(USPSA Press Release as reported by The Shooting Wire, subscription information here.)
Sedro-Woolley, Washington - After four years of sustained growth, the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) just posted another all-time membership record, the latest in a string of records dating back to June 2005. The numbers aren't very interesting; instead, it's the trend. After years of flat memberships, USPSA has grown, continues to grow, and now continues at a historic high. All this is happening in an unusual competitive environment, where USPSA and its competing organizations are increasingly working together. USPSA's magazine Front Sight featured their arch-rival's president on the cover, lauding his early contributions to the sport. Richard Heinie's Single Stack Classic became the USPSA "Single Stack" nationals last year, and shooters from all the organizations are increasingly moving among the various sports, enjoying them as opportunities arise.
Why the growth in USPSA?
Changes in 2001, and again in 2005 opened USPSA to shooters using simpler equipment - most notably the advent of Production Division. Brand-level competition in Production has become especially intense, with Glock, CZ, Sig, and others vying for titles around the United States.
Last year USPSA launched a provisional "1911 Single Stack" division, joining forces with Richard Heinie to put on a USPSA "1911 Single Stack Nationals." (The second annual happens April 26-28). Heinie's "Single Stack Classic" has a strong history, but last year's match under the USPSA banner became the biggest "Classic" ever held. Here again, brand-level competition has become intense, with Springfield holding a strong lead against competitors Kimber, Dan Wesson, Smith & Wesson, and others.
Symbiosis in Practical Pistol?
Warmer relations between the various Practical Pistol organizations has helped USPSA's growth. After some early hostility, those relationships have matured into a fulfillment of Rodney King's infamous statement "can't we all just get along?" At USPSA, we're seeing significant numbers of "crossover shooters" joining the sport from other organizations - without leaving their "native" sport behind. They shoot USPSA one weekend, then return to Steel Challenge, IDPA, GSSF, or SASS the next. Seasoned USPSA competitors are doing the same thing in reverse, donning "concealment garments" or cowboy duds to play the same game under a different set of rules. While the various organizations still compete for sponsors and "name" shooters on specific weekends, the lowering of social and technical barriers has encouraged cross-fertilization and net growth. USPSA's six divisions provide ways for most any defensive handgun owner to participate, regardless of equipment type. Go to http://www.uspsa.org/ for additional information.
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