Hi fellas,
I am Ben, and I am an active IDPA/IPSC/steel shooter living in Eugene. Our IDPA matches are the 1st Saturday of the month, every month, rain or shine. Our steel matches are every 3rd Saturday of the month, every month, rain or shine. You do NOT need to be a member of the range to attend. Matches are open to the public.
Our USPSA matches are on hold as we reorganize responsibility for that. They will likely continue on the 1st Sunday of the month. We are affiliated with IDPA and USPSA. Our IDPA matches are $10 for IDPA members, and $15 for other. We encourage everyone to join IDPA if you like the game, and it saves you money after 6-7 matches. Our steel matches are ecclectic, some standard steel challenge stages, some oddball Hogan's Alley stages, usually a Texas star or duelling treee, and usually a "Sea o' Falling Steel" stage. I think they are fun and shakeup the usual 4 plates and a stop plate steel challenge format.
We allow .22 pistols at the steel match. We do not allow pistol caliber carbines, due to a charter issue.
We have all skill ranges, with a few "pretty good" shooters, a varying number of newbies, and a lot of CHL carriers who improve and maintain skills with the matches. It's a nice crew of guys (occasional lady as well), and the games are MUCH funner than golf or standard firing line shooting.
First time competitors will go thru a 15 minute safety briefing, and are then often paired with someone on their squad who is experienced, to talk them thru strategies, things to be careful about, etc. There is no test. We tend to help newby shooters learn the ropes in a friendly way, while watching and correcting any safety issues.
We have 12-25 guys at the IDPA and steel matches. For IDPA bring a 9mm or larger pistol, holster, 3 mags, 2-mag carrier if you have it, and 150 rounds of ammo. For a revo bring a .38 or larger revo and 3 or more speed loaders. We usually shoot about 80 rounds for IDPA, about 120 for steel. For steel, 4-5 mags are helpful but not necessary. Holsters are mandatory, mag carriers are not. Eye and ear protection is mandatory.
The only competitive pressure will be what you bring with you.
I hope to see some of you come out and try it. You are welcome to email me for more info. I also shoot at Albany often; Roseburg and Dundee occasionally.
Cheers,
Ben