This part of our guide focuses on the sporting and recreational use of firearms, which includes various forms of competitive shooting and casual plinking, where participants aim at targets to test their precision and skill.
Initially developed as tools of self-defense and war, the use of firearms has evolved to include recreational and competitive activities, reflecting skill, precision, and tradition.
The concept of shooting as a sport began to take shape in Europe during the 15th century, when organized shooting matches were designed to test the marksmanship skills of participants and included prizes for the most accurate shooters. By the 19th century, shooting sports had gained international popularity. Shooting clubs were organized in many areas.
There are several types of shooting sports today, classified by the type of firearm used, the shooting technique required, target type, shooting distance, and the competitive format or rules specific to each discipline. This differentiation helps to organize competitions, tailor training, and define standards for skill assessment.
Bullseye shooting is one of the most traditional forms of shooting sport, focusing on accuracy and precision. Competitors aim at a circular target with a series of concentric rings, scoring different points based on how close the shot is to the center.
Field shooting involves shooting targets in a natural outdoor setting, often mimicking hunting scenarios, requiring shooters to adapt to various terrains and distances.
Rapid-fire shooting challenges participants to hit multiple targets in a short amount of time. This shooting sport tests speed, accuracy, and quick reflexes.
In clay target shooting, participants aim at clay disks launched into the air, and includes disciplines such as trap, skeet, and sporting clays, each with its own rules and shooting angles.
Practical shooting combines accuracy, power, and speed. Shooters move through a course of fire, engaging targets from different positions and covering various distances, simulating real-world shooting scenarios.
Long-range shooting focuses on hitting targets at extended distances, often several hundred to over a thousand yards away, requiring marksmanship skills, an understanding of ballistics, and environmental considerations like wind and elevation.
Benchrest shooting emphasizes extreme precision. Shooters aim at small targets from a fixed, supported position, using specialized rifles designed for minimal recoil and high accuracy.
In metallic silhouette shooting, participants aim at steel targets shaped like animals and positioned at varying distances. The goal is to knock down as many targets as possible.
Western shooting honors the traditions of the Old West. Participants use period-appropriate firearms and attire. It often includes events like cowboy action shooting, where shooters engage targets in a themed, timed course.
Muzzleloading involves the use of firearms loaded from the muzzle, typically historical or replica guns. This sport emphasized traditional shooting techniques and historical accuracy.
Para shooting is tailored for shooters with physical disabilities. It includes disciplines similar to other shooting sports but with accommodations to ensure accessibility and fair competition.
Competitions using factory and service firearms use standard, off-the-shelf firearms without extensive modifications and test the skills of shooters using standard equipment.
Plinking is generally a non-competitive form of shooting, where participants aim at informal targets like cans or bottles. Plinking is often recreational and doesn't follow strict competitive rules.
Competitive and recreational shooting sports are the focus of this category, although retail sites should be submitted to the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.
Recommended Resources
Held twice a year in the high desert of northwestern Arizona, near Wikiup, the Big Sandy Shoot is the world's largest machine-gun shoot. It is a weekend-long event where shooters from all over come to test their skills on a quarter-mile-long firing range that features a variety of targets, including some that fly and explode. Upcoming events are highlighted, and registration instructions are given, along with directions, contacts, media resources, and information on renting weapons.
https://bigsandyshoot.com/
Canadian Shooting Sports Association
CSSA is a national organization charged with preserving, promoting, and protecting the lawful ownership and use of firearms in Canada. Founded by enthusiasts, CSSA represents sports shooters and firearm aficionados, promoting diverse shooting sports, from traditional competitions to modern action sports, hunting, and archery. The organization also sponsors events, youth programs, and engages in advocacy to protect Canada's firearm traditions. Membership and training information is provided.
https://cssa-cila.org/
The Civilian Markmanship Program provides civilians the opportunity to learn markmanship skills and promotes firearms safety training and rifle practice. The website is a great resource offering a range of information covering all aspects of markmanship: the website features riflery camps, club info, coaching resources, competitions, competition tracker and an e-store. The website also has news, newsletter and features events, programs as well as national matches. The website also has forums.
https://thecmp.org/
International Shooting Sports Federation
The ISSF is the governing body of the Olympic shooting events. Founded in 1907, it also regulates several non-Olympic shooting sports events, such as the ISSF World Cup and ISSF World Championships. The organization is introduced, along with its rules, regulations, annual competitions, a calendar of events, and other news. World rankings, records, athletes, and an Olympic qualification tracker are available. Sponsors, partners, and official suppliers are acknowledged.
https://www.issf-sports.org/
National Collegiate Shooting Sports Athletic Association
The NCSSAA was created to promote competitive shooting sports at the collegiate level. The NCSSAA organizes national championships, provides resources and support for student athletes, and works to develop shooting sports programs in colleges and universities across the United States. Eligibility, rules, student athlete transfers, and high school recruiting are featured, along with membership information, divisions and regions, events, results, and contacts.
https://ncssaa.com/
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
The NMLRA is the largest association of muzzleloaders in the United States. Founded in 1933, the organization is charged with promoting the sport of muzzleloading, which involves firing muzzleloader or black-powder firearms. There are varying degrees of membership in the NMLRA, and all members receive a copy of its monthly publication, "Muzzle Blasts." The Association has granted charters to local and regional gun clubs, groups, or associations in all fifty states and Canada.
https://www.nmlra.org/
National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearms industry in the United States. It is charged with promoting, protecting, and preserving hunting and shooting sports. To that end, the NSSF provides industry research, advocacy, and education and organizes events like the annual SHOT Show, which is one of the largest trade shows for the shooting, hunting, and firearms industries. Membership data, contacts, an online shopping area, and resources for retailers, ranges, and manufacturers are included.
https://www.nssf.org/
Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation
SSSF had its origins in a scholastic trap program established by the National Shooting Sports Foundation in 2001, expanding quickly to include skeet and sporting clays, and was chartered as a Foundation in Pennsylvania in 2007. The SSSF is responsible for all aspects of the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) and Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) across the United States. Its history, venues, contacts, and information on ways to get involved are included.
https://sssfonline.org/
A resource for those interested in shooting sports and hunting, Shoot United offers educational content, training tips, and information about events to help both beginners and experienced shooters enhance their skills and knowledge about firearms and shooting. The platform also emphasizes responsible firearm ownership and serves as a community for gun enthusiasts. Several short films may be viewed on the website, and links to other resources are included.
https://shootunited.com/
In operation since 1989, the family-owned business in Little Falls, Minnesota, offers a range of firearms, outdoor gear, and services, along with an outdoor rifle and pistol range with multiple lanes for different distances. The business also offers gun training classes and special events for gun enthusiasts. The gun range is open year-round during store hours and is operated on donations, with a suggested minimum donation of $5 per person. Waivers are required for use of the range.
https://shootingsportslittlefalls.com/
Located in Tampa, Florida, Shooting Sports is a gun range and gun shop that offers a variety of services, including training classes, gun sales and rentals, and special events. While a membership is not required to use the range, all of its memberships include free range time on the 25-yard ranges, although a time limit may apply on the 50-yard range. Membership options are stated, and a calendar of scheduled events is provided. Special offers and contacts are featured.
https://shootingsportstampa.com/
"Shooting Sports USA" is the competitive shooting journal of the National Rifle Association (NRA). It provides the latest news, match coverage, expert advice, and analysis related to competitive shooting. It offers updates on shooting championships, equipment reviews, and tips for shooters. NRA benefits are discussed, along with membership options, online sign-ups, schedules of upcoming events, national matches, photographs, and videos. Advertising options are available.
https://www.ssusa.org/
United States International Muzzle Loading Team
Organized under the Muzzle Loading Associations International Confederation (MLAIC), which is made up of 34 member and affiliated countries, the USIMLT is a non-profit organization established in 1976 for the purpose of recruiting and developing top muzzle-loading shooters to represent the United States in international competitions organized by the MLAIC. The team competes in world championship events held every other year. Sponsors, match results, and sponsors are featured.
https://www.usimlt.com/
United States Practical Shooting Association
The USPSA is the national governing body of practical shooting in the United States under the International Practical Shooting Confederation. Formed in 1976, the organization. has over five hundred affiliated clubs. It publishes "Front Sight," a monthly member magazine. In conjunction with IPSC, USPSA has its own dedicated range officials, which are run by the National Range Officers Institute, which is responsible for the training and certification of range officials.
https://uspsa.org/
USA Shooting is the national governing body for Olympic and Paralympic shooting sports in the United States. Its mission is to prepare American athletes to win Olympic and Paralympic medals, promote shooting sports throughout the United States, and govern the conduct of international shooting in the country. The organization offers resources for athletes, including training centers and clubs, and organizes sanctioned events, as well as providing news and updates.
https://usashooting.org/
