Trying my hand at IDPA - what do I need to know?

[mgmorden]

Ok, I'm mostly a USPSA shooter (haven't been doing even that for TOO long, but I've got about 10 matches under my belt now and feel pretty comfortable with that ruleset). However, this being a 5-weekend month there is almost nothing of note to be found around here except for a GSSF match (which I would try but I don't own a Glock), and one unofficial IDPA-style "fun" match. They're using zombie targets - it won't be official, just "mostly" following IDPA rules.

So, having nothing else to do, I figured I'd give the fun match a try.

I know the following differences:

1. I can't wear my cleats.
2. I can't wear my CR-speed styled belt.
3. I need to draw from concealment (just gonna use a button-up shirt that I'll leave unbuttoned and flip that over the gun).
4. I need to use cover as available.
5. I need to either shoot a mag empty or store it in a pocket (no partially filled mags on the ground).

I've verified that my gun and holster are legal for SSP.

Any other major gotchas I should know about?

Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

IDPA-style "fun" match... "mostly" following IDPA rules.

Nobody knows but the operators.
What they think of as "style" and which rules fall into "mostly" and which don't, you just have to attend and find out.
Your nos 3,4,5 are frequently disregarded by outlaw matches. This one? I dunno.

 

[waktasz]

Your number 5 is almost right.

Shoot til slide lock or you have to pocket the mag, even if it's empty!

 

[jmorris]

I would see about contacting the md. I have seen idpa(ish) matches where they allowed people to compete with USPSA gear, yes even open pistols, for "trigger time".

 

[ny32182]

As an IDPA shooter, if I were attending an "IDPA-like fun match", I would ask them to go over the following at the shooter meeting:

1) Reload rules
2) Cover rules
3) Concealment rules (required or not?)
4) Capacity rules

These are the four biggest things that would be foreign to you as a USPSA shooter trying IDPA for the first time. As mentioned, if it is an outlaw match it is impossible for anyone but the MD to predict which IDPA rules will be in place and which won't.

 

[mgmorden]

Thanks guys. Not positive, but I'm guessing they'll stick relatively close to the standard rules. The club is IDPA affiliated and does run standard IDPA matches as well - they just run the "fun" match on the 5th Saturday when a month has one.

 

[rduckwor]

Be safe, listen to the SO, and have fun.

 

[RNB65]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGgVY6Ref4I