Sniper X
Member
So if you had to explain to someone in a nutshell what the difference was, how would you explain it?
thanks all.....
thanks all.....
on the face of it, USPSA (IPSC) and IDPA are very similar. Both requiring one shooter at a time to negotiate a course of fire as quickly as possible while engaging (shooting) multiple targets from various positions and around obstacles, also while not shooting "non-threat" targets.
USPSA is more of what some call a "run & gun" event. You shoot targets as fast as you can in whatever order you wish, from whatever locations are allowed. There are various divisions to allow competition with off-the-shelf guns, single-stack guns, revolvers, and all the way up to "race" guns with compensators and optic sights. You may drop your magazines and ammo and reload whenever you wish. Concealment garments and the use of positions of cover are not required. USPSA also expands the game to include rifles and shotguns in special two-gun and three-gun matches. USPSA matches tend to higher round counts, and the competition can be extremely fierce, especially as they can have cash prizes.
IDPA was formed as a reaction against some of the "excesses" or "impracticalities" of IPSC. IDPA is supposed to more closely reflect "real-world" shooting scenarios that an average CCW type might have to deal with. It doesn't do this terribly strictly, and isn't much of a substitute for defensive shooting training, but some folks really do enjoy that focus. In IDPA you will be required to shoot from positions of cover (behind corners, obstacles, etc.) instead of from out in the open. You will generally have to wear a coat, jacket, or vest that conceals your handgun. You will have to retain all live rounds while shooting, as the philosophy of the game doesn't allow you to abandon ammunition that you could possibly find a need for later. Reloads are only to be performed in a position of cover, and, again, you can't drop a half-full mag -- you've got to retain it.
Your gun, ammo, holster, and mag pouches must conform to a set of guidelines which try to define what might be practical on the street. (No "Open" class race guns. No competition-only skeleton holsters. Etc.)
IDPA round counts are a bit lower, usually, (maybe 80-120 rds. per club match, rarely more than 250 for a major match). There are no cash prizes, and the competitiveness might be described as a little more relaxed.
Some folks find IDPA to be a bit stifling with all the rules of what you can shoot where and when, where you can reload, etc. Others find them a fun challenge.
IDPA is choreographed
So if you had to explain to someone in a nutshell what the difference was, how would you explain it?
In a nutshell? IPSC is the fun one!