How many mags for IDPA?

[ojibweindian]

The club I go to has once a month IDPA matches and I want to take part. How many mags, within reason, are needed to adequately participate?

Right now, I only have two 10 round magazines for my CZ-75. And in case anyone wants to know, I will be competing in the ESP class.

 

[ChristopherG]

If your club is like mine, you just need one more, and even that is actually optional. It's nice to have a third mag you can use to top off (which IDPA rules require on many scenarios including a mag change). You can just load this topping-off mag once and use it for all your stages, reloading your other mags to capacity each time.

 

[MonkeyMan]

I shoot IDPA in all three semiauto categories and three mags is plenty. If the COF is a low round count you can usually get by with two. If you have a standard capacity mag (i.e. more than 10) for your CZ-75 you can load 11 in it and use it as you first mag instead of using a "Barney" mag to top off your pistol.

 

[ChristopherG]

'Barney' mag? I like it, but I've never heard it before; whence comes it?
cg

 

[MonkeyMan]

I have no idea where "Barney mag" comes from but if'n I had to take a SWAG, it would be from Barney Fife and his one bullet since that's all your loading. I picked it up from the folks I shoot IDPA with. I'm also sort of partial to the purple dinosaur theory of;

"Just one shot, gimme one shot at him ... "

 

[ChristopherG]

Well, I'll adopt it, and run with the Fife etymology. Boy, those IDPA shoots can be a blast, eh? Thanks, M.L., and good luck, ojib-, you'll have fun.
cg

 

[MonkeyMan]

M.L.?

While being confused with Monkeyleg is certainly a compliment, I wouldn't want to start any nasty rumors.

Or is that just some psychoanalytical underwear being aired?

(You know, a Freudian slip)

You're right about IDPA being a whole bunch of fun though.

Shoot safe,
Stay safe.

 

[ChristopherG]

Whoops, wherever did that one come from

 

[Billy Sparks]

If the question is how many are needed the answer is 3. If the question is how many makes it a whole lot more fun, a bunch. I shot a P229 in 9mm I have 8 or 9 mags for it. I try to keep two fully loaded ones in my mag pouch and a thrid in my pocket. It allows me to move faster and easier through the stages. I will generally shot 2-3 stages before I have to stop and load mags.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I take a bunch of mags. Why? That way I'm not using the same 3 mags over and over again. I usually have 7 or more. You can only carry two spare while you are shooting... but if you load them all up before you go, you save time on the stages where you could be helping tape and brass.

And unless your CZ-75 is the SA model you'd be in SSP. ESP is sort of the red headed stepchild of IDPA.. a place for folks with single action 9mm's to play.

 

[Soap]

You need at bare minimum one more mag. I normally bring seven to IDPA shoots.

 

[Limited10Tom]

I shoot my CZ 85 Combat in Stock Service Pistol in IDPA. Wonderful pistol.
Note that in SSP the first shot must be double action.
My 85 does not have a decocker so I very carefully lower the hammer after chambering the first round.
If you don't have a decocker you should practice this before the match. Unloaded of course.
You may want to look at czforum to find out how to bend the spring in the butt of the pistol to allow the mags to drop free.
As everyone else stated three mags are enough.
More are better.

 

[10-Ring]

I have one in the gun, 2 on my hip and 3 more in pockets.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I agree with the consensus above, in this case more is better.

 

[M1911]

Yup, three is the minimum. You can get by just fine with three. Four would be better. No real need beyond that, other than "just because."

 

[Dr.Who]

ChristpherG... The Barney mag came for the Andy Griffin Show (Black and White) Barney Fife was the deputy who could not keep a loaded gun on his belt without shoot'n the floor, foot, or what ever... The sheriff, Andy, made him remove all rounds from his side arm when in the holster. Andy only allowed Barney to carry one round in the shirt pocket for emergency. Hence, the one round that we load to top off is a Barney Round... When you win your million with this trivia, keep me in mind... Enjoy

 

[Beorn]

Okay, let us consult the "Book of Armaments."

Sorry, Monty Python came to mind...

The IDPA rules book states, 'A maximum of two (2) spare magazines carried in 2 single pouches or 1 double pouch or three (3) speedloaders may be worn at any time. One additional magazine may be carried on the person for "charging" purposes only.'

So, you should have 3 of them. That being said, I'd have a few more just in case. You may not be able to carry more during a string of fire, but it will cut down on reloading time, save the springs, whatever.

In addition, I'd have a few extra just for the Classifier. You know, the parts where you have to load just a few reounds in the magazine for a slide-lock reload... (string 6 of Stage 1 and string 3 of Stage 2).

And while we're at it, you might even want a few magazines dedicated to practice 'reload with retention.' But that might be pushing it.

Best of luck for your shooting!

 

[ojibweindian]

Okay, several magazines it is. I'll try the Pro-Mags.

An unrelated question; I can, and do, carry my CZ-75B in single action mode. Since that is possible, can't I compete in ESP instead of SSP?

I'm pretty sure that the CZ-75B is approved for ESP.

 

[Poohgyrr]

I often use my .40 Hi Power in ESP at our local club.

Some stages require two mag changes, so you need three.

Our club requires IPSC's "pull the trigger at end of stage to verify your chamber is empty" and for some pistols with "mag safties" you may need an empty mag to do this. That could mean a fourth mag. More mags are better

And yes, those CZ's with single action capability can be used in ESP (www.IDPA.com).

In any case, enjoy the matches.

 

[Diesle]

Dont worry about bending the CZ springs to make the mags drop free.... Remove the mag. brake spring entirely.


Diesle

 

[M1911]

Dont worry about bending the CZ springs to make the mags drop free.... Remove the mag. brake spring entirely.

I did that and it works fine for me. But then I had some novices using the gun and they would put the magazine it at an incorrect angle and it would catch on the mainspring assembly. So, I'm going to put the drop-free brake spring in.