Handgun Competitions.

[u/LightningKachowshi]

I am located in Calgary, Alberta and want to join a handgun competition however I am uncertain about the requirements around it. My range is located in Rocky Mountain House and has pistol ranges I use often.

Am I required to be IPSC certified for all of the competitions? If so what if my range doesn’t offer this course. Where can I do it.

Ultimately I’d love some advice or even pay for some information as to how one goes about joining a league and shooting competitively.

Thanks ahead of time!

[u/Parking_Media]

Go talk to them.

If they're not excited to have new people there I'll eat my hat and you should find a new range.

[u/h3IIfir3pho3nix]

Email your range board/check their website to see their event details. They will usually have range rules and other requirements indicated. If not, the board should give you info.

There are also tons of other clubs that will let you compete as a guest. Check the ranges around your area on Practiscore to see what is offered.

[u/_Armpit → u/[deleted]]

It's a website that most clubs and ranges that offer events use for score keeping.

You'll usually find events on the range's calendar, or on Practiscore.

It's not the most user friendly site for both users and match directors. While I would love an alternative, making something like that takes a lot of effort, and getting people to use it will take a lot more.

[u/LightningKachowshi → u/_Armpit]

Thank you so much for the information! I will definitely look into this. As of now I am signing up for my black badge course in hopes to get that sorted first!

[u/_Armpit → u/LightningKachowshi]

A black badge isn't required to attend most events, aside from IPSC.

Not saying that you shouldn't get it, but if your goal is to attend events in general, and not specifically attending IPSC matches, then a black badge isn't needed for most of them.

[u/LightningKachowshi → u/_Armpit]

Ohhhhhh no way. I have so much to learn thank you for being patient and teaching me.

[u/SpectreBallistics]

BTSA does a bunch of IPSC and other competitions.

[u/LightningKachowshi → u/SpectreBallistics]

Thank you so much! This is great news. It seems I need my black badge to compete at most of these if not all.

[u/Specialist_Chard5231 → u/LightningKachowshi]

They do some that don't require BB. I would inquire about their Thursday stuff. IPSC level 2 matches required BB.

[u/yycmoose]

I’d prob try to get my IPSC black badge as a starter

[u/DougMacRay617 → u/yycmoose]

Yea this is where to start

[u/LightningKachowshi → u/yycmoose]

Amazing any suggestion of where they host the courses?

[u/FightingShibas]

For IPSC sanctioned competitions you need your Black Badge. Not sure what other competitions happen at BTSA. Here is a link to the certified Black Badge Instructors. Best bet would be to pick one in Calgary and get in touch with them. Even if they don’t have an upcoming course they can out you on their waitlist or direct you to another instructor who does. Feel free to DM me with any questions. I’m not an expert, but I’ve been shooting IPSC for nearly a decade.

[u/julienjj]

You need the black badge, most range will ask you for it to be able to carry in a holster anyway.
To run an IPSC match you need it as well. TBH, without the course you would probably get Disqualified (DQ) by doing something not permitted in your first match.

[u/mhkhung]

Start with Olympics style shooting https://albertahandgun.org/

[u/1n2uition]

Rocky offers BB certifications, just call and ask. I think they had one scheduled this month but it got bumped due to lack of people (usually 6 min) maybe you can be the tie breaker and get it going!

[u/1n2uition]

And regardless of if every club requires a BB or not-
Just do it, other than the expense; no reason not too. You’ll gain a decent amount of practical experience in a supervised environment. Until you’ve done something like this; you just don’t realize how lacking and undisciplined you likely are- not a dig, just from my personal experience.