First IDPA Match

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BlayGlock

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I finally got down to shoot my first IDPA match. It was a blast (literally). Here are two things I learned:

1. Smooth is fast.
2. Concentrate really hard on the front sight.

Any more advice?

I was told that I shot really well for a first timer.The SO said that I move like a cop (good I hope.) All the people there were very helpful, nice folks. If you havent ever shot one do yourself a favor and try it once.
 
Practice reload with retention and tactical reloads. Also, practice reloading from slide lock.

Remember, your gun is loaded as soon as the fresh mag is SEATED (and slide forward if from slidelock) and you can move to the next position as you stow the partial mag.
 
Like David said, practice all of the skills you use at the match. I usually practice drawing, reloads etc at 70% speed to ensure the actions are correct. No need to practice bad habits. Concentrate more on being safe right now than anything else. If you keep trying to be smooth and keep watching the front sight you should continue to shoot well.

Try to be aware of what you are doing while shooting and don't get ahead of yourself. Is your trigger pull smooth, are you seeing the front sight on the target then seeing it lift out of the notch? Don't shoot faster than you can see.

Glad you had a good time. It is a lot of fun isn't it.
 
I seem to remember hearing an S.O. make that same comment last night. Were you at Thunder?

Glad you enjoyed it. It's a fun sport!
 
Highly recommended training. Did it for several years and placed with a revolver. Plus-one on the smoothness and 70% speed suggestions above. Be deliberate and get both shots in the target area. The more you do it, the better you'll get.
 
That Burkett video is good, but I'd point you to Lessons 1-3 and 4 before that one.

The main thing to remember is not to go faster than your ability allows. Any monkey can pull the trigger in .12 splits, but you need skill to make them hits. Do a lot of dry fire, and use your actual rig (check Ben Stoeger's site for some really good dryfire tips).

Dryfire for competition/carry isn't like traditional dry fire. :)
 
This is a repost to a USPSA match, but most of the information shoot apply to IDPA as well.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=6209874#post6209874

Match shooting is fun and people involved in the match stage setup are there to help you enhance your shooting (although some of us do try to stump shooters :rolleyes:). If you have not done match shooting, go and watch some of local club shoots (spectators are always welcome) and you may end up participating. It's all about having fun and improving your shooting skills by putting them to challenges.

IDPA matches utilize a lot more use of cover and obstacles and our USPSA matches over the years have adapted more of IDPA's real world shooting situations where we now have to shoot prone, shoot lying on side, shoot under objects, and shoot moving targets (sliders, swingers and pop ups). We have failed/injured gun stages where we start with a stove piped gun, allowed to shoot only with one hand (to include mag changes and slide actuation with one hand) and weak hand only shooting. I do like the more reality oriented shooting of IDPA, but continue to enjoy the fast pace of USPSA shooting where speed is more of a factor. Glad we have multiple match options for different interests.

Depending on how much time you have, try setting up a stage with several targets at different distances (5-15 yards) and work on your front sight flash/double-taps. Make accuracy/efficiency higher on the priority than speed - speed will come with time/practice. If live shooting practice is not available, set up some mock up stages at home and do walk throughs with your pistol.

And yes, smooth is fast.

Look at some YouTube videos to get match/staging ideas. Learn from masters (Rob Leatham, Todd Jarrett and others) and duplicate what works from the beginning and don't reinvent the wheel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6UtpCX82Pc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n091somWoI&feature=related


Instructional videos youtube (Plenty more on YouTube):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KEOFLExpCs&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqIHZ7oLTh8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuVPKYKB1LQ&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io342N-Bs40&feature=related

I found that new shooters (and seasoned shooters too) benefit from video taping the shoot of your performance and reviewing later to point out areas of improvement - stance/posture, grip quality, sight alignment to head/front sight flash time, efficiency of mag change, smooth movement between targets (your head/sights should move as a unit), etc. - same as football team reviewing tapes.

Have fun and keep an open mind to soak up from other seasoned shooters (their coaching may be invaluable because they can see what you are doing wrong and point out how to improve your performance).
Click to expand...
 
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Glad to have you out there. It's a great group to shoot with, and a there's a lot of top talent plays at Thunder!

--Chris
 
Baby Glock,
Just curious. Did you shoot a G26? The reason I ask is that I got my wife one for Christmas, took her shooting and she did quite well except she kept wanting to shoot my G30.
Anyway, she's set for an IDPA training class. I am getting started in IDPA, myself, and it is just about the most fun I've ever had shooting. First match, using a stock, 91 year old GI 1911 I took 2nd in CDP and was the "most accurate" shooter. Beginner's luck. Well, I've been shooting for 50 years including competitive smallbore rifle and handgun silhouette. Used the 1911 as my Glock 30 wasn't here yet and didn't want to use a revolver. FYI, the 30 is a very nice, accurate handgun as is the 26!
So, did you use the 26?
 
Duh! I misread "BlayGlock". Thought it said "BabyGlock." I play on using her G26 to shoot a match and was thinking......... What did you use?
 
I used a G19. I got my hands on a brand new SA 9mm 1911 Loaded model. I might use it this month or just keep using my G19. IDPA is fun.
 
Practice your reload. get you magazine fast but slow down a bit when you index your mag in your magwell so you can positively charge your weapon. Put distance between you and the barricades so that you can present your weapons properly and it is faster, don't collapse yourself in the barricades. So many people do this. Learn to present your weapon while in concealment before looking/leaning to the targets so that you are ready to shoot when the targets presents. Again this is subtle actions that speeds up you shooting and discourage laziness. Learn to do your reloads in your workspace (in your front looking downrange). It's not only good for IDPA but for tactical defense as well. You want to see what's coming at you even you are doing your reloads. Master your breathing, trigger press and trigger follow up because this is the base and it is easy to ignore this basic fundamental when you are thinking about speed. If you master already your trigger then speed will automatically come. Be safe, always point your weapon downrange. Last but not the least enjoy, and have some fun.
 
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Thanks smoothdraw. One of the first things I noticed was a tendency to crowd the barricade, and so I made an effort to not do that.
 
Setting up a small mock up of stage at home for practice really helps (I use free cardboard box cut up as targets). This way you can practice your walk-throughs, stance, cover/barricade use, mag changes, etc.

At the range, I use 1/2 sheet 8x11 copy paper taped side by side (one lower) to practice double taps (You can also move onto 1/4 sheet with practice).

Smooth is fast.

I went from heavily modified 1911 to stock G22 and never looked back.

Looks like you are having fun, which is the key. :D
 
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