I'm thinking of dabbling in IDPA. Turns out that the second closest range/gun club to me has competitions. I've also been thinking about switching from my current, high end club to that one, which is closer, much cheaper, a thigs like IDPA, turkey shoots, etc, and isn't that much less nice than my current club.

I'd have to think about using two gun systems, my off duty carry of a full size revolver, and my department duty rig.

Anyone here shoot IDPA? How has your experience been?

Also, have any of you cops shot IDPA with your duty rig? How was that experience?

Thank you in advance,

Tony

Like the old Nike commercial said..."Just DO it!" you will have a blast.
I also encourage you to use what you have until it proves unsatisfactory for you.
Remember the purpose of IDPA is being able to shoot from concealment not your duty rig.....USPSA however allows duty gear.

OKFCO5 will surely be along with more information for you as well...go to the IDPA website an read the rules for a better understaning of the game.
I often use one of my K/L frame revolvers and HKS speedloaders under a vest. More often than not it is my father's 4" K-38 duty gun that is well worn and full of "character and attitude" , but is SO smooth and accurate.
Holster wise I often use either my Milt Sparks VM-2 or Kramer belt scabbard

Have a great time with great people!!

Randy

Thank you for the info. I don't know if it is a new rule since I just started looking, but the 2015 official rule book for IDPA does say that duty gear is allowed for police officers and military personnel at tier one, non sanctioned matches, and gives a bunch of rules that a duty rig is exempt from (ie: no concealing garment necessary, the rule about how close the ammo carrier has to be to the holster, etc).

If I can compete with my duty rig, even though it wouldn't be "official", I'd really like to, as it would give me more practice with it under pressure. I'm not too worried about placing, just getting better. I'd also most likely try to compete with my off duty carry model 10.

Club level IDPA can be very fun. Just give it a try. BTW, I've shot a match with model 10-6 and speed loaders. Had fun, but pretty slow.

I shoot my glock 20 and 1911 with the intent of just having fun and getting better at handling my guns. The IDPA folks are a good group of people out to have fun with a little competitveness thrown in. I have been contemplating using my 4 inch model 586 or 4 inch trooper though no one at my local club shoots a revolver. Give it a go.

That is the whole idea. I have been shooting IDPA for over 15 years and still like it.

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Shoot fast & live long
Warren

I try to shoot the local IDPA match every month if I can. I love it, great fun and I always learn something. I shoot with a 5 shot revolver BUG most of the time and that does mean I will never be "competitive" but that is not the point.

I know several of the local cops and sheriff deputies come shoot, some with duty gear some with other gear. I like it when they do as I can often get a lot of free coaching <G>

The club we go to is great fun, not strictly IDPA as they sometimes have stages that are 2 gun (handgun and either shotgun or carbine) and do some things not strictly within the official IDPA rules but they have been wonderfully encouraging for the novice shooter. I wish I could get more women to come join me, it's a very supportive atmosphere.

The local one I go to is fun and lets me practice moving and shooting with my carry guns. (Model 64 snub and compact .45 3rd gen S&W.) Just about everyone is friendly and willing to give advice but most are "gamers" or "operators" so some of it doesn't go well with carrying, like running through a "house" shooting and not really clearing. (Granted I'm not really going to clear a house by myself.)

Love the IDPA, we only shoot one gun,, don't know if there are any back up gun drills.

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UNDER THE CONE OF SILENCE

I've been shooting IDPA for about 4+ years now - the last two pretty much exclusively with a revolver. From March through November I generally shoot three IDPA and one USPSA match (also with a revolver) per month. I'm fat, old, slow and have bad knees, but it's a ton of fun. I make no pretense of placing highly - mainly just seeking some self-improvement and gaining proficiency.

We have an FBI agent and a state policeman that shoot using duty gear. Maybe a little slower getting into action, due to the retention holsters, but they shoot fast enough to make up for that.

Give it a try - you'll like it, trust me.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

You can indeed use your duty gear if you wish. Try it, you will have fun and become a better shooter.

I've been shooting IDPA for about 16 years now. Was the president of our local club (which meant match director as well) for about 5 years, and been a safety officer for about 13 years. I shoot, Front Range IDPA at Clear Creek County Sportsmen's Club at the Dumont exit, above Idaho Springs and we also have a match down in Colorado Springs. FRIDPA.com.

It's fun and it does help one's shooting skills and it's good training for "stuff" that might happen, but it is still just a game. Hence some of the rules are just to even the playing field and some are just for safety.

When I started I used a 1911 for a while but I always wanted to be able to shoot a revolver double action so I started doing that. First with a 610, then a 646, sometimes my 685. Now I also use my GP100 Match Champion. Usually the only revolver shooter at the match.

There is going to be a new BUG (Back UP Gun) category that will shoot the whole match as opposed to one non reload stage that was done with the old rules. In my opinion they really buggered the rules on that, but it still should be fun.

Anyway, as someone above said - just do it! And you can use your duty rig.

I've been shooting IDPA for about fifteen years.
It's great fun, you get to hang-out with some great people (which has become the primary attraction for me, now that the competitive juices don't flow so strongly), and it greatly improves your gunhandling.
Some people get bogged-down by the rules minutiae, but it's not really a big deal if you pay attention to the basic principles.
I've shot a K-frame .38 in SSR division, and a Thunder Ranch 22 in ESR, not always to great effect score-wise, but it's always fun.

Go have fun......

1) Ignore the "Gamers" and the "Operators" cus they really aren't...... if they really are I doubt you'd ever know it..... well except by their performance.......

2) It's OK not to use a Glock..... despite what the "Operators" tell you...

3) Do it right....... don't worry about the clock.... don't pick up bad habits.

4) The swinging targets...... if in real life someone is really bobbing and weaving their head that fast........just wait for them to get dizzy and throw up!!!!!

5) Did I say ...have fun!!!!

I shoot Idpa 3-4x a month, SO as well. It's a great practice enviro for civ or LE that carry a gun. Shoot your duty rig, ccw rig, shoot it to win, shoot it for practice, as long as you are safe, your gtg. If the rules bother you, ignore them, take the penalty & move on. As long as you are safe. No one really cares.
Btw, the bobbing or swinging target is for your practice, nothing more. Can you hit a moving target? For many new shooters, the answer is no. As I said, it's good practice, ignore the oddball situations etc. Yes it's a game, but it's also a good place for full speed practice with your def guns.
Our club does BUG matches, night matches, it's all good practice. We have several LEO shooting very month, some are even pretty decent shooters, but at least they are here getting better.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I am planning to do this just to have fun and to help improve my capability, but mostly to have fun.

If you keep the game in perspective it is a lot of fun.

I think some of the stage designers get really carried away with all of these weirdo scenarios sometimes. But, it is good practice for your shooting skill set.

Do both. Shoot with your duty gear and your concealment gear on a rotational basis. You need the practice both ways.

And practice your weak hand only skills. They are very important. I don't care who you are.

Have a great time.

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Take your time..quickly.

Yeah if I had a $ for every shooter that told me they never shoot weak hand, I could retire early. Not unlike the other skill sets used in IDPA, it's all good practice. I try to get the MD to add weak hand someplace in every 8 stg match we shoot.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

I really like IDPA and shoot about one match a month. Lately I have been shooting CCP (concealed carry pistol) but have often shot SSR (stock service revolver). as well as other classifications. It is a lot of fun and is, for the most part, useful. Plus it gives you a good excuse to hang out for a day with some like-minded people and burn some powder.

I know this is an old thread, but I'm shooting my first IDPA, tomorrow and I'm psyched! I'm a woman and I hope to see other females at the match, tomorrow. This should be great fun. Oh and I'll be shooting my M&P 9 FS.

I just wanted to share.....

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S&W Girl, for sure.

I would submit that even the most hard core gunfighter mentality will find useful practice in IDPA. It is not training by far, but very good dynamic practice. Certainly beats flat range paper punching drills.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

We get an average of 70 shooters twice a month. Probably 10% are women. It is a sport where any woman can compete head to head with any man & do well. Have fun!

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

You will have a blast (pun intended). Above all, be safe: Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction and keep your finger out of the trigger except when actually shooting. I'll wager you hear that several more times before you're all done. Go slow - speed will come of its own accord (so they tell me - I'm still waiting). Hope that it's nice enough today for you to travel to the range with the top down.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

So... Did you have fun? Did you learn something? I shot an IDPA-inspired match today as well. Had a lot of fun.

I had a blast and looking forward to going back and shooting IDPA, next month.

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S&W Girl, for sure.

That's great, welcome!

Thank you, BaaBaa.

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S&W Girl, for sure.

I've been involved in weekly IDPA matches at our indoor range for the past month and I love it! I have a CHL and I thought this would be a great way to get additional practice/training with my M&P Shield 9. I bought my shield for the purpose of having it as my main carry. I practice with it, passed my test with it, and now use it in IDPA in the CCP class.

You can shoot your Shield in the Bug catagory, more competitive than shooting against the ccp guys.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO