Trying out IDPA

[javechet]

Hello there. I have never competed in a pistol competition before, but would like to give it a whirl. There's one this coming Saturday at the Austin rifle club for IDPA. Here's a link:
http://www.texastactical.net/matches/idpa.asp

I'm not entirely sure about how to go about it though. Do I just show up with gun in hand (so to speak), sign up before hand, or what exactly? It seems I would just show up and sign in, but I don't want to go there looking like a lost child. Can anyone give me some guidance, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[y5e06]

pretty easy actually. No, you don't need to sign up before hand. just show up between 9-9:45am (preferably closer to 9...)
what you need:
Pistol
3 mags total
holster
ear protection
~100 Rounds of ammo.
$25 cash for entry fee for ARC location.

pistol has to be .38/9mm Luger or larger IIRC. .22, .380, 9mm makarov, etc not allowed.
holster has to be on strong side and 'concealable'. If it hangs a bit low, just wear a longer shirt (unbuttoned button up or vest is easiest). they are lax on concealability if you are a newbie. I used a field 'hunting' type belt holster my first time w/o any concern.
you can stow your mags in your pocket, so you don't need mag holsters to start off.
I do IDPA for fun and dont' actually get caught up in all the specifics of the classes etc. I just go to punch cardboard, hard to beat anyone when running a wheel gun anyway. the above details will get you going.
I'm 80% sure I'll be going on saturday as well

[davidtx]

I just go to punch cardboard, hard to beat anyone when running a wheel gun anyway.

Morgan - do you shoot your airweight in IDPA? Strip loader?

[y5e06]

No, for revolvers there is a 6 round minimum. so the 5-shot j-frame is a no-go. ... I would like to though. I've typically use my S&W model64 K-frame and have 4 speed loaders. typical Courses of Fire are 18 rounds or less per stage and I've never needed to speed load more than twice during each stage.
for pistols I think it is 8 rounds minimum loaded (Maybe 7 for the 1911's?) with a max of 10, depending on class. Even if you have a 15rd mag you down load to 10. for most stages you can shoot each target as many times as you want so you could easily run more than the 18 rounds. but you may then need an additional reload which adds time. sometimes there is a stage where you cannot exceed the specified round count. also typically each target requires2-rounds each. occasionally 3. once in a while just one, such as for steel etc.
Just bring your proper pistol & equipment and you'll pick up the rest as you go.
a .45acp 1911 would work very well such as your kimber. It would be in a highly subscribed class, CDP, with a lot of other competitors to share info.

[AggieMM]

Texas Tactical matches are great! You'll enjoy it, and get hooked. The SOs are great, and work with the new shooters.

Ryan

[gringop]

No, for revolvers there is a 6 round minimum. so the 5-shot j-frame is a no-go. ... I would like to though.

There is no minimum ammo capacity in IDPA. You can shoot a 5 shot J-frame or a 44 mag 5 shot Charter Arms Bulldog in Stock Service Revolver. You can shoot a 6 shot Rohrbaugh or a Kahr PM-9 in Stock Service Pistol. As long as you have a legal holster and shoot safely, you can use smaller guns in IDPA ( 9mm, 38 SP or larger). You will be at a competitive disadvantage.

To the OP, you can look at the IDPA rulebook here
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, before every match at Texas Tactical there is a 15-20 minute New Shooter Meeting. The Safety Officer will go over all of the major rules including safety, scoring. penalties, etc.

Come on out, it's a lot of fun.

Gringop

[javechet]

No, for revolvers there is a 6 round minimum. so the 5-shot j-frame is a no-go. ... I would like to though.

There is no minimum ammo capacity in IDPA. You can shoot a 5 shot J-frame or a 44 mag 5 shot Charter Arms Bulldog in Stock Service Revolver. You can shoot a 6 shot Rohrbaugh or a Kahr PM-9 in Stock Service Pistol. As long as you have a legal holster and shoot safely, you can use smaller guns in IDPA ( 9mm, 38 SP or larger). You will be at a competitive disadvantage.

To the OP, you can look at the IDPA rulebook here
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, before every match at Texas Tactical there is a 15-20 minute New Shooter Meeting. The Safety Officer will go over all of the major rules including safety, scoring. penalties, etc.

Come on out, it's a lot of fun.

Gringop

Thanks. I was wondering about that; being a new guy and all. I wasn't sure if I had to be a member of the club or what not. So I take it I can just show up a little early and they'll give me a brief over what not to do?

And also from the rules, I gather that my rig should be sufficient. I regularly carry a full size 1911 in a Don Hume PCCH holster. The only mag pouches I have is the one that came with my Springfield. But, I believe someone said I could just stuff them in my pocket; which is what I do anyhow.

[Tregs]

No, for revolvers there is a 6 round minimum. so the 5-shot j-frame is a no-go. ... I would like to though.

There is no minimum ammo capacity in IDPA. You can shoot a 5 shot J-frame or a 44 mag 5 shot Charter Arms Bulldog in Stock Service Revolver. You can shoot a 6 shot Rohrbaugh or a Kahr PM-9 in Stock Service Pistol. As long as you have a legal holster and shoot safely, you can use smaller guns in IDPA ( 9mm, 38 SP or larger). You will be at a competitive disadvantage.

To the OP, you can look at the IDPA rulebook here
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also, before every match at Texas Tactical there is a 15-20 minute New Shooter Meeting. The Safety Officer will go over all of the major rules including safety, scoring. penalties, etc.

Come on out, it's a lot of fun.

Gringop

I've never shot IDPA, so this is probably a dumb question, but here goes. I have heard from many people that smaller calibers put the shooter at a disadvantage. it seems like the smaller caliber would make for less recoil and allow you to get back on target quicker. I know I'm wrong, but I don't know why. Can someone explain it?

[AggieMM]

I've never shot IDPA, so this is probably a dumb question, but here goes. I have heard from many people that smaller calibers put the shooter at a disadvantage. it seems like the smaller caliber would make for less recoil and allow you to get back on target quicker. I know I'm wrong, but I don't know why. Can someone explain it?

Not in IDPA. Now in USPSA/IPSC, "minor" calibers are scored differently than "major". But in IDPA, a 9mm hole and a .45 hole are scored the same. But yes, your logic for USPSA/IPSC is correct, less recoil is deemed an advantage.

Ryan

[OldCannon]

Hello there. I have never competed in a pistol competition before, but would like to give it a whirl. There's one this coming Saturday at the Austin rifle club for IDPA. Here's a link:
http://www.texastactical.net/matches/idpa.asp

I'm not entirely sure about how to go about it though. Do I just show up with gun in hand (so to speak), sign up before hand, or what exactly? It seems I would just show up and sign in, but I don't want to go there looking like a lost child. Can anyone give me some guidance, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Remember this: Everybody was a beginner at some time :)

If you want meet somebody like me at the range in advance, I'd be glad to be there. They have safety briefings before the shoot as well. Usually there are practice shoots the day before, just something to help you understand the motions (no full stage setups, but usually a range officer there to help you out). There are people that shoot there that are serious (they're easy to spot), but most of us are there to have fun. It's a blast running and shooting at paper and steel targets, some of them going into motion after you shoot a different target, etc. It's a hoot! You can see a couple vids I've made at youtube.com/letskilldave. I'm not much past "beginner" myself.

Don't be shy, you might miss out on the most fun you can ever have with your clothes on!

Regarding small calibers -- there is actually a "floor limit" on calibers...9mm is what a lot of people shoot. I shoot .40 because that's what I carry.

[javechet]

Remember this: Everybody was a beginner at some time :)

If you want meet somebody like me at the range in advance, I'd be glad to be there. They have safety briefings before the shoot as well. Usually there are practice shoots the day before, just something to help you understand the motions (no full stage setups, but usually a range officer there to help you out). There are people that shoot there that are serious (they're easy to spot), but most of us are there to have fun. It's a blast running and shooting at paper and steel targets, some of them going into motion after you shoot a different target, etc. It's a hoot! You can see a couple vids I've made at youtube.com/letskilldave. I'm not much past "beginner" myself.

Don't be shy, you might miss out on the most fun you can ever have with your clothes on!

Regarding small calibers -- there is actually a "floor limit" on calibers...9mm is what a lot of people shoot. I shoot .40 because that's what I carry.

Are you actually going there on Saturday? If so, that would be great to meet up with someone to give me a little guidance. Still not 100% sure I'll be there, I work part time security, and hours are typically random. I'm not a complete idiot; though the Marine Corps may have effected my brain to some hilarious extent.

[y5e06]

No, for revolvers there is a 6 round minimum. so the 5-shot j-frame is a no-go. ... I would like to though.

There is no minimum ammo capacity in IDPA. You can shoot a 5 shot J-frame or a 44 mag 5 shot Charter Arms Bulldog in Stock Service Revolver. You can shoot a 6 shot Rohrbaugh or a Kahr PM-9 in Stock Service Pistol. As long as you have a legal holster and shoot safely, you can use smaller guns in IDPA ( 9mm, 38 SP or larger). You will be at a competitive disadvantage.

To the OP, you can look at the IDPA rulebook here
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Gringop

just to clarify, from that very same document, as I was originally referring to revolvers

for ESR

Be loaded to the division capacity of six (6) rounds in the
cylinder. Seven (7) and eight (8) shot revolvers are permitted,
but may only load six (6) rounds.

for SSR

D. Be loaded to the division capacity of six (6) rounds in the
cylinder. Seven (7) and eight (8) shot revolvers are permitted,
but may only load six (6) rounds.

so I always took it as 5-shots (e.g. J-frames)were not allowed. May be it can be iterpreted as 6 max as I've never asked for rules clarification. Just though it was 6 only.

[CompVest]

5 shot firearms are fine the only issue in revolvers is a maximum not a minimum. 5 shots will mean that you will need to reload more than other shooters.

[OldCannon]

ok, if weather is good, the Austin Lone Star Practical Pistol Club will have a fun match this *edit*SUNDAY*edit* at the Austin RIfle Club. Regrettably, previous committments will prevent me from attending (*grumble* stupid previous committments, why must I be such a nice guy *grumble*). Here's the details from Sheldon Carruth, the event organizer:

This Sunday, ALSPPC will be hosting a steel match at the Austin Rifle Club. Setup begins at 800am, signup starts at 900am and the fun starts at 1000am. David Cupp of STI submitted some fantastic stage designs to challenge your shooting abilities. Rimfire shooters are welcome at the match.

Basic Requirements
To shoot a pistol match, you will need:

A handgun: 9mm, .38 or larger caliber, with enough magazines or speed loaders to hold 40+ rounds.
(Steel matches can be shot with a .22LR pistol. A holster is not needed for .22 shooters.)

Ammunition: 125+ rounds of safe ammo.

A holster: Any belt holster that covers the trigger of the pistol.
Eye and Ear Protection: These are required for all competitors and spectators.

Safe gun handling habits: Safety first! Each new shooter must pass a safety check before being cleared for competition.
If we have time after the match we can have a shootoff on the plate racks...

Hope to see you there.

Sheldon Carruth

[HuttoAg96]

This sounds like a lot of fun, and good experience for getting to engage multiple targets under a bit of stress. I look forward to doing one of these in Austin in the future using my carry gun.