GSSF Style Practice Match.

[Mad Professor]

Oklahoma City Gun Club is starting a recurring monthly event GSSF style practice match at OKC Gun Club. This is a non-sanctioned match shot in the format of the 50 or so outdoor matches Glock Sport Shooting Foundation holds all over the country. These matches are meant to help promote GSSF matches, attract interest from shooters of other disciplines, as well as introduce new shooters into competitive sports shooting.

The first match will be Saturday Dec 12, 2020, and will repeat each 2nd Saturday of the month.

For this practice match, you do not have to shoot a Glock, and you do not have to be a member of GSSF or OKCGC (discount for OKCGC members).

For those not familiar with the outdoor format:
It is shot from the low ready, with each stage shot from a single position, under individual control of a Range Officer. Suitable for any experience level and very accommodating for shooters new to competitions. There are 3 separate stages with 3-4 strings of fire each.
Courses of Fire are listed here: Glock Sport Shooting Foundation
Glock rules and format start on page 9 here. http://www.gssfonline.com/glockrpt/GSSF_Current_Rules.pdf

Minimal equipment is needed. Firearm, magazines (4+ preferred but it will work with 2 with some help) case for firearm (oem case is fine), ammo (125ish rounds), and ear and eye protection.

Note: This first match will be limited to one entry per person to allow all the kinks to be worked out. Total number of entries will be limited to 60 and will be available on PractiScore about 7 days prior to the match.

Practiscore link: Home | PractiScore

Flier from OKC Gun Club. https://www.okcgunclub.org/gssf.html

The Match Director contact information is in the flyer. I'll also try to answer any question you may have here.

 

[harley128]

Man this looks like fun!

 

[thor447]

Thanks @Mad Professor, this is the kick in the pants I needed! I've had a desire to start shooting some competitions, mostly for the fun of it, without any expectations of actually winning! I've been hesitant because I do not have a full and complete understanding of the rules and procedures. I've read through their documentation, but I still have a few questions. Could you answer a few for me:

• In a perfect world, I'd shoot my G48. It is my understanding that all matches, except for Pocket Glock and Major Sub, have a max capacity of 11 rounds for each string, which is perfect for my G48. Is this info accurate?

• For the stock division, my reading of GSSF rules tells me that my aftermarket TruGlo TFX sights on my G48 would be allowed, but I'm not positive if they allow Talon Granulate Grip tape. Their rules suggest that they allow non-permanent 'skateboard' tape. I'm a stickler for details, so I just want to make sure this applies to Talon grips.

• My major concern is regarding the use of reloaded ammo. I've read some info regarding people competing with reloaded ammo at several pistol matches. Does GSSF require ammo to meet any particular power factor? If not, would you have any advice on things to take into account when loading ammo for a competition

• I've also read that if you require a reshoot due to ammunition failure, that it will only be granted if you are shooting factory loaded ammo. I've only read one case in my research that said they granted a reshoot to someone shooting handloads. Now I'll say that I've had very good results with my handloads, and haven't run across a dead primer in a very long time, but things can happen and I'd like to know the rules if such an event were to occur.

Then there's all the little things that I'd only learn once I attended my first match, or in this case, first training match. Proper procedure and protocol with the R/O's. When and where can magazines be loaded? Do you shoot multiple strings one after another, or is there a break in between? Do I need to make/buy mag carriers, or is all of the shooting done with a single magazine, with a stop in between, etc.

I'm sure I have a clinically diagnosable case of OCD, so all of these questions flood into my head when I think about doing something for the first time!

Any info you can provide would be helpful.

If I can get my schedule adjusted a little bit, I'd really like to attend this event on the 12th. We have a new property opening up next week so i was planning on being tied up next Saturday, but I'll do what I can to get the day free. If I'm able to, I'll sign up though PractiScore in a few days when registration opens up.

 

[Mad Professor]

Thanks @Mad Professor, this is the kick in the pants I needed! I've had a desire to start shooting some competitions, mostly for the fun of it, without any expectations of actually winning! I've been hesitant because I do not have a full and complete understanding of the rules and procedures. I've read through their documentation, but I still have a few questions. Could you answer a few for me:

• In a perfect world, I'd shoot my G48. It is my understanding that all matches, except for Pocket Glock and Major Sub, have a max capacity of 11 rounds for each string, which is perfect for my G48. Is this info accurate?

That is correct. I believe the current rules were actually built with consideration of the 10 round limits of the AWB era.

I recommend using another magazine to”Barney” load that extra round.

• For the stock division, my reading of GSSF rules tells me that my aftermarket TruGlo TFX sights on my G48 would be allowed, but I'm not positive if they allow Talon Granulate Grip tape. Their rules suggest that they allow non-permanent 'skateboard' tape. I'm a stickler for details, so I just want to make sure this applies to Talon grips.

Yes Talon brand granulate grip tape wraps are allowed. I personally use them on all but one of my GSSf guns. The RTF2 17 has plenty of grip, but I still ad a piece of it on the frame for my support thumb.

• My major concern is regarding the use of reloaded ammo. I've read some info regarding people competing with reloaded ammo at several pistol matches. Does GSSF require ammo to meet any particular power factor? If not, would you have any advice on things to take into account when loading ammo for a competition

No power factor is required. I personally use my reloaded ammo. Many people have issues with reloaded ammo. Usually poor quality I control or they attempt to load it too light. I load my 124g 9mm to 1100fps. If it will reliably lock the slide back after the last round, you should be good.

Sanctioned GSSF matches are pretty forgiving on malfunctions. They will let you reshoot after a malfunction. But on the second malfunction, you must go get you gun looked at. They are going to blame the reloaded ammo first.... and that is usually correct.

Test and make sure you are confident in your ammo is my best advice. You don’t want to slow down the match. It’s frustration for you and your fellow competitors.

• I've also read that if you require a reshoot due to ammunition failure, that it will only be granted if you are shooting factory loaded ammo. I've only read one case in my research that said they granted a reshoot to someone shooting handloads. Now I'll say that I've had very good results with my handloads, and haven't run across a dead primer in a very long time, but things can happen and I'd like to know the rules if such an event were to occur.

I see reshoots granted all the time with reloads. I’ve personally had a few with a gun I’ve had trouble with. I think the armorer finally solve it for me this last time.
I always carry some factory ammo with me to the matches in case I have an issue.

Then there's all the little things that I'd only learn once I attended my first match, or in this case, first training match. Proper procedure and protocol with the R/O's. When and where can magazines be loaded? Do you shoot multiple strings one after another, or is there a break in between? Do I need to make/buy mag carriers, or is all of the shooting done with a single magazine, with a stop in between, etc.

I'm sure I have a clinically diagnosable case of OCD, so all of these questions flood into my head when I think about doing something for the first time!

Any info you can provide would be helpful.

Magazines can be loaded anywhere except for designated safe areas. Safe areas are made to be able to work on your gun so no ammo is allowed there.

The stages all have multiple strings. 4 on the plate rack, 3 on the other two stages. I recommend 4 mags minimum if you can. If not 2 should be the absolute minimum. Then you can have someone load the empty mag while you shot the string. The you can reload all you mags in between the next stage. I recommend not putting the mags in the bag with the gun, unless they are isolated in an outside pocket. You don’t want to unzip you bag exposing the gun to get to the magazines. No mag carrier is needed. Simply lay them on the table. You don’t do any mag changes during the firing of the string. You swap at the stop.


The biggest advice is let the RO know at each stage that this is your first match. Don’t handle the firearm until instructed to do so.

Almost all shooting disciplines I have shot in have been very newbie friendly. The GSSF matches seem to go above and beyond to accommodate new and anxious shooters.

If I can get my schedule adjusted a little bit, I'd really like to attend this event on the 12th. We have a new property opening up next week so i was planning on being tied up next Saturday, but I'll do what I can to get the day free. If I'm able to, I'll sign up though PractiScore in a few days when registration opens up.

Awesome!!

Any other questions you have, toss them up!

 

[thor447]

I am watching YouTube videos of people running those GSSF stages using helmet cams. I will move mountains, but I am going to be there for that shoot!

Having never been to one, I can only speculate, but I’m guessing it would be wise to bring a chair, food, and some water. I’m guessing there can be a lot of waiting between stages.

Thanks for your help. Look forward to seeing you out there.


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[Shadowrider]

GSSF appears to me to be right up there with Steel Challenge on being a good first match to "new competition" shooters. No drawing, movement, etc.

I'm going to try to make this one for sure. I've yet to shoot one of the outdoor GSSF matches. This should be a good "get up to speed" match.

 

[Mad Professor]

I am watching YouTube videos of people running those GSSF stages using helmet cams. I will move mountains, but I am going to be there for that shoot!

Having never been to one, I can only speculate, but I’m guessing it would be wise to bring a chair, food, and some water. I’m guessing there can be a lot of waiting between stages.

Thanks for your help. Look forward to seeing you out there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Absolutely bring a chair. Who knows on the waiting. A similar practice match in Kansas that I frequent rarely has me waiting more than 3-4 entries. It goes pretty fast. I always have a snack and show up with a full stomach. And I have water. The cold may be more of an issue this time.

You’ll also want to help take and reset the stage so it goes faster for everyone.

 

[Mad Professor]

GSSF appears to me to be right up there with Steel Challenge on being a good first match to "new competition" shooters. No drawing, movement, etc.

I'm going to try to make this one for sure. I've yet to shoot one of the outdoor GSSF matches. This should be a good "get up to speed" match.

Exactly.

Hopefully it will inspire many to decide to participate in the sanctioned matches. Prizes are wild. They gave away almost 30 pistols at Carrollton this year. 28 or 29, and at least 10 were by random draw. And there were more in the RO/volunteer drawing. Lots of cash prizes. I won a pistol in one of the divisions and another by random draw. Plus another $150 from random draws. NOTE: this is at a sanctioned match, not a practice match.

These matches have been VERY good to me.

 

[thor447]

Exactly.

Hopefully it will inspire many to decide to participate in the sanctioned matches. Prizes are wild. They gave away almost 30 pistols at Carrollton this year. 28 or 29, and at least 10 were by random draw. And there were more in the RO/volunteer drawing. Lots of cash prizes. I won a pistol in one of the division and anther by random draw. Plus another $150 from random draws. NOTE: this is at a sanctioned match, not a practice match.

These matches have been VERY good to me.

I have seen your posts where you’re showing off new pistols that you’ve won. Aside from the fun of competing, that is a serious motivating factor!


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[chuter]

I've never shot competition, but this has me fired up! Unless it's frigid cold, I'm going to make it.