Newbie to Idpa

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hsiddall

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Jan 10, 2006
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New to idpa. I have not joined or shot a match yet, but I have xd .45 acp. Can I use it and what do i need as far as holster... Any suggestions. I know they have strict rules.
 
You and me both, I'm planning on getting involved real soon but with a G34.
I've been reading their website, linked here in case you don't already have it.
 
Your XD is fine.
You need a strong side holster that does not set the gun more than 3/4" away from your body and does not show a gap under the holster around the belt. Uncle Mike paddle is ok, belt loop is not. Blade Tech is good. I use ReadyTac, there are others. Kydex is best, do not get a flabby nylon holster, it is slow and insecure. You also need carriers for two magazines on your belt and at least three magazines; I had a guy yesterday who had only the two that came with his gun and he was not fully equipped for the match.
Eye and ear protection, a cover garment that you have practiced drawing from under dryfire, and some ammo will see you through. Water, cap, and sunscreen as we get into Spring.
 
I am a newbie to idpa myself. I have shot 5 matches so far and I'm having more fun with a pistol than ought to be allowed. :evil:

Regarding equipment, holsters, etc. I highly recommend that you download and read the IDPA rulebook.
http://idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

I've shot with two local clubs and everyone I've met has been very nice and quick to answer any question I have. Truly a great bunch of folks.
 
I'm not much of a poster but you new guys have drawn me into this one. First, welcome to IDPA. It's a great way to spend an afternoon. Jim Watson gave you guys some good advise, you should follow his recommendations.

As an IDPA Safety Officer I would ask you to do a couple of things:

Try not to go too fast. The most common thing that bites new shooters is trying to go too fast which leads to poor muzzle discipline and putting your finger in the trigger guard at the wrong times. Speed will come with experience.

I really appreciate it when a new shooter comes up to me when I'm working a stage and tells me they are brand new. I'll make sure a new guy gets all the time he or she needs and most importantly has a good time on any stage I'm working. Any SO should go out of their way to help a new shooter. It's all about having fun and being safe. Good luck to you.
 
As another newbie hopeful, I have a holster question. Would a Kydex Yaqui Style Paddle Holster be legal or does it not cover "enough" of the gun?

I went to the idpa PDF file of rules and didn't see it specifically mentioned.
 
It is legal and I have seen several folks using the Kydex or leather version.

As long as it securely retains the weapon and complies with any other holster rules, you will be good to go.
 
frankt,

I appreciate the info! I like the look of the yaqui holster and it is more economical to boot!
 
another question

Hi All

I am also new to IDPA and I have an equipment question. Are the sight paints like bright sights legal in IDPA?
 
Yes.
I use Model Master fluorescent red on the front sight of any gun I don't want or can't find a fibre optic for.

Those Bright Sight paints are expensive and not all that bright compared to model enamel or car body touchup paint applied over a white base coat.

I had a long rant on IDPA startup on my old computer, looks like I need to regenerate it. In short, I have four priorities to get through a shoot.

1. Be safe. Don't hurt anybody, don't scare anybody, don't get disqualified for a safety violation. See the rules.
2. Execute the Course of Fire correctly. Don't get procedural penalties. Pay attention to the description, ask questions, watch more experienced shooters (be sure they did it right before you copy them.)
3. Hit the target. Hit it in the middle (or head if required.)
4. Move along. You should walk before you run, LITERALLY, but don't dally around, your time is your score.

There is a lot of stuff you can practice at home, dryfire. Like drawing from under concealment without getting tangled up. Like the required use of cover - high cover with both feet and at least half of your vitals behind cover - low cover with at least one knee on the ground, shooting around the side of cover, not over the top. Your family will think you strange hiding behind the recliner snapping in at the villains on TV but it will help you in the match.

Read the rules. Learn definitions of things like Tactical Priority and Tactical Sequence. I have casual shooters who have been coming to monthly matches for years who still do not routinely "slice the pie."
 
I am new and am just excited to see all your newbies coming out of the closet.

IDPA has taught me that my (what I thought to be decent) skills are substandard for ANY real world situation. Its a lot of fun and its training all in one.

Be safe, and be slow. I struggle with trying to be fast, but its not helping me learn anything.

One important thing....ask as many questions about the stages as possible and watch what the other shooters do.

Have fun, and be safe.
 
QUOTE;(New to idpa. I have not joined or shot a match yet, but I have xd .45 acp. Can I use it and what do i need as far as holster... Any suggestions. I know they have strict rules.)

Welcome hsiddall,

If you purchassed the XD 45 kit.... The Holster and Mag holder will be just fine.

In reguards to the classes you can shoot in.... If you keep the gun stock, you can shoot in 3 different classes. They are as follow:

SSP-Stock Service Pistol- open to double action or safe action pistols that are 9mm or larger. You load your mags to 10 plus one in the chamber to start. (XD 45 can take 13 rounds plus one in the pipe). This class is great for a first time shooter....

ESP-Enhanced Service Pistol- Open to those in SSP plus Single action guns like 1911's (1911's are a a disadvantage due to round count) that are 9mm or larger. You load to capacity which is 10 plus one in the camber. Keep in mind that Magazine extenders below the base of the grip are not allowed in any class, if they increase the magazine capacity.

CDP-Custom Defensive Pistol- The home of the 1911 and clones... Gun must be a .45ACP round. Magazine class capacity is 8 rounds plus one in the pipe. This is true even if your gun will hold more.

You will need a minium of 3 mags plus the safe equiptment mentioned (Eye, Ear, and Ball Cap-keeps hot brass going between your glasses and eye area, OUCH). A cover garment that will conceal you XD and mag holders with arms out streched to your sides.

Each of the classes mentioned has weight limits and all guns in these classes must fit the IDPA box. You did not say if you got a 4 inch or a 5 inch XD. I know the 4 inch will fit the box. However I have not seen if the 5 inch will. Based on the information that I have seen, Springfield designed the 5 inch to qualify for IDPA... So we can ASSUME that it will fit the box...

Yes, IDPA has a few rules to remember, However, they (we) are very anal (in a good way) about saftey. When you go to your first match, tell the Match Director that this is your first time. He will go through safety rules, range commands, and walk you through the scenarios and scoring. Being your first time DO NOT worry about the timer... Listen to instruction, ask questions and watch the other shooters. Your fellow shooters are a friendly, bunch and will be more than happy to help out a new shooter. In our club, we assign a mentor to a first time shooter to assist them during the match. Everybody in an IDPA club knows what it was to be like to be a first time shooter.... Don't be affraid to ask questions....

The IDPA website is www.idpa.com. The rule book is on line as well. I believe someone posted the link.

Good Luck, and Good Shooting
 
Doctor, I am shocked. The XD is considered by IDPA to be a single action pistol and may not shoot in SSP. It falls under ESP versus all the obsolete .38 Super single stack raceguns or, for the .45, CDP versus the real 1911s. That isn't a problem for a beginner who should not be expecting to win but if you are picking a serious match gun, you can do better.
 
Jim,

I was looking through the "New" rule book (on Line) thinking the same thing. However, looking at pages 17-25, it does not disqualify the XD 45 from the SSP class. Keep also in mind that the XD 9, like the G17 is legal in SSP and ESP and has the same action as the XD 45.

I was also looking for the Gun list in the New rule book and it is not there.... So, tell me were I missed the disqualification in the rule book? Originally thought the XD 45 (when it first came out)would only be legal in CDP...
 
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First off take everyone's advice so far it was all good.

Probably the best advice is to practice some before you go to the match. The first time I tried drawing my gun I almost dropped it!! I am starting to get pretty serious about practicing my draws, reloads, and dry fire. My goal is to practice 4 hours per week of drills in my basement. You probably won't want to be that anal right away, but an hour a week of practice can really pay off when it come time for a match.
 
Hey Doc, here it is on page 17

" single action guns compete in ESP or CDP, depending upon caliber."

SSP has always been for Double action or safe action handguns. The XD 9 is also ESP not SSP.
 
I haven't studied one to see if it meets specifications, but I am seeing a number of them in use by beginning shooters. No problem in a club shoot, but I'd compare it vs the rulebook before wearing it to a sanctioned match.
 
Texas and Gary,

Thanks.... what it comes down to is the XD considered a single action or not. Springfield does not refer to it as such on their website nor did I see it under the IDPA site. The old rule books use to list the guns in a calssification. If it is indeed a Single Action style, then I concure that it will not be eligible for SSP.
 
Question: Is the XD Holster legal in IDPA?

If it holds tight to the body and has no air gap between the holster and belt, then it would be legal. Refer to the pictures in the rule book as to a legal verse not legal holster.....
 
its this very confusion and arbitrary rulemaking regarding guns and holsters that turns me off to IDPA.
 
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