starting to look at IDPA

SSP - Standard Service Pistol

I would use what gun you shoot the best. The casual shooters shoot Glock, Sig, Beretta, and CZ.

I shoot a G19 and PX4 depending on my mood. When I shoot CDP I shoot a 1911. My preference is the G19 for consistant trigger pull, the PX4 F model has a double action initial pull and can throw you off some.

Most of your more serious shooters like the G34

On the 9mm vs 40 I shoot 9 for reduced recoil and costs. When speed, follow up shoots and accuracy are paramount the snappy recoil of the 40 is a disadvantage to those shooting 40s.

You will use on an average of 120 rds per match usually a max of 200 if you are having a horrible day. That would be two of your three allowed 10 rd clips for all 6 stages of your match.

For my cover garment I wear a Galati Safari Vest.

I am not a member of IDPA but have been to one shoot as an observer. If I were to join, the gun I would use would be the one I intended to carry the most often. After all isn't the purpose of IDPA to sharpen the skills you may need in a real life fight for your life?

I agree with JellyJar. I do shoot IDPA and use it to improve my effiency of the gun I carry and to shake out any bugs in how I carry, holster, draw, etc.
Most IPDA events are more laid back and geared to average shooters.
SSP - Standard Service Pistol is one of the more popular classes.
Also if you start going to some events I would suggest taking a good firearms defensive course like Randy Cain classes. It will open your eyes how you carry and observe whats going on around you.

Can the Beretta 92 fit in the IDPA box?

be safe

I started with a SIG 226. It was my carry gun and I just wanted to improve my skills. After shooting for a year or so I wanted to be competitive and switched to a G34. I made SSP Master using the G34. While almost any reliable gun can be used, some are better/easier/cheaper to improve with than others. Revolver shooters have been making a comeback and the S&W 686 seems to be a favorite choice for SSR, there is even a model specifically designed for IDPA, the 686 SSR. A master class shooter shoots one at our IDPA matches and I can only beat him if I’m having a good day and he is having a bad day.

Concerning the Berretta 92, I'm pretty sure it fits into the IDPA box, we also have a SSP Master class shooter using one of these.

Advice? Shoot what you have for a while if you don't have to sink much additional money into it. S&W J-frame? Not sure what speed loaders you would need and if they could be used if you switched to another gun such as a 686.

Shoot a while and then decide or be like the rest of us and buy the wrong gun, holster, and accessories first only to change later. On a positive note you will have at least one more gun!!

shoot my p226 to see if i even will stick with this...

Click to expand...

That is always my recommendation; if you have something even reasonably suitable, shoot it until you are sure you like the sport. Then you can specialize.

A P226 9mm would provide common ergonomics and cheaper ammo.

A Square Deal B reloading press would let you load .40s to just make the power floor.

There are still some police surplus revolvers around, a used sixshooter and some speedloaders would be an economical entry point. You would really need to handload .38s, though; there are few factory loads and very few cheap factory loads that make the power floor.

After that, the sky's the limit and you can justify about anything that the rules allow.

The .40 is really, really, OK for the job.
You do not need a new gun and I have told your wife so.

I trust you have at least three magazines, a strong side holster, magazine carrier, eye and ear protection, and a concealment garment (and some dryfire practice drawing a gun out from under it.) You are all set, just show up.

Introductory information easier to digest than the rule book is at:
http://idpaforum.com/images/Welcome_to_IDPA_Shooting.pdf

Dad,
You're in for a good time. The best advice is to go and get started with something you have (not, however, with a j-frame; that would just prove frustrating). Shooting SSR is fun and I did it for several years, but has the disadvantage that you have fewer people competing directly with you.

Of the guns you mention interest in, the one with the greatest presence in competitions (IDPA and its cousin, USPSA/IPSC) would be the 9mm CZ. Base model is the CZ75B, and more advanced is the SP-01. Someone looking to jump in with a competition-ready gun would probably start with the SP-01 (though don't buy one on my say-so before checking IDPA rules to make sure it doesn't weigh too much).

But that's just for thinking about down the road. For now, take Jim's advice (most people would be better off if they lived by that motto) and start shooting.

The 226 is just fine; I have shot the following in IDPA (each was/is my carry gun at the time):

1) 226 .40
2) 228
3) G19 (current).

I have been at it for about four years and am currently shooting even with the Expert class in SSP using the G19, IWB holster, and a single extra mag carrier, with an untucked button down shirt. So, you can be somewhat competetive even with a very real-world carry setup. I wear my setup to the match, and then out to eat afterward.

That said, once you have been at it for a while, if you want to make Master you will want good dedicated gear specifically for IDPA, but that is down the line and there is no reason to try to start there. As others have said you can get a great feel for it, and reps with your real world carry gear using what you already have. Just make sure you *do* bring the full gear list mentioned earlier... if you don't, you will not be able to shoot:

1) Pistol that fits into one of the classes. Details in the rulebook.
2) Strong side belt mounted holster, IWB or OWB is fine. No pocket holster/drop thigh/cross draw/etc will be allowed.
3) Eye/ear pro...
4) Cover garment that conceals your entire setup when your arms are at your sides.
5) Weak side mag carrier (I don't think this is absolutely required, but highly recommended)

IDPA is currently the most fun I have shooting, period.

Excellent advice. Shoot what you have to see if you've "got game" and whether or not "you like the game." I must comment; however, about those who say if you want to get serious, get another gun. I'm sorry to say, but the gun doesn't make the shooter, the shooter makes the shooter. You can buy the best firearm available and still shoot as bad as you did with your previous gun.

I use DA/SA for both SSP/ESP divisions and almost always come out on top. I made MA in SSP using an M&P Pro and quickly improved my scores when I transitioned to a bone stock (no trigger work) HK P30L. So, don't buy into the group think of "you need a different gun to be competitive." It simply isn't so.

Use that P226 .40 and have fun. If you like it, pick up another P226 in 9mm and enjoy cheaper ammo, same trigger/controls, and a tad less muzzle flip.