Thinking about trying IDPA and/or GSSF

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sgrantham

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From what I have heard, this sounds like fun. I enjoy shooting at the range, but I think it would be a blast to try competitive shooting.

What will I need to compete in IDPA and/GSSF?

I will probably use my Glock 17 as I tend to shoot better with it. I am picking up a couple of extra magazines for it as well as holster and mag pouches.

What else will I need?

Thanks for any suggestions!

sg
 
First off-welcome to THR!!
Sounds like you almost have what you need for GSSF. Pistol,minimum of 4 magazines( I take 10 ),ammo,eye and ear protection and a range bag of some sorts. No holster or mag carriers are needed for GSSF. IDPA is another ballgame completely.
 
IDPA will require a decent strong-side belt holster (most common designs will work as long as they aren't "competition" style skeletonized and offset versions) or IWB holster. You'll need mag carriers for two mags (or you can use your pockets if you really want to). And you'll need a vest or other "cover garment" which could just be an unbuttoned overshirt.

All competitions have rules. IDPA has some too. Here's a helpful start-up guide: http://pemi.org/pdf/idpainfo.pdf

GSSF is fun if you're very new to shooting. IDPA will take things to a new level of complexity with movement and use of cover and much more involved courses of fire.
 
Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate all the information. A gunsmith working on a couple of pistols for me recommended the IDPA and one of the guys at a local gun shop also recommended the GSSF. I figured as a newbie, it would make more sense to start off with GSSF, and they have one scheduled near me in February.
 
If you're looking for beginner type competitions I'd also look into Steel Challenge if there's a club near you. I've only shot one Steel Challenge match (I normally shoot USPSA), but it was a ton of fun.
 
Any competition you decide on will be fun. I usually shoot IDPA but sometimes do GSSF, Steel Challenge and USPSA. All of them are fun sports. I would recommend to anyone who shoots or carries a gun to consider trying competition because all of them will enhance your shooting skills. The most frequent complaint I hear from new shooters is that they wished they had started sooner. Find a match near you and go shoot.
 
I figured as a newbie, it would make more sense to start off with GSSF, and they have one scheduled near me in February.
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It sure will be fun! Enjoy yourself!

...

Ok, ok, so I have to tell a couple of GSSF stories...

I used to help SO the local GSSF matches when they hit our area once a year. I once had an older gentleman step to the line who shot and then had a lot of trouble making clear as his hands were no longer strong, and he was a little unsteady. After a moment or two of trying this way and that to retract the slide, he got seriously crossed-up and I found myself yelling the craziest range-command ever: "SHOOTER, remove your THUMB from the trigger guard!" :eek:

Another time we were running a stage that started at "low ready." (Gun loaded, held in both hands, lowered to a 45 deg. down angle.) We had an orange dot painted on the ground about 5 yards out to help folks see what we meant by "low ready." At the signal, raise the gun and engage an array of targets, right?

Weeeelll, at the signal the lady took careful aim and fired 5-6 shots ... INTO THE ORANGE DOT ON THE GROUND! :D That was an eye-watering, hard to keep a straight face moment!

...

So don't do those things! Listen carefully to the stage instructions and ask questions if something doesn't make sense!

Good luck, be SAFE, and have fun!
 
thanks again for good information, and the funny stories!

What exactly is the difference between IDPA and IPSC (Is this the Steel Challenge?) and the USPSA?
 
IPSC is the international parent organization of which USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) is a member.

They do one form of "Run & Gun" competition that concentrates primarily on shooting skill and speed.

IDPA is the International Defensive Pistol Association was formed later as a move away from the "gun game" aspect of IPSC/USPSA -- focusing on somewhat more realistic shooting scenarios, use of cover, use of real-world concealed-carry guns and ammo, requirement to start with the weapon concealed, and so forth.

Many of the skills and drills transfer directly between the two. Some don't translate so well.

USPSA devotees tend to view what they do as a more pure form of the art, and home to the best and fastest shooters anywhere, ever. They find USPSA more flexible about how to solve a problem, and less hung up on subjective calls like "cover."

IDPA fans tend to look at USPSA scenarios and tactics as somewhat impractical -- like standing in the open facing 30+ hostile targets, using (in some classes) heavily modified and optically-sighted, compensated pistols and strange "pistol hanger" holsters, and entering a scenario carrying over 100 rds. of ammo.

And there are lots of folks who do both types and are better shooters for it!
 
What same said regarding USPSA vs IDPA is accurate - just one additional note of clarification: Steel Challenge (sometimes seen as SCSA for those who love acronyms :)) is neither USPSA/IPSC nor IDPA, but the organization is owned by USPSA.

IE, joining SCSA is a separate membership from USPSA and the matches are very different, but its the same organization running them.
 
great, I had no idea all this was available! man, it's a little overwhelming, but I am getting very excited about it.
 
I think you'll find that GSSF shoots, when they show up near your area, are more like normal range type shooting.

Static targets at different distances and a nice set of plates to hit too!

IDPA will run about the same amount of bullets but you'll be moving, "hiding", and thinking a bit more.

It sounds deceptively simple UNTIL THE TIMER GOES OFF at which time you'll revert to some type of brain dead zombie shooter until you finally realize you CAN shoot and think at the same time.

Seriously, try them both and then give USPSA a try. Bring a LOT of bullets for that one!

Your gun handling will improve dramatically within a month!

Bring your Glock to the GSSF shoot.
Bring your carry gun to the IDPA shoot.
Bring your "race" gun to the USPSA shoot.

AD (IDPA and GSSF bottom feeder)
 
Bring your "race" gun to the USPSA shoot.
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Just to be clear, you can use the same gun in IDPA as you do in USPSA...you'll just be shooting in Production Class ;) ...but, you need to bring more magazines and more ammo, as you get to reload whenever you'd like
 
Just to be clear, you can use the same gun in IDPA as you do in USPSA...you'll just be shooting in Production Class ...but, you need to bring more magazines and more ammo, as you get to reload whenever you'd like
Click to expand...

Yep - USPSA doesn't need high $$$ equipment at all. It's Production class is similar to IDPA's Stock Service Pistol class and you can compete with very limited investment in equipment. USPSA also has the Single-stack division which is basically a division for fairly tame configuration 1911's.

About the only thing you're almost guaranteed to have to spend more money on is - as you said - ammo and mags, as USPSA's max round count per stage is 32 rounds vs 18 for IDPA. This is also a match-specific thing that can vary depending on the match director, but it seems that in general USPSA is more keen on using steel targets which are smaller and hence get missed more frequently, meaning that with enough of those mixed in a 32-round stage can easily end up taking 40+ rounds to complete :).
 
I just shot my first IDPA match this weekend. Great people, great fun! I can see a steady diet of both IDPA and USPSA.
Don't sit on the side lines, get yourself out shooting all of them. Then decide what "floats your boat".

Sam, that was too funny. {shooting the orange dot} LMAO!
 
This is exactly the kind of information I was looking for guys. I appreciate it a lot!

I hope to hit a GSSF or IDPA this month, if my holster and extra mags make it here in time!
 
Have fun man! Just don't confuse IDPA with training. At best, it's practice.

You'll need a close fitting holster with good retention (Fobus or Balckhawk CQC will work, and they are under $35), a double mag pounch, eye and ear protection, and a cover garment. A good range bag doesn't hurt, a water bottle is good, and though stages allow 3 mags, I'd have a minimum of 6 just to keep things sped up. I routinely run 18-21 mags per match and never reload them! Just pop fresh ones into the pouch after a stage and I'm ready! I normally load mags numbered 1-6 or 7 with 11 rounds, and take the one that corresponds to the stage number (1-7) and two of the higher numbered mags. That way I am set up with no need for a Barney mag.

Have fun, and remember to get out there early and help set up. 10% of the shooters do 90% of the work, so be one of them and they'll be thrilled to see you show up. Plan on sticking around after the match and help tear down. Finally, remember that there will be long waits at each stage. Talk to the other shooters, especially the one who are killing you on score, and get their thoughts on shooting and practice. Before you know it you'll be the guy answering questions!
 
I once had IDPA and IPSC explained to me by their respective acronyms. IDPA is I Don't Practice Anymore. IPSC is Irritable People Squabbling Constantly.;)
 
I once had IDPA and IPSC explained to me by their respective acronyms. IDPA is I Don't Practice Anymore. IPSC is Irritable People Squabbling Constantly.
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Usually quoted by people who
1. Think their game is better.
or
2. Are too tackytickle to shoot any mere game where score is kept.
 
Usually quoted by people who
1. Think their game is better.
or
2. Are too tackytickle to shoot any mere game where score is kept.
Click to expand...
,

No. At our club at least, the USPSA guys do 99% of the arguing in IDPA. Shoot for 20 seconds, argue and debate for 20 minutes. I hate when they show up, and I'll do anything I can to avoid being in their squad. The last argument was over whether or not they could carry a partially filled magazine from a tactical reload in their off-hand. The simple answer is NO, it has to be stowed before you can continue, which means in a pocket, your mag carrier, or your waistband. Stupid, really. They're the first people to jump up and down, pointing and screaming when somebody gets a procedural, but when they do something and get called out, it's a huge debate. Tactical sequence means everybody gets one before they get two, but I'm not going to point out that you just doubletapped each target. Although I'd like to get away with it, because doubletapping means fewer target transitions and a faster overall split. But you won't let me, and I don't really care enough to try it and have you screaming "THAT'S AN FTDR" in my face.

I don't know why it matters, nobody is getting a prize. For the love of god, stop whining and let the rest of us shoot.

To all the new shooters, try to start up someplace where you already know someone, and avoid the overly competitive types. IMO, they completely ruin any fun you might have.
 
Wow, Bovice. Not sure I completely understand everything in your rant there, but personally I'm not above saying something to a squad member who is... a little too concerned about someone else's game (mine in particular). Though it has only happened to me about twice in my life.
 
It has happened often enough to me that I absolutely despise the overly-competitive, regardless of their shooting sports background.
 
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