1st IDPA match

[Red_5]

On invitation from a friend, I participated in my 1st IDPA match last Sunday. I had a great time, learned some things and now I'm hooked!

What a great way to spend the day and make new friends.

[PLINK]

Right on!!!

Where did you shoot the match at? I see you are in NorCal. If you are close to Sac/Ione, come out to the SDPS IDPA matches on the 1st Sundays of the month.

Also be sure to try some USPSA matches also. Once you're exposed to action shooting, you never want to shoot a pistol any other way.

http://www.sdps-idpa.org/

http://www.actionpistol.org/

[Red_5]

Thanks for the info.

The match was in Gridley at the NVSA club range. I'm plan joining the club and attending as many matches as I can afford.

[apbrian112]

while i don't shoot IDPA, i do shoot USPSA/IPSC and i'll agree... a bad day "practical shooting" beats the crap out of a good day shooting from a bench or shooting "1 round, 1 second".

[Black Majik]

Good job! Try USPSA sometime. It'll make IDPA "boring."

[Gryff]

On invitation from a friend, I participated in my 1st IDPA match last Sunday. I had a great time, learned some things and now I'm hooked!

Excellent! Now join the national organization and shoot a classifier to see in what level you should be placed. Makes it fun at a match to see how you did compared to other people in your class.

Sacramento will hold a classifier this weekend after their main match, and Richmond will hold classifiers on 5/31 and 6/21.

And if you are interested in something interesting, Richmond is hosting a "Postal Match" on 6/22. This uses four courses of fire provided by national HQ. After the match, the results are sent in to HQ, and added to the results from every other local club that hosts one of these matches. In August, they'll show the final results so that you can see how you really compare against hundreds of other shooters from around the country.

A list of Practical Pistol competitions this month can found here. I'll post the June list this weekend.

Good job! Try USPSA sometime. It'll make IDPA "boring."

I disagree. Some people don't like one, and some don't like the other. I started in IDPA, but also now shoot IPSC/USPSA. I love both for slightly different reasons. To me, it is like saying Racquetball is better than Tennis. Both are racket sports, but that doesn't mean that one is better than the other.

I always wish that people wouldn't bad mouth either, since we need as much shooter solidarity in California as possible. Unfortunately it isn't going to happen any time soon.

[3GunFunShooter]

Sac Valley has one of the best IDPA clubs around.
As PLINK stated, 1 Sunday of the month. Great group of shooters, club is very new shooter friendly.
Last month we had 100 shooters and were done shooting by 2 PM. Average # is about 60-80. Good stages. They also try to have a shotgun side match after the match, time and interest permitting. It is well worth the drive.
And of course USPSA shooting is a lot of fun too.

[GlockGuy]

Try the USPSA practice/intro match on the first Sunday of every month at the Oakdale club. I had a lot of fun and was welcomed quite warmly. Learned a lot too.

http://home.comcast.net/~dmuirhead99/site/

Next I want to try a IDPA match.

[bruceflinch]

I too, like both IDPA & IPSC. Different games/different challenges.

[jksupplyco]

I had a blast at Sac Valley last month for my first IDPA match.. Bummed that I will be out of town for June's match, but I'll be back in July!!

[tziggs]

IDPA & IPSC Virgin

I too, like both IDPA & IPSC. Different games/different challenges.

I've never shot either, but kind of interested. What is the difference between the two? Is one more beginner friendly (not referring to people, just the sport features)?

I'm closer to the I.E. in So Cal, to I might take a curious look nearby.

[lawaia]

tziggs,

Prado has IDPA twice a month. 91 Fwy & 71 Fwy. Don't know much about it, as I am just starting to look into it. Check out this link.

http://www.prado-idpa.com

[futureExpat]

tziggs,

Prado has IDPA twice a month. 91 Fwy & 71 Fwy. Don't know much about it, as I am just starting to look into it. Check out this link.

http://www.prado-idpa.com

I may go to this on june 7th at prado.

[Gryff]

What is the difference between the two? Is one more beginner friendly (not referring to people, just the sport features)?

USPSA is basically handgun racing...how fast can you shoot X number of targets in whatever way you think best. IDPA attempts to blend speed with defensive tactics (you have to shoot from behind cover, have to engage targets in the order that they appear, etc.).

For people interested in getting into Practical Pistol, I encourage them to look at IDPA first. This is because the courses of fire are, on the average, less complicated and difficult than USPSA. IDPA limits courses of fire to 18 scored rounds maximum (I've shot individual USPSA CoFs with more than 40 scored rounds), and distances are generally in the 5-15 yard range (and cannot exceed 35 yards). There is also a maximum in how far you have to move between firing positions. USPSA has none of those limitations, and I've seen newer shooters become so frustrated going through three mags trying to clear a Texas Star that they weren't inclined to shoot another match.

I really dig shooting USPSA, but I started in IDPA and still love it. USPSA is making me a better shooter, but I find the people in IDPA to be more relaxed and easier to get to know. YMMV because every club has its own unique personality, but I do think IDPA is an easier sport to start with.

-Jim