IDPA with my carry rig?

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Skribs

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I've not been very interested in competition shooting, mainly because I read about the difference between "competition" and "carry" weapons, and all my weapons are first and foremost for self defense. However, I've started thinking about maybe looking up some action pistol shooting, and IDPA seems to be based around using conceal carry weapons, is that correct?

Specifically, I am thinking of my current Springfield XDm compact, and although I'm currently using the stock trigger, down the road I want to get some trigger work done to reduce creep, make it "crisper", and set the pull weight at 5#.

I've looked up the rules and such for IDPA, as well as the brief description on the sticky on this site, but they don't really tell me what normally is used in IDPA, or what setups people normally go with. Since I've got zero experience with action shooting, I thought maybe some more enlightened folk could spread that knowledge.
 
There is a substantial minority of IDPA shooters using their actual carry weapons.
Your XDmC will fit right in with them. It is an Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) by IDPA division definition.
All you need otherwise is a strong side straight draw holster, at least three magazines, and preferably belt carriers for two of them, although you can reload from your pocket if you wish. Much IDPA is shot from concealment. I have used everything from the tackytickle vest to an aloha shirt for the purpose.

Read up; it is tough to learn the rules one procedural penalty at a time on the range.
http://www.gadpa.com/index.php/idpa/new-shooter-briefing/
 
IDPA is defensive pistol. Even though it is a "game", using your carry rig just makes sense to me. I'll bet you have a good time.

Good luck,

RMD
 
All you need otherwise is a strong side straight draw holster, at least three magazines, and preferably belt carriers for two of them, although you can reload from your pocket if you wish.
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I generally carry IWB with a Comptac holster, don't think it's straight-draw (although I do have a straight draw paddle holster). Does it have to be straight-draw, or is that just recommended? I understand strong-side is required.
I consider pocket to actually be easier for me to get to the magazines than I/OWB, and I usually pocket carry either 1 magazine in my weak-side hip pocket or 2 in my weak-side cargo pocket, depending on whether I want all that weight banging against my thigh. I can get to that cargo pocket a lot easier than I can get under my shirt for magazines on my belt.

Another question sprang up from that article you linked: what is "pasting targets"?

How many rounds does one usually need for one of these scenarios?
 
After the targets are scored, the holes are covered with pasters so the next person can shoot the same target. Pasters are adhesive pieces of paper the same color as the target. Pasters are faster and cheaper than changing targets after each shooter.

At my club most stages require 18 to 25 rounds. We generally have 5 or 6 stages.
 
When I say "straight draw" I mean that it must be on the strong side within the 3-5 o'clock position so it comes generally straight out of the holster and toward the target. FBI cant and all that sort of stuff is fine. Reverse cant, butt to the rear is not. Strong side IWB is fine. No crossdraw, appendix, shoulder, MOB, etc.

A single timed string of fire may not require more than 18 hits. If the stage is Vickers Count, you may fire as many shots as you like (or as many as you have on your person) to get those 18 hits.

Nothing wrong with you digging your reloads out of your pants pocket, you may not carry them in a shirt, jacket, or vest breast pocket. Or a bodily orifice.
 
At my club most stages require 18 to 25 rounds. We generally have 5 or 6 stages.
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So 12 rounds in the gun and two 16-round mags (I carry the full-size mags as backup, but use the compact mag for carry) should be plenty, then, assuming my aim is up to par. 25 rounds, 6 stages, 3 boxes of ammo? Sounds simple enough.

Question on an earlier post: when you say "substantial minority", about how many are we talking?
 
So 12 rounds in the gun and two 16-round mags (I carry the full-size mags as backup, but use the compact mag for carry) should be plenty, then, assuming my aim is up to par. 25 rounds, 6 stages, 3 boxes of ammo? Sounds simple enough.
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Not quite.

In your division (ESP) you'll be allowed to load no more than 10 in any magazine, but may/must start with one in the chamber, so you start with 11 in the gun.

That's a competition rule to level the playing field for all guns of this type, and not penalize those poor guys in the mag-limited states.

Question on an earlier post: when you say "substantial minority", about how many are we talking?
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All depends on what group you're shooting with.

Might be most of them, might be just a few. The number doesn't matter in the least. No one cares what you're shooting as long as it meets the requirements of the rule book. Most newer shooters tend to use their carry gear, and most "serious" competitors who've been doing it for a few years tend to use gear that's a little more advantageous to shoot.

Some, like me, carry their competition gear, so it's all the same! :)

You'll be just fine with your gear.

I consider pocket to actually be easier for me to get to the magazines than I/OWB, and I usually pocket carry either 1 magazine in my weak-side hip pocket or 2 in my weak-side cargo pocket, depending on whether I want all that weight banging against my thigh. I can get to that cargo pocket a lot easier than I can get under my shirt for magazines on my belt.
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Go ahead and run with the pocket-carried magazines if that's what you're comfortable with. I'd bet you a whole lot of money that your opinion on that will change as you get more experience, but that's a big part of why we all go out and do this. A LOT of our opinions and notions tend to be adjusted by what happens when the buzzer goes off.
 
Let me add a personal opinion:

You NEED to do this. It will show you things you simply did not know about your gun and yourself. It may be a tiny bit humiliating. It may be quite frustrating. (At first.) Smile, keep your head, and enjoy yourself anyway. And come back next time. In a very few matches and practices you'll begin to develop a new facility with the weapon and command of your own abilities that will delight you.
 
I've been shooting IDPA for around 10 years. In my club, most shoot with their carry rigs. I look at it as a chance to practice a variety of shooting skills under time pressure. You *will* feel it, especially at first. It's a good thing to deal with moving, reloading and clearing malfunctions when the clock is ticking. Moving to and shooting from cover are also good habits to develop. And you will meet good people and have fun.
 
In your division (ESP) you'll be allowed to load no more than 10 in any magazine, but may/must start with one in the chamber, so you start with 11 in the gun.
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Well, I'll still use those magazines, just put less in them.

Go ahead and run with the pocket-carried magazines if that's what you're comfortable with. I'd bet you a whole lot of money that your opinion on that will change as you get more experience, but that's a big part of why we all go out and do this. A LOT of our opinions and notions tend to be adjusted by what happens when the buzzer goes off.
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While this may be true, I'd still rather use my carry gear for this. For me, it wouldn't be so much about the competition, but for practice and fun. I'm not expecting to win, but I am expecting to learn where my weak points are, and shooting stuff is always fun.

You NEED to do this. It will show you things you simply did not know about your gun and yourself. It may be a tiny bit humiliating. It may be quite frustrating. (At first.) Smile, keep your head, and enjoy yourself anyway. And come back next time. In a very few matches and practices you'll begin to develop a new facility with the weapon and command of your own abilities that will delight you.
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Well, Sam, this is one opinion of yours that I agree with - it's why I decided I'd look into this. I don't think I could do worse than the little stick bridge I built for my middle school engineering class. I believe my teacher said it was "the worst failure I've ever seen".

Now I guess I need to figure out where I can do this in Western Washington...
 
IDPA is a game, so please don't think of it as training...some rules just don't make any sense.

However, IDPA is a great place to see where your technique is lacking and a great place to be exposed to different techniques under identical conditions...it is amazing how many folks use grips that I thought were long dead and how gripping a new magazine to bring it to the gun isn't as universal as I believed.

It is also a great place to test how functional/practical your chosen equipment is...it got me away from clip-on magazine carriers and showed me that paddle holsters really do hold up.

Just to address a couple of points from earlier:
1. Several of the competitors at my local IDPA match compete with an IWB hoster...I don't know the %, but then we usually have 120 shooters.
2. Even drawing from under a shirt, using correct technique, drawing magazines from a belt carrier is, smoother, faster and more reliable
 
9mm, it's gotta be better practice than punching paper.

on point #2...yeah you guys are right. I'm thinking (because of practice I did in front of a mirror) that maybe I should change to a belt rig, but again, I'd only make the change for the sake of the game if it's how I'd carry. Guess I better go ask in the appropriate forum what people use for CCW for their spare mags.
 
Guess I better go ask in the appropriate forum what people use for CCW for their spare mags.
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Nah, just go show up to the next match and see what they're all using. You'll settle on something that someone brought and you warmed up to most among all the others.


In short, just go.
 
I agree with Ken...just go

BTW: I didn't mean to imply that IDPA wasn't good practice...it just isn't training. What it is, is a great testbed for technique and equipment
 
BTW: I didn't mean to imply that IDPA wasn't good practice...it just isn't training. What it is, is a great testbed for technique and equipment
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Good point.

You guys are probably right on the "just go" but I'm very much a perparer when it comes to things, even moreso if its something I'll enjoy. I can't even play a class in a video game without reading several blog posts and doing at least three spreadsheets myself. But maybe I should look into that whole "just go" thing for once...
 
But maybe I should look into that whole "just go" thing for once...
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Yep. :D

I just shot my first match recently, and I have another one coming up Sunday. Good times.

BTW - you sound kind of like me. I tend to research the snot out of things, often without any really meaningful benefit.

So, make it better for yourself, and just study up on rules (especially the commands, IMO). Then show up, be safe, and have fun. There are some more specific forums out there with all sorts of "Hey, I'm a new guy, tell me what to do" type posts.
 
Well, at the very least, I need to research where to go, but I'm not going to worry about that tonight.
 
If you must have something to do, read the IDPA rule book and practice the Classifier.

Our local IDPA club runs a mandatory Orientation class the Saturday before each match. It is a good introduction to the commands and procedures during a match and give you a good feel for it
 
It is a game, it can be frustrating, but it is definitely good practice.

You will become a better shooter but you have to be careful of the training scars that it has the potential to create.
 
Just curious, would the trigger job be what would make my pistol "Enhanced" over "Stock"? In other words, since I haven't gotten a kit put on it yet, would it be considered stock for now?
 
Well, at the very least, I need to research where to go, but I'm not going to worry about that tonight.
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Paul Bunyon has an IDPA match once a month (I think its the third saturday)
I think Renton Rod and Gun Club has one on the second saturday.

Heres the site for folks in our neck of the woods. I don't know where the match calendar is, but if I find it I'll post a direct link.

http://www.nwppa-idpa.com/
 
My club probably has 20 people show for action pistol matches. It sure showed me where the holes were in my technique right away. Its lots of fun assaulting paper targets though. I've ordered extra mags for my carry gun so l can run it in some of the matches. I want more experience shooting it under some kind of pressure even if it isn't realistic combat training.
 
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