I'd Like to get Started in IDPA...

[ezypikns]

but I've never drawn a pistol and fired it. I've been shooting handguns for years, but always at a range or maybe when hunting. If there's a range in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area which will allow shooting from a holster drawn weapon, I'm not aware of one.
How in the world am I supposed to practice before attempting to shoot in a competitive match?

[faustulus]

try here:http://www.dallasidpa.com/
or here:http://www.ctidpa.com/
Here is the list from the IDPA website: http://www.idpa.com/clublist.asp?state=TX
The best way to get started is just show up and shoot, sort of an on-the-job training.
Maybe guys at these clubs can give you some places. Dry fire a lot, and pratice drawing and presentation at your house.
Also, to avoid bad habits try asking the top shooters at your club how they pratice this will give you and idea of areas where you need work and what you can do.
Have fun/

[HSMITH]

Dry fire at home. That is all the draw and fire practice you need for being able to draw in a reasonable amount of time SAFELY.

[jmorris]

Go to CCIDPA.org (lots of info) we shoot every Saturday at CCGR in McKinney (hammer down @ 11:00) every Sunday we shoot @ Backwoods traps in Little Elm (hammer down @ 9:00). Twice a month we shoot at Jacobs plain gun range in Greenville (also home to our 3-gun matches). I would advise coming out to watch at least part of a match first, but that’s not a requirement. We wave the entry fee for first time shooters, so come on out and play. You will need 3 mags or 3 speed loaders, a mag pouch, holster, eye & ear protection and around 150 rounds of ammo.

See you there,

John

[SR_]

Just go.

I went to my first IDPA match having never drawn a gun from a holster. I talked a friend into also going to the match. Like me, he'd never drawn and fired. We both had a blast.

Go to the match. Go slow, be safe. Don't shoot any faster than you think you can shoot 'zeros'.

Have a great time!

[richardschennberg]

Use what you already have.
Otherwise, I suggest:
Glock 34 9mm
3 magazines
1 dual mag pouch
1 kydex holster
Richard
Schennberg.com (http://www.schennberg.com)

[aguyindallas]

Go to CCIDPA.org (lots of info) we shoot every Saturday at CCGR in McKinney (hammer down @ 11:00) every Sunday we shoot @ Backwoods traps in Little Elm (hammer down @ 9:00). Twice a month we shoot at Jacobs plain gun range in Greenville (also home to our 3-gun matches). I would advise coming out to watch at least part of a match first, but that’s not a requirement. We wave the entry fee for first time shooters, so come on out and play. You will need 3 mags or 3 speed loaders, a mag pouch, holster, eye & ear protection and around 150 rounds of ammo.

See you there,

John

Ok, I have been thinking about trying this out too....best thing...I live in Little Elm. I will get out there and check it out soon!

[North Texan]

I'm thinking about trying it this weekend. See how my CZ stacks up against the competition.

[aguyindallas]

I am going to try to come over this Sunday to Backwoods and watch a match.

[faustulus]

See how my CZ stacks up against the competition.
It'll do its part if you do yours. :) I love my CZs.

[North Texan]

It'll do its part if you do yours. :) I love my CZs.


That's probably gonna be the problem.:banghead: :D

[Chuck R.]

JUST DO IT!

I shot my first IDPA match last weekend (second pistol match ever) and had a blast. Did Ok considering being new, placed 3/8 in CDP and 9/36 overall.

It helps that I own my own rifle/pistol range so I can practice whenever and whatever I want, but what really helped was reading the rules (over and over), and dry firing/practicing at home.

My wife thought (thinks) I was nuts, but two weeks prior to the match I practiced drawing from concealment, and the %^& Tactical Reloads every night. I really don't like the $%^ Tactical Reloads and am a "slide lock" kind of guy. I must have done a couple hundred Tactical Reloads prior to the match and I still fumbled one, but the others were pretty clean. My draw improved about 200% over that two week period also.

The other thing I practiced was shooting with a flashlight, not something I did before. It also paid big dividends because we had a low light stage and I shot it clean.

I’m primarily compete in black powder cartridge silhouette, but I think I’ll continue the IDPA. It’s a nice break, and the folks were great.

Chuck

[DarinC]

Dallas Action Pistol Shooters (DAPS) holds IDPA and USPSA matches at Elm Fork Shooting Park in Dallas. We shoot every Wednesday night under the lights and have numerous weekend matches. For information and our match schedule visit our web site, www.dallaspistol.com (http://www.dallaspistol.com)

We'd love to have y'all come shoot with us.
Darin Cooley
DAPS President