when to start idpa matches?

[1badman]

Just got into guns. How much range time do you think someone should have before their first match? Is it more if I feel comfortable with my gun?

[Kodemonkey]

I would try to take a 1 day class if you could that incorporates drawing from a holster. Not mandatory, but you might feel a bit more comfortable.

That said, I took a buddy into the garage for about 40 minutes of draw practice with an unloaded gun and took him to IDPA. He followed the rules to the letter and was very safety minded.

I think if you have the mindset of not trying to win your first time (meaning, take it slow and be deliberate with your movements) you will be fine.

Where are you located? Tac-1 does a 1 day Saturday class in LA that teaches drawing from a holster. It's reasonable ($150) and even my wife who has been shooting IDPA for over a year got something out of it.

[speedrrracer]

First, take a lesson or two from a good instructor in your area. Learn the fundamentals properly. Then do 15 minutes a day of dry fire drills in your garage / backyard / whatever, and by the next IDPA match you'll know if you feel safe enough handling your firearm without endangering anyone.

You'll never have "enough" range time -- accuracy will always be something to work on, so don't even sweat that part. The only part to be concerned about it safety -- can you draw from a holster, reload, move and fire without endangering anyone?

Even if you still lack the confidence to participate in the next IDPA match (and if you do daily dry-firing, again, I doubt you'll lack the confidence for long), you should attend. Watching it happen takes all the air out of the mystery balloon, and you'll soon be, "I can go that". Plus, there's always someone that will make you think, "I can for sure beat that guy"

Lastly, don't limit yourself to just IDPA -- do USPSA also. The two are so closely related that one is, at the very least, excellent cross-training for the other.

[Scotty]

I shot my first USPSA match 1 month after buying my first centerfire pistol.

[The Virus]

When the buzzer sounds.........

[Kodemonkey]

I should also state that you should have a good grasp of basic marksmanship or you are not going to have a lot of fun. IDPA will push you (or rather you will push yourself) for a balance between speed and accuracy. But you have to have the accuracy down to some extent. When you start shooting all stages clean (or only have a few -1) then you know you can speed up a little... then watch your game go to crap and dial it back it bit. It's that chase - that need to constantly improve yourself that will quickly become a drug. Seriously... I have yet to come across someone that just tried IDPA and said;"meh, that sucked". It's more like; "when is the next match?"

[HighLander51]

Just got into guns. How much range time do you think someone should have before their first match? Is it more if I feel comfortable with my gun?

If you understand you don't point your gun at anything except a target (and me), then there is no reason not to start. You will need a good belt, holster, mag pouches and extra mags.

[Bob Hostetter]

I don't know where you are located but if you can, take a class designed for IDPA. It will save you a lot of grief and/or confusion at your 1st match.

[1badman]

Merced county

[Bob Hostetter]

See if you can find a class designed specially for IDPA. While shooting skills are universal, each action style shooting sport has skills/demands which are unique to its self. I am not familiar with your area so I can't recommend anyone local but I know there several reputable guys thru out California teaching IDPA specific classes. A good one would shorten your learning curve and make it a lot more fun getting started.

[3GunFunShooter]

The Sac Valley IDPA club, SDPS, requires you to attend a new shooter orientation class before you can shoot one of their matches, unless you are an experienced shooter. You could take the class and get started.
They usually hold it once a month. Kind of far but check it out.

[sprintcar]

^^ I just took the IDPA clinic at Sac Valley last week. fun class and learned the basics of the sport. We shot 3 basic stages for score to show how to score, tape, and brass. I will shoot next months match for sure.