I am curious if anyone competes in IDPA. What do you shoot in the competitions? How would someone interested in IDPA start? Thanks!
Does anyone compete in IDPA
- Thread starter Hangten
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Every year I say I'm going to and then the reality of my time constraints stops me. I belong to a big club that has a very active IDPA program. They have five dedicated IDPA ranges. Soon as I hit the lottery I'll do IDPA full time.
I've been doing IDPA for about a year and a half now. I use a Glock 34. If you are interested in competing, I would start by reading through the rule book online. That will give you an idea of the equipment you need, which is pretty much just the gun, holster, mags and mag pouch, eyes and ears, and a cover garment. Then, find a local range that sponsors IDPA competitions. A lot of people think they need to watch a match before trying it out, but I say just go for it. Most clubs will let you compete a time or two before you actually become an IDPA member. When I first started, I found everyone to be very friendly and helpful towards newcomers. Just get the gear and go do it.
I've thought about trying it. I hear that chicks dig the fishing vests.
The Izaac Walton League near me holds monthly competitions. I'd probably do it except that my 1911 and revolvers just aren't the guns for it and I can't hit the broad side of a barn anyway. I'm basically spending this year getting my marksmanship up to snuff before maybe trying IDPA next year.
The Izaac Walton League near me holds monthly competitions. I'd probably do it except that my 1911 and revolvers just aren't the guns for it and I can't hit the broad side of a barn anyway. I'm basically spending this year getting my marksmanship up to snuff before maybe trying IDPA next year.
Lots of people use 1911s and revolvers in IDPA. I used my 1911 for a competition last month. Also, in IDPA you are typically engaging targets at pretty close defensive distances. So even if you don't feel your marksmanship is good enough, you might be surprised at how well you do. Some targets you engage so close that you literally could not miss even if you were blindfolded. I would say to just give it a try, don't worry about the timer, and just see how you do.
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- #6
Thanks for the advice! I also found some decent resources on YouTube. Sounds like I have to get one of those lady killing vests and just show up. Any pointers you would suggest for the range days prior to the contest?
I don't use one of those vests, but I've thought about getting one. I usually just wear a button up shirt, untucked, and open in front. Either that or a light jacket. I'm not real serious about it, I just do it for fun, so I don't do any special prep work in advance. The best practice seems to be dry practice of your draw stroke, and reloading.
If you haven't done dry practice before, the number one rule is NO AMMO ANYWHERE! Just don't even have any ammo in the same room. check all of your magazines, check your range bag, double and triple check the gun, even empty out your pockets. Once you are sure there is no ammo anywhere around, put up a non-permanent point of aim on a wall somewhere. This is something that you would take down after your drills are finished, like a piece of tape or a 3x5 card. Also, don't use photos of people. And the wall you use, should preferably be a solid wall that could potentially stop a handgun round. When you are ready to begin, say out loud that you are now beginning dry practice. This helps create a physical practice bubble that is set apart from all other activities. Using that non-permanent feature as a reference point, practice drawing from concealment, pressing the trigger, and practicing your reloads. There are probably lots of good youtube videos that can teach you how to do all these things. After you are finished, put everything away, take down your reference point, and say out loud that you are now done with dry practice drills. After that, no more touching your gun. Being meticulous about setting up your physical and mental practice area makes sure that you won't be tempted to go "just one more time" when you are walking around your house and think your gun is unloaded. That's how accidents happen.
So that's a long way of saying that dry practice of your gun handling skills is what I would recommend prior to a match.
If you haven't done dry practice before, the number one rule is NO AMMO ANYWHERE! Just don't even have any ammo in the same room. check all of your magazines, check your range bag, double and triple check the gun, even empty out your pockets. Once you are sure there is no ammo anywhere around, put up a non-permanent point of aim on a wall somewhere. This is something that you would take down after your drills are finished, like a piece of tape or a 3x5 card. Also, don't use photos of people. And the wall you use, should preferably be a solid wall that could potentially stop a handgun round. When you are ready to begin, say out loud that you are now beginning dry practice. This helps create a physical practice bubble that is set apart from all other activities. Using that non-permanent feature as a reference point, practice drawing from concealment, pressing the trigger, and practicing your reloads. There are probably lots of good youtube videos that can teach you how to do all these things. After you are finished, put everything away, take down your reference point, and say out loud that you are now done with dry practice drills. After that, no more touching your gun. Being meticulous about setting up your physical and mental practice area makes sure that you won't be tempted to go "just one more time" when you are walking around your house and think your gun is unloaded. That's how accidents happen.
So that's a long way of saying that dry practice of your gun handling skills is what I would recommend prior to a match.
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- #8
Thanks! That is great advice. I will work on that for a while and decide when to compete.
Great advice on dry fire practice. I have done a couple of IDPA matches with my Glock 19, really had a good time. Best advice is to bring whatever you got and go from there. I used a Blackhawk level 1 kydex holster and their 2 mag holder. I borrowed a holster and mag pouch for my first match, quickly found out that you don't want a holster with anything you have to manipulate (buttons, straps, releases and whatnot). I wasn't about to use one of those "shoot me first" vests either. I just wore a flannel shirt Michael Keaton Mr. Mom style.
That's one of my favorite movies, by the way.
I'm a safety officer and have been shooting IDPA for about 12 yrs now....the main thing is ,,,IT'S FUN!!! While it seems like alot of stuff to know, it's really quite simple: it's a shooting sport that gets as close to real life CC carry as possible. Every stage is shot from concealment, every stage will replicate a real life situation, as realistically as possible. So, afa clothing, wear what you'd wear in public if you's CC. The vests are the easiest way to shoot from, so that's why it's so popular. Most try to stay as close to how they carry in public, as it's great practice( without actually being in a real FF).
Safety is a HUGE concern and that's where I come in. The truth is, you can have ammo in your magazines, but just not in your gun, until you're on the firing line, ready to shoot.
The best thing to do is go to a couple of shoots and watch. Folks are super friendly and most are willing to help. Remember, we all started that same way, so be at ease.
The gear, the same as you have to carry CC. The motto is "run what ya brung',,,,they do have guidelines, but almost any holster that you'd use is acceptable. They just don't want crappy gear that wouldn't work in real life.
Practice dry firing at home, to handle your gun: Practice your draw stroke, so that you can draw your pistol and present it smoothly, without fumbling or slinging it downrange( it can happen).
They do a walkthru and explain every stage completely and you can ask questions. They want this to be as user friendly as possible, while keeping it as real and safe as possible; a challenge, but well worth it.
They usually split everyone up into "squads" and as SO, I will be the "squad leader". I will call you up and call who's "on deck" ( next). You will step up the the starting point of that stage. I will ask you if you understand the stage and then to load and make ready. i will decare the range hot. I will have a timer. I will say "standby" and then a beeper will sound off. At that time, you will draw your pistol and begin the stage, shooting at targets ( from behind cover), do any tactical reloads ( behind cover) , shoot on the move, shoot at moving targets, etc and negotiate the stage as designed. I will follow you closely( but stay out of your way) and watch for any unsafe action and will advise you. At the end, I will ask you to unload and show clear and then holster. I will declare the range cold and then you and the score keepers will go and score your shoot and paste up the holes and get ready for the next shooter.
If you're into that kind of thing, you will be hooked......imo, it's great fun and a good skill.
Safety is a HUGE concern and that's where I come in. The truth is, you can have ammo in your magazines, but just not in your gun, until you're on the firing line, ready to shoot.
The best thing to do is go to a couple of shoots and watch. Folks are super friendly and most are willing to help. Remember, we all started that same way, so be at ease.
The gear, the same as you have to carry CC. The motto is "run what ya brung',,,,they do have guidelines, but almost any holster that you'd use is acceptable. They just don't want crappy gear that wouldn't work in real life.
Practice dry firing at home, to handle your gun: Practice your draw stroke, so that you can draw your pistol and present it smoothly, without fumbling or slinging it downrange( it can happen).
They do a walkthru and explain every stage completely and you can ask questions. They want this to be as user friendly as possible, while keeping it as real and safe as possible; a challenge, but well worth it.
They usually split everyone up into "squads" and as SO, I will be the "squad leader". I will call you up and call who's "on deck" ( next). You will step up the the starting point of that stage. I will ask you if you understand the stage and then to load and make ready. i will decare the range hot. I will have a timer. I will say "standby" and then a beeper will sound off. At that time, you will draw your pistol and begin the stage, shooting at targets ( from behind cover), do any tactical reloads ( behind cover) , shoot on the move, shoot at moving targets, etc and negotiate the stage as designed. I will follow you closely( but stay out of your way) and watch for any unsafe action and will advise you. At the end, I will ask you to unload and show clear and then holster. I will declare the range cold and then you and the score keepers will go and score your shoot and paste up the holes and get ready for the next shooter.
If you're into that kind of thing, you will be hooked......imo, it's great fun and a good skill.
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- #12
Thanks everybody! This has been some great info. I think I am already hooked!
When the beeper go's off you will forget the walk through the SO told you only 5 minutes ago. It comes back about 5 seconds into the course of fire. Also, 3 mags are the minimum but 4 makes life easy IE a barny mag with only one round in it and all others loaded to 10 for SSP and ESP. Learn how to point shoot. Shooting with retention is a bit scary but very fun. There are two groups who shoot IDPA... The Gamers who's guns barely fit the gun box and push the limit if they can, and the self improver's who shoot to perfect there form.
