PLACES to SHOOT - Springfield Tactical Shooters

Springfield Tactical Shooters operates a membership-based range at 4045 Van Deren Street in Curran, Illinois—just southwest of Springfield—hosting USPSA tactical shooting matches and training. The club emphasizes practical shooting skills: draw-and-fire technique, rapid target transitions, movement under fire, and accurate shooting under time pressure.

Thursday night matches run 5-8pm where competitors engage multiple targets from different positions, draw from holsters, navigate obstacles, and execute reloads—all while being timed. New shooters complete a safety check before participating. The club's range officers enforce strict safety protocols and will disqualify shooters who break rules. This isn't casual plinking; it's structured competition with real safety standards.

"I've shot hundreds of matches, literally, and I've never seen a bullet-related injury... IPSC shooting has as near perfect a safety record as any sport could have." — Mickey Fowler, Beginner's Guide to Combat Shooting

The club operates under four fundamental laws of gun control:

1. The gun is always loaded - inspect it every time you pick it up 2. Never point at anything you won't destroy - assume worst-case scenarios 3. Be sure of target and what's behind it - bullets penetrate walls 4. Finger off trigger until sights are on target - this prevents most accidental discharges

These aren't suggestions. Range officers watch for violations and disqualify careless shooters immediately.

New shooters get briefed on: - Safe draw techniques from a holster - Movement patterns and footwork - Reload procedures (empty mags only during practice) - Flash sight picture and focus - Proper grip and two-handed presentation

The club encourages dry-fire practice at home in a safe area (basement, safe room with bulletproof backstop). They provide guidance on building a personal shooting style through deliberate practice.

Practical shooting happens in all weather (rain, snow, sun). Bring: - Tight-fitting shirt (loose fabric fouls the draw) - Pants that allow bending and stretching - Good traction shoes for running and quick stops - Eye and ear protection - Brass bag for spent casings - 4+ spare magazines - Score cards, rule book, pen

Many shooters eventually invest in reloading equipment to reduce ammunition costs, but that's optional—commercial ammo works fine.

The club teaches that speed comes from smooth, economical motion—not from rushing. New shooters focus on accuracy and safety first. Speed develops naturally through proper technique and practice. They emphasize that your gun contains "no evil, no conscience, and no ability." Your intent, competence, and character determine what happens. You are ultimately responsible for every consequence.

STS maintains links to other regional shooting clubs including Abe Lincoln Gun Club, Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club, Pine Tree Pistol Club (Rockford), New Salem Firearms (Petersburg), and South Fork Sportsmen Club (Rochester) for shooters looking for additional facilities.