Looking to get into shooting IDPA, SSP class...

I too just started shooting IDPA. I shot my first match with my G30sf and did just fine. I carry that gun everyday, so it was a natural choice. The .45 caliber does not put me at a disadvantage over the 9mms because I cannot out shoot my gun. I use the matches as practice.
 
DMK said:
I'm a big believer in shooting my carry gun in combat competition games. It's not perfect practice, but it is good frequent practice in drawing, manipulating the controls, trigger control, sight picture, reloads, etc.
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It'll also show you how reliable and functional your EDC gear is when it's actually put to a test instead of being casually shot at the range. People are often surprised.

I know of at least one other guy who re-evaluated his EDC based on reliability in competition. Competition may be a game, but competition's tough on gear and it really tests it. First and foremost, your stuff has to run to play, so it's an excellent testing ground.

That said, I know of others who proclaim they shoot their EDC to get good with it, but then gripe about all the "gamers" when they get beat, and take it upon themselves to tell everyone else how IDPA ought to be run. Bottom line: It's a game. Use your EDC if you like, but understand it's your choice to do so. Don't be a soapbox purist.
 
i started with a 1911, convinced it was a great gun - and learned that flipping off the safety each time i drew it was not a natural act.

so i went to my PX4, and learned that the first DA trigger was also not something i liked, i liked the consistent SA trigger of the 1911.

so now i'm carrying and shooting a striker fired pistol, either a HK VP9 or a Sig P320. both excellent factory triggers, same trigger pull every time, no safety to trip me up.

it's been an excellent learning experience, both for finding out how various guns perform under stress, and learning different shooting techniques (there are no barricades in bullseye, and no reload on the clock either).
 
Shooting IDPA really opens up your eyes to the difference between slow fire target practice at the range compared to draw, move and shoot competition that requires accuracy and speed according to your ability. World of difference and as others have said makes you rethink the type of gun you carry. My wife and I use it as training on our gun handling and shooting skills. The competition and comparing our results to the other shooters is a bonus!
 
I just had a thought while googling IDPA stuff... Correct me if I'm misled or missing something here...

Wouldn't my XD45 4" be a good fit for the new CCP division?

4.1" max barrel length, 1.375" max width, 37 oz. max weight, 6" tall, and ammo has to make 125 power factor from a 4.1" barrel. Here are my gun's specs: http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-service-model-45-acp/

I have a 185 gr target load that is around 150 power factor from a 5" gun, and I might could get them a little lighter and still get reliable function.

I'd still have a little more cost in reloading .45 but this seems like a viable option if I were to keep the XD.
 
Looks like your XD would qualify for CCP. I've got a XD45 4" Service model with thumb safety that I've considered shooting in SSP just to see how I would do. I've also got a M&P 45 Midsize that I've considered using also. Never thought about using the XD in CCP mainly because it's a new division and referred by some as the "Glock 19" division! :) Personally I wouldn't get rid of anything or buy anything new till you've shot a few matches and got a feel for it. When you first start out the type of gun is the least of your concerns. Safety rules, shooting rules, remembering the course of fire are first and foremost. Believe me, in your first few matches, when the beeper goes off it's easy to "go brain dead" and forget what you're suppose to do. Like I was told when I was observing my first match, "there are four things to remember, 1) Be safe, 2) Have fun, 3) Shoot accurately and 4) Fast will come in time! "
 
Didja' know that there once was a time when USPSA had but one equipment category?
(IDPA had yet to make an appearance).
And to best of my memories, no one suffered from it.
The idea was to get better and better with whatever gun you had.
To "equalize the playing field" was the job of the stage designers.
No, not that stage, the courses of fire.
 
Looks like it would qualify. It remains to be seen whether CCP will catch on in a big way, but even if it doesn't it will provide a home for guns like that.

And I am shooting ESP with midrange or lower .45 ACP. It uses guns, press, and components on hand with low recoil that does not shake up my arthritis or trigger a flinch. It also gains a couple of points per match with its bigger holes.
 
Well gents, in an unexpected turn of events I traded the XD 45 for a like-new Glock 22 gen 4. Also got 600 pieces of .40 brass in the deal. I have some Clays, Titegroup, and Power Pistol sitting at the reloading bench to start working up some light loads.

I know I was thinking 9mm to start with but I realized I can easily make 130 pf .40 loads staying within book data, and there won't be much cost difference over 9mm when reloading.

I was also concerned at first about the dreaded "Glock bulge" with spent .40 brass, but after some research I found a general consensus that the chambers of mid Gen 3 and newer Glocks have better chamber support than the older ones and don't bulge brass nearly as much. Also with the cupcake loads I'll be making, I doubt it would be much of an issue anyway. I guess we will see.
 
Well, you can always get an after-market barrel for the Glock 22, and shoot 9mm, too. And that will let you shoot lead!

(You can shoot lead in a stock 22 if you keep an eye on the barrel for lead build up, or talk with the folks who reload lead with their Glocks. It can be done cheaply, economically, and safety. I don't reload, but know many who do, including some who shoot Glocks as pistol instructors, etc.)
 
A caliber change would put him in ESP.
I do not understand the point of buying big and shooting small anyhow, especially for a handloader. For example, I am shooting .45 Minor ESP.
Coated bullets that will not frighten polygon users are not much more expensive than cast, it would take tens of thousands of rounds to save the cost of an aftermarket barrel.
 
Jim Watson said:
A caliber change would put him in ESP.
I do not understand the point of buying big and shooting small anyhow, especially for a handloader. For example, I am shooting .45 Minor ESP.
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I didn't advocate shooting competitively using 9mm... but that is an option. I was simply making the point -- since he started out seeking a 9mm gun -- that he could have BOTH with his Glock 22, and do it pretty inexpensively, as well.

I've had a number of Glocks over the years, and ended up with aftermarket barrels for all of the .40s -- and shot both 9mm and .40 out of the guns. (I've bought guns that came with .357 SIG barrels, but never really found them (.357 SIG) all the attractive. Those barrels went with the guns when I sold them.) I've got a new-to-me Glock 35 (Gen 4) -- acquired in a recent trade that helped me move a gun I didn't like. I don't like shooting it in .40, so may get an aftermarket barrel for it if I keep it.
 
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Didja' know that there once was a time when USPSA had but one equipment category?
(IDPA had yet to make an appearance).
And to best of my memories, no one suffered from it.
The idea was to get better and better with whatever gun you had.
To "equalize the playing field" was the job of the stage designers.
No, not that stage, the courses of fire.
Click to expand...

Currently they have multiple categories. Most people I see playing run and gun have some type of racegun, not production guns.

Its not good or bad, just different. In my humble opinion: USPSA is Formula 1; IDPA is NASCAR. Both can be fun and helpful with different aspects of your shooting.
 
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