[Deer Hunter]

Hello,

I got the chance to witness a local IDPA match. The "Brazosland Pistoleros" was the clubs name, and I have to say they are some really great shots and gave me some great advice. Great bunch of guys. In any case, I'm looking to compete in the match this month and would like to know if i'm missing anything that's really needed.

I will be using my CZ 75B . I have six mags for it. I'll probably only buy two double-mag pouches.

I need earplugs, which I have already. Safety glasses as well.

I can't think of anything else I could use other than a bunch of ammo.

[Jim Watson]

Just buy one double magazine pouch.
IDPA only allows two reloads on the belt.
Assuming the Brazosland Pistoleros were shooting regulation IDPA.

I assume you have a suitable holster.

IDPA is normally shot from concealment.
I recommend as much dryfire practice drawing from under a vest, jacket, or shirt as possible before you enter a match and have to do it with live ammo.

Edit to add: I found the Brazosland Pistoleros website at
http://www.brazoslandpistoleros.com/
It says they are a USPSA (IPSC) club with no mention of IDPA.
If that is the case, get the extra mag carrier, you will need it.
You will not need to draw from concealment.
Find out what you are really getting into before you make any more purchases.

[btg3]

I assume you have a holster.

2 extra mags and one dbl-mag pouch should suffice. There's plenty of time for reloading between stages, but I've seen some folks with enough extra mags to avoid reloading for the entire match.

I like to bring a water bottle and snack bar.
A hat with a brim can help on sunny days.

You may benefit from reading the rules at http://www.idpa.com/

Let them know you're a first timer and ask if they'll let you shoot last for each stage.

Have fun and be safe!

[Deer Hunter]

Oh sorry, I got my acronyms mixed up!

Yeah, it's IPSC. Oops.

In any case, yes I have a holster. It's nothing fancy, but it'll work. I just placed a bid on a double mag pouch on Ebay. I will see about getting another one soon.

[JoeSlomo]

I've shot at the club in Hearne before. They put on a pretty good shoot.

Bring SUNSCREEN lol!

I'd recommend a cooler with some chow / drinks.

[Deer Hunter]

Oh yeah, I usually pick up a drink at that little gas station on highway six, the last one you see before turning off and going to the range.

Here's a question, what's the difference between, say a 10 dollar double mage pouch and a 50 dollar double mag pouch? Bragging rights?

Ten dollars
http://www.cdnninvestments.com/spxd9domagpo.html

Or

50 dollars
http://www.blade-tech.com/Double-Magazine-Pouch-with-Tek-Lok-pr-863.html

[HighVelocity]

what's the difference between, say a 10 dollar double mage pouch and a 50 dollar double mag pouch?

That $10 mag pouch would get you by, but, you won't like it. It won't be nearly as fast as the bade-tech. Don't skimp on your holster and mag pouches.

Show some support for your fellow texans: www.comp-tac.com

[Deer Hunter]

I'd love to, but I'm poor and am probably going to get the cheaper Bladetech models.

[Conqueror]

Yep, Brazos is a major IPSC custom shop, so it doesn't surprise me that they shoot IPSC and not IDPA. IPSC is a bit "flashier" but is still great fun and good training.

You can find their rules at www.uspsa.com

[Deer Hunter]

"Flashier" is putting it blandly. Before I went out there, the only place I'd seen an STI racegun was on their website. I get out there and I see at least ten!

I have two blade-tech mag pouches and they seem like they will work fine. I'm really excited about this. It'll be a great way to round-off a month of tests, papers, and lab reports.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Can I do a quick mini-hijack/sidebar? If so, I just wanna know this - I did an IDPA shoot years ago and had fun, but never followed up and got good. Anyhow, now my main carry gun has CT lasergrips on them. I want to practice with exactly what I would use in an actual fight (which is both sights and laser in concert), and I view IDPA as a chance to practice/train for realistic scenarios, and nothing more. So I want to "practice like I'll play". So I couldn't care less if I am scored against anyone else except myself. So my question is, even if lasers are not generally allowed, do you think most clubs would let me shoot the course of fire if I pay, but yet just not be scored against anyone else? I want to know my score, to try to improve. That's part of why I'd be paying & participating - to come home with a score. I just don't want to mess up the others' rankings with my laser self, so I could take a "zero" as far as the actual rankings are concerned. Think I'd be allowed to run through the course, or be turned away entirely in that scenario? If turned away, then is there any logical reason reason why, since I'd just want to be scored completely separately? Ditto on a non-approved holster - e.g. if my ACTUAL carry holster for whatever reason is deemed to not be approved - fine, just give me a zero score as if it were a DQ, as compared to everyone else - but give me my actual score "on the side" so I'll know what it is - possible? OK, someone can PM me if you have an answer (I didn't want to start my whole new thread). Back to the original thread now. :)

[Conqueror]

Depends on the individual club, I'd imagine. On a sanctioned match day, many of them might be reluctant to let you shoot. But many IDPA clubs and local ranges hold informal "IDPA-style" shoots where you can bring just about anything "reasonable." One near me occasionally lets people use bull barrels and long dustcovers in their IDPA-type shoots, etc.

I guess the moral of this story is "ask the individual range where you shoot."

[Jim Watson]

Most places will allow non-reg equipment at club shoots.
One of our guys wanted to try a lasergrip. One has nothing remotely suitable except a 6" revolver. One wanted to shoot a gun with ported barrel. They all shoot, but get an asterisk in the scores.

Holsters can be a different matter.
Some types are disallowed because of "competition" features and characteristics. You could probably get away with a speed rig for a while before we nagged you into getting a conventional holster.

Some are not considered safe enough for repeated holsterings and draws in a crowd. You would not be allowed to shoot IDPA with a shoulder holster, crossdraw holster, or middle of the back placement because they would sweep the bystanders in normal handling.
An appendix placement is not thought concealable, and sweeps your femoral on the draw, and the various pocket and jock carries level the gun at sensitive areas of the anatomy.

[ShunZu]

Breathe deep. Control the adreneline just before the timer starts.

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN! :)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

OK, thanks, that helps. No my actual holster is not a race rig, lol. It's just a basic OWB paddle holster- it would probably be allowed.

[Deer Hunter]

Good luck with your IDPA, PS.

I just got done with a little double-tap quick firing range session. While back home picking up my guns I thought it would be beneficial for me to try and do a few drills like what I've seen them do out on the range. It takes practice, but I know one thing. I'm going to get hooked to this sport and be a poor broke son-of-a-gun for the rest of my life. :(

[Sunray]

Any holster is only as good as the belt it lives on. You need a gun belt too. A gun belt needs to be relatively stiff. Your regular belt may be too soft.
"...I'm poor..." Poverty(you're not alone) can be overcome by making your own kit. Difficult it ain't. Satisfying it is. Tandy's sells holster, mag pouch and gun belt making books with patterns, the leather and all the stuff you need to make them for far less than any commerical rig.

[Dilbert]

I have seen some good shooters have really bad days at their first IDPA match. There seems to be something about the timer and all the eyes watching you that makes good shooters screw things up. Relax and enjoy is the key. Don't try to "race" or "beat" the other shooters, do that at a later match. The first match is all about learning. I have seen guys come to their second match with a completely different set of gear than what they tried at the first match.