FAQ + Recommended GEAR

FAQ

  • The squad you select once your registration is approved determines the day(s) you shoot the match.

    Most of our events offer one day schedules, some offer two day split schedules.

    You must shoot the match on the day(s) you are scheduled to shoot and with the squad you selected.

    Any schedule or squadding changes after registration is closed must be approved by the match director.

  • We use total time scoring for our events over other scoring systems like hit factor for several reasons

    1) Total time is easier for most people to understand than hit factor or time plus points

    2) Long par time stages like we run do not function well in hit factor scoring; the math makes the hit factors very low.

    3) We believe long stages SHOULD be worth more than shorter stages, and total time scoring accomplishes this.

  • In short no we are not. The only thing we have in common is using rifles and pistols and scoring being based on time.

    Crossfit style exercises are not part of our stages. We do not do exercise for its own sake. Physical challenges are part of our stages, but the primary test of our stages are shooting/marksmanship under dynamic conditions.

  • Minors may attend FAST Matches with their parent or legal guardian, but they may not compete until over 18 years of age. Our insurance does not cover people under the age of 18 competing.

Recommended Gear

  • We recommend that you wear clothing that protects you from the elements and the range environment. You will be kneeling, going prone, and crawling over and under obstacles.

    Long pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended.

    Knee pads and gloves are recommended to have available and wear as needed on particular stages.

    Shoes should have ankle support and sufficient traction to move safely in loose sand and gravel.

    Eye wear should be ballistically rated, and it is a good idea to have different lens shades available for different lighting conditions. We shoot rain or shine from dawn to dusk.

    We recommend electronic hearing protection with amplification to hear the range officer coach you, call hits, and/or hear your own hits.

  • The listed minimum round count is exactly that; the minimum if you don’t miss.

    We recommend good shooters bring 25% more, average shooters bring 50% more, and novices bring 100% more.

    Four 30 round rifle magazines, and Five 22 round pistol magazines should be enough to get most people through most of the stages.

    You should have a way to carry all these magazines on you at the same time.

    We recommend the minuteman kit from IC13 for rifle mags and other load bearing equipment from Whiskey Two Four.

  • If you are in a division that allows bipods we strongly encourage you to bring one and use it.

    There are often multiple stages and shooting positions where you will find it useful.

  • Your holster should feature an active retention device such as the Safariland ALS or SLS series or the Blackhawk Omnivore.

    HUSH Holsters are recommended if using a suppressor.

    Dropping an unloaded pistol is a 60 second penalty, dropping a loaded pistol is a match DQ. A pistol carried condition 3 (mag inserted empty chamber) is still considered a loaded gun.

    Our stages require a lot of movement and dealing with obstacles, sometimes with a slung long gun. Active retention will save you from penalties or a match DQ.

  • In general our courses of fire are designed around semi auto rifles that can group 2MOA with a minimum of 3X magnification and 30 round magazines.

    Our handgun engagements are designed around having a red dot equipped 9mm double stack pistol.

    Using equipment with lesser capabilities than these may result in frustration and an increased par out rate.

  • You will need a rifle sling for FAST Matches most of the time on at least some of the stages.

    You are not required to keep it on the rifle when you are not using it.