I'm digging this IDPA thing....

JD · November 4th, 2009, 12:52 PM

Shot my second match on Sunday, moved up a slot to 5th place overall, shooting a 95.66. I still came in first place and most accurate in the CDP division (5 shooters in CDP this match).

This was my first time really working from concealment and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I had ideas that it was going to be slower than slow, but I still had good times.

I bought a non-shootmefirst vest, it's a Carhartt and only has TWO outside pockets, it was available in tall sizes to hang a little lower to cover my OWB and mag carrier and I can actually wear it without looking like someone on Safari or a photographer. It may be a little heavy come summer time, but will make a great spring/winter/fall vest.

The stages were definitely interesting with one COF taking place inside a wooden mock up of a HMMWV (Humm-Vee), here were some swingers that gave me some trouble and one stage where we started of in simulated fight for retention where we had to stab the target, go from condition 3 to 1 (simulating gun out of battery) and engage the other targets.

We had someone taking pictures during some of the stages and it's nice to be able to see what you're doing after the fact to find and correct issues, I for one need to work on my grip and close up that gap between my thumbs.

And no, my 1911 did not jam, break, or pour sugar in my gas tank during the match.

I got to try out my new Wilson ETMs and they worked flawlessly as Wilson mags always have for me, the added numbers on the tubes are nice when you have to start a stage with less than a full mag, but when you only have 8 rounds to start with it's not that hard, but always nice to be sure you're starting with the correct amount of ammunition on tap.

To make things even better, one of the other shooters there is lending my his Kimber .22 Conversion kit to try out and I'll probably buy it off him so I can practice more on the plate rack without burning thorough piles of .45ACP.

If you've ever wanted to shoot IDPA, go out and try it, it's a lot of fun. All you need is gun that meets IDPA criteria, 3 mags, holster, mag carrier, and a cover garment and you're good to go. If you want to find a club in your area and view the rule book, you can find them at the IDPA website.

WHEC724 · November 4th, 2009, 12:57 PM

Cool. My nephew has been trying to talk me into IDPA. Thanks for the post.

buckeyeLCPL · November 4th, 2009, 01:03 PM

Looks like a good time. When I finally get settled in one place, I wanna find a club to join.

The vest doesn't really say shoot me either, Carhart is always a good choice.

JD · November 4th, 2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHEC724

Cool. My nephew has been trying to talk me into IDPA. Thanks for the post.

GO! Seriously if you feel you can handle your gun safely there's no reason not to try it out. The average match is usually less than 100 rounds, match fees vary but average is $10-$20, our club doesn't charge match fees for first time shooters, but when you factor in what multiple targets, range time, etc. would cost it's well worth it. People will even paste your targets and help pick up your brass!!!

MattLarson · November 4th, 2009, 01:04 PM

IDPA is a lot of fun, and it gives you a chance to evaluate your performance under pressure.

Matt

JD · November 4th, 2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buckeyeLCPL

Looks like a good time. When I finally get settled in one place, I wanna find a club to join.

The vest doesn't really say shoot me either, Carhart is always a good choice.

That's what I was looking for, I was planning on using my fleece vest, but wanted something that wouldn't sop up water in the rain.

pcon · November 4th, 2009, 01:13 PM

looks like a lot of fun. I want to get better with my aiming before I attempt to shoot an IDPA match.

edr9x23super · November 4th, 2009, 01:17 PM

Yep, I am a charter member of IDPA and it is a good way to evaluate how you react under the pressure of time. Just don't get too wrapped up in it and try for the "M" card or start developing bad habits, such as trying to game everything. IDPA reminds me of what USPSA used to be before the equipment races started at the end of the 1980s, and into the early 90s.....

As far as evaluating performances, use videotape instead of photos; video forces one to be brutally honest because you see more than just a snapshot. With video you can watch body movement, etc and all the things that actually slow you down and cause misses and low scores. Shooting IDPA as well as USPSA style shooting is all about an economy of movement and being smooth, not necessarily being fast. Accuracy will come with time & practice.

As far as the .22 stuff goes, I wouldn't worry about that either. I figure if you are going to practice, practice with the .45acp; you will get used to the recoil, and if you are paying for those rounds, you will concentrate, focus and make each one count.....

Good luck!

JD · November 4th, 2009, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edr9x23super

Yep, I am a charter member of IDPA and it is a good way to evaluate how you react under the pressure of time. Just don't get too wrapped up in it and try for the "M" card or start developing bad habits, such as trying to game everything. IDPA reminds me of what USPSA used to be before the equipment races started at the end of the 1980s, and into the early 90s.....

As far as evaluating performances, use videotape instead of photos; video forces one to be brutally honest because you see more than just a snapshot. With video you can watch body movement, etc and all the things that actually slow you down and cause misses and low scores. Shooting IDPA as well as USPSA style shooting is all about an economy of movement and being smooth, not necessarily being fast. Accuracy will come with time & practice.

As far as the .22 stuff goes, I wouldn't worry about that either. I figure if you are going to practice, practice with the .45acp; you will get used to the recoil, and if you are paying for those rounds, you will concentrate, focus and make each one count.....

Good luck!

Points noted.

I just need a camera man. As far as accuracy goes, I was 8pts down for the match, match most accurate was 5pts down so I'm doing something right.

As far as the .22 goes, I just want it for working on my trigger control. Once I get the reloading press up and running I'll shoot much more .45

I hope I don't loose perspective on things and starting worrying about the game aspect of it, that's never really been my thing. As for "master" I don't really care, but I'd like to make expert on the next classifier. If I do better, I won't complain.

I've seen a lot of the USPSA shoots and all the funny gear turns me off, I like the "keep it stock" approach of IDPA. No cleats, jerseys, race holsters, or optics.

Now that I've got my gear almost where I want it to be ( I need a 1-3/4" belt) I will work on my draw stroke much more and try and get that smoothness down.

TheHun · November 4th, 2009, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

I've seen a lot of the USPSA shoots and all the funny gear turns me off, I like the "keep it stock" approach of IDPA. No cleats, jerseys, race holsters, or optics.

If you really saw a lot of the USPSA shoots....you would know that all the race holsters optics etc belong to certain divisions...
They do have Production and Single Stack where you can only shoot "stock guns" and use only "stock belts-holsters."
Funny gears? How about the shoot me first vest?

November 4th, 2009, 12:52 PM	#1
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 11,639	I'm digging this IDPA thing.... Shot my second match on Sunday, moved up a slot to 5th place overall, shooting a 95.66. I still came in first place and most accurate in the CDP division (5 shooters in CDP this match). This was my first time really working from concealment and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, I had ideas that it was going to be slower than slow, but I still had good times. I bought a non-shootmefirst vest, it's a Carhartt and only has TWO outside pockets, it was available in tall sizes to hang a little lower to cover my OWB and mag carrier and I can actually wear it without looking like someone on Safari or a photographer. It may be a little heavy come summer time, but will make a great spring/winter/fall vest. The stages were definitely interesting with one COF taking place inside a wooden mock up of a HMMWV (Humm-Vee), here were some swingers that gave me some trouble and one stage where we started of in simulated fight for retention where we had to stab the target, go from condition 3 to 1 (simulating gun out of battery) and engage the other targets. We had someone taking pictures during some of the stages and it's nice to be able to see what you're doing after the fact to find and correct issues, I for one need to work on my grip and close up that gap between my thumbs. And no, my 1911 did not jam, break, or pour sugar in my gas tank during the match. I got to try out my new Wilson ETMs and they worked flawlessly as Wilson mags always have for me, the added numbers on the tubes are nice when you have to start a stage with less than a full mag, but when you only have 8 rounds to start with it's not that hard, but always nice to be sure you're starting with the correct amount of ammunition on tap. To make things even better, one of the other shooters there is lending my his Kimber .22 Conversion kit to try out and I'll probably buy it off him so I can practice more on the plate rack without burning thorough piles of .45ACP. If you've ever wanted to shoot IDPA, go out and try it, it's a lot of fun. All you need is gun that meets IDPA criteria, 3 mags, holster, mag carrier, and a cover garment and you're good to go. If you want to find a club in your area and view the rule book, you can find them at the IDPA website. __________________ Some Things Need to be Addressed... Iowa Carry.ORG: Promoting Weapons Carry Reform in Iowa Forum Customs & Courtesies

November 4th, 2009, 12:57 PM	#2
WHEC724 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: SC Posts: 193	Cool. My nephew has been trying to talk me into IDPA. Thanks for the post. __________________ __________________________________ 'Clinging to my guns and religion

November 4th, 2009, 01:03 PM	#3
buckeyeLCPL VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Somestanplace Posts: 2,986	Looks like a good time. When I finally get settled in one place, I wanna find a club to join. The vest doesn't really say shoot me either, Carhart is always a good choice. __________________ Fortes Fortuna Juvat We're mules lad. Mules that kill. TJR

November 4th, 2009, 01:04 PM	#5
MattLarson Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,849	IDPA is a lot of fun, and it gives you a chance to evaluate your performance under pressure. Matt __________________ Hope is not a plan.

November 4th, 2009, 01:13 PM	#7
pcon Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: lakewood, colorado Posts: 1,004	looks like a lot of fun. I want to get better with my aiming before I attempt to shoot an IDPA match. __________________ *Μολὼν λαβέ* memento mori

November 4th, 2009, 01:17 PM	#8
edr9x23super Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 1,733	Yep, I am a charter member of IDPA and it is a good way to evaluate how you react under the pressure of time. Just don't get too wrapped up in it and try for the "M" card or start developing bad habits, such as trying to game everything. IDPA reminds me of what USPSA used to be before the equipment races started at the end of the 1980s, and into the early 90s..... As far as evaluating performances, use videotape instead of photos; video forces one to be brutally honest because you see more than just a snapshot. With video you can watch body movement, etc and all the things that actually slow you down and cause misses and low scores. Shooting IDPA as well as USPSA style shooting is all about an economy of movement and being smooth, not necessarily being fast. Accuracy will come with time & practice. As far as the .22 stuff goes, I wouldn't worry about that either. I figure if you are going to practice, practice with the .45acp; you will get used to the recoil, and if you are paying for those rounds, you will concentrate, focus and make each one count..... Good luck! __________________ "Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined". - Patrick Henry

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