IDPA SSP vs ESP

[Jericho76]

Hi there.
Is there any reason for a total noobie to competition shooting to not start in the ESP division as opposed to SSP division?
I stipples the front of my MP 45 grip which would put me in ESP. Is the level of competition higher in that division or should I not worry about it?

It's not like I will be a threat in any division anyway.

 

[ny32182]

No reason at all to worry about it. The level of competition in any given division depends on who shows up to shoot in that division.

 

[Sam1911]

Exactly! Go, shoot what you've got and have fun!

Edit: M&P .45? EASY. Load 8 in all your mags and shoot in CDP. That's where the fun is!

 

[Jericho76]

Cool. Thanks gents.

 

[mgmorden]

What you'll learn in any shooting sport is that the level of competition is pretty fierce regardless of the division you're in. Despite what some might think, there's not really a "beginner's" division in any of them. Pick the one you like best and have a blast.

 

[waktasz]

It's quite a bit harder to classify well in ESP than it is in SSP, and SSP usually has more people in it.

I have almost always shot ESP, because I like to do things to my guns that take them out of SSP.

 

[Willfully Armed]

Ten seconds. That's it.

 

[waktasz]

That's a good amount of time for someone just trying to break into a class in SSP who also wants to classify in ESP.

 

[mavracer]

Don't worry about competing against others, compete with yourself. Sure use others times as a benchmark for your skill level, but if you just try to shoot a little cleaner and/or a little faster that you did the last time makes it more fun. YMMV

 

[CatsEye]

Like most have said, for someone new the difference in the two doesn't really matter esp at the club level. I agree with Sam though, shoot in CDP.

 

[Hoser]

Just get out there and shoot.

Your division, classification, ect does not matter. Just be safe and have fun.

 

[jmorris]

It's quite a bit harder to classify well in ESP than it is in SSP, and SSP usually has more people in it.

While I haven't shot a classifier in years I don't remember it being any more difficult with one pistol than another, they just expect you will go a little faster or slower depending on what your shooting.

SSP and ESP have the most sandbaggers and I have never seen enough people shoot ESR and SSR to get bumped at a sanctioned match so starting in CDP sounds like a fine idea to me.

 

[waktasz]

Right. I just don't think a 9mm 1911 will make you 11 seconds faster than a Glock.

Why do you think SSP/ESP has sandbaggers but CDP doesn't?

 

[Willfully Armed]

My ESP g34 is definitely faster than my SSP g34.

 

[waktasz]

If you think that it is, then it is.

 

[ny32182]

There is a slight theoretical difference, but certainly nothing approaching the massive gaps between the classifier scoring times, given you are comparing guns up to the game limit in both.

 

[jmorris]

Why do you think SSP/ESP has sandbaggers but CDP doesn't?

Match history, SSP and ESP almost always have higher numbers of shooters in them. If the % of sand baggers are equal, more of them wind up shooting those two divisions.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Just go do it. Lots of time I shoot near max power 38 Super when I could download them to more manageable levels. Even when I drop in the 9mm barrel in I'm still running them quite hot, much hotter then necessary.

I don't care about winning. I'm just there to have fun with my friends. There are one or two people I like to place close to, but beyond that I don't pay much attention to the final score.