Two new to IDPA.

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So, I've been planning on getting into IDPA this year, and I've just about got all my gear ready. I was talking to my dad about it, and he said he'd be really interested in going to a few matches to checking it out. If he likes it, he'll continue to come.

Here's where it gets a little complicated. He lives in Canada, where owning handguns is kind of difficult, and damn near impossible to transport over here for a match.

We were thinking of sharing my gun for a few matches. No sense in going out and buying a gun for him to use if he quits after two matches. The only problem we came up with was how to practice drawing, dry firing, etc. The gun I own is restricted in Canada, so he can't buy it if he wanted to. My solution was one of those blue guns they use for molding holsters. Any other suggestions?

So, say he enjoys it enough to keep shooting matches. How do we legally go about getting him a pistol. Let's say it'll stay with me, so he doesn't have to go through the hassle of bringing it across the border for every match.

Any help, and suggestions are very much appreciated.
 
An airsoft clone would be a better choice than a blue gun, as he could also practice reloading, and shooting at home. A fair number of competitive shooters have & use airsoft clones.
 
That'd be a good alternative. I shoot an SW9ve, so similar to a Glock. Do you know a company that make a Glock replica airsoft?
 
Glock hasn't licensed out their name to any airsoft company as of a few months ago. Walther, sig, colt and beretta do to name a few.
 
oh sorry I see those are only available to law enforcement. Bummer, they look kinda neat.
 
I'd like to point out that I know quite a few Canadians who come down and shoot IDPA in MA, NY, PA, etc. From what they've told me (in person) it isn't anything like terrbily difficult to bring handguns to the US for competition. It takes some planning ahead and some paperwork, but these guys do it all the time.
 
Tricky, that first one looks perfect, I'll forward that to my dad, thank you. I might order one, too.
Sam, I do realize that it's possible, but it does seem like a pain in the rear to do it twice a month. I've heard there are fees involved, too. Could get expensive. I just can't see my dad buying a gun to shoot IDPA right away, anyway. He will after he gets hooked, but I might just let him use mine permenantly, as I'm planning on getting a new gun soon, too.
 
I mean, IDPA isn't too expensive to get into, if you shoot/own handguns. He does not. So we're trying to get him into it without costing an arm and a leg, to start. If we can share a gun, we can figure out getting his own later.
 
Just check out Trinity airsoft or airsoft gi, most all the airsoft guns they sell will be 1:1 replicas, alot of which can even replicate the actual weight of a firearm.
Although as I remember, Canada has some pretty goofy rules regarding airsoft.
I think a Blue Gun could work well, just wouldn't be able to practice reloads and such.
 
The Sigma will not be competitive. You won't either for a while, but once you have the basics down,the Sigma will really hold you back. My advice is to sell it and buy a G17 (maybe 2).

And the blue gun will be fine for most things, but he need to be able to dry fire the gun for "real" practice. Airsoft really is a good option, and get a shot timer while you're at it.
 
Dan, I know the sigma isn't the greatest or most competitive gun. But it's what I've got, and what I carry. I already plan on buying a new carry gun this year, just not sure when. I'm slowly saving up. My new gun will also be used for IDPA. If my dad enjoys IDPA enough to buy his own gun, he can purchase whatever he likes.

And, although IDPA is a competition, we're not really getting into it with a very competitive attitude. Mostly just a fun way to throw lead down range.

Dimitri, thanks. I'll have to check up on their airsoft laws.
 
I HAAAAATE those Sigmas...but I wouldn't say it won't be competitive. When you start you will get classified and whatever class you end up shooting in, you will be competitive there. Regardless of the gun you shoot, no one comes out their first time and wins high overall, but you seem to have attitude about the sport so go for it with whatever gun you choose. Eventually, when you get more experience, you will know what gun you want to "upgrade" to. Us telling you to go out and buy a Glock or M&P or whatever takes out a lot of the learning experience.
 
Well, I'm actually planning on buying my first 1911 this year, and that'll get used for both carry and IDPA.
If my dad enjoys IDPA, but doesn't feel like buying a gun, he's welcome to the sigma.
 
Just as a note since you mentioned sharing your gun for the first few matches:

Not that it can't be done, but just be aware of what constitutes a "Cold Range" which is in place for virtually all shooting competitions. You have very limited times when you can pull your gun out of a holster without being disqualified. If you share a gun then after each of you shoots a stage you'll need to head back to the safe area (which depending on the range and which stage you're on might be a good walk) to unholster and exchange the gun.

My only worry is that that hassle might put off him (or both of you) from competition. I'd personally either A) really try to convince him to get a gun (since competition isn't the only reason to own one), or B) if you're the social type - just ask around and see if someone will lend him a gun for the match. I know I have 3 different guns that have enough mags and holster/pouches for competition, and I don't mind lending them out to anyone who wants to try out the sport. Heck I spoke with a fellow shooting cowboy-action shooting who had been shooting for 6 months and still didn't own the guns - he was just shooting with people's spares :).
 
Not that it can't be done, but just be aware of what constitutes a "Cold Range" which is in place for virtually all shooting competitions. You have very limited times when you can pull your gun out of a holster without being disqualified. If you share a gun then after each of you shoots a stage you'll need to head back to the safe area (which depending on the range and which stage you're on might be a good walk) to unholster and exchange the gun.
Click to expand...

That is one way to do it. And probably the "official" way. But if you explain the situation to your MD and SOs, they'll probably be accomodating and let you both approach the line between strings and swap over under the SO's watchful eye.

For one match, maybe two. Leaning on their patience to do that every month will get old for them in a hurry.
 
Good points guys. I guess he'll have to figure out whether he likes it or not pretty quick. I'm assuming he will get hooked the first time out, honestly.
Plus, with him living in Canada, we don't get to see each other often, so something we can do together and spend some father/son time doing will probably drive him to enjoy it even more.

Sam, I know he's gonna hate having to cross the border with it every time he wants to come shoot here. Like I said, I'm pretty sure there are fees associated with bringing it across the border, so tht could be a turn off for him. How can we legally get him a gun that stays over here?
If it's not possible, he'll just have to suck it up, I guess.

Thanks for the help, guys.
 
Man. I'm glad I don't live in Canada!

There are SO many reasons to own a handgun, IDPA is just one of them.

If your dad hasn't spent much time with a handgun, I don't think throwing him into IDPA is the right thing to do. Ideally he should have enough basic handling experience that the simple stuff is automatic. Like clearing the gun of ammunition, clearing a malfunction, reloads, and a strong sense of muzzle awareness. The first time drawing a handgun from a holster shouldn't be with a loaded one, and under pressure.
 
I appreciate the concern, Bovice. He's not a complete noob when it comes to handguns, he just doesn't own one, or shoot very often. And the plan was to take a basic class or two before he got into competing.
 
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