility
It must be emphasized that the standards for safety and safe gun-handling are very high and are rigorously enforced. A Practical Pistol Safety Course must be passed before a shooter is allowed to participate in any competition.Basic Firearm Safety Rules
- All firearms are always considered to be loaded.
- The muzzle must always be pointed down range and in a safe direction - never allow the muzzle. to cover anything you are not willing to shoot.
- Keep your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard, except when actually shooting at targets.
- Be sure of where the bullet is going to end up.
Range Safety and Safety Areas
In addition to the four basic safety rules, there are further rules for safety. These procedural safety rules involve safe gun-handling and common sense.- Once holstered, handguns may not, under any circumstances, be handled in any fashion outside the Safety Area without the express authorization of a Range Officer.
- The uncasing and casing of the firearm must always take place at the Safety Area.
- The handling of ammunition in any Safety Area is strictly prohibited.
- Pistols are carried in the holster from stage to stage. They are always , unloaded, with the hammer down, and no magazine inserted.
- Eye and ear protection must be worn at all times while on the range whether shooting or not.
(Adapted from information on the IPSC site. View original article here)
If you are interested in trying Practical Pistol, you are welcome to join us at practice sessions.
You will be able to borrow all the equipment you need. For safety reasons, you will be closely monitored as you try a few stages. When you decide that you like it, you will be required to pass the PP Safety Course. We run this in house, so there are no large fees to worry about.
James for information about practice sessions.