IDPA, Thinking about it

R

Roland Thunder

New member
I am thinking about looking in to participating in IDPA. However, I am still having problems getting my accuracy to a satisfactory level. Not sure what the experience level is of most participants. I don't want to go out and by a new holster, magazines and whatever else they require and find out I'm in over my head.

Should I wait until I am a little more proficient from a marksmanship standpoint before proceeding with IDPA. One of the ranges near where I live has a bowling pin shoot, I am thinking that may be a little more my speed, for now, and maybe a little less serious. Any thoughts?
 
I've never shot bowling pins but I'd think they'd be harder to hit than an IDPA silhouette.

All skill levels of shooter participate in IDPA and have a ball doing it. You probably wouldn't need much, if any, gear beyond what you already have if you carry a gun, and the goal, as with any other sport, is to improve while you participate.

You should go and check out a match and get an idea of what you're dealing with. I've only been shooting IDPA since last year and the folks I've met and shot with have all been super nice and helpful. And, to be honest, I don't think you can be in over your head in this style of shooting sport. As long as you're safe on the range and can follow instructions I can guarantee that you'll have fun and want to go back and do it again, regardless of your current skill level.
 
My range has action shooting that they say is practice for USPSA shooting. It isn't officially sanctioned, just a way for the range to make more money. (it is $10 for members per event)

The focus is on speed and a certain level of marksmanship. None of the targets are hard to hit. It's just that if you rush and try to be a commando, you will lose more time by missing than you would have to simply slow down.

It's like that old Wyatt Earp quote: "The trick is to shoot slowly quickly." (or something like that) What he meant by that was not to sacrifice technique for speed, rather practice the right technique until it becomes faster.

A perfect example was when the action part was over, and we did a one-on-one dueling tree tournament. I had my S&W 625. My opponent had some sort of hi-cap 9mm auto. There are six targets on each side of the tree, and the first one to knock his six over wins. I was shooting way right in DA, so I just took my time and shot SA. I missed once, so I had to reload. I beat that guy, who missed so many times he also had to reload! The next time, the adreneline got to me and I missed several times and lost.

My advice is to go for it. Just go into it accepting that you're going to lose a lot at first until you get used to it. Go into it with the attitude that you just want to have fun. Somehow, it is very exciting, even though I know my life is not at stake. I hear that buzzer, I know I'm on the clock, and so I rush a bit more than I should. It's hard to overcome that part!

As you get more experience, you'll get faster and faster.

I bought middle and low end equipment for my 1911. A stiff nylon Bianchi gun belt. Not duty stiff and big, but stiff enough to be better than a regular old sturdy leather belt. A mid-range Blackhawk holster and two double mag carriers. Probably $100 outlay altogether.

Then, I decided I wanted to try my CZ 97B too. For that, I just bought a cheap Bianchi nylon holster for something like $20 and use it on a sturdy leather belt. I'm not a top level competitor, so if it is not quite as quick on the draw as a molded plastic "Kydex" holster, I don't care. I didn't even buy mag carriers for this gun, I just stick them in my pockets. (this is probably not allowed in IDPA)

If you're concerned about equipment costs, check gunbroker. I bet there's some folks out there who got into it, realized they could not compete at the top level, then got discouraged and quit. If you find you don't like it, you can just flip it back on gunbroker and get your money back.

I think you'll find the main expenses to be ammo, gas to get to the shoots, and tournament fees. A couple competitions will cost more to shoot than your equipment, so that is what you should be considering.
 
WC made a good point. Some guys (the smart ones) compete with their carry gun, even if it is IWB and tiny and slower and less accurate than a race gun. For them, it is about having fun and having their training translate directly to their carry gun.
 
What is "satisfactory?"
How far can you hit a target 18" x 30"... usually?

Levels of proficiency are why IDPA (and IPSC and NRA) have classes. Novices versus Novices, Masters versus Masters.

Have you watched a match or at least a video? There are hundreds, thousands on youtube.
http://www.gadpa.com/index.php/ipda/new-shooter-briefing/
is more comprehensible than the rule book or trying to learn rules and procedures on the fly, one penalty at a time.

Bowling pins are very demanding targets.
But not impossible, so if that is available to you, do it.
The point is to get out and start shooting in company, in competition.
The smallest and least formal club match is a whole different world from solitary vice, uh practice. You won't go back.
 
I am thinking about looking in to participating in IDPA
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Hey Greg:

Just curious who conducts these type of events in the Metro-Atlanta area? I would love to stop in somewhere and just watch to see what it is all about if they allow that.
 
I get rabid every time I hear someone say, "I wont to start X competition, but I'm not good enough, I practice first then I'll do it"

NO ONE, I mean no one starts out in the High Master Class (or what ever the classification is). We all start some where.

The best thing is to make like NIKE and "just do it". Every type of competition I've ever fired welcome with open arms new shooters and go out of their way to help them get started.

Just take what ever pistol you have, with what ever holster you have, and show up to shoot. Be sure to let the range officer and or safety officer know you're new. They will make sure you get started right, paired off with experienced shooters who'll guide you along safely and the right way. If your equipment is wrong they'll loan you the proper gear.

Don't buy anything special until you've been shooting the sport for a while and you learn what will work and what wont.

Three things happen every time I attend a new match or new competition.

1: I learn something
2: I have fun
3: and best of all, I meet some great new friends.
 
IDPA is a good organization. I'd recommend checking out the rulebook http://idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf prior to showing up, as it will help you understand scoring, penalties, and equipment requirements.

Rulebook is linked to the main IDPA site. http://idpa.com/

The site also has links for area clubs, with contact info. http://idpa.com/clubs.asp

I shoot in the Atlanta area, but up north, past Jasper. I don't know the Metro area clubs, but you can look them up.

Crowd so far is a good one; reminds me of the GSSF crowd, which I'd also recommend for the Glock guys.
 
Capt Stuart beat me to it: Just do it! A high skill level isn't required to compete, competition raises your skill level. If possible contact the match director to find what is required to compete and show up a bit early. Folks there will do everything they can to make sure you have a good experience. Don't buy match equipment until your current equipment holds you back. Have fun!
 
1) Safety
2) Have fun and meet new people
3) Improve as you go

That's my format for every match. Be safe, make at least one new friend/range buddy and learn what works and what doesn't.

If you worry too much, a 2-3lb firearm will out-think you and then you're back to square one. If you're worried about marksmanship, get a .22 conversion kit and practice with your match gun.

Have fun and be safe,
Lucky
 
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Just do it! you will meet some great people who will help you advance quickly.
I shot my first match 2 yrs ago,and now I cant shoot often enough.I was a good paper shooter when I started and found out it didnt mean much in action shooting under stress ect.My first match I finished 2nd to last.
Two seasons latter Ive managed to get my 5 gun sharp shooter classification,made some friends,learned a lot,and had a blast.
 
I totally agree....as long as you are safe you will be welcomed. doesn't matter if it takes you 30 seconds to line up a miss on the broadside of a barn if you do it safely you will be treated as the proverbial prodigal son.

So please do it, I shot my first match a couple of weeks ago and it was a blast.....pardon the pun.
 
Our Club, the Big Piney Sportsman's Club near Houston Missouri, started Defensive Pistol Matches within the last 10 years.
Our shooters get together on a Saturday once a month, and have a great time. No pressure, everyone helps each other. If we have someone show up to watch, someone will probably offer them something to shoot with.
I have several handguns, and shoot most of them in matches. I am shooting mostly in SSR Division. In our Club Match SSR is all revolvers. I shoot a 64 Smith & Wesson heavy barrel with some home gunsmithing done on it. Mainly springs, and a little polishing. I have had the chambers chamfered and Ball Loc added to it. I did get a Fiber Optic front sight for it, but the Green Sight paint has been working so well that I have not had it installed, and may not. I am using Safariland Comp III speed loaders with it. I am using an old Safariland holster I have had for 30 years.

I also shoot a 3" 625-3. It is one of my carry guns. I am using a Lobo Model 1 Pancake holster with it. The Lobo Model 1 is my CCW holster.
I also shoot a 610 S&W 4" shooting 40 S&W in it. I like this gun for steel targets.
We have a Rimfire Division at our Club. I shoot my 617 S&W revolver as well as my Ruger MK III Hunter in this Division.

We have a BUG (Back Up Gun) Division that shoots the same course of fire as everything else. I shoot my 638 S&W carried again in my CCW holster another Lobo Model 1 Pancake.
I shoot my Colt 1911 some also. I carry it in a Rafter S Askins Avenger style holster.
We shoot Falling Plates as a seperate Match. I am planning on getting my 6" S&W Model 29 out and using it one of these days on the plates. I need to get some lite loads together for it with 200 grain lead bullets.

My point is you can have fun with what you have. I have 10 handguns that I rotate through shooting in our matchs. Not a single one of them is a Game Gun. I do not have any dedicated Match Only Holsters. I use what I normally carry my guns in. The Comp III speed loaders I did buy for match shooting.

I was a fair IPSC shooter in the late 1970's. I took a long break and got pretty rusty. My handgun skills have really improved since I have been shooting club matches every month. That is what it is all about, getting better, and you do not need to worry about winning as your main goal. The main goal is getting better, and having a good time while doing it.

Tell us what you have, and someone will help you out with what you need to get started.

See You at the Range

Bob
 
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A perfect example was when the action part was over, and we did a one-on-one dueling tree tournament. I had my S&W 625. My opponent had some sort of hi-cap 9mm auto. There are six targets on each side of the tree, and the first one to knock his six over wins. I was shooting way right in DA, so I just took my time and shot SA. I missed once, so I had to reload. I beat that guy, who missed so many times he also had to reload! The next time, the adreneline got to me and I missed several times and lost.
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I did the same thing, shooting some steel back in June. We had 3 poppers on each side of a "Texas Star" plate wheel (5 plates, and when you knock the first one off, the thing is unbalanced and starts spinning!) ..... you had to knock down the poppers first ..... and the first one to get 3 plates wins. I shot my Colt trooper SA, vs. guys with hi-cap 9mm's ......

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast: I did not miss, and when I'd knock down my poppers Bang!clickBang!clickBang!, my opponents would panic, and begin spraying and missing.....

As for not starting IDPA because you are not good enough: getting better is the whole point ..... or at least I thought it was: IDPA was started by guys who though IPSC had turned into an unrealistic game, dominated by "rule beater" cartridges (9 Largo, anyone?) and "spaceguns"- IDPA was supposed to be for Carry/Duty rigs ....... I say supposed to be, because the last few mini-matches I went to were shot by guys who competed with tricked out hi-cap guns and "shoot-me-first" photographer vests for cover garments, who, when they left, stuck an LCP or Keltec in their pocket.....

.... so take your Carry rig, with enough magazines/speedloaders/moonclips (whatever you carry) to shoot the courses of fire, stay safe, and get some trigger time with the equipment you are betting your life on.
 
Thanks everyone

Thanks everyone. I am going to try it out next Wednesday.

As always, this forum is better than the rest for getting advice, feedback, etc.
 
BarryLee said:
Just curious who conducts these type of events in the Metro-Atlanta area? I would love to stop in somewhere and just watch to see what it is all about if they allow that.
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Barry, since you are OTP, depending on which side, there is IPDA at Sharpshooters in Roswell/Alpharetta, Sandy Springs Shooting Range in Sandy Springs (Tue) and American Classic Marksmen in Norcross (Wed).Bulls Eye in Cumming also has it (Wed)

I will be going to American Classic Marksmen.
 
Greg, do you know what kind of holster to get? Do you know how to draw your gun with one in the pipe safely? Do you know how to clear a FTF correctly? How about switching mags?

Practical pistol can answer all of these questions and the others you will think off. You will learn a great deal fast, much faster than on your own and cheaper, because you won’t buy as much useless stuff.

And have a great time!

Joe
 
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