As I write this and 2023 draws to an end, I have compiled some of the final numbers for your review. These numbers may fluctuate slightly over the next couple of weeks as final matches conclude, and new members join. Nevertheless, they will provide an overview of how 2023 has set new benchmarks for USPSA.
- Total number of USPSA members: 39,464
- Peak: 39,734
- New USPSA Members: 9,297
In 2019, there were 8,912 new USPSA members, which represents a little over a four percent increase from our highest year.
USPSA began the year 2023 with 37,025 members, and as of December 18, 2023, has peaked at 39,734. This equates to an 85.7 percent retention rate for the year, along with the highest number of new USPSA members in a single year.
- USPSA total reported activity 2023: 207,027
- YTD activity 2022: 188,186
- YDT activity 2019: 205,618 (a benchmark year)
This marks a 10 percent increase over the previous year and establishes a new USPSA record compared to the activities in 2019.
- Total matches: 4,829
- Total reported scores: 1,266,211
- Total classifier scores: 219,870
- Total reported stages: 26,006
- Total reported classifier stages: 5,511
The USPSA division breakdown, based on reported (and paid) activity, continues to show Carry Optics as the most popular division. Open has remained fairly consistent, hovering between 15 and 16 percent. The new provisional division Limited Optics has taken off, already surpassing 10 percent for the year.
USPSA ACTIVITY BY DIVISION
Carry Optics is also the most popular division among new USPSA members, with over 48 percent choosing it as their first division. Limited is the second most popular for new USPSA members, although in many cases, they are using firearms better suited for the Production division while loading up their magazines.
FIRST DIVISION SHOT BY USPSA MEMBERS
STEEL CHALLENGE
Steel Challenge has experienced phenomenal growth over the past several years, and 2023 has once again seen record-breaking numbers.
- SCSA total reported activity: 95,050
- YTD activity 2022: 82,820
This represents a 14.7 percent increase over the previous year and is on track to surpass 100,000 in 2024. Currently, there are more than 300 Steel Challenge Shooting Association-affiliated clubs.
STEEL CHALLENGE ACTIVITY BY DIVISION
Rimfire Rifle Open and Rimfire Pistol Open continue to be the most popular divisions in Steel Challenge. However, there has been an increase in Carry Optics, which has now become the third most popular division, displacing Pistol-Caliber-Carbine Optics into fourth place. This shift is primarily due to Carry Optics being the preferred division among new Steel Challenge members.
FIRST DIVISION SHOT BY STEEL CHALLENGE MEMBERS
In 2023, all eight Steel Challenge Areas hosted a championship event, which will play a role in the performance-based slot allocation process for the World Speed Championship.
Article from the January/February 2024 issue of USPSA’s magazine.
