Advise for IDPA new be?

[madmattmd]

Ari,

Congratulations on your first IDPA shoot. It sounds like you’re hooked. It’s a lot of fun and great for learning new gun handling skills.

If you’re looking for an IDPA specific pistol, I’d suggest checking out the Glock 34. That seems to be the most prevalent one used in my area. 9mm is the least expensive to shoot (factory ammo) so you’ll get more practice in.

That said, I shoot a 1911(CDP) mostly. I’ve also used a Glock 20 with a KKM .40 S&W conversion barrel (ESP), or a revolver. I just picked up a S&W Model 586 to try out in SSR.

Matt

 

[LakeshoreShooter]

Cool Stuff!! My local club has just started doing IDPA. They have been USPSA for years. I remember talking to some of the heads a few years back and listening to most of them calling IDPA;"IDP-Gay" or IDPA stands for "I- Don't- Practice- Anymore." Never really understood that...so I started to research IDPA and this spring got a membership and plan to go next weekend. I shoot Production class in USPSA and will use the same gun for IDPA, a Glock 35 with reduced loads. Of course I beleive like you ARI, I will have to get an additional pistol...which I thik will be a SA 1911. Maybe the SS GI Issue. Seems like a nice priced pistol to tinker with if I get he urge to upgrade it down the road. But will suffice for now.
I really think that I will enjoy IDPA. I have been running around for 4 years in USPSA with 30-36 rd. count stages for too long as that ends up being 6 mag changes (7 on a bad day...those darn steel plates!!). At any rate please advise what you end up buying for your next gun.

 

[Ari]

As promised here are the pictures from yesterdays match.




I forget this guys name, but my friend tells me he's a writer for a shooting magazine. He's a really good shot and I watched him extensively all day. He was also very cool to talk to.

Now some of me, feel free to critque.



I had alot of trouble with this one. I've never shot pistols prone before.


some more random pics

 

[bp78]

Looks like some fun stages. Shooting a pistol prone isn't my strong suite either. On the Matt Burkett practical shooting video, they advocate keeping more of your forearm in contract with the ground to stable the pistol better than resting on just your elbows. Helps to create more contact between you & the ground. Give it a try.

Also watch out for bad habits like the gentleman in photo #3. Crossed thumbs don't mix well with a cycling slide.

 

[tradja]

Ari, thanks very much for posting your questions and pics. I'm really interested in checking out IDPA too (my new job has Saturdays off) and reading about your experiences is very encouraging.

 

[Ari]

My only regret is not going SOONER. If you even remotly like shooting and interested in self defense, you are going to LOVE IDPA and the comrodery associated with it. All of my friends, after seeing my pictures and hearing my stories are going to the next meet.

It was like watching a good movie, I can't get it out of my head now!

I'm going to make sure I post more about all the meets I plan on attending with pictures. I know pictures are worth a thousand words. And I love to talk.

 

[Ari]

BTW, I didn't do so hot the first time out. I had 60 points, and 1 FTN, for a grand total of 236. I hadn't shot in close to a year, and am just actually getting back into shooting. I just had so much going through my mind, being excited, remembering all of the safety issues, muzzle, finger, cover and commands I was totally off my shooting. I hope to do better next time around.

when I got back, I went and stocked up on 9mm ammo and I plan to do alot of shooting and hopfully improve for the next meet and Classifyer.

 

[686+]

Ari,
if you delegate your 5904 to IDPA duties, and it is within the IDPA rules, the mag disconect can be removed. S&W made several runs without the diconect for various LEO agencies. To remove, drift out rear sight (seriously stuck in there, you will need large hammer or a sight drifter) lift up little plate, remove spring and plastic plunger (on left side I think), do not remove the metal one!, put plate back, drift sight back in, and your done.

 

[Ari]

awesome!

I appreciate it 686! But the only problem is, in the past couple weeks, I bought a new IDPA rig, a Glock 17 with all the fixin's!

But I did sell the gun to my cousin, who is getting into IDPA, so I'll do the fix for him. Thanks again!

BTW, for those that may or may not care, that "writer" for Guns and Ammo, is none other than Duane Thomas. The following weekend he made Master in SSP. I've since read a few of his articles on combat handgrip, and gunfighting and can't wait to pick his brain at our next meet.

 

[Duane Thomas]

Ari,

Thanks for the positive comments! It was nice to meet you, too!

 

[Old Trapper]

The world appears to have changed

It's amazing to hear all this enthusiasm for shooting wee little bullets out of plastic pistols.

My how the world of defensive pistol competition has changed while I've been away!

Does anyone in IDPA exhibit enthusiasm for shooting big heavy bullets from steel handguns?

I'm reminded of the Christmas long ago when Santa brought me a Mattel plastic sixgun that shot little spring driven plastic bullets. That plastic sixgun had a horrible double-action trigger and poor sights.

When Dad promoted me I graduated to John Browning's Colt Woodsman pistol. It's bullets were tiny, but the heavy cold blue steel balanced perfectly in my young hands. Its trigger was crisp and its sights were good.

Maybe it's a generational thing, but I suspect I'll find it hard to get excited again about a plastic pistol with a double-action trigger. Been there, done that. Found some better handguns that were gifts to the world from John Browning. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

[Jim Watson]

Hey, Trapper,

IDPA has a whole Division devoted to steel guns shooting big bullets. It is Custom Defensive Pistol and nothing but .45 ACP need apply. Bill Wilson has been accused of writing the rules to help him sell more guns, but that is only one of five divisions. And the plastic is creeping in there, too. The top three CDP shooters at the 2007 Nationals shot plastic .45s; XD, Glock, S&W.

 

[jmorris]

yep, the plastic you can get now are not your Matel sixgun. My SSP pistol was 1/5 the cost of my ESP/CDP pistol, and brings home the wood just the same. If a new shooter asks “what pistol”, second only to “what you’ve got” I’d say a Glock. Simple, reliable and cheap, what there not to like?

 

[lawboy]

My advise, shoot in SSR class and leave the autopistol at home. You will have MUCH more fun in SSR.

 

[Old Trapper]

The top three CDP shooters at the 2007 Nationals shot plastic .45s; XD, Glock, S&W.

Is nothing sacred!

 

[SC-Texas]

I'm just shot my 1st match with a G17.

 

[Old Trapper]

The top three CDP shooters at the 2007 Nationals shot plastic .45s; XD, Glock, S&W.

Jim,

By chance where those top three CDP shooters professionals sponsored by Springfield, Glock, and Smith & Wesson?

The successful professional shooters sell a lot of pistols for the companies that sponsor them.

Actually, I'm jealous of anyone who has all the free ammo they need to practice without burning the midnight oil at the reloading bench.

 

[Jim Watson]

David Olhasso does not work for Springfield. He is a Beretta gunsmith and enthusisast. I guess he had to shoot the XD to get into CDP because Beretta doesn't make a .45 since sending the Cougar to Turkey. I have seen one picture of Rob Leatham with an XD in hand. He looked sort of sheepish to be photographed without his 1911.

Dave Sevigny works for Glock and Ernest Langdon for S&W.

I agree that the pros sell guns by convincing people that buying their brand will make you a good shot. I would not want to turn my sport into a job, though; no matter how good I got.

 

[SC-Texas]

If you are getting paid for it, its no longer a hobby.

Soon after you go down this path, it becomes just another J.O.B.!

 

[robertbank]

Ari

I hope you got over to the Washington State Championships in August. Great bunch of guys there and Rick Brenerman and crowd run a very good match. Loads of fun.

If you didn't don't miss it next year.

Take Care

Bob

 

[Navy joe]

Good to see you enjoyed the first matches. As far as all the holster buying why not just use what you carry, at least for IDPA? If what you carry was not good for draws and re-holsters it needed upgraded anyway.

I like the previous suggestions that load and make ready and unload and show clear are not timed events.

Beyond getting experience with what you carry try to let IDPA be the game it is. Learn the rules and be the best you can be within them. There are plenty who get all wrapped up in best tactical practices and the like. No doubt they will win the day when WWIII breaks out somewhere between Victoria's Secret and the pretzel stand at the mall. Have fun with the game and along the way you will pick up plenty of good pistol handling practice you never got just going to the range.

Broaden your horizons, find out what Steel, USPSA, bowling pin matches, etc. are in your area. I'll bet that Duane Thomas knows plenty of them.

Happy shooting!