I recently started shooting USPSA. I've attended a practice match, an introduction session, read some forums, and watched a bunch of YouTube videos. I'm practically an expert now. If you own a handgun you've likely got most if not all of what you need to at least try USPSA without spending any money. Most people already have ear/eye protection, a belt, a bag, a holster, and enough mags to hold 32+ rounds. That's all you NEED to get started. It's also recommended your holster is a rigid style, and that you have a couple mag carriers. I encourage you to try it and go shoot an event with the minimum gear. If like me you think this is something you want to do more of I've got some low budget recommendations to start. Yes you can go out and spend $100's of dollars getting geared up. I've done that before and found out later I bought all the wrong stuff, I didn't like what I bought, or didn't stick with the sport I was gearing up for. For my recommendations below I spent under $50. I'd be happy to hear from those with more experience either better low budget options or what the next step up from these super cheap options would be. I know some will say I wasted my money on crap gear but I figure if I upgrade I can sell what I have to another newbie, I can keep it for spares, the holster and mag carriers can be be used for other shooting sports like IDPA (but not the belt) or I'll have a rig to loan to friends to get them interested in the sport. More shooters is a good thing. The one thing I'd recommend to any shooter is electronic ear protection. It doesn't necessarily fit with doing this on the cheap but to me its one of the nicest things to have especially at shooting events. Over the years I've had a few different kinds but not the cheap $30 ones that are out now so I won't give a specific low budget recommendation.
You can use any belt but the Uncle Mikes competition belt was recommended to me for $25 from Amazon. I went to order it and it was only $10. I'm sure there are reasons most competition belts are expensive but for $10 it will get me started. It's nice to set up your gear on the belt and leave it set. It makes getting ready to shoot simple. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I found mag holders 4 for $16 on Amazon. There are things I don't like about them but for $16 its way better than fishing mags out of my pockets. This is likely the first thing I'll upgrade if I stick with this when I find what I like for a price I want to pay. Competition mag holders can get crazy expensive. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You need a holster to fit your gun. There's a lot of reasons to use a rigid one. I didn't want to invest in a expensive one right away because I have a couple guns I could shoot and I'm not sure which one I want to use yet and what class I want to shoot in. I went with an inexpensive holster for my Glock 22. I found a Fobus with passive retention for $19 from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1