Why become a competition shooter, you might ask?

That is the question I hear most often. I think back to the day I traveled two hours to watch a match. Afterward, I said, “Let’s make this happen!” Little did I realize it would take my life down an unexpected path. I like to say, “It’s a hobby that got completely out of hand.”

This article, Why Become a Competition Shooter? – Welcome to the Gun Show, it may lead you down the same path.

At my first match, I was caught off guard. The other competitors went out of their way to make things go smoothly for me. I remember thinking to myself, “Wait, something’s up. I’m going to get back to my car, and the tires are going to be flat.” I will let you in on a secret: every new shooter is held in high regard. It’s like being liquored up and popular on payday.

The first impression you’ll get is that it’s not as sketchy as other sports. Yes, it can be, and some people are poor representatives of the human race. You will discover that you’re not so much competing against anyone but with them.

A champion once told me: “The only person that can beat you is yourself.”

Above all, you are going to have a good time. Even if you’re not shooting well, and the wind gods have cursed you, you will still be grinning ear to ear and learning a lot. I can’t even count how many times I received a thorough butt-kicking and was always happy as hell. I cringe when I think of all the good times I would’ve missed if it wasn’t for, almost by accident, attending a match one Sunday afternoon. This sport has a never-ending learning curve, but that’s part of the fun.

I read an article about a world event held in the States. (Yes, this sport is shot all over the world) Unfortunately, the South African team’s ammo was still bouncing around on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It wasn’t going to arrive on time for them to compete at the event.

What happened?

The U.S. team and several manufacturers supplied them with all the equipment and components needed to produce their ammo in-country. Let that sink in; the shooting community made sure someone they were in direct competition with could still be in the game.

You will find yourself surrounded by this caliber of people and companies. I now have friends in so many different countries. I couldn’t even begin to count them all.

I spent 20 years in the music business. Don’t get me wrong—I’m thankful for the places I traveled to and the people I met. I could write a book about crazy stories, but no one would believe me. To that extent, being involved in the music industry is something few people experience.

If I had started shooting when I was younger, I would never have picked up a guitar. Knowing what I know now, it wouldn’t bother me one bit. Sorry, I got a little bit off-subject trying to make my point.

This website and all the articles are merely trying to get more people involved. If a single person reads this article, and they become a competition shooter. Then all of the red bull I drank while writing this will be justified. Go check out a match, or jump right in headfirst. Either way, Welcome to the Gun Show.

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5 Gun Nation is one of the world’s largest competition shooting websites. We have multiple articles on shooting sports and adding more all the time. If you can’t find it here. We are working on it.