For my USPSA peers, when did you start shooting level 2 and 1 matches? Am I missing out on anything by sticking to club matches until I am more competitive ...? Class D ranking currently.
Thank you for your insight!
Club matches are level 1 (the lowest)
State and section championships are level 2
Area matches and Nationals are level 3
You're definitely missing out by avoiding level 2s until you're "more competitive". Let's say you do wait until you're more competitive in local matches. Your level of success there might or might not translate to a higher level match. It all depends on how good you really are, how much heat in your division exists locally, how good are the stage designs in your local matches, and on who decides to show up at a level 2 match when you go.
Go to a level 2 match as soon as you have a solid feel for the game. To me that means that you're a competent gun handler, you can complete most local matches without mikes, no shoots, and other procedurals, and have a solid grasp of what equipment is legal in your division. I've seen more than a few people at level 1 matches with gear issues that would get them at least a trip to the safety area and maybe a bump to open at a level 2 match, where they DO check everything.
You will learn a lot about you, your game, and your gear by doing so.
I'm in my third season in USPSA (production the first year and CO after that) and this is the first season I went to four level 2 and one level 3 (Area 5) matches. I had a blast and learned a ton even when I got DQd from two of them.