What should I use for IDPA?

[Hk Dan]

Assuming that you have as much skill with each gun and you have the requisite 3 mags, holster and mag holder for each, I'd go with the HK or the Para and shoot in CDP (8 round limit for the mags). Kimbers do NOT impress me, and I have seen more of them in the dead cockroach position at a match than any other gun out there.

The rub is that you CAN continue a match with a second gun if the first one dies, but it has to be the same caliber and action as the first one. You're SOL there, so I'd go with the guns that look like they'd make it--the HK and the Para.

Dan

 

[brnmuenchow]

Take a look at what STI has to offer they have some great models, and I believe they have a few choices when it comes to the competition shooter in that league.

 

[Bigchessie]

Assuming that you have as much skill with each gun and you have the requisite 3 mags, holster and mag holder for each, I'd go with the HK or the Para and shoot in CDP (8 round limit for the mags). Kimbers do NOT impress me, and I have seen more of them in the dead cockroach position at a match than any other gun out there.

When I shot the HK and the Para side by side, I was a little disappointed in the para. My Buddy was shooting with me, he is active military and a small arms specialist-blah-blah-blah So I wanted him to shoot along with me to eliminate "my" shooting errors while trying to see just how accurate they would shoot. We both shot a 12 round string @7 yards with the HK that could be covered with a quarter. We both shot a slightly larger group with the Para but was down and right. We plan on shooting the Para from a bench and adjust the sights and shoot them both again. The next time we shoot we will include the Kimber. My question is this. Does accuracy really play a large part of the decision with which I should use or does it boil down to using the one I am the most comfortable with? I'm sure the Para will end up shooting on par with the HK once adjustments are made. Unknown what the Kimber will do yet. Mind you this was just plane jane take your time and shoot the best we could. When we tried to shoot at different targets and a little faster, the results were somewhat embarrassing. :banghead:

 

[Sam1911]

IDPA is going to favor whatever gun you can manipulate (draw, aim, fire, recover sight picture, reload, etc.) fastest -- assuming remotely reasonable accuracy levels.

The only real way to determine which that is is with a shot timer. When you shoot the guns in practice or in matches and you see which gun is getting you the fastest (accuracy-corrected) times, then you'll know which one you should shoot.

On the very face of your description -- one shooting quarter-sized groups and one shooting groups that are "a little larger" -- there is not enough information to go on to make any kind of informed choice. That kind of accuracy difference is irrelevant to practical matches.

 

[Jim Watson]

Certainly accuracy is a bonus but IDPA targets are (usually but not always) large and close.
PRACTICAL accuracy with the timer going is what counts.

When we tried to shoot at different targets and a little faster, the results were somewhat embarrassing.

Don't feel embarassed, everybody had to start somewhere, usually at the bottom.

 

[Bigchessie]

Got to shoot a few rounds with the Kimber. Actually felt pretty good in my hand. Also shot the Para a few more times. Didn't get a chance to shoot as much as I would have liked, it was a whopping 10 degrees and windy. It is supposed to warm up into the 40's next week, so hope to get some decent shooting in. Thanks to everyone for all of the tips and advise. I just need to figure out which weapon I'm going to go with and start putting all of this advise to work. I am also going to have to start reloading again. Does anyone have a recipe that they would like to share that works well for them? I was thinking that a "lighter" load might help with getting back on target. Thanks again, BC

 

[Sam1911]

I think something like 4.0-4.2 gr. of Clays and a 200 gr. cast SWC is the load for CDP.

Just got to get that 200 gr. slug moving at a bit over 825 fps. That's not hard to do with a lot of powders, but Clays is very clean and easy to work with.