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Anyone ever try an IDPA competiton?
Edge
Member Posts: 30 ✭✭
I'm interested in trying it. Has anyone out there ever done it before? If so, please tell me your impressions and whether you liked it or not and why or why not.
Also, revolver or semi-auto?
I'm a revolver kinda gal myself, but I may have to switch if I'm going to do this seriously. However, I'd prefer to stick with my S&W .357 with .38 loads if possible. I've done a little homework on this and I think there's several different classes for different weapons.
What say you?
Edge
Also, revolver or semi-auto?
I'm a revolver kinda gal myself, but I may have to switch if I'm going to do this seriously. However, I'd prefer to stick with my S&W .357 with .38 loads if possible. I've done a little homework on this and I think there's several different classes for different weapons.
What say you?
Edge
Comments
Edge
I think you got a plan. It is good to get your feet wet before you buy different equipment. You would be competing against people using the same type equiptment. 30 years ago I was shooting PPC with a 38 revolver and speed loaders. It was the only pistol competition at that time besides bullseye shooting. You do have to shoot with a 4" barrel or shorter. That is one of that rules for the revolver classes of IDPA.
Peary,
No prob. Mine is a 2". No comment from the peanut gallery on that answer, OKAY? [:o)][:D][:p] (Am I getting to know this place or what? LOL!)
I'm glad an experienced IDPA shooter approves of my idea! It means a LOT to me! There's not a lot of activity here in FL and you have to travel to compete. If I'm going to spend that much money, I want to make sure I get my money's worth. You have verified my instincts. I had a feeling it would be better to stick with what I know for now until I learn the ropes. Besides, I suck at multi-tasking! LOL!!
*sticking my tongue out at Mr. Edge and singing nah-na-na-na-na-nah*
[8D]
Stick with your revolver, since that is what you are more comfortable with.
IDPA more or less limit's the stages to 18 rounds, to stay revolver friendly. Since you can not have more than 3 speed loaders/mags on your person. Using a revolver, you have to make every shot count.
IPSC has no such limit. It is more of a run and gun ordeal, quite different than IDPA. Both disciplines are good for getting in some trigger time.
You will need your revolver and a strong side holster; at least three speedloaders and belt carriers for them (You could load out of your pocket if you did not want to splurge on speedloader holders.); a concealment garment; eye and ear protection.
I strongly suggest you practice drawing from concealment at home dryfire before doing it for real.
www.idpa.com
has club locations, rules, and some sample courses of fire.
Since they split the revolver divisons, a .38 with speedloaders is a recognized IDPA gun and will not compete with the moonclip revolvers. You will be at a bit of a disadvantage with a 2" on the longer shots. If it is a 5-shooter you will be at a considerble disadvantage because even the most basic standard exercise will be based on six shot strings. Yesterday we shot three 12-round standards, an 18 shot scenario, a 16 shot scenario, and a 6 shot scenario. But you can get your feet wet and it will just increase your experience in reloading.
You will need your revolver and a strong side holster; at least three speedloaders and belt carriers for them (You could load out of your pocket if you did not want to splurge on speedloader holders.); a concealment garment; eye and ear protection.
I strongly suggest you practice drawing from concealment at home dryfire before doing it for real.
www.idpa.com
has club locations, rules, and some sample courses of fire.
Wow! Thanks Hawk!! Very helpful!! I also have a S&W .357 with a 5" or 6" barrel....I'm not sure. I usually only use .38's in it anyway. My hands can't handle more than 25 or so rounds of .357 magnums. I'm delicate and I bruise easily.[:D]
In a typical day at the range, I practice with my .38 ultralite at the 7 yd. line, and the .357 at the 25 yd. line. Sometimes I'll shoot off some .357 rounds at both stations. It just depends on if I feel like it or not. Mostly it depends on whether or not I have an audience. I've learned it makes people nervous to see a little bitty woman like me shootin' a big 'ol gun despite my years of experience with it. [;)]
The only things on your list I don't have is the belt and concealment garment. Everything else I already own. I've had the IDPA site bookmarked for awhile.....I'm hoping there will be more competitions so I don't have to travel so far. The last time I checked, I'd have to drive over 2 hours to get to the one nearest me, but then it's been several months since the last time I checked.
Thanks again!!
Edge
IDPA is fun to shoot, but if you want a challange you should check out IPSC shooting at uspsa.org. They have a class just for revolver shooters. I know all you IDPA shooters are going to jump all over me for this post because you think IPSC is not "practical" like IDPA. Well, your right comparing IDPA and IPSC is like comparing a spelling bee to baseball, one is educational and the other is just more fun.
[8D]
IPSC, huh? Thanks for the great info.
Mr. Edge is NOT going to be happy when he sees this....
*runs off yelling "OH Honey....I found a new competition to check out....."*[}:)][:D]
One more thing. Whichever competition you choose, or if you try both,[:D] support your sport. Tell your friends,or better yet, take a friend or Mr. Edge. You will find most competition shooter are friendly and more than willing to help a new shooter. And the more people we can get involved in our sport the more fun it is. And if you can't find an IDPA club close to you there is a club locator on the USPSA website.
Good luck and many fast A's
Always!! Actually, what I've found is that anytime someone at the gun club finds a new gig to try, others follow suit.
Like the wackos that shoot 'wobbles' (I think that's what it's called) at the trap fields. They tend to all shoot at the same bird at once and then spend the rest of the evening arguing over who got it. *roll eyes*[:D] Suddenly, it's gotten REALLY popular[:o)][:o)][:o)]
Yeah, I know....not the sort of folks you wanna see running around with guns in their hands, are they? Actually, they're a great bunch of guys who know how to have maybe just a little too much fun![:D]
Would it surprise anyone to find out it was my husband and my shooting coach that started it??[:I]
Club locator and American rules at
www.uspsa.org
IPSC and IDPA are more similar than different. People who tell you IDPA is more "tactcial" or IPSC is more fun have an axe to grind. Sounds like you have an access problem. See if there is a USPSA outfit closer to you. I travel to shoot most weekends but I have been doing it for some years and am kind of a monomaniac over shooting.
Your 6" revolver will be ok in IPSC (IDPA has a 4" limit but I would not tell a new shooter she couldn't use hers.) and you don't have to wear concealment. But you will need more speedloaders because the usual course of fire is longer.
Go shoot IDPA with your revolver, I don't know where you're located or how large the shoots are around you but if you show up with a wheel gun around here you will more than likely be the only one using a revolver. It just takes tons more reloading, which really adds up the time,so around here it's not that common a class for people to shoot. IDPA is a blast, you will want a high quality holster as it is a must for the sport. You'll see lots of Glocks and Sigs out there and a few 1911's, then just one or two of everything else. I shoot a hi-power in .40 and I shoot it well so that's what I stick with. The important thing is to get out there and try it, you'll really like it.
Define 'high quality' holster, please. Hubby has a 1911 I could try later on. I'm not a big fan of Glocks, personally. I'm in FL, btw. Not much action around here in the tampa bay region that I can tell.
I have friends there and have shot in Florida West Coast Defensive Pistol League matches at Guncraft in Ruskin on the south side of the bay.
I have also shot at the Lakeland Defensive Pistol Club which is really between Zephyr Hills and Lakeland.
Never have made it to the Wyoming Antelope Club or to the Suncoast Pistol Club which is an IPSC outfit; but they are nearby.
Information on the Guncraft matches and links to the other places on the FWCDPL site
http://www.fwcdpc.com/
Quality holster?
I use ReadyTac available from
www.pistolpacking.com
Lady's style available.
Disclosure: I shoot with the maker and have swapped the use of guns for him to mold on for free holsters and T-shirt.
Tampa Bay region?
I have friends there and have shot in Florida West Coast Defensive Pistol League matches at Guncraft in Ruskin on the south side of the bay.
I have also shot at the Lakeland Defensive Pistol Club which is really between Zephyr Hills and Lakeland.
Never have made it to the Wyoming Antelope Club or to the Suncoast Pistol Club which is an IPSC outfit; but they are nearby.
Information on the Guncraft matches and links to the other places on the FWCDPL site
http://www.fwcdpc.com/
Quality holster?
I use ReadyTac available from
www.pistolpacking.com
Lady's style available.
Disclosure: I shoot with the maker and have swapped the use of guns for him to mold on for free holsters and T-shirt.
Guncraft in Ruskin? Never heard of it, but I will check it out. Ruskin's not too bad a drive. As long as I never go NORTH of Ruskin, it doesn't get too cold for me here.[:D]
Thanks so much for the information. I'm going to check it out.
Good luck and good shooting.
I'll have to check out my map. I'm much farther south than you were.
Thanks again.
actually you can carry as many speedloaders and magazines as you want, you are however restricted to three speedloaders on your belt, two in front and one in the back used to charge your weapon, a competitor can only carry two magazines on their belt, but how ever many you can fit in all of your pockets your allowed to do so
quote:IDPA more or less limit's the stages to 18 rounds, to stay revolver friendly. Since you can not have more than 3 speed loaders/mags on your person. Using a revolver, you have to make every shot count.
actually you can carry as many speedloaders and magazines as you want, you are however restricted to three speedloaders on your belt, two in front and one in the back used to charge your weapon, a competitor can only carry two magazines on their belt, but how ever many you can fit in all of your pockets your allowed to do so
As I was advised. You can carry magazines, speed loaders, and moon clips in your pockets "In lieu of" NOT "in addition to" "Belt carried" ammunition carriers. I guess your club and mine interpret the rules differently.
quote:2. Two full speedloaders/moon clips may be worn directly in front of the holster and they must be positioned as close to the holster as possible. One additional may be worn behind the centerline on either the right or left side for a total of three speedloaders/full moon clips on the belt.
3. In lieu of the use of ammunition carriers, spare magazines, speed loaders, and moon clips, used in a CoF may be carried in the contestant's pockets and used for any IDPA legal reload.
4. The shooter may carry no more than two spare magazines on
the belt.
Happy shooting. [:D]
i guess my three local clubs, the area 2 co-ordinaters of il, and mo, and including the match director and so's of the nationals all interpret ate this rule wrong
when the rule states "in lieu of", it does not state "not in addition to", by in lieu of it means if a competitor does not use a magazine or speed loader on his belt, he may only use the amount allowed to use in competition {2}
does your club not allow a top off magazine to be carried by competitors?, if they do then they would be breaking the rule as you state it, and most 1911 shooters will not be topping off to 9 rounds allowed
i guess it is depending on interpretation, i am a certified s.o., one of my match directors that teach the s.o. class is also a s.o. at the nationals
quote: 2. Two full speedloaders/moon clips may be worn directly in front of the holster and they must be positioned as close to the holster as possible. One additional may be worn behind the centerline on either the right or left side for a total of three speedloaders/full moon clips on the belt.
3. In lieu of the use of ammunition carriers, spare magazines (2), speedloaders (3) and moon clips(3) used in a CoF may be carried in the contestant's pockets and used for any IDPA legal reload.
4. The shooter may carry no more than two spare magazines on the belt.
Rule #2 specifically states that, on your belt, you can have two speedloaders/moon clips, with one additional. A total of three.
Rule #3 specifically states that "in lieu of" you can carry (2) mags, (3) speed loaders, or (3) moon clips in your pocket. The same number allowed on your belt.
Rule #4 specifically states that you can have only two spare mags on the belt. Referring to rule #3, allows only 2 spare mags to be carried in your pocket. No where does it say where the "original" mag is to be carried, but it does limit how many "spare" mags you can have. I can't find where it allows you to have a 4th "top off" mag.
My dictionary defines "in lieu of" as "In place of; instead of."
No mention of "in addition to."
What is open to interpretation?
Just for a minute, forget what you have been taught.
Read it, think about it.
Question authority. [;)] [:D]
As for being a certified SO/RO, or match director, I have seen them proven to be wrong.
NOT often, but it has happened.
As a side note, even though we "should," our club does NOT always follow the rule book to the letter. We want new shooters to join up. We want it to be FUN, as well as educational.