some IDPA questions

[maksim]

Copied from my local forum...
http://www.njgunforums.com/forums/some-idpa-questions--t862.html

From all that I have read, you can have a max of 10rds per magazine, but would one be ok with a 9+1?

Is a 9mm adviseable vs a 45?
How many rounds of ammo would one need for a typical match?
3 mags required or 2 will do?

 

[loop]

I've been shooting IDPA for about 12 years and shoot only .45 so I may not have the most current info on 9mm, but...

Max of 10 rounds per mag. That means 10+1 in first load. I see no reason that 9+1 would place you at a significant disadvantage.

The 9mm shooters generally have better times than the .45 shooters, but they also usually end up in different classes so it does not yield a competitive advantage. Check out the various classes on the IDPA Web site for specific class information. I've been in Custom Defensive Pistol for so long I've forgotten what the other class-specific info is. I know there haven't been any 9mms in my class that I can recall.

A typical course of fire will be 18 rounds or less. I've been to matches that have as many as seven courses of fire, but they are usually very fast courses when you have that many and do not include a high round count.

I have never gone through 100 rounds in a match.

Three mags are advisable. A course of fire may only be 18 rounds if you shoot it perfectly, but you may want extra shots if it includes a steel plate you have to knock down that you have missed a couple times, you drop a mag by accident or have a mag malfunction. I would not think of going to the firing line with fewer than three mags.

Remember, it is about having fun and meeting like-minded people. You are really just doing it to improve your own abilities anyway.

 

[CatsEye]

In reverse order.

Three mags are needed. Not all stages require that many but the COF can call for up to three.

Most club matches will shoot 4-6 stages so 70 to 80 rounds is about average. I usually take 100 to this type match.

Most .45 shooters are in CDP class while 9mm guns are in SSP or ESP classes. The 9mm shooters are usually a little quicker but it isn't significant.

From the IDPA rule book:
Be loaded to the division capacity of ten (10) rounds in the
magazine plus one (1) round in the chamber. Should division
capacity not be achievable because of lower magazine
capacity, load to maximum mechanical capacity of magazine
plus one (1) round in the chamber.

 

[RH45]

It doesn't matter what you shoot. You will be put in the division with similar guns. You will need three mags.

I wouldn't show up at a match with less than 200 rounds. Even though MOST are less than 100, I've been to some that are up to 150 rounds, or, have had to do re-shoots.

 

[Howard B]

Yes to all of the above. 9mm is lots cheaper to shoot.

 

[RobMoore]

The perceived disadvantage you may feel having one less round than everyone else (using 9 round magazines) will probably be made up by the fact that you're starting with an even number, and the majority of the courses of fire you will face have a series of cardboard targets requiring 2 rounds each (normally 6 of them, to require everyone to reload somewhere).

You will be reloading between target 5 and 6, whereas the folks with 10 round magazines will be reloading in between their 2 shots on #6. Advantage, you.

 

[maksim]

good one Rob, thanks.

i am just deciding between shooting the XD in 45gap, or CZ 9mm 15rd.

 

[frankt]

Our monthly matches usually require around 100 rounds and I always have 150 with me.
I believe most if not all Czs will put you in ESP and you will want to be shooting the 9mm there.

 

[David E]

Unless you already own the XD in .45 Gap, it wouldn't be a good choice.

The CZ mags can only be loaded up to 10 rds.

 

[David E]

(with 9 + 1) You will be reloading between target 5 and 6, whereas the folks with 10 round magazines will be reloading in between their 2 shots on #6. Advantage, you.

This is an often overlooked consideration.

My gun allows me the choice between 9+1 and 10+1. When possible, I look at the stages online to see which capacity would have the most benefit. The last two major matches found me going with 9+1 and I won 3 titles.

If I am going into it cold, then I still go 9+1

 

[Gary G23]

SSP and ESP have a max capacity of 10 + 1.
CDP has a max capacity of 8 + 1.
You have to use the same capacity throughout the entire match.

"From all that I have read, you can have a max of 10rds per magazine, but would one be ok with a 9+1?"

If you mean using two mags with 10 + 1 and another one with 9 + 1 the answer is no.

 

[David E]

If you mean using two mags with 10 + 1 and another one with 9 + 1 the answer is no.

Correct.

But you COULD carry them all with 9+1

 

[btg3]

Three mags are needed. Not all stages require that many but the COF can call for up to three.

I wouldn't hesitate to shoot an informal match with 2 mags. You may not have a great score IF one of the stages calls for a 3rd mag, but just let the S.O. know you're a newbie and have fun. Much better than not shooting. I've need a 3rd magazine once out of a dozen matches.

 

[CatsEye]

I've need a 3rd magazine once out of a dozen matches.

Agreed. On several occasions I have shot local matches and never touched my 3rd mag.

 

[hankfan79]

Ok lets do this right.

1. Get more than 3 magazines. If a bay has more than one stage and you happened to be the last shooter on one stage, then the first shooter on the next, you want to have mags ready and not be fumbling around. Also want to have more in case one breaks on you. I carry about 6-10 for a sanctioned match.

2. Max round count on ANY IDPA stage is 18.

3. 9+1 offers a advantage to a more experienced shooter. You will find that some 1911 9mm shooters often do this.

4. 9mm offers a huge advantage over .45 acp in the issues of recoil and ammo expense(unless you reload).

5. You must have the EXACT number round mags per stage for a match. If you start 9+1, you must use that exact formula for the entire match and vice versa with 10+1. Do not change during a match. That is illegal and is just plain sorry to cheat to grab a advantage based on a stage.

6. Local matches can be anywhere from below 100 to above. Typical sanctioned matched are 150 and above. I just shot a match that had 16 stages and almost 250 rounds.

Good luck and welcome to the sport.

 

[Sam1911]

Ok lets do this right.

Yes, lets:

2. Max round count on ANY IDPA stage is 18.

Not quite...

CoF 19. No string of fire may exceed a maximum requirement of eighteen (18) rounds.

A stage may feature multiple strings. I've shot stages in sanctioned matches that required 36 shots -- two strings of 18.

Otherwise, good info and/or opinions.

-Sam

 

[btg3]

1. Get more than 3 magazines. If a bay has more than one stage and you happened to be the last shooter on one stage, then the first shooter on the next, you want to have mags ready and not be fumbling around. Also want to have more in case one breaks on you. I carry about 6-10 for a sanctioned match.

At the local club here, we encourage new shooters:
a) It's free. No fee charged.
b) You get to shoot each stage last and watch how it's done before your turn.
c) If you only have 2 mags, no big deal.

If you like it and want to come back, you'll probably decide to get a 3rd mag just in case. If you get all sanctioned and everything, then there's no telling where that will lead.

 

[Sam1911]

5. You must have the EXACT number round mags per stage for a match. If you start 9+1, you must use that exact formula for the entire match and vice versa with 10+1. Do not change during a match. That is illegal and is just plain sorry to cheat to grab a advantage based on a stage.

Yes... that's illegal during a match. Might even go so far as to say it's "just plain sorry" to change your mag capacity to grab an advantage based on a stage.

But...

3. 9+1 offers a advantage to a more experienced shooter. You will find that some 1911 9mm shooters often do this.

My gun allows me the choice between 9+1 and 10+1. When possible, I look at the stages online to see which capacity would have the most benefit. The last two major matches found me going with 9+1 and I won 3 titles.

... is perfectly legal, ethical -- righteous, even! Remember, kids, it is NOT "just plain sorry" to change your mag capacity to grab an advantage based on several stages making up an entire match.

-Sam (Who knows that revolver shooters are the only honest men!)

 

[Jim Watson]

Actually, what the rules say is:

E. Be loaded to the division capacity of ten (10) rounds in the
magazine plus one (1) round in the chamber. Should division
capacity not be achievable because of lower magazine
capacity, load should be to maximum mechanical capacity of
magazine plus one (1) round in the chamber. Competitors
must use the same capacity magazines through out the
competition (Example: if you start with a 9 round magazine,
you must use that capacity magazine throughout the match).

There is no provision that allows you to load your 10 round magazines with 9 if you see an advantage to it, even all the way through. If you want to game it to that extent, you would have to have two sets of magazines to be legitimate.

 

[hankfan79]

Yes. You are correct there Sam1911.

What I meant was changing the mags DURING a match. Heck, I might even look at a COF to see which is better(if online before hand). This is the same way some shooters pick which division they are going to shoot in.

Your right also Jim. Unless someone in your squad rats you out because they saw you reload on the 10th round and not the 11th on a different stages.

 

[RobMoore]

If you have a mix of 9 rounders and 10 rounders, you are allowed to download the 10s to match the 9s for the whole match.

I only have a few 7s, and some 8s for my 1911. So when I shoot CDP I load them all to 7.

 

[Howard B]

With any luck we should have confused him pretty well by now. And the three opening questions seemed so simple and straightforward..... See what happens when people don't get to go to the range as often as their needs require????

 

[maksim]

lol. thank you for all of the advice.

Some great points to remember. I will be reloading for the XD 45gap anyway, so will probly shoot a few matches with that, and recently picked up another HK P30l in a 9mm, so may try that.

Will go to a local match here in a week. Between all the clubs running idpa, there is a match almost weekly.