IDPA Draw Creating Bad Habits?

leadcounsel said:
Is there a IDPA style 'competition' that doesn't involve race guns, race holsters, and soft-loads?

I'm competitive and don't like coming in last against those folks with their fancy equipment who want to win the match.

It would be great if there were folks with their compact pistols and IWB holsters...
Click to expand...

The majority of the gear used at IDPA matches is pretty standard, and ammo has to make a required Power Factor. Some guys might have some fancy guns, but there's very little correlation between that and the final rankings. A friend of mine is an ESP Distinguished Master, and his favorite gun to use (and win with) is a plain ol' sub-compact Glock 26.

And as a new competitor, you're somewhat unfamiliar with the rules and tactics, so there's a learning curve involved, so it won't be your gun or gear that'll be the hurdle.
 
Competition, IMNSHO, enhances properly delivered professional 'defense' training.
Click to expand...
Competition CAN enhance properly delivered training IF it doesn't teach/ingrain techniques which are contrary to the defense training.

Competition can just as easily counteract or nullify properly delivered professional 'defense' training if it teaches or ingrains improper techniques.
 
While I enjoy the concept of the shooting games I've decided not to compete because of how much they conflicted.
Click to expand...

That has got to be either the silliest thing I have seen on the topic, or I totally misunderstand the post.

Are you saying you do not compete because it is in conflict with good SD techniques and tactics?

Tactics, yes no game teaches, or practices you for them well. Pure gun handling skill building, the competitive arena does it better than any other.
 
Apples n Oranges

For me, IDPA is what I do for entertainment. I CC, but don't consider IDPA (or steel shooting) EDC training. They're apples n oranges.

I only compete against myself (which is code for "I stink" :p ) And when the buzzer sounds, I don't put a lot of focus on the draw. I'm into accurate shot placement, etc.

P.S. My IDPA (and steel) gun is a M67 38 revolver - dedicated to sport shooting. It does nothing else. I usually CC semi-auto's.
 
on my way with bad habits (on the way there ;)

Quote:
If you mean practice, as in demonstrate, "practice what you preach",that's good, but you do not want to literally practice at matches.
Matches are where you demonstrate your abilities, not where you try new techniques with which you are not thoroughly familiar.
Click to expand...

Matches are where I try and test new things, so I can put "stress on the systems".....


Matches are never about tactics.



A33102
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but the actual draw in the lions share of defense related shootings, has no bearing. There were a few studies some years back, but I can not find them now, but the number was in the high 90% range that the draw was insignificant when CCW holders were queried about their tactics and facts related to a shooting they were involved in. I have had 4 students shoot their firearms in self defense, draw speed was a factor in none of them, and all were cleared.

If you have not been taught diversionary tactics and other tactics related to close quarters survival, especially against an adversary that already has a gun out, you have some work to do. So too do your avoidance and awareness tactics for failing to get out of harms way. Sure, there are ambushes, but personal safety and awareness are much bigger factors than your draw.

Tactics, personal safety and situation awareness are likely the most neglected aspects of SD and CCW training. The gun media and TV shows, for the most part have us believe that every solution is a "gun" solution, because that sells products, but it is grossly misleading.

If you combine competition for stress innoculation, weapon handling, shooting skills, and separate that from actual tactics, personal safety and situation awareness, there should be little to no chance of getting them mixed up.

Even though driving in the snow takes a bit more skill, I still drive in the summer. :D

Note: The "you" is generic, not aimed at the OP or anyone else.
 
the ultimate 'mouthful' (as in "Brother, you said it")

personal safety and situation awareness are likely the most neglected aspects of SD
Click to expand...


This is the MOST important aspect of personal security.




My favorite weapon is my car.
 
well said MarkCO.

i have a local, vicious dog, so now that i know he's coming (he barks and makes noise), i have the chance to draw way before he's chomping at my knees. warning shots into the ground seemed to have worked so far.
 
"Is there a IDPA style 'competition' that doesn't involve race guns, race holsters, and soft-loads?

I'm competitive and don't like coming in last against those folks with their fancy equipment who want to win the match.

It would be great if there were folks with their compact pistols and IWB holsters... "

IDPA shooters not using compact pistols and IWB holster in a competition is a far cry from using race guns and holsters. There is minimum power factors in the different divisions also. While they aren't full power defensive loads they aren't the soft loads allowed in other shooting competitions. Mark
 
Under the new (now almost a year old) IDPA rules, clubs may establish their own divisions under the Not For Competition rule.
Someone suggested reducing the standard IDPA box by one inch in both dimensions, to limit a division to compact guns, without having to enforce the capacity limits and no-reloads of BUG.
A club could require IWB, or some other standard to help ensure "real carry holsters", etc.
Of course, the power floors for the existing divisions are "soft" only if you are using a full-sized gun; shoot some factory .45 hardball, or white box 9mm through a 3" gun, and it might be pretty darn close to the lower limit.
 
I have shot IDPA a few times and really enjoyed it. I knew going into it that I wasn't going to win any matches and I certainly didn't consider it a game. It is a great use of the skills I currently have while adding a bit of pressure, and if u think there isn't much pressure at an IDPA match, try going to your first one. That pressure while shooting I feel has made me a more competent firearms handler. Practicing target acquisition while moving, shooting etc....is fantastic. Learning proper tactical priority and doing that repeatedly is invaluable in my opinion. And if you carry concealed is that the goal we should all have? I used my XD40 sub compact for the shoot. Certainly not an ideal gun for the competition, but that is what I carry most of the time when I carry concealed, so why not? And yes I did get a few looks from some of the more serious competitors, but I was there for me, not them. And I ALWAYS had fun and learned something new. I would be doing it a lot more if I could get reloading supplies easier.
 
I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but the actual draw in the lions share of defense related shootings, has no bearing. There were a few studies some years back, but I can not find them now, but the number was in the high 90% range that the draw was insignificant when CCW holders were queried about their tactics and facts related to a shooting they were involved in. I have had 4 students shoot their firearms in self defense, draw speed was a factor in none of them, and all were cleared.
Click to expand...

Very interesting MarkCO. I'd like to know more if you find your info. PM me if it doesn't fit a topic.

Captains 1911, I refuse to get a vest for IDPA. I want my IDPA time to be as real-life as possible as far as gun handling situations go. I dress for IDPA the way I dress on the street. That means my left hand pulls up my shirt for every draw.

I shot a classifier with IWB and my 9mm Shield (a BUG for IDPA). Didn't make marksman. Oh, well...
 
Just another reason I don't like silly rules.. practice what you actually carry and wear!!!!!
Click to expand...

Where would you suggest??? Outside my front door (I live in a big city across the street from the Police Station), or at a pistol range that does not allow drawing and firing from your holster. IDPA is the only place where it can be done without hassles. Street clothes do not make for a good IDPA outfit not just because of the competition but because of the environment that they are held in.

At least I get to shoot on the draw there.
Jim
 
I shoot IDPA and I really enjoy it but it is a game. Very seldom do we shoot with a real carry gun( read 642 rev. or LC9 ), IDPA calls them BUG guns. The IDPA game was built around full size service guns, could it be because a certain party specializes in 1911 guns?
It is really a fun game but it is a game. Too many rules to be anything else, it has to have rules for safety and for scoring. Some of the rules make no sense what so ever, must stand still while reloading, reload with retention/whatever else they call it, don't leave a live round on the ground and a few other rules that have nothing to do with real defensive shooting. They only add 5 seconds for shooting a no shoot. Really strange.
Don't confuse IDPA with self defense. It should improve your gun handling skills, that's about all it'll do. It is fun and you'll meet some great people.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top