Talk to me about IDPA.

wht06rado · August 2nd, 2008, 06:33 PM

Mods please move this if this is in the wrong place.

I have been thinking about joining IDPA for a while now and I'm still curious about it. I know that Norfolk County Rifle Range (which isn't too far from me) has IDPA matches. But, what kind of gear do I need to compete? What all do I need to do other than join IDPA and then show up for a match? Any information you guys could give me would be great. Thanks.

Wht

dunndw · August 2nd, 2008, 07:04 PM

1. Good comfortable holster that you'd use for everyday carry
2. spare mag holder
3. eyes and ears
4. Ammo...ammo...ammo
5. practice time
You'll love it. Check the IDPA website to make sure your holder is OK, and to figure out which class you'll be in..depending on pistol chosen.
Go visit one of the IDPA matches in your area, but take your gear with you. It's no fun to watch...get in the game. Some places will let you shoot a match or two without joining IDPA, but I think it's up to the individual clubs.

Shizzlemah · August 2nd, 2008, 08:21 PM

IDPA is intended to be a sport where you can be very competative for low dollars.

Requirements would be a pistol . 9mm / 38spl or greater, with 2 speedloaders or 3 mags - mags must be for *that* gun though, no G17 mags in a G26.
Holster on your waist, strong side (no shoulder/ankle crap)
Mag/speedloader carriers are optional, you can use pockets.
Eyes & Ears and ammo.

Do it, you'll have fun. It's a great exercise for your carry gear.

Shotdown · August 2nd, 2008, 08:34 PM

See if you can find an email or a phone number. Some places have a "training" match and some place let you shoot for free if it's your first time. You'll only need about 100rds and it's better than shooting standing still at a paper target.

kazzaerexys · August 2nd, 2008, 08:38 PM

Any normal defensive pistol 9mm and up, most strong-side holsters, pouch(es) for 2 mags on the belt, and ideally at least four mags (six is better). Throw a vest or shirt over your rig and you are good to go. If you have a rig for normal concealment, you need nothing else except maybe the mag carriers.

IDPA is a lot of fun. You will probably start out treating it as just another way of practicing, but I suspect you will get into doing it just for the fun of competition if you stick with it. Either is a great way to go, because you will get something out of it.

I have been in it for about a year and just got my g/f to start shooting matches, too.

Shizzlemah · August 2nd, 2008, 08:38 PM

I believe any new shooter can shoot an IDPA match without being an IDPA member. If you like it, join IDPA ;-)

Miggy · August 2nd, 2008, 11:36 PM

Equipment: semi auto with 3 mags to carry on you (2 in pouch and one to load up your gun) Revolver with 4 speedloaders (3 go in the belt one to load). You can have more mags and loaders to cut down on having to reload in between stages.
Holster MUST cover the trigger guard and be stiff enough to be able to re holster your weapon one handed and be able to retain your weapon if it is turned upside down. Start easy and get a Fobus till you see what other options are there as you get experience.
Cover Garment: You will need a cover garment that will not let anybody see what you are carrying even if you extend your arms horizontally to your sides. Vest with mesh are not allowed or any vest or garment modified to be "competitive."
Ammo: That's depending on how many stages there will be at the match but I would not go under 120.
Obviously eyes and ears (protection) plus the usual dress code for the range like no open toe shoes or sandals, a cap or hat or any garment that would allow a hot brass case get close and personal against your skin.

And yes, you can shoot your first match without being an IDPA member. We usually let shooters have 3 matches so they ca be sure they like it.

You will be given a Walk - through in which the stage will be explained and once more before you shoot if you want it. Let the Safety Officer know you are a New Shooter even if you are a master IPSC shooter. Rules are different and so are the techniques.

Above all, shoot with the Four Rules in mind and have fun!

wht06rado · August 3rd, 2008, 04:30 AM

Ok, so basically I can walk in with my carry gear that I carry with everyday, throw on an extra magazine so that I have 3 and I'm good to go. I beleive the range here that does IDPA has a 'new to IDPA' night where they teach you all about IDPA. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate it.

Wht

sheepdog · August 3rd, 2008, 11:44 AM

Definitely take advantage of the "new to IDPA" type class. There are some safety rules (moving with finger outside the trigger, for example) and range commands that we show people on our practice nights. You will likely also be exposed to IDPA target engagement rules that are not common terms for most people, things like tactical order and tactical sequence. I think that reading and rereading the rule manual will give you a big head start. It is PDF downloadable at International Defensive Pistol Association .

ExSoldier · August 3rd, 2008, 03:29 PM

You've had great a bunch of great advice, especially from Miggy my club's very own sadistic course designer extraordinaire! He's a great course designer and one of the lead Safety Officers so he won't steer you wrong. But don't ever run a course with him, he's been known to stick on procedure errors just for fun. Or maybe he only does that to ME. That's it.

August 2nd, 2008, 06:33 PM	#1
wht06rado Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 760	Talk to me about IDPA. Mods please move this if this is in the wrong place. I have been thinking about joining IDPA for a while now and I'm still curious about it. I know that Norfolk County Rifle Range (which isn't too far from me) has IDPA matches. But, what kind of gear do I need to compete? What all do I need to do other than join IDPA and then show up for a match? Any information you guys could give me would be great. Thanks. Wht __________________ “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security” Benjamin Franklin I'm not pro gun, I'm pro rights. What are you? NRA Member ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

August 2nd, 2008, 07:04 PM	#2
dunndw Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nashville Posts: 840	1. Good comfortable holster that you'd use for everyday carry 2. spare mag holder 3. eyes and ears 4. Ammo...ammo...ammo 5. practice time You'll love it. Check the IDPA website to make sure your holder is OK, and to figure out which class you'll be in..depending on pistol chosen. Go visit one of the IDPA matches in your area, but take your gear with you. It's no fun to watch...get in the game. Some places will let you shoot a match or two without joining IDPA, but I think it's up to the individual clubs. __________________ "If I was an extremist, our founding fathers would all be extremists," he said. "Without them, we wouldn't have our independence. We'd be a disarmed British system of feudal subjectivity." My Gun Truths Blog The Tennessee Firearms Association

August 2nd, 2008, 08:34 PM	#4
Shotdown Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 126	See if you can find an email or a phone number. Some places have a "training" match and some place let you shoot for free if it's your first time. You'll only need about 100rds and it's better than shooting standing still at a paper target. __________________ http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member1484.png

August 2nd, 2008, 08:38 PM	#5
kazzaerexys Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 928	Any normal defensive pistol 9mm and up, most strong-side holsters, pouch(es) for 2 mags on the belt, and ideally at least four mags (six is better). Throw a vest or shirt over your rig and you are good to go. If you have a rig for normal concealment, you need nothing else except maybe the mag carriers. IDPA is a lot of fun. You will probably start out treating it as just another way of practicing, but I suspect you will get into doing it just for the fun of competition if you stick with it. Either is a great way to go, because you will get something out of it. I have been in it for about a year and just got my g/f to start shooting matches, too. __________________ “What is a moderate interpretation of [the Constitution]? Halfway between what it says and [...] what you want it to say?” —Justice Antonin Scalia

August 2nd, 2008, 11:36 PM	#7
Miggy Moderator Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Miami-Dade, FL Posts: 4,529	Equipment: semi auto with 3 mags to carry on you (2 in pouch and one to load up your gun) Revolver with 4 speedloaders (3 go in the belt one to load). You can have more mags and loaders to cut down on having to reload in between stages. Holster MUST cover the trigger guard and be stiff enough to be able to re holster your weapon one handed and be able to retain your weapon if it is turned upside down. Start easy and get a Fobus till you see what other options are there as you get experience. Cover Garment: You will need a cover garment that will not let anybody see what you are carrying even if you extend your arms horizontally to your sides. Vest with mesh are not allowed or any vest or garment modified to be "competitive." Ammo: That's depending on how many stages there will be at the match but I would not go under 120. Obviously eyes and ears (protection) plus the usual dress code for the range like no open toe shoes or sandals, a cap or hat or any garment that would allow a hot brass case get close and personal against your skin. And yes, you can shoot your first match without being an IDPA member. We usually let shooters have 3 matches so they ca be sure they like it. You will be given a Walk - through in which the stage will be explained and once more before you shoot if you want it. Let the Safety Officer know you are a New Shooter even if you are a master IPSC shooter. Rules are different and so are the techniques. Above all, shoot with the Four Rules in mind and have fun! __________________ You have to make the shot when fire is smoking, people are screaming, dogs are barking, kids are crying and sirens are coming. Randy Cain. GunFreeZone.net

August 2nd, 2008, 08:21 PM	#3
Shizzlemah Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 724	IDPA is intended to be a sport where you can be very competative for low dollars. Requirements would be a pistol . 9mm / 38spl or greater, with 2 speedloaders or 3 mags - mags must be for that gun though, no G17 mags in a G26. Holster on your waist, strong side (no shoulder/ankle crap) Mag/speedloader carriers are optional, you can use pockets. Eyes & Ears and ammo. Do it, you'll have fun. It's a great exercise for your carry gear.

August 3rd, 2008, 04:30 AM	#8
wht06rado Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 760	Ok, so basically I can walk in with my carry gear that I carry with everyday, throw on an extra magazine so that I have 3 and I'm good to go. I beleive the range here that does IDPA has a 'new to IDPA' night where they teach you all about IDPA. I'll have to look into it. Thanks for all the replies guys. I appreciate it. Wht __________________ “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security” Benjamin Franklin I'm not pro gun, I'm pro rights. What are you? NRA Member ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

August 3rd, 2008, 11:44 AM	#9
sheepdog Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 500	Definitely take advantage of the "new to IDPA" type class. There are some safety rules (moving with finger outside the trigger, for example) and range commands that we show people on our practice nights. You will likely also be exposed to IDPA target engagement rules that are not common terms for most people, things like tactical order and tactical sequence. I think that reading and rereading the rule manual will give you a big head start. It is PDF downloadable at International Defensive Pistol Association . __________________ What Would Gumby Do?

August 3rd, 2008, 03:29 PM	#10
ExSoldier VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Gables, FL Posts: 4,209	You've had great a bunch of great advice, especially from Miggy my club's very own sadistic course designer extraordinaire! He's a great course designer and one of the lead Safety Officers so he won't steer you wrong. But don't ever run a course with him, he's been known to stick on procedure errors just for fun. Or maybe he only does that to ME. That's it. __________________ Former Infantry Captain; 20 yrs as an NRA Certified Instructor; Avid practitioner of the martial art: KLIK-PAO.

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