IDPA first time

[Ronin2]

]

That finger in the trigger guard and ON THE TRIGGER before the weapon has even cleared the holster is a TOTAL FAIL on the first commandment/prime directive of safe and professional weapons handling. But as said above, when shooters are motivated to "win" the shortcuts become more and more frequent and dangerous.

In all honesty.. if he is/was a cop, he probably picked that bad habit up on the job... lol

[socaltrailrider]

For the record, my commentary was directed at the "400 mag pouch belt systems and...fancy holsters." I am going to go out on a limb here and say that anything more than two mags on your belt is not in the spirit of IDPA and that anyone violating the magazine pouch guidance may very well have a "fancy" "competition" holster that is also in violation of the spirit if not the letter of the IDPA rules.

I could care less about fancy sponsors shirts and in fact I think its great that the industry is supporting the participants/competitors in the shooting sports.

For the record, I have shot numerous IDPA and USPSA/IPSC/Running gun matches over the years. I also shot the last five SOF 3 Gun matches before that was ended, and have shot the "Winter Classic 3 gun match" at five dogs range in Bako numerous times.

There were a few guys there that looked like they were equipped for USPSA style events. Speed holster, several mags, no cover. However, they weren't scored with the IDPA classes. Looks like they were just there for practice and fun.

[Ronin2]

There were a few guys there that looked like they were equipped for USPSA style events. Speed holster, several mags, no cover. However, they weren't scored with the IDPA classes. Looks like they were just there for practice and fun.

I'll just shoot the match anyway and I have no problem with anyone enjoying their guns, the range and their friends, but then that happens, "by definition", its not an IDPA match anymore.

[HighLander51]

There were a few guys there that looked like they were equipped for USPSA style events. Speed holster, several mags, no cover. However, they weren't scored with the IDPA classes. Looks like they were just there for practice and fun.

Some clubs will just take your money... even though the IDPA rules are quite clear about that.

[ke6guj]

There were a few guys there that looked like they were equipped for USPSA style events. Speed holster, several mags, no cover. However, they weren't scored with the IDPA classes. Looks like they were just there for practice and fun.

I basically ignore those guys (yes, they are fast and it is nice to watch people that can shoot like that) because I am trying to improve myself. how I rank against them doesn't concern me at this time.

I did hear them say at the last match that they were going to start requiring concealment again in the matches. I know that when I started going in the summer, most people were wearing concealment but they let the newbies get away without so as to remove that additional "hurdle" so that they could just enjoy the match and not worry about the concealment.

[johnny1290]

great write up, man, thanks for posting!

[DuknBucks]

The least you should do is come out for the required IDPA Orientation class

Agreed! of course you will then be hooked...it cant be helped its freaking awesome!

I would consider doing some dry fire practice....reloading, drawing, keeping you finger off the bang switch......and most of all Muzzle control! practice moving and shooting. This will help you get more comfortable and speed you up.

[9mmepiphany]

Well, the match tomorrow is our annual Zombie Shoot...which will include:

1. a stage adapted from a IDPA National Championship stage...to include dropping pumpkins (thanks Sean)
2. a stage with 35 yard shots (thanks John)
3. and an airplane stage

I just hope my knees survive having to go to low cover

[HighLander51]

Ronin2, so I got the word on West End IDPA from the home boys at Norco who run up there. Sure as the OP said there is a full on IPSC squad. But they are like not scored for the IDPA deal, however still allowed to shoot. SO the word is you pretend like they are not there, blink, blink, and keep rolling. I suspect these guys are members, and as such, West End being private, they have some privilege..

[HighLander51]

Dirtrider.... hey don't go away. Your post was great. Competitive shooters get in arguments at the first beep of the shot timer all the time!!! That's why there is a protest period at the end of every match. As long as any game has lots of rules and is timed and scored, there will be controversy.

Examples, like you never heard this before...

RO you didn't shoot that from cover.
Shooter, yes I did, you were on the other side of the barricade, how would you know?. Besides the squad in front of us did it that way.

RO, that's not a legal holster.
Shooter, really? the match director said I could run it.

RO, procedural, foot fault
Shooter, you are blind. Here is my footprint in the box
RO, and your other footprint outside the box..

RO, 2 mike.
Shooter, no way, there are 2 holes in the target.
RO, but in USPSA the bullet can't go thru the barrel and count.

Shooter 1, you should have activated the popper before shooting the swinger.
Shooter 2, that's not what the stage description said.

Shooter, (to RO) that other guy has illegal mods on his Glock for Production
RO, what do you want me to do about it?

RO, scoring shooting buddy, 2 alpha
RO, scoring shooter he doesn't like, alpha, mike, no shoot


Hard to believe, but my nickname on the Range is 'Mr. Wonderful' and even I got drawn into it.

Keep shooting (fast) and keep posting. DVC

[NewGuy1911]

Dirtrider thanks for posting! I'm about to jump on the IDPA wagon. Even trying to get the little women involved, might take awhile.

I'm far more interested in IDPA-type action sports than HD/SD. Get to learn "how to" handle a firearm, meet "like-minded" people, have lots of fun,...

[Ronin2]

Dirtrider thanks for posting! I'm about to jump on the IDPA wagon. Even trying to get the little women involved, might take awhile.

I'm far more interested in IDPA-type action sports than HD/SD. Get to learn "how to" handle a firearm, meet "like-minded" people, have lots of fun,...

Best thing you can do, if you have not already, is get some "professional training" to establish correct weapons manipulation skills and start to get correct muscle memory established in your shooting. A good class or block of classes will not only give you the above but give you a lot more confidence in your newfound abilities and drill into you so that its second nature, the basic safety issues;

Muzzle control
Finger straight
Mechanical safety ( if applicable)
Holstered weapon

The worst thing you can do is to not learn to use/manipulate your weapon correctly; you end up reinforcing bad technique so that is is muscle memory and then you may actually hurt yourself or someone else.

[TempleKnight]

Dirtrider.... hey don't go away. Your post was great. Competitive shooters get in arguments at the first beep of the shot timer all the time!!! That's why there is a protest period at the end of every match. As long as any game has lots of rules and is timed and scored, there will be controversy.

Examples, like you never heard this before...

RO you didn't shoot that from cover.
Shooter, yes I did, you were on the other side of the barricade, how would you know?. Besides the squad in front of us did it that way.

RO, that's not a legal holster.
Shooter, really? the match director said I could run it.

RO, procedural, foot fault
Shooter, you are blind. Here is my footprint in the box
RO, and your other footprint outside the box..

RO, 2 mike.
Shooter, no way, there are 2 holes in the target.
RO, but in USPSA the bullet can't go thru the barrel and count.

Shooter 1, you should have activated the popper before shooting the swinger.
Shooter 2, that's not what the stage description said.

Shooter, (to RO) that other guy has illegal mods on his Glock for Production
RO, what do you want me to do about it?

RO, scoring shooting buddy, 2 alpha
RO, scoring shooter he doesn't like, alpha, mike, no shoot


Hard to believe, but my nickname on the Range is 'Mr. Wonderful' and even I got drawn into it.

Keep shooting (fast) and keep posting. DVC

No way those are my holes in the barrel. Can't you see the grease ring!!! I want an over lay!! It's double!!

[Gryff]

Hey Gryff, can I use this Glock for IDPA? All the combat websites say its the ultimate CCW gun. I think it fits the criteria for participation in IDPA matches that requires the use of handguns, holsters and other equipment suitable for concealed carry self-defense. I'd also like to go with this holster as it is my everyday carry rig.

Highlander,

That Glock is illegal for IDPA because it won't fit in the box. Additionally, electronic sights are not allowed.

As for the holsters, shoulder holsters are not allowed because they cause the muzzle to point up-range during the draw (as well as you are never allowed to carry two guns during a stage).

You can download a copy of the rulebook here:

http://members.idpa.com/Content/Rules/g0hunysc.eoc.pdf

Equipment rules start on page 30.

[HighLander51]

Highlander,

That Glock is illegal for IDPA because it won't fit in the box. Additionally, electronic sights are not allowed.

As for the holsters, shoulder holsters are not allowed because they cause the muzzle to point up-range during the draw (as well as you are never allowed to carry two guns during a stage).

Gryff, you been plimped! Actually no optics are allowed. I know all that stuff. My point was to point out the point that the point of IDPA is based on self defense, ie, real world guns and gear. NOT! It's just another gun game, however invented by one of the greatest ever IPSC shooters, Bill Wilson.