Attending IDPA orentation this weekend

[sammy]

I am so excited. I am going to attend my IDPA orientation and match this weekend at United Sportsman in Concord!!! I found to be most comfortable with my Glock 34 so I am overnight shipping a Blade Tech holster so I can get some practice before the match. Does anyone have any pointers or advise for me before I go?
Sad thing is I work 11 hour days during the week and needless to say with a 2 1/2 year old my priority is with her on the weekends. Because of this I have not been able to attend a match to see how things work. My first goal is to be safe and not make any mistakes. Second....? Thanks for listening. Sammy

[punchdrunk]

be accurate and safe and HAVE FUN. First match will fill your head with rules. It will take a few matches to get comfortable to where you just have to think about making your shots.

[Jim Watson]

IDPA is mostly shot from concealment. Some clubs waive the requirement for new shooters, some don't. Either way, you will have to do it sooner or later so some dryfire practice getting your gun out from under a concealment garment will be worthwhile.

There is some stuff linked at
http://p075.ezboard.com/fidpaforumfrm12.showMessage?topicID=287.topic
and getting on the IDPA board would itself help.

Go to
http://www.parmarng.org/
and look under Shooting Events, then IDPA. Read that, look at pictures of matches, and read "See how you can get started shooting IDPA matches."


Mostly, pay attention and follow directions.

Most IDPA clubs run a cold range. Do not go in with your gun loaded, and do not handle it at all outside the "Safety Area" (Where it must be empty, no ammunition even in reach.) and the firing line.

[j1133s]

Hi there,
Do you have a phone # or web link for United Sportsman in Concord? I'm also interested in shooting.

Anyway, go slow and be accurate seems to work for newbies.

[Smokin Gator]

I recently shot my first IDPA match. I had watched them shoot once before, while I was recovering from shoulder surgery. They had a short safety briefing for those of us who had never shot IDPA before. The stages were not to involved because this was their end of the year match and they were having lunch and awards so they had things set up to get done with the shooting early. After watching several shooters before me hit the "no shoot" target, I was so concerned with not hitting it that I completly forgot about using cover properly. I had a great time and was just concerned with showing everyone that I was a safe shooter. Good luck, Mark

[sammy]

j1133s here is a link to their website. Excellent range and very nice folks (as long as you do not handle ANYTHING on the shooting benches durring a sease fire) http://www.diablorodandgun.com/

Thank you for all the help. I know I will have a great time but safety is my first priority.

[SR_]

Go have fun.... don't worry about 'little mistakes' because you'll make a few of those as you learn. Stay focused on safety issues - keep the muzzle pointed in the correct direction and follow the range commands.

Some common newbie mistakes
> Breaking the wrist when reloading - keep the muzzle pointed directly downrange while reloading. Right handed shooters sometimes break their wrist and let the muzzle drift left (some almost pointing over the shoulder) when they reload. Not good.....
> When moving, keep muzzle pointed down range - pull the gun into your chest keeping the muzzle level with the ground. Some like to point gun up (can help you get the nose job you always wanted) or pointed down (which bring your toes into play).
> At the end you'll unload and show clear. I tell all new shooters, let the mag in the gun just drop, when you work the slide don't worry about the bullet, put your gun when instructed and before you reach to pick up the mag (or bullet). If you're fiddling with a mag, or wondering where the bullet left, you may accidently twist and the muzzle will go in a direction you don't want it to go....

I often see new shooter that are very excited about their equipment and have stopped one or two from removing their handgun from the holster while they talked. Unloaded gun stays in holster until it's your turn. Wait until the safety officer say's load an make ready.

If you have a couple of minutes, look over the range commands - these can be found in the IDPA rule book at www.idpa.com Don't worry about reading the whole book, someone at the match will walk you through the basics.

I hope this helps....

Have fun!

[Jim Watson]

But once you are into the game and can get through a match safely and smoothly, please study the rules.
It is tough to learn the rules one Procedural penalty at a time.

[FieroCDSP]

It's a lot of fun. The first time you're on the line, getting ready for the buzzer, you get a massive adrenaline rush. The guys where I shoot don't set the timer until you tell them you're ready, so I take a few deep breaths and relax before I signal ready.

First time out, focus mainly on not pointing the gun anywhere but downrange. Violation of basic safety can get you kicked out of some places. Maintain an empty gun until you are told to load on the line.

Newb mistakes and suggestions:

-Topping off hi-cap mags. Only ten rounds per mag, the exception being when they allow you to upload one in the chamber at the start (10 round mag+1) This partcular one got me my first night when I topped off my two 15's
-Make sure you have enough mags for the string. 3 is usually considered minimum.
-If you jam or malfunction, keep the gun pointed downrange!!! The RO will likely notice and call a halt. I've seen a few of the new guys begin to fiddle with it and start waving around.
-Listen carefully to the scenario rules!! Ask questions if you don't understand.
-Rushing: Take your time. A missed or badly placed shot can cost you more time than simply slowing down.
-Expectations:There is always someone there who will out-shoot everyone almost every week (everyone gets a break when they're off on some sniper course that weekend). This is normal. Listen to that person carefully, and ask questions. If that person is a complete jerk and happens to be the best shooter, they can't teach you anything effectively so learn from the second best. Regardless, Don't expect to be anywhere but the bottom of the scores the first few times. Just like target shooting, practical shooting takes experience.

Also be sure to enjoy yourself. You're there with a bunch of other gunnies, shooting at cardboard. What's not to love?

[sammy]

Wow, lots of great info here! Thanks for all the help. I will give an update after the match. Sammy

[sammy]

Just got back and had a great time. I got a great time on the easiest stage of the day which was just a warm-up but did not get dis-qualified which was my goal. The G-34 had no problems durring Sunday's compitetion but I made a few errors which will bring down my score. I am hooked!!