MONTHLY BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE MATCH
**The Beginner/Intermediate match is very user friendly for new and experienced shooters. We especially encourage women who want to learn to shoot handguns to attend. We teach basic handgun safety and shooting skills to individuals who have never shot before or who have limited handgun handling and shooting skills. After completing individual safety training, beginning shooters work with a coach who will provide additional instruction and assistance while they shoot at a series of targets that are relatively close and easy to hit. Shooters are encouraged to take all the time they need to complete each stage in order to practice safe loading, unloading, holstering, and unholstering of their handguns.
**The match includes mid-level shooting at targets that are at greater distances and which allow intermediate shooters to hone their shooting skills. Intermediate shooters may be asked to shoot weak hand only or strong hand only as part of their skills improvement. Intermediate shooters are given unlimited time to complete each stage.
**The match includes advanced skills level competition for shooters who are skilled at shooting with both weak and strong hands. Advanced shooters may shoot at longer distances, as well as above, underneath, around, or through obstacles in various different shooting positions and are given a limited amount of time to complete each stage.
**Each skill level is scored but the score is used primarily so that individual shooters can gauge their improvement over time. Scores are also used a few times during the year to assign shooters to the beginner/intermediate/advanced classes when competitors shoot for prizes.
What Equipment Do You Need?
**Hearing and eye protection are mandatory even if you come to watch and don’t intend to shoot. We have some eye protection and ear protection available for visitors and new shooters. Many new shooters do not own a gun or have other shooting equipment. We encourage these new shooters to come to the match and we will provide a loaner gun, ammunition, and holster. It’s a good idea to use one of our guns starting out as you will be able to try out several types of guns before you decide to make a purchase and will have a better idea of what gun fits you and that you can handle before you make a mistake and buy a gun that is not suited for you. If you need to borrow a gun, holster, and ammunition, there is no charge for the use of the gun or the holster. However, you will be asked to cover the cost of the ammunition which currently is $20 for 72 rounds of ammunition.
**For shooters who own their equipment, we recommend semi-automatics and revolvers with a minimum 3 inch barrel. A hip-holster that follows the bone of the leg is required; no cross draw holsters are allowed (for safety reasons). We recommend standard handgun calibers including .380, 9 mm, 40 Smith & Wesson, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 357 Magnum, and 38 Special. Larger calibers such as 44 Magnum are allowed but commercial loads are not recommended. You will need at least 3 magazines, speed loaders, or moon clips (depending on your handgun) to complete each stage. The optimum number is 4 magazines, speed loaders, or moon clips in the event you drop one during the stage or have a problem. A standard .22 is not a center fire cartridge and is not allowed on the range. The .25 and .32 caliber guns do not produce sufficient power (on every shot) to knock down the targets.
**We recommend that shooters bring 100 rounds for each match. Matches consist of 72 rounds (most of the time) that are shot in stages of 12 or 18 rounds. If shooters are involved in a shoot-off for a prize (because of a tie score) or if they want to practice before or after the match, they might need additional ammunition.
**We shoot out doors so during the summer months it’s nice to have a bottle or two of water or something to drink as there aren’t any facilities for food on the range. In the winter a thermos of coffee or something hot to drink along with plenty of clothing, a pair of gloves (for between relays) and a good coat make the day much more pleasant.
How Much Will it Cost?
Each shooter pays a $10 fee for shooting the match. $5 goes to the club for use of the range. The other $5 is retained for the purchase and replacement of targets. Shooters who elect to shoot more than one gun per match will be charged $5 for each additional gun.
What Are the Dates of the Match?
The Match is held the second Saturday of each month. Go to the home page and click on “calendars” to see the complete annual schedule for the Beginner/Intermediate match and all other rifle and pistol matches held by the Capitol City Rifle and Pistol Club.
What Time Does the Match Start?
The match officially starts at 9 AM. We ask all who attend the match to show up at 8 AM to help set up targets, lay tarps and mats in the shooting bays, and assist with the shooter sign-up process. After the match is over, we ask all shooters to remain and help put away all of the equipment and targets used during the match.
What Targets are Used?
Targets include paper, steel, and bowling pins. Paper and steel targets are 4, 6,8,10, or 12 inches in diameter. Bowling pins are standard pins obtained from local bowling alleys. Targets are set at distances from 5 yards up to a maximum of 30 yards. Bowling pins and steel targets have to be shot from a predetermined distance for safety reasons.