[358minus1]

Been shooting a while, just never shot any real competitions. I am going to try an IDPA match coming up at the end of July. Any suggestions for any types of training I should try at my indoor and/or outdoor ranges before the IDPA match? I'll use a Beretta 92 - 9mm - three 15 round magazines (is that enough?). Any comments on average distances, # of shots per target, running around before I shoot, etc??.... Any comments appreciated!! Thanks!

[jmorris]

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=276743

You'll save some of us a bunch of retyping if you click on the above link.

[358minus1]

NM

[jmorris]

Not a problem. Once you try it, you'll be hooked. Post away, if you have any other questions.

[TonyB]

3 mags in enough....you can only load 10 rounds(and 1 in the pipe).Practice drawing your gun and re-holstering.Reloads(slide lock and tactical)and just remember to go slow at first and you'll naturaly get faster.....concentrate on trigger and front sight..most of all listen to the RO,and don't do anything untill told to.I started IDPA about 5 years ago and I am hooked.I started w/ a Taurus PT99(poor man's version of your gun)and it worked great.We shoot once a week in our league( kind of a match every week).So I don't do much practice on my own.....if we have a classifier coming up I may go to the range and practice my distance shots,the last stage of the classifier is a killer.

[TonyB]

Also,if you can go and watch a match before you shoot one,you can get a good idea what goes on.
Most stages will be 18 rounds and under......21 feet and closer.Concentrate on accuracy over speed.I laways try to make good hits as opposed to "winning"....if you have some fast shooters up before you,it can be intimidating....I know alot of guys who after one time out quit,just because they thought they did crappy......give it a few times.If there;s a local club that has practices weekly,it really helps for matches.Good luck

[GEM]

Compete against yourself - meaning that you want to improve each time. Don't worry about beating anyone else. You will love it.

Check around your area and see if there are folks who teach a handgun technique class, once you get into it.

I've found most folks are incredibly helpful.

[358minus1]

In reading the THR link that jmorris suggested, I have a question about what hammer down means in terms of my Beretta. The safety serves as a decocker. When ordered to "hammer down", can I just decock or do they require actually dry firing the hammer using the trigger such that the firing pin is struck onto an empty chamber? Thanks.

[Jim Watson]

"Hammer down" means dryfire; pull the trigger and let the hammer fall without restraint. It is the final check that the gun is really, truly empty. It won't hurt your gun.

[Jeff22]

this link has some interesting information:

http://www.ccidpa.org/newslttr/newsv1i1.html

[jmorris]

Lots of good info at ccidpa.org Jeff and if you are ever down this way we are a good group of guys and gals to shoot with as well.