Going to start doing IDPA

[S&W-M&P360-3INCH]

Hello all...

I have decided that I want to start going to IDPA Matches at the club/range I'm a member of. Now, I have already read the rule book at least 4 times so I'm set on that part.

I was thinking of using my newest gun, a Walther PPS 40S&W along with 6 Round Magazines. (I decided to go with the 6 Round Magazines because I feel that the 7 Round Magazines make the grip a little longer then I like). I have purchased 5 more, 6 round magazines, 2 magazine pouches, and some IWB Holsters. Once I get the extra magazines and the holsters, I'm going to start practicing drawing, re-holstering, and reloads.

Do you think the PPS would be a good gun to use in IDPA? (The PPS is also going to be my new Concealed Carry Firearm). My next gun choice for IDPA would be a S/A XDM 3.8 Compact 40S&W or 9mm.

I'd actually like to use my S&W M&P 360 .357 Magnum but that only holds 5 rounds.

Anyways..If you guys have any helpful tips or information that I could use, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[btg3]

The main thing is to "just do it".

Undoubtedly, you will return many times and have sufficient opportunity to explore the options that you mention.

Other stuff:
Range bag
Water + snack
Boots or something strudier than sneakers
Hat with brim
Eye and ear protection (electronic muffs can help you hear range commands)

Give us a report after your first match!

 

[TeamPrecisionIT]

For IDPA you may be better off with the XDm simply due to magazine capacity. If you read the rule book you will notice that your class with the PPS will still be SSP - Stock Service Pistol. The division capacity for SSP is 10 rounds in the magazine.

While granted, the four round advantage may not seem like much on paper, trust me, when competing, it is. If you are going solely for practice purposed, then that won't matter. But if you are looking to actually be competitive, your choice in gun is going to be a hindrance. Think about it this way: If the stage calls for 19-20 rounds, you will have done two magazine changes when I have only done one. That makes a big difference in time!

With all that being said, you should go out there with every gun you own at least once and then make the decision as to what you want to run. But you have to just get out there and do it. Experience will help you out and its a lot of fun.

Damian

 

[btg3]

Think about it this way: If the stage calls for 19-20 rounds...

"No string of fire may exceed a maximum requirement of eighteen (18) rounds."
--rule CoF19, IDPA Official Rule Book, April 15, 2005

Your point about reloads is well taken, but the round count figures needed clarification.

 

[CatsEye]

What people use depends on what they want out of IDPA. Some people are all about the competition and do as much as the rules allow. Other people shoot their carry guns because they want to be good with them. For your question, if the PPS is your new carry gun and you have all the stuff for it then that is what I would use. After you have been shooting for a while you will know enough to actually know what you want to do.

 

[S&W-M&P360-3INCH]

Well I'll be going to the matches just for fun and not really for the competition. I'll see if I even use the PPS seeing as that is having some FTE Issues.

 

[Jim Watson]

Then get the SOB fixed. There is no excuse for putting up with a junk gun of a high end brand and high price like that.

You can certainly shoot IDPA with it even though you will be reloading more often than people with 10 round magazines. If you want to exercise your carry gun that is fine. If you want to score high, you will get something else.

 

[Wedge]

I am pretty green at IDPA, but have to agree that you need to just do it. You'll figure out which gun you want to use more after shooting a couple of matches.

 

[Logan5]

The gun you start with dosen't really matter as much as the "software," but go give it a shot and see how you feel about your gear. What you're actually running is a distressingly small part of the equation sometimes.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

I just started IDPA last year and the one thing I noticed is that almost all of the people that shoot IDPA wear a tan shooting vest, is there a reason for the vest or is it part of the rules? I had most everything else I needed for my first match and by the end of the match I did notice that the flannel I was wearing was kind of in the way when reholstering my g17.

 

[Jim Watson]

The only reason for the vest is that it is stiff enough to clear the holster, has pockets for your barney bullet, etc., and is cooler in summer. There is nothing in the rules about it and indeed there are a lot of Internet Tacticians who will make fun of it.

There is no reason not wear any sort of concealment garment you like, as long as it does not result in an unsafe condition. (I got tangled up in one of those parka waistline drawstrings once, launched an AD for a DQ and got more serious about my shooting attire.)
I wear an aloha shirt every once in a while just to make the range more colorful. But I am not as fast as from under a vest.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

IMO, I would use the gear you plan to use in real life. Jeff Cooper thought the main purpose for these kinds of competitions was to learn what would and woudnt work in real life. You will have fun no matter what. Its a great learning opportunity.

 

[Johnny Lightning]

The funny thing is that I didn't even care about my score...it was more about learning and having fun.