From what I have been able to discern, there is a spectrum of shooters who do IDPA matches. They seem to range from the competitive gamers on one end, to "I use what I carry" on the other. I'll fall somewhere in between, leaning toward the latter. I don't plan on being very competitive for awhile, and just want to build some skill.

That said, if you can think of anything that will save me some trouble down the road, I'd appreciate the advice. Gear or skill related. I do plan to go to a local club and watch a match or two before participating.

What gun that you already have do you want to shoot?

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

M&P9c. I have a Desantis IWB holster that I probably will not be using, though I do want to use something that I will also carry daily. I have enough mags to get started, no mag holsters yet.

Use what you already have first. Your M&P 9c and your DeSantis holster works well. Just add a double mag carrier, eye and ear protection, a vest and you are good to go. Most will have 4 magazines, but three is a minimum.

The first step is just do it! There a plenty of YouTube video's...watch them and then go sign up for yout next local match and have a hoot!

Randy

While I find that a lot of people want to observe a match before jumping right in, polling them afterward, the majority say they wish they had participated from the git-go. Shoot what you have - go slow - be safe - have fun.

BTW - Shooting it with a revolver adds a whole other dimension to the game.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I think it might be helpful to have the electronic ear muffs so you can hear the commands of the SO . I did not hear "cover" and got a penalty for that at my IDPA training session...... which if offered I'd encourage you to take.

Also I found that a good number of the shots were at greater distances then what I normally practice at which hurt my scores

From the rulebook:
CoF 2. Seventy-five percent of all shots required in a match
must be fifteen (15) yards or less. Occasional targets out to
thirty-five (35) yards are to be encouraged.

I paced off a number our targets at around 20 yards

Practice some one handed shots , strong hand at 10 yards , support hand 7 yards

Most of the shots are taken from cover, I found it a little awkward to shoot that way (leaning out while taking the shot)

Practice shooting while moving toward/ retreating from target , it's harder than it looks

Go slow , have fun , you will have a blast


Norm

Alright, maybe I will just jump right in and go slow. If I stick with my current gear, all I need to add is a double mag carrier and enough ammo.

I'll pile on with go with what you have. I started w/ my Sig 239, shooting SSP my first several matches & became hooked. Your M&P 9c can apply to several divisions, Bug, CCP, SSP, and ESP, so it's a good platform to begin with. I just classified w/ my 9c.

As for kit, get the mag carriers (I prefer two single carriers as it allows more flexibility where to place them on your belt) and 2-4 extra mags. The extra mags are important in case you have a mag failure.

Decent hearing & eye protection is a must- I use Howard Leigh's sport pros.

Jump in, take it slow at first, listen to and watch those with more experience & you'll have a good time.

Let us know how you did

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Read the rule book, they are sticklers, and some make no sense but they'll ring you up on procedural penalties.

Here's the one's that bite:
Crossing an opening with an empty gun: I get bit by this one. You're behind cover and have neutralized the threats. You're supposed to reload before proceeding to the next cover.

Cover: Have to keep your foot inside the cover. I see people literally standing on one foot to engage targets that are at an acute angle to the cover. I'd rather stick my foot out and less off my body and have a better base to shoot off of.

Moving the feet: This one makes no sense to me. Shoot or move, but not both at once. I realize you may need to backup while drawing if a threat is right in front of you, but in a match, people do it so slowly you may as well stand still. I crouch and use a shuffle so my head's not bobbing up & down.

I see very few people who shoot matches in real-world carry scenarios, unless there's somewhere that everyone wears vests that can conceal a full-size 1911.

Here in Texas, most of the year you'd be pulling a J-frame revolver or maybe an M&P sheild from either the pocket of your cargo pants or from under a big cotton shirt.

I guess I could go retro and wear leisure suits.

Go , have fun, learn something. I try to shoot every month at the local match, mostly IDPA but we also mix it up with shotgun and carbine + pistol on occasion. It's a good day when I learn something and have fun.

My only comment, never take a gun you've never shot before ever to a match for your first run, it's not fun although you do learn a whole lot. BTDT and I won't make that mistake again.

A couple of the guys come in full costume, revolvers, trench coats, hats and look like they could be stepping out of the history books. We all have a good time.

I'm one of the few women who come to shoot regularly, I keep trying to get more women shooters involved, it's a lot of fun and good practice but few take me up on the offer.

Hey, that sounds awesome. I've always said we need a vintage police revolver association like CASS to get more good DA revolvers in circulation. Look what CASS has done for SAs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

One of these days, I'm going to ask to borrow your gear and shoot it in a match. If I'm man enough that is.

To the OP, just show up with what you have and shoot. Like Pizza Bob said, most that show up to watch regret they didn't shoot in the match. Take your time, be safe, listen to the SO's commands, and you'll be fine. I just shot my 2nd IDPA after starting action shooting last fall with USPSA. It's ALOT of fun! Good luck!

Before your first match, dry practice your presentation with & without cover garment. My biggest issues with new shooters is their safe in & out of the holster. Then practice your reloads as well, cover garments can freak out the new guys. Go slow, go for zero down hits, not speed. Speed will come later.
What is great about IDPA is you can shoot it your way; be as competitive as you like, gear & speed, or shoot it tactically & not worry about times.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO

Thanks for all the great info. Much appreciated! The primary contact at the local club offers a training course I have decided to take. The price is a bit steep, but it is one-on-one. It will be nice to have someone observe and tell me what I am doing wrong, and to go over in detail everything I'll need to know for a match.

The training slot I signed up for is in a couple weeks. The following weekend is the club's qualifier. I may shoot that, or wait until the next regular match. I'm looking forward to it!

Our match director offers such classes & i often help him instruct when they get above 4-5 shooters, but, if you are a safety conscious shooter & spend some time with your gun & hoster, you'll be fine. Go onto the idpa website & have a look at the rule book. This is where the class comes in handy, sorting thru the rules & how they get interpreted. Good luck, have fun, be safe.

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NRA Cert. Inst. IDPA CSO