Police Pistol Competition

R

redblair

New member
Hey all,

So I'm fairly new to shooting, started about 4 months ago. I have a 229 in 40/ 357 which I love! Today at work a friend of a friend invited me to go to a PPC event on Sept 1. I am very excited but have almost no idea where to start. I guess I need to purchase a holster. Any suggestions? Does not have to be for CCW as that won't happen here in Maryland.

Also besides getting to the range and practicing safe drawing from said holster anything I should practice?

B
 
For standard PPC match...

You will need

Pistol
Four reloading devices (magazines)
Depending on structure of match, either 60 or 150 rounds of ammo.

The holster should be a strong side, butt to the rear, top draw or break front type, but usually is not heavily regulated, other than being safe from which to draw. Normally, a safety retainer is not required.

Every thing is shot in multiples of six shots. You may not load more than six rounds in a magazine. Every match starts loaded and holstered and commands to load and clear are given.

Closest target is seven yards, furthest is fifty yards. Every thing is fired on one target, which gets replaced for every 'match'. The match official will tell you when to score and replace the targets.

Match One: Twelve shots in twenty seconds from seven yards, all standing up like a man (offhand, they call it). Then, at the direction of the match official, you will move to fifteen yards and do the same thing again.

Match Two: Eighteen shots in 90 seconds from 25 yards. Six right hand barricade, six left hand barricade and six kneeling - in that order.

Match Three: Twenty-four shots in 2 minutes, 45 seconds from 50 yards. Six from sitting, six from prone, six left hand barricade and six right hand barricade.

Match Four: Has completely left my mind, other than it's 24 rounds and pretty much something you've already done.

Match Five (a): Twelve shots in twenty seconds from seven yards. Then, at the direction of the match official, move to 25 yards to fire Eighteen shots in 90 seconds from 25 yards. Six right hand barricade, six left hand barricade and six kneeling.

Match Five (b): Twenty-four shots in 2 minutes, 45 seconds from 50 yards. Six from sitting, six from prone, six left hand barricade and six right hand barricade. Then, at the direction of the match official, move to 25 yards to fire six shots offhand (standing up like a man).

This is the standard PPC course. You'll want to get more information from your friend to determine if they've made some local changes or revisions to this basic plan. It's a fun match, simple enough for a beginner not to get lost and yet pretty hard to shoot as well as you think you should be able.
 
With IPSC and IDPA appearing on the scene, PPC practically went by the wayside, but I still think it a viable and fun form of training. The beauty of it is that it doesn't require all the bells and whistles used in IPSC or IDPA.

Archie's describing the California PPC course. It's actually one of many, but CA is one of the few that includes a 50 yard stage. Most, like the favored Rhode Island PPC, are limited to 25 yards.

Every thing is shot in multiples of six shots. You may not load more than six rounds in a magazine.
Click to expand...
Yup, and this is because PPC courses were originally designed for revolvers. If you do use a revolver, speed loaders are an absolute must.

Twelve rounds in twenty seconds may sound pretty fast, but in reality, it's plenty of time. The main secrets to PPC shooting are fast reloads and using all the time alloted for that stage. The faster you reload, the more time you can devote to sight picture, trigger control, etc. You'll also want to practice each stage and learn to spread your shots out so that you utilize the full time alloted to you.

One mistake shooters new to PPC make is to rush their shots and finish having 3 or 4 full seconds left before the whistle. More time equals more accuracy.

I think you're really going to enjoy it, Red, but get started now practicing those reloads ;).
 
Thanks for the info guys.

I can't wait to see and then participate in some events PPC, IDPA, IPSC anything to make me a better shooter. :)

Blair
 
I like PPC, by the way...

Capt, the course I describe is the NRA version. As it happens, I currently reside in California (not that I'm a Californian, note) but whenever I go to an NRA match, that's the course of fire.

And yes, there are many variations. Somewhere I have the notes for a 'metal only' PPC course. I used to shoot a 50 foot PPC on an indoor range, with reduced targets. Likewise, I have fired a PPC match with a maximum range of 25 yards, buy that was because the range facility didn't have a 50 yard capability. Any idea why the Rhode Island PPC is only 25?

I think PPC has one big advantage as a training tool over IPSC or IDPA; it teaches sight alignment and trigger control. On the other hand, IPCS or IDPA - if designed properly - helps in learning shooting while doing something else and with shooting from other than a 'set' starting position.
 
One of the keys in PPC is that unlike the other action games, ( IDPA IPSC, etc) you can use the barricade for support. In fact to shoot with the best, you must. You competition is and they just may score a 300 on every target. Using the barricade for support helps, ...alot!

If you are at a indoor PPC, max distance is 50' with the same course of fires.
Target 1: 12/20 at 7 yards; 18/90, 6/12, both at 50' target 2: 6/12; 24 in 2:45, both at 50'.

You will also need something to hold your mag.'s and I recommend something other than your pocket. Always keep al least one extra mag/speedloader. If you have a malfunction, you can reload again, if the mag is "on your person." Just be sure you don't shoot more than the proscribed amount of shots.

Front sight, Squeeze!
 
"...originally designed for revolvers..." Using target velocity .38 Special ammo. Holsters are required, but it's not a quick draw game. Don't worry about placing or anything else. PPC, like IPSC and IDPA has lots of game players who have custom build firearms. Practical it ain't. Neither are the other two.
Buy an appropriate Uncle Mike's holster and some mag pouches and go have fun shooting.
 
Redblair, Have been shooting PPC for over a decade. Capt Charlie hit the nail on the head. Time will seem short and it will feel as though time is running out. I always fire to fast.....always! That results in a score less than what I would have gotten had I used all the time alloted.

Here is a trick. Find out through socializing who the best most expierienced shooters are. Then get next to them. Use their pace as much as possible. They usually use almost all the time alloted. I don't mean fire when you hear them fire but generally speaking. If they have only fired three shots and you have fired 4 slow down ETC.

Another thing that helped me. Spending extra time getting a proper grip and firing that first shot. After that first shot, when done as listed above, all the other shots are just easier.
 
PPC courses are good "introduction" training for combat shooting (go ahead, I've got my aesbestos undies on). :D

It was used as primary training for police officers up through the 80's IIRC and helps you to learn to perform under moderate pressure. As others have said, learning to reload quickly is a key element.

When I originally trained on a PPC course, our instructor prohibited speedloaders at first. We had to load loose rounds into a revolver from our back pocket. Even with that "slow" reload, you could still shoot pretty well, though everyone's scores went up when speedloaders were used.

It is important to make your practice realistic. Bring a thick mat to drop your magazines onto. Do NOT get into the habit of holding the empty mag and putting in a pocket or belt. As the California Highway Patrol found out this becomes a habit that can get you killed. Let the mags drop clear to the ground while you reload.

Don't try to go fast. Figure one shot every 2-3 seconds on the fast stages still gives you plenty of time.
 
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