So I watch non professional shooters in  videos of it and various orgs.  But what I see is:

1) Commonly unfit people doing fit things like trying to move very fast. Stand on 1 leg while on a 1 inch elevated piece of wood.  Leaning over on 1 leg to balance.  Moving fast, then studder stepping to suddenly stop. Etc...So my concern is someone falling and then the gun flags everyone. Then read #2
2) Depending on the division, but I will assume the following:
                           Modified guns with hair triggers. So if someone falls, the gun may go off. 
                           Due to wanting to be fast, starting to place finger on the trigger sooner or as soon as it's allowed. Then enter higher chance of a safety violation for finger on the trigger when it's not supposed to be due to trying to be fast, physical exertion, etc...
                           Reloaded ammo, so you're trusting someone that they reloaded correctly and the ammo wont blow up and cause fragmentation
3) Various body directional facing movements for the stages, which means you're trusting someone you don't know has good muzzle discipline (pointed down range at all times).  There is a RSO next to them, but how fast can they change the direction of a rifle that's going to flag people.
4) Depending on the division, tossing the shotgun/rifle into a plastic trash bin. Tossing, not placing. I've seen vids of the firearm bouncing out due to the impact at the bottom.  And refer to the time thing, which is why people toss it and not place it.  Gotta be fast.

Unrelated to safety, but the 1 of 2 competition events that I watched here was 1 where some of the guys with the $15,000 1911/2011 were sandbagging cause they wanted to be in a lower class and then dominate. Things like: no round in chamber so they had to rack and they did it very slowly. Then mag fell out of 1911/2011.  This one gave me a bad impression of that division/event.

My XP is with 2 events (1 watching and 1 participating) here and seeing YT of various sanction events on the mainland to get an idea of what this scene is about.  And I mention non-pro's as watching the pro's, I feel much better about safety. 

This isn't a thread to bash anyone or the scene, so don't take this the wrong way.  But this has been on my mind for a few years now.  I watched it and even participated in 1 event to give it it's fair chance.  And to be fair, I'm not aware of any accidents locally. Which is why my title states "unwarranted concern".   When I participated, I never went as fast as I can, but at a comfortable pace. I wasn't concerned about time, but more about safety. Same goes when I take skill builders or classes. I never go as fast as possible, but at a good pace to get the job done.  And I increase this pace as long as I'm in control.  I don't witness the above at any of the classes or skill builders that I have taken.  With the exception of 1 or 2 guys trying to be as fast as possible every now and then.

So bascially my main point is the combo of trying to go as fast as one can and guns isn't a great idea.

A) Which events did you shoot?  Did your "concerns" #1 through #4 come into play?
B) Why do YOU want to compete?  What value do YOU see in competing? 

IMO, you're way overthinking and a$$uming quite a bit without trying and giving it a chance for yourselve. 

Who care if folks are sandbagging?  Are you wanting or expecting to win? 

I've never felt unsafe at a local USPSA/IPSC event.  I've seen NDs, experienced folks fall while trying to go fast, etc.  It can be done safely. 

yes

So I watch non professional shooters in  videos of it and various orgs.  But what I see is:

1) Commonly unfit people doing fit things like trying to move very fast. Stand on 1 leg while on a 1 inch elevated piece of wood.  Leaning over on 1 leg to balance.  Moving fast, then studder stepping to suddenly stop. Etc...So my concern is someone falling and then the gun flags everyone. Then read #2
2) Depending on the division, but I will assume the following:
                           Modified guns with hair triggers. So if someone falls, the gun may go off. 
                           Due to wanting to be fast, starting to place finger on the trigger sooner or as soon as it's allowed. Then enter higher chance of a safety violation for finger on the trigger when it's not supposed to be due to trying to be fast, physical exertion, etc...
                           Reloaded ammo, so you're trusting someone that they reloaded correctly and the ammo wont blow up and cause fragmentation
3) Various body directional facing movements for the stages, which means you're trusting someone you don't know has good muzzle discipline (pointed down range at all times).  There is a RSO next to them, but how fast can they change the direction of a rifle that's going to flag people.
4) Depending on the division, tossing the shotgun/rifle into a plastic trash bin. Tossing, not placing. I've seen vids of the firearm bouncing out due to the impact at the bottom.  And refer to the time thing, which is why people toss it and not place it.  Gotta be fast.

Unrelated to safety, but the 1 of 2 competition events that I watched here was 1 where some of the guys with the $15,000 1911/2011 were sandbagging cause they wanted to be in a lower class and then dominate. Things like: no round in chamber so they had to rack and they did it very slowly. Then mag fell out of 1911/2011.  This one gave me a bad impression of that division/event.

My XP is with 2 events (1 watching and 1 participating) here and seeing YT of various sanction events on the mainland to get an idea of what this scene is about.  And I mention non-pro's as watching the pro's, I feel much better about safety. 

This isn't a thread to bash anyone or the scene, so don't take this the wrong way.  But this has been on my mind for a few years now.  I watched it and even participated in 1 event to give it it's fair chance.  And to be fair, I'm not aware of any accidents locally. Which is why my title states "unwarranted concern".   When I participated, I never went as fast as I can, but at a comfortable pace. I wasn't concerned about time, but more about safety. Same goes when I take skill builders or classes. I never go as fast as possible, but at a good pace to get the job done.  And I increase this pace as long as I'm in control.  I don't witness the above at any of the classes or skill builders that I have taken.  With the exception of 1 or 2 guys trying to be as fast as possible every now and then.

So bascially my main point is the combo of trying to go as fast as one can and guns isn't a great idea.

RE; pistol shooting
Combat pistol shooting used to be called "practical pistol"
We used standardized courses of fire that simulated common defensive scenarios.
The guys started to get bored and designed their own courses of fire.
After a few decades of that, the courses became more action-oriented to make it more exciting.
"Practical" shooting morphed into "action" shooting with all the space guns and acrobatics.
Enter IDPA.
IDPA was supposed to take us back to realistic and practical scenarios with realistic concealed-carry guns.
===
But to answer your question, I would say yeah maybe just a little.
Hopefully the people running the acrobatic shooting matches have enough common sense to keep it safe.
They should know that their organization would be shut down in a heartbeat if something stoopid were to happen.

A) Which events did you shoot?  Did your "concerns" #1 through #4 come into play?
B) Why do YOU want to compete?  What value do YOU see in competing? 

IMO, you're way overthinking and a$$uming quite a bit without trying and giving it a chance for yourselve. 

Who care if folks are sandbagging?  Are you wanting or expecting to win? 

I've never felt unsafe at a local USPSA/IPSC event.  I've seen NDs, experienced folks fall while trying to go fast, etc.  It can be done safely.

It was a Mid Pac steel match.  In my group, I know all but 1 of the shooters, so I did feel much safer as I knew the people well.  This event was very flat as in not much movement compared to the walls of fencing set up at other events that I watched.  So no leaning or balancing on 1 leg was needed or eveing have to turn around while gun is down range. Pretty much just moving left to right.

I'm just looking for additional ways to train since the actual training I want to do is limited.  Pre bays closing of course.

I care about sandbagging because even though I don't go max speed, I go comfortable enough that I expect to do decent.  My own competitive nature.  So when there's someone who's sandbagging and now in my division, that throws a wrench in things. I get that this is not controllable, but it just left a bad XP in my mind.

You should try our comps / matches at Puuloa. Most of us reload but we do none of the other activities. It's like golf for pistol and rifle. It really is about fundamentals. Not just talking about it like the action shooters...

You should try our comps / matches at Puuloa. Most of us reload but we do none of the other activities. It's like golf for pistol and rifle. It really is about fundamentals. Not just talking about it like the action shooters...

U guys got vids?

It was a Mid Pac steel match.  In my group, I know all but 1 of the shooters, so I did feel much safer as I knew the people well.  This event was very flat as in not much movement compared to the walls of fencing set up at other events that I watched.  So no leaning or balancing on 1 leg was needed or eveing have to turn around while gun is down range. Pretty much just moving left to right.

I'm just looking for additional ways to train since the actual training I want to do is limited.  Pre bays closing of course.

I care about sandbagging because even though I don't go max speed, I go comfortable enough that I expect to do decent.  My own competitive nature.  So when there's someone who's sandbagging and now in my division, that throws a wrench in things. I get that this is not controllable, but it just left a bad XP in my mind.

I started in matches to be able to shoot more than what was offered on the bullseye and silhouette ranges, which was shooting with moving.  As well as some varying courses of fire.  That the competition and timed nature adds a level of stress is a bonus.  At least for what I was looking for.  Beyond that, I enjoy the competition and got to know many folks well.  I won a class/division here and there, but was mostly out there just to shoot.  Sure, I wanted to beat my friends, but all in good fun.  Still don't know why you care about sandbaggers if you aren't going "max speed".  Just do you.  Who cares about anything else? 

People compete for various reasons.  Testing themselves against others, to have fun, etc.  You're worrying about a lot that are A) out of your control and B) make little to no difference in what you're looking to get out of the experience. 

i participated in the MPPL competition 2-3 times. 

There are rules for safety.  If you don't keep the muzzle pointed down-range, if you don't have your weapon holstered in "cold' areas, if you drop your weapon, etc, etc., then you will be immediately disqualified from the day's shooting.

They don't wait for something bad to happen.  So, your fear is very unlikely to happen.  If someone is physically or mentally unprepared to move at a comfortable pace in a safe manner, one mistake is all it takes to bench them -- for everyone's safety.

I don't know if all competitions have such strict standards, but I imagine they are close.

On my first day at MPPL, there was one person that was trying out an IWI Tavor bullpup 12ga on the stage adjacent to where we were waiting to shoot.  That firearm was notorius for jamming, and he was jamming up after every round -- he made it to round #3.

As he was trying to clear that third jam. he turned the muzzle toward his right -- pointing at us.

He was immediately disqualified from the competition and told to put his guns away if he remained.  He was also extremely pissed.  For some reason, he didn't agree with the official's decision.  Oh, well.

Ironically, his wife, a good friend and coworker of mine, was there, too.  On the next stage,  she fumbled her gun when drawing and was also disqualified.

BTW, the husband also worked at a local gun store ... next level irony.

At least they were both able to leave early together.   

I started in matches to be able to shoot more than what was offered on the bullseye and silhouette ranges, which was shooting with moving.  As well as some varying courses of fire.  That the competition and timed nature adds a level of stress is a bonus.  At least for what I was looking for.  Beyond that, I enjoy the competition and got to know many folks well.  I won a class/division here and there, but was mostly out there just to shoot.  Sure, I wanted to beat my friends, but all in good fun.  Still don't know why you care about sandbaggers if you aren't going "max speed".  Just do you.  Who cares about anything else? 

People compete for various reasons.  Testing themselves against others, to have fun, etc.  You're worrying about a lot that are A) out of your control and B) make little to no difference in what you're looking to get out of the experience.

some of your "friends" are easier for you to beat than others...

some of your "friends" are easier for you to beat than others...

Especially since they own no firearms.  The friend just stands there and makes sounds with their mouth "pew pew pew".

I can't think of any other shooting sport that awards you a designation of Distinguished Rifle and/ or Pistol from the government. For service members a permanent order is placed in your personnel file for points earned towards Distinguished and for final accomplishment of getting Distinguished.. There is also the Presidents 100 tab. The people I come across are great.  The camaraderie is awesome. Forgot ammo at a match? gear? There's likely a fellow competitor that will offer you some.

Good post ren

some of your "friends" are easier for you to beat than others...

Especially since they own no firearms.  The friend just stands there and makes sounds with their mouth "pew pew pew".

That's "poof poof poof" to you. . .

Just go and try.  If/when it gets opened back up.  Super good fun.  It can be humbling, but you are the one doing the shooting.  Targets don't lie. . .

Especially since they own no firearms.  The friend just stands there and makes sounds with their mouth "pew pew pew".

finger guns...

Ive shot a few action style matches. Last time I did was in Cali at a MAC regional. People werent nice. A couple of stages before I shot they mess with your psyche. Racial overtones. References to my last name. "do a ninja roll" etc. Well egos are in every form of competition. but its your choice to join in on it.

I can't think of any other shooting sport that awards you a designation of Distinguished Rifle and/ or Pistol from the government. For service members a permanent order is placed in your personnel file for points earned towards Distinguished and for final accomplishment of getting Distinguished.. There is also the Presidents 100 tab. The people I come across are great.  The camaraderie is awesome. Forgot ammo at a match? gear? There's likely a fellow competitor that will offer you some.

Thanks for the offer, but this isn't my style of shooting.  I don't got patience and too much caffeine in the veins.  Which is why zeroing a rifle at 50 yards, I hate to do. Bascially just get gudd enuff so I can go home. Tangerine grouping with a red dot is guud enuff.  For my last RDS zero on my rifle, I didn't even go to the bench side. I know my hold over is at 10 yards and just did that.  Too humbug to bring my target stand, wait for cease fire. Take 5 mins to zero and wait for the next cease fire. Add in the cardio of walking 50 yards multiple times.  Plus I know where my dot sits when my irons are up.  Worked fine for a few skill builders before the range bays were closed.  I had my RDS on for 4 years with no loctite and it finally came loose. So now I loctited it on.

Thanks for the offer, but this isn't my style of shooting.  I don't got patience and too much caffeine in the veins.  Which is why zeroing a rifle at 50 yards, I hate to do. Bascially just get gudd enuff so I can go home. Tangerine grouping with a red dot is guud enuff.  For my last RDS zero on my rifle, I didn't even go to the bench side. I know my hold over is at 10 yards and just did that.  Too humbug to bring my target stand, wait for cease fire. Take 5 mins to zero and wait for the next cease fire. Add in the cardio of walking 50 yards multiple times.  Plus I know where my dot sits when my irons are up.  Worked fine for a few skill builders before the range bays were closed.  I had my RDS on for 4 years with no loctite and it finally came loose. So now I loctited it on.

Sounds to me like you're just projecting your opinion of your own shortcomings onto others.

I'm starting to think it's the rest of us that need to be concerned whenever you show up for competition!      

Sounds to me like you're just projecting your opinion of your own shortcomings onto others.

I'm starting to think it's the rest of us that need to be concerned whenever you show up for competition!      

Yes

and

Definitely.  But not because he's a sandbagger   

Thanks for the offer, but this isn't my style of shooting.  I don't got patience and too much caffeine in the veins.  Which is why zeroing a rifle at 50 yards, I hate to do. Bascially just get gudd enuff so I can go home. Tangerine grouping with a red dot is guud enuff.  For my last RDS zero on my rifle, I didn't even go to the bench side. I know my hold over is at 10 yards and just did that.  Too humbug to bring my target stand, wait for cease fire. Take 5 mins to zero and wait for the next cease fire. Add in the cardio of walking 50 yards multiple times.  Plus I know where my dot sits when my irons are up.  Worked fine for a few skill builders before the range bays were closed.  I had my RDS on for 4 years with no loctite and it finally came loose. So now I loctited it on.

Soooo. . . you zeroed your rifle based on a known hold over at 10 yards?  Prob "guud enuff" for shooting the in the distances in the action bays. . .