IDPA: What besides Glocks and 1911s? :)

[yhtomit]

One thing I was struck by (figuratively ) at the only IDPA match I've seen this far (last week) is that I think every single one of the dozen-or-so competitors was using either a 1911 pattern pistol or a Glock, and the Glocks were mostly full-size, not compacts or subcompacts. The one competitor I knew had some trouble with his 1911, and switched to his backup gun ... a Glock

Since the idea of IDPA shooting is to help people train with what they carry, I was a little surprised by the larger guns -- on my medium-sized self, I think a smaller gun will sure conceal a lot better (Some of the players were police or ex-police, and they get a pass on that aspect, since I guess they'd normally be open-carrying ...)

Now, one match with a handful of players is no sample size to draw too much from, but how typical is this?

Anyone out there shooting a CZ P-01? XD? Are Five-Sevens IDPA approved?

timothy

 

[eerw]

many people..or I will at least I do..carry a 1911 5" or a CZ75..don't like compacts all that much...most folks that I know..carry a fullsize and/or a 642.

also remember..for most people..IDPA is still game..not training.

 

[HighVelocity]

A lot of people shoot Springfield XD's and S&W M&P pistols in my club along with the regular 1911's and Glocks. I shoot a S&W revolver most of the time.

IDPA is not training. Any time there are rules and score keeping, it's a game. The best thing any shooting sport can do for you is help you become more familiar with your equipment. If you practice with the gun, you will undoubtedly become more proficient with THAT gun.

 

[OH25shooter]

I use a XD in USPSA, but did visit an IDPA match one time. I saw Glocks, CZ, Sig and Beretta autos used and S&W revolvers.

 

[shooter1]

I shoot Glocks/1911s and CZs. I'm starting to see a lot more CZs and XDs, and a sprinkling of M&Ps and 24/7s. No Hi Points as of yet
str1

 

[FieroCDSP]

I've only been to a few local matches, but I've been a lone M&P among Glock, CZ, and 1911's. That said, even with limited experience, I can hold my own. And after seeing some jams with the Glocks (reload and other user error), and having a flawless functional performance from my M&P, I can say I'm glad I have it.

 

[Jim Watson]

I am at present shooting a Sig-Sauer P226, the club pharmacist and the club spook shoot H&K, and the realestate guy a CZ75. There are several XDs around here. But the rest is 1911 and Glock. When they want to exercise their carry guns, they shoot small 1911 and Glock variants because they operate the same.

Don't get too wrapped up in the pious platitudes about what you are supposed to do in IDPA. It is competition and you can do what it takes to win or you can use it for something else. I have seen people shooting their carry guns get very disappointed when they find out how hard it is to get hits with those handy compact guns. They either practice more or make room for a more shootable gun. I really like the flat shape of a Kahr but it is harder for me to shoot well than others and I will have to practice more to feel safe with it... or carry my P225.

You can also test and practice with other gear. Saturday I saw a cop with his offduty rig, one of those SERPA retention holsters. He had apparently not worked much with it, it took him a couple of stages to get used to punching the release on the draw.

 

[jmorris]

You can shoot anything that will meet the requirements set in the rule book. It just so happens that two great choices are the 1911 style for CDP/ESP and the glock for SSP. If your wanting to shoot a division where they don’t dominate (at least in numbers), your looking for ESR or SSR (S&W 686/625).

 

[akanotken]

The floor for regular IDPA guns is 9mm, so no five sevens.

There are usually a lot of different types of guns, and there are usually shooters using carry gear. I think your sampling was a bit small. But the majority of shooters do seem to prefer the Glock and 1911 platform. And the bigger they are the easier they are to shoot!

 

[Dravur]

I have shot

IDPA with a HK P7. Squeeze and shoot

 

[SIRVEYR666]

IDPA with a HK P7. Squeeze and shoot

My buddy shoots a P7 occasionally. He has more money invested in spare mags than I do in the contents of my entire range bag. I believe that they are around $85 to $100 per mag. I've only shot it a few times and I'm not a big fan of it. It works for him, but it's definitely not my cup-o-tea.

 

[Dravur]

Naw

Factory mags for the P7 are about $55. I can usually scrounge a few up for about $40 at gun shows. I purchased my current carry P7 a few years ago from a guy at a gun show for $700 and he handed me a bag with 7 mags. I almost dropped a trouser trout.

I Put night sights on it, bought a Rafter S rig in sharkskin for it, and had the sucker hard chromed. If i get around to it, might have it gold plated, who knows.

I have a couple other "Safe Queen P7s", but this one is my primary carry sweety.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=43598&d=1155786846

 

[Taurus44]

I shoot an XD in the ESP class. Glocks and M&Ps both fall into the SSP class, so I usually see a few more of those than I do XDs. I've been toying with the idea of shooting my STI Spartan in IDPA, but I haven't shot it enough to be 100% confident with it... Yet.

 

[Joe D]

Glocks and 1911s own IDPA. There is a reason for this. Glocks are boring though. Some "Gamers" are looking into using a STI 2011 in .45 ACP for ESP. IMO that defeats the purpose of IDPA. Who ever heard of using a .45 down loaded to a 125 pf. That's blasphemy. A .45 is a manly caliber. Don't try and neuter it.
Bruce Willis would not shoot a down loaded .45!!!!!! You can't blow bad guys off their feet with no stinking down loaded .45.

 

[jmorris]

"Some "Gamers" are looking into using a STI 2011 in .45 ACP for ESP."



It doesn’t work as well as you might think. A 230 poking along at 550fps (in a 625) was a very good load for the old SSR class. Micro amounts of fast powder (clays) made for inconsistent velocitys using ACP brass; however, once you put the same load into the smaller .45 GAP case everything came together, it was very similar to dry firing. The “gamer” ESP load is a 147gr 9mm at a little over 850fps and yes the SV/STI is a good choice.

 

[MarshallDodge]

I almost dropped a trouser trout.

That's funny, I don't care who you are!

 

[cpaspr]

I shoot a Ruger P90 most of the time in IDPA, because that's what I have a holster for. I've also dropped my Sig P239 into the same holster (comes up an inch short, but otherwise fits fine) and used that once.

But I would never carry the Ruger as a CCW. Too big for my frame to hide.

IDPA is a game, but one that allows fairly safe practice of some of the practical aspects of concealed carry - quickdraw from concealment, aim and fire under pressure (granted, artificial pressure), moving while firing, using cover and concealment. And it's a chance to meet with like minded people who don't freak when they see your gun.

 

[sargenv]

IDPA is one area where Revolvers shine. A nice K or L frame Smith with speedloaders in stock revo, or moon clips in the enhanced revolver division are just as good as semi's in most cases. When presented with 3 targets, no need to load with retention, just drop 6 out and put 6 in. I'm kind of surprised that there are not more revolver shooters in IDPA. The MD of the California cup has asked me why I'm not in it.. Reply was I just don't have time with the other matches I'm shooting this year.

Vince

 

[suprmatch]

I have to agree with yhtomit. I wear shorts and a teeshirt most of the summer. How in God's name could I conceal a full sized pistol? I mean when you go places some of the people you see you can pick out a mile away that carry. Now if I wore an overcoat in the summer to hide my 1911 isn't that a little obvious? I have a xd compact I carry that I will be using in IDPA match and I'm sure there will be people using pistols that are not their carry guns. But hey I just want to go have fun and improve my skills, so let them bring what they want.

 

[richardschennberg]

Sigs are good if you don't mind the heavy trigger pull on the first shot. Berettas are O.K. if it is your duty weapon, and Taurus makes a similar gun with a neat feature: you can use the safe decoker and use it for SSP, or leave the hammer cocked and engage the safety for ESP (CDP for .45ACP).
Richard
Schennberg.com

 

[cherryriver]

Here's a slightly different take on what gun you carry versus what gun you shoot IDPA with.
I used to be a little miffed by all the full-sized guns, but then I had to stop and admit- the most likely situation wherein any of us is likely to use a short gun for defensive purposes is inside one's own home. In that case, wouldn't you most likely be using your full-size? I would.
Shooting a "defensive" game makes a little more sense with that in mind.
Meanwhile, I tend to use a Commander for IDPA and have never used a five-incher in scores of IDPA matches. It's just a personal restriction, but I save the five-inchers for USPSA.
I also use four-inch midsize revolvers in IDPA, but competing against 625s is almost silly. Yeah, I know they're sort of in separate classes, but six shots is six shots.
Bill

 

[another okie]

I shoot both my full size 1911 and Glock 17 in IDPA, and occasionally for variety I shoot the Glock 26 that I carry sometimes. I do OK with the little Glock. I do see Berettas and Sigs and now some M & Ps occasionally, but most shooters see a double action / single action handgun as at a disadvantage.

IDPA won't let me shoot me other carry gun, a little Taurus snubbie, because it's ported.