[karz10]

Hey all,

So, I took my new Glock 19 (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=258255) to the range for the first time, which went pretty well, BTW. Although I wasn't as accurate initially compared to the demo Glock 19, I was getting pretty good at close range by the end, but still shooting low at distance, I'm thinking it may have a little to do w/ a new trigger, and anticipation on my part. But a couple hundred rounds of WWB and Rem 124gr +P hollow points, without any problems was a good time :D

Anyway, I was there for the last hr the range was open, and as I finished, I knew the local IDPA folks were already started, and now taking over the 2nd of the 2 available ranges in the building, and the guy invited me to stick around. They were just working on some standing shots to multiple (3) targets, and then some moving forward and backwards to the 3 targets, and then some turning to fire on the 3 targets, 2 shots each, then dropping a mag, reloading and hitting 2 shots into each of the 3 targets in reverse order, etc., all w/ the buzzer, being timed, and having to draw, reholster, and all that.

I'm thinking this is some pretty good practice, esp since most ranges here won't even let you draw from your holster and fire.

So, how does this work exactly? Everybody was nice, but I wasn't sure who to ask some detailed questions at the end, the guy I wanted to talk to, who was running it, seemed to have left without me spotting him.

Do you just join IDPA for $35 yr, and show up to these range events? Do you pay range rental time while you're there? I'm sure there's some cost to compete in big matches or something, but I'm wondering more now about the weekly practice stuff?

I saw a trainer here offering some NRA classes, but at $75 a pop, it looks like my regular CCW class covers some of the same basics, and it doesn't offer any ongoing practice like this IDPA stuff seems to. I've heard of ISPC too, but that seems more like perfection oriented speed and precision w/ the best available equipment or something, at least that's my initial impression. That's cool, but for my level and need, I'm wondering if IDPA is a good place to start, to practice SD/HD, multi target, moving while shooting, etc., or is there something else I should look into?

Thanks,

Karz

[peteinct]

Karz10, Give it a try. It is fun and all you need are a carry gun, holster, 2 or 3 mags and a mag pouch. The first time you can shoot without joining after that you are supposed to.

There are several ways to get info. Try the website www.idpa.com. At your range the group may have the match directors name and number up and you can call him.

My club has idpa shoots once a month and all they ask is that new shooters show up early for a safety and rules briefing. Some clubs have a special night where they do all that before the normal shoot. On someones first time all my club asks is that you try more to be safe than to be quick.

Don't wait just try it. I didn't join up at first for whatever reason, probably because I thought I would embarass myself, and all I did was waste time that I could have spent having lots of fun. All I have is a cheap-o nylon holster and mag pouch and my regular range gun. I don't come in first but I don't come in last either.

It is a game and there are game-y elemants but it is practice at unholstering and re holstering as well as loading and shooting at targets outside of a static presentation. I don't think it is equal to real tactical training, though.

pete

[Thain]

Just a quick followup from the peanut gallery, if we're on the subject of things you always wanted to know about IPDA but were afraid to ask...

Can you use a revolver in IPDA events?

I'm still looking for a good carry weapon, and keep coming back to a small .38 revolver. Since I'd be more inclined towards IPDA as a trainning/practice thing rather than a sport, I think it would be best to use what I'd actually use.

From magazines and websites, it always seems everyone has cutomized and tricked out 1911's... or am I mixing up IPDA with ISPC...?

[CleverNickname]

Yes, there's two revolver divisions.

[owen]

You join IDPA for whatever the going rate is. When you go to a match, you pay a match fee. Most of the places I am familiar charge $15 or so. SOme of that goes to the National Org, some pays for the targets/range rentals, etc, and some goes to by new props for the club.

It is good practice, but you need to understand something. IDPA is a shooting game, not self-defense practice. I have yet to see a stage that rewards the shooter for turning around and running away. As soon as you put a timer on something, and insist that threats be dealt with by shooting them, you've created a situation where every problem is a nail, and your only tool is a hammer.

You will practice a lot of good techniques, and some poor ones. The problem is that real self defense is a strategy, and not a technique.

[peteinct]

Thain, IDPA legal guns are not the fancy ones. IPSC has the wide body 45s with the reflex optics and compensators. Some people say that IDPA rules are too restrictive but the stated intention is to prevent an arms race and to keep the guns close to self defence style. There was some big hullaballoo about some revolvers that were legal being declared illegal but I don't know the details.

Owen, I agree with you that IDPA isn't training. But it will give you pratice at things that you might need in an armed encounter. First, drawing from a holster, shooting, and re holstering. Secondly shooting targets at odd angles and distances. Thirdly and most importantly tring to perform under pressure.

The pressures of competition will induce failures in your equipment and in you mentally and physically that you will never see just standing around punching holes in a target. I think you can learn some bad habits from competition, such as me always unloading and showing clear, but you also can learn alot from it.
pete

[Feanaro]

IPSC has the wide body 45s with the reflex optics and compensators.

Only in Open and Modified. The Revolver, Production, and Standard divisions do not allow optics or compensators.

[LubeckTech]

IDPA is a fast growing sport which is shot at many different clubs. I blong to a club in Ohio that does 5-7 matches per year which are open to the public with no requirement of being an IDPA member or even a club member for that matter. Different places do things differently and the whole point is to be safe and have fun. IDPA is not personal defence training but IS an excellent training aid mainly because of the pressure factor - you are not (exceptin "standards" stages) just standing there punching paper but you need to think during a well designed stages. You can also learn about what happens to your mental processes under pressure for instance one of the rules is you must be behind cover or moving when you shoot it is very easy to fixate on the target and stop moving if you are not behind cover. It is just a game and if you are not moving or behind cover while shooting the only thing which will happen is it will lower your score but what happens if you are in a real situation? Knowing how you react under pressure is helpful but it is important to remember that in an actual gunfight most of your training will probably go out the window. HOWEVER having experience shooting and thinking under pressure can't hurt. You'll meet some great people that can help you learn as a shooter.

[CountGlockula]

That's a great opportunity to be a skilled shooter.

[karz10]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I appreciate it.

I understand some of the comments about not being a replacement for training in tactical self defense. I have come to understand that as well.

I also agree with the comments that while it is a game practice, that it seems it would help me practice the motor skills required to be proficient in a SD environment.

I looked at some training stuff for SD, some classroom and some live fire, but my concern was that without sufficient practice, the training would be of little use, as I would have no muscle memory or praticed motor skills to back it up.

I'm thinking about looking into the IDPA type group a little more, see where it goes, as well as taking my CCW class and applying for that permit, which is my first and most important class to take right now, I think. Then, after I've had the pistol awhile longer, and have practiced some of the sport shooting, I think when I take the SD class, it will mean more to me, and I will have spaced out my expenses a bit in the various classes.

I spoke to the local club leader again today, he said all we pay is range time (this place is $8 hr, less than others in the area, no long guns) for the practice sessions, I don't have to be an IDPA member to join them for that. If I join the range, then the range time is included in my annual membership ($119 single or $135 family yr, again less than others around here), so that may be good to do anyway, for paper and for these sessions.

If I want to participate in matches, then I would have to joing the IDPA ($35 yr), and pay the misc fees for the match, etc. and/or if I want to join their specific club, they charge a separate $25 app fee and $25 yr, which would also entitle me to access to a future outdoor range, that is being negotiated nearby. That part is still a little uncler to me right now, as to any other benefits of 'being in the club'.

Anyway, thanks for the input, and any other comments / suggestions you may have.

Karz

PS - Also, sorry I posted in wrong category, I assumed my intent was to talk about self defense, and the various options for practicing in a real world environment to support a healthy level of preparedness for SD, which I thought would be a 'strategy or tactic', I didn't make the connection that someone might consider it a topic specific to 'handguns' because I asked about IDPA, since I was thinking preparing for self defense, not handguns specifically.

[Mat, not doormat]

I don't know if other people experience the same thing that I do, but since I started cowboy action shooting, about two years ago, I've become about a thousand percent better shooter. Most of the things you mention, drawing, holstering, reloading, engaging multiple targets, are things that punching paper can't prepare you for. But, practicing, and doing them under pressure, particularly with great shooters around for a benchmark is wonderfully valuable. I'm not as good with my carry gun as I am with cowboy stuff, but I'm planning on filling in a few empty weekends with USPSA or IDPA, and adding to my practice regimen to correct that.

~~~Mat

[TonyB]

I started doing IDPA a couple of years ago...I love it.You already have the gun(G19) so don't go buying anything till you find out if you like it.It is good practice for drawing and shooting under stress.Our club shoots every week,andhas official matches about 3 times a year.I've gone from Revolver to autos,in almost every class.To get really good you need to stick w/ one gun for a while(IMO)..but I like to change around for fun.I've done a couple of IPSC matches,and find it alot harder than IDPA.But IMO IDPA is more "realistic"(of course no one's shooting back and the bad guys are cardboard..but you get the idea)....try it,you may be like me and find something to look forward too every week.