First Idpa Match - Absolutely Awesome!

[bradvanhorn]

For those who saw my post yesterday, well tonight was the IDPA match, and it was TOTALLY AWESOME! I've never had more fun shooting than I did tonight. The match was exceptionally well organized, managed, and all the shooters were as friendly as could be (especially in helping the new guy). I'm sure I had everyone wondering who the new idiot was, because after I shot each stage I know I wandered about with a big goofy grin on my face for a while.

I think I shot pretty well, although it doesn't really matter because it was FUN! I shot ESP/Unclassified, and overall I shot about the same as the low Sharpshooters (high 80 seconds). No Masters showed up, and the Experts pretty much hovered around the high 60 seconds mark. Sharpshooters were mostly in the 80's, and Marksman were mostly in the low 100's. I was actually very surprised to find out I had the best time for the 1st Stage out of the ESP shooters, and was 4th overall on the 1st stage. So, aside from having a ton of fun, I actually did o.k. too.

Of course now I'm totally addicted! How can I go back to the regular shooting bay now?! I'm ruined!

Well anyway, I had a really great time, and I can't wait for June to arrive, since they are going to run two matches as well as a classifier. This is gonna be great!

Best Regards - Brad

 

[Jim Watson]

Ah-HA!
We have you hooked.

I currently shoot and prefer IDPA, but have shot in several other sports over the past 35 years, and still do them to some extent for fun and to develop other skills. The main thing is to shoot in competition, in company, with records and goals.

I just do not see how anybody manages to keep up any interest or enthusiasm in solitary shooting, or even blastin' with the buds with no format or score. If I had not been turned from breaking rocks to shooting trap within two years after graduating college and being able to afford serious guns, I'd probably be playing golf by now.

 

[cadfael]

Congrats and welcome....

As long as you shoot safely, and do your share of pasting targets, you will always be welcome at almost any match. (Even if you shoot faster than I do)

Out of curiosity, where was the match?

Adam

 

[bradvanhorn]

Hi Adam. The match was at Norfolk County Rifle Range. They explained the irony of that name to me, since there is no Norfolk County (at least not anymore), and there is no longer a rifle range, which went away when the 664 freeway was put in.

I did plenty of target pasting, and also helped pick up range trash before I left. Most everyone disappeared shortly after shooting the course, but I enjoyed hanging around and helping, chatting with the remaining shooters, and watching the last few shooters run the course. I would have stayed to help with the final clean up, but I had to get home early (9pm). Next time I'll plan to stay for the duration so I can help.

Once I get to understand the rules better I'll probably try for my range officer certification. I like helping out, and the ROs looked like they could use another motivated volunteer so they could get a break once in a while.

What do you guys have going up in Richmond? I really hate that drive up 64, but I suppose I wouldn't mind it as much if I get to shoot in an entertaining match. (I'm so addicted; I'm ready to shoot again right now!)

 

[cadfael]

Brad,

Within an hour and a half drive of Richmond, there are 3 clubs that have regular IDPA matches.
Black Creek (2nd Saturday of the month) near the airport,
Cavalier (last sunday of the month) in Montpelier, and
Rivanna (3rd Saturday) near Charlottesville.

Also, as a fairly new SO, any help is always appreciated, especially in the middle of the summer when the humidity and the temp are both in the 90's. Everybody running these matches is a volunteer.

Welcome to the sport, be save, have fun, and good luck,

Adam

 

[Navy joe]

That's cool, unfortunately social commitments kept me from shooting last night. I'll see you at NCRR eventually. Next step is IPSC down at Blackwater.

 

[Jeeper]

I just do not see how anybody manages to keep up any interest or enthusiasm in solitary shooting, or even blastin' with the buds with no format or score. If I had not been turned from breaking rocks to shooting trap within two years after graduating college and being able to afford serious guns, I'd probably be playing golf by now.

Jim,

I couldnt agree more. Shooting paper would bore teh hell out of me after a while. Competition of some kind is here its at.

Brad,
Glad you had a good time. Now if you want to know how much room there is to improve, go watch or shoot in a big match. There are levels you dont know about yet.

 

[bradvanhorn]

Now if you want to know how much room there is to improve, go watch or shoot in a big match. There are levels you dont know about yet.

Yep, of that I'm totally sure. I went through some training with D.R. Middlebrooks (multiple World Shootoff Championships, multiple IDPA State Championships, at least one IDPA National Championship) last month, and his demos really illustrate how slow the rest of us are. Seeing his protege, Daniel Horner - about 16yrs old - who can beat just about anybody, in action is equally sobering. I heard (perhaps incorrectly) that Daniel beat everyone except Dave Sevigny (worlds fastest Glock shooter) at a regional match not long ago. Well anyway, they all make me look exceedingly slow, so I know there's plenty of opportunity for me to learn and improve.


I heard Blackwater is possibly going to run a steel challenge match (or something similar) next month, and I think that would be a lot of fun. I don't ever get to shoot steel (except that one time at D.R.s), and there's nothing like that "ding" to give you a little extra satisfaction with your shots. Now that I've discovered the first of the local club matches, I'm sure I'll start finding more shooting events nearby (regardless of affiliation) to keep me entertained.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Congrats! To a fellow "Beaming Newbie"

Of course now I'm totally addicted! How can I go back to the regular shooting bay now?! I'm ruined!

I'm also in my "rookie season" of IDPA.

I recently shot a Classifier...made high MM in SSP...only a few seconds from SS. Try to get in some practice on Stage 3 if you can...you may find you are a Stage 1/2 expert/sharpshooter, but a Stage 3...Marksman/Novice...Stage 3 can really do you in if you aren't ready for it.

I hear you on the stationary shooting thing. Of course, there is value in returning to the fundamentals...it's the basis of everything you do in IDPA. Fast draw, quick reloads...not much good if you can't hit what you aim it. Sometimes I have to force myself to do some stationary stuff...I shot 50 rounds at 25-yards last night, then did a dry-run classifier...my Stage 3 times and accuracy continue to improve...largely because I continue stationary practice at longer distances...don't walk away from it completely .

By the way, I finished with another 10 rounds at 25-yards...6 -0, 4 -1 very close to -0...this was with split times in the .75 second range (reasonably quick for me at that distance - pathetic I'm sure to many more seasoned competitors).

Another benefit of stationary shooting at long distance, it sharpens you for Stage 1 of the Classifier when you are shooting stationary Head Shots. You have 9 in all you have to make...I've seen some very good/fast shooters get sloppy on their HS in Stage 1 and mess up their score...Head shots are ALL-OR-NOTHING in Stage 1. Shooting solid groups at 25-yards (I still hope to get there some day) will make the 7-yard head shots a walk in the park.

Keep with it, it's a great investment in time and money. I'm not sure there's more fun to be had in pistol shooting than IDPA right now...and I've not found a nicer group of shooters than at IDPA matches.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[sturmruger]

I am in kind of the same boat as you, but I have been shooting USPSA.

As a few other guys have said "it is the most fun you can have with your clothes on!"