IDPA & Training: Putting your skills to use - Page 3

MattLarson · May 17th, 2008, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KenInColo

IDAP is certainly fun but I must say that I was very surprised at my first match score. I was only 13 down, that's 13 shots outside the -0 ring! I did however incur 17 penalties. But my times put me in the lower 1/3 of the shooters. It seems that speed is worth more than accuracy.

My LEO friend said I shot like a cop, slow and careful, making sure of my target and shot placement. I was honored by what he said.

The next match I shot as fast as I could and took about 4 times more points down but improved my position by about 40% against the same shooters.

I don't know what to think.

It's good practice but for training I will still take le$$ons from the pros.

You are absolutely correct - in and of itself, shooting IDPA will not teach you much (except, perhaps that you are not as fast or accurate as you might have otherwise thought).

It is, however, good practice for skills you have already obtained through formal training, IMHO.

Particularly if you are lucky enough to have a club that does a lot of moving target stages.

Matt

sheepdog · May 17th, 2008, 10:14 AM

For me, there have been so many benefits that I quit worrying if it was a game, training, or neither. It's enforced practice for muzzle awareness (safety), moving with the finger OFF of the trigger, improved reloading and malfunction clearance skills. Those have all improved, much less improved speed, accuracy, or movement while shooting skills. Plus, hanging around a bunch of other shooters has enabled me to "steal" good ideas and help recognize bad ones.
I say trigger time is trigger time.

sniper58 · May 18th, 2008, 11:17 PM

I shot my first IDPA match (sanctioned ) since circa 1985. I was classified as a new shooter and shot with others in the same class. I did OK. I didn't embarass myself or my host. I learned a few things though.

1. My Taurus 1911 is a dead-on hold, not a 6 o'clock hold.
2. Accuracy is more important than speed.
3. Other shooters made a lot more major tactical blunders than I did. Once stage, I started OK then moved too far left, exposing my backside to a BG.
4. I can consistently hit head shots from 2 yards to 20 yards.
5. I can hit a moving target with a -3 score or better.
6. I am lousy at shooting plates on a spinning wheel at 20 yards through laundry drying on the line (60%).
7. Range safety (for obvious reasons) trumps practical tactical techniques. I guess it's improper to drop a magazine with live rounds on the run - one must empty the magazine or capture & stow it on the run. I was taught (and still use) the technique of reloading on the run and if the magazine only has one round left in it, I dump it in favor of a fresh mag.
8. There are some really, really good shooters in my community!

All in all, it was a lot of fun and I recommend this form of range time. IT does, in fact, reinforce what is learned in formal training.

Ram Rod · May 18th, 2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

6. I am lousy at shooting plates on a spinning wheel at 20 yards through laundry drying on the line (60%).

I resemble that remark. 60% sounds good to me!

paul45 · May 22nd, 2008, 01:00 PM

Shooting IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, STEEL, etc is all good. Any time you can put rounds down range and practice is better than none. All will provide you "training" is gun handling. Take a couse or class in personal defense for the "other" skills. The most you shoot, the more proficent you will be. Get range time.

Cthulhu · May 22nd, 2008, 09:02 PM

I'm planning on (finally!) joining IDPA and shooting my first Classifier this coming Sunday. I've shot it in practice, timed, but having the score 'count' will be a big difference, I'm sure. I've also shot IDPA before, but not as a member, and with a borrowed gun.

Also taking the local gun club orientation the day before. Big weekend for me.

-JT

May 17th, 2008, 10:14 AM	#22
sheepdog Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 459	For me, there have been so many benefits that I quit worrying if it was a game, training, or neither. It's enforced practice for muzzle awareness (safety), moving with the finger OFF of the trigger, improved reloading and malfunction clearance skills. Those have all improved, much less improved speed, accuracy, or movement while shooting skills. Plus, hanging around a bunch of other shooters has enabled me to "steal" good ideas and help recognize bad ones. I say trigger time is trigger time. __________________ What Would Gumby Do?

May 18th, 2008, 11:17 PM	#23
sniper58 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Posts: 886	I shot my first IDPA match (sanctioned ) since circa 1985. I was classified as a new shooter and shot with others in the same class. I did OK. I didn't embarass myself or my host. I learned a few things though. 1. My Taurus 1911 is a dead-on hold, not a 6 o'clock hold. 2. Accuracy is more important than speed. 3. Other shooters made a lot more major tactical blunders than I did. Once stage, I started OK then moved too far left, exposing my backside to a BG. 4. I can consistently hit head shots from 2 yards to 20 yards. 5. I can hit a moving target with a -3 score or better. 6. I am lousy at shooting plates on a spinning wheel at 20 yards through laundry drying on the line (60%). 7. Range safety (for obvious reasons) trumps practical tactical techniques. I guess it's improper to drop a magazine with live rounds on the run - one must empty the magazine or capture & stow it on the run. I was taught (and still use) the technique of reloading on the run and if the magazine only has one round left in it, I dump it in favor of a fresh mag. 8. There are some really, really good shooters in my community! All in all, it was a lot of fun and I recommend this form of range time. IT does, in fact, reinforce what is learned in formal training. __________________ Tim BE PREPARED - Noah didn't build the Ark when it was raining! The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson ________ NRA Life Member

May 22nd, 2008, 01:00 PM	#25
paul45 Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SML, VA Posts: 77	Shooting IDPA, USPSA, ICORE, STEEL, etc is all good. Any time you can put rounds down range and practice is better than none. All will provide you "training" is gun handling. Take a couse or class in personal defense for the "other" skills. The most you shoot, the more proficent you will be. Get range time. __________________ "Being PARANOID is just plain smart thinking when they are really out to get you!"

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May 22nd, 2008, 09:02 PM	#26
Cthulhu Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 791	I'm planning on (finally!) joining IDPA and shooting my first Classifier this coming Sunday. I've shot it in practice, timed, but having the score 'count' will be a big difference, I'm sure. I've also shot IDPA before, but not as a member, and with a borrowed gun. Also taking the local gun club orientation the day before. Big weekend for me. -JT