My first shoot...

[EZ CZ75]

I have finally decided to go to a competition handgun shoot. I have never been nor do I know what to expect. I am going to the UDPL F.A.R.M./IDPA shoot on Feb 25. Has anyone else shot out there? Is it worth it? What can I expect treatment wise? How much will I get to shoot? Are they fairly open to newbies to the sport? How much ammo should I have? How many mags should I have?

Any information about this would be a big help.

I plan on shooting my CZ 75BD 9mm. Should I take a .40 or 10mm instead? Will 9mm do what I need it to (asuming it is accurate)?

 

[ACP230]

Your 9mm should work fine. Make sure your mags are good and the gun likes the ammo you have. Problems I've had in IDPA came mostly from bad mags.

IDPA can be a lot of fun. Most shooters are quite willing to help first timers have a good experience.

 

[HankB]

If it's your very first shoot, your #1 priority should be don't get yourself disqualified for a safety violation.

Most IDPA clubs welcome newbies and will cut them some slack when it comes to procedural (i.e., point) penalties, but there's no slack cut for safety violations.

Be aware of where your muzzle is pointing ALL THE TIME, especially in stages where you have to move laterally - possibly more than once, and both left to right and right to left. People in back waiting to shoot don't like to have guns pointed at them.

I remember one newbie showed up for his first IDPA match, and on the very first stage he tried to draw too fast, and fired a round into the ground about a foot in front of his toe.

First match, first stage, one shot, and he was through for the day.

Good holster, good mags and mag carriers, reliable pistol, ammo, eye & ear protection, maybe a cover garment, and you should be good to go. 9mm is fine, .40 or 10mm gives no advantage.

 

[EZ CZ75]

Thanks for the info. Besides the general duh safety issues, are there any others. I know that some ranges require one to prove that the chamber isn't loaded to the RO. Should I expect this? I am origianlly from Wyoming so I have never had an RO to even deal with before.