First IDPA Match

[blp965]

I shot my first IDPA Match this weekend and I am somewhat disappointed in myself. My M&P 9fs did fine, its me that performed under expectation. Shooting under time pressure is very different than static shooting at the range. I found myself forgeting basic stuff like proper sight picture, tigger control, I even dropped a magazine during an emergency reload. At least I didn't DQ or have major safety issues. But the nice groups I thought I was doing at the range - were nowhere to be found. I will practice more and do better next time out.

As a new shooter I've learned a lot from this forum which I think in the aggregate has a lot of good advice in it. One conclusion I would share is that as a whole I think we new shooters grind a little too much on the equipment. For me, my second hand stock 9mm fs is fine for my needs for now. Maybe later on I might upgrade with better sights or an Apex trigger or a 5" Pro, but at this stage I'm not sure it would make any difference in my shooting. What I need most is practice and maybe some more instruction - thats better place for my $$ now.

 

[OKFC05]

I didn't DQ or have major safety issues

One conclusion I would share is that as a whole I think we new shooters grind a little too much on the equipment.

You did great!
Shot safe, had fun and learned something, too.

 

[growr]

Couldn't say it any better than okfc05! Isn't it interesting how the moment the buzzer goes off, all kinds of things that can go wrong do?
Randy

 

[GRP17]

Its ok not everyone becomes a champ the first time they do IDPA, like many things especially on prom night. At least you have fun and the next time you go you'll be more used to the buzzer and that clock. And the different angles, stages, positions, scoring, etc.

 

[customizedcreationz]

Having fun is what its all about. As long as you learn something, that is a good thing.

Your not training per say to join a military sanction where people are going to be trying to kill you on a daily basis and your putting yourself in harms way left and right.

So its all about fun and preparing yourself for possible what if situations.

Todd

 

[g_conway]

My first IDPA was hell. I think it was in the neighborhood of 310 seconds. And just like you, I was thrilled not to have shot myself or anyone else, and no DQ. It takes a while to realize that you are competing with yourself.

The only recomendation I can make is this:

Don't worry about your score, or the clock, or anyone else there. Move at a safe pace for you, concentrate on getting 0's no matter the time.
Once you can do that, the newbie jitters will probably be gone, and you can start increasing speed.

Good luck, and enjoy... It's supposed to be FUN.

 

[TNDave]

Sounds like you had a great match! You are right. A pool hustler can win with any crooked stick out of the rack. A good shooter can work almost any gun. You will learn a lot and have a lot of fun in IDPA.

 

[handgunner356]

It's always great to have the latest/greatest/newest peice of equipment to play the gun games, but that's not the gun you'll have with you if the time comes you really need it. I always tell people to shoot what you have and spend your money on ammo. I know it's hard to do when the buzzer goes off, but go slow and get all your hits and you will get a score. In USPSA you can easily go too fast, get bad or missed hits and zero out instead of a score. Some ranges don't approve of drawing from a holster, different shooting positions, but you can still practice bringing the gun up and getting the first shot on target as quick as possible, put time restraints on strings of fire and double taps.

 

[jailer252]

Everyone has to begin somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes, then laughs about them later. You were safe and enjoyed yourself. Hopefully you want to do it again and so begins the addiction of competitive shooting. Good luck, hope to see you down the road at some major matches!!

 

[DustyDawg48]

First, congratulations on taking the step into a larger world. You've separated yourself from the masses by actually going to your first shoot, which is often the most difficult thing you'll do in competition.

While competition isn't training it is the closest that a majority of us can come to the genuine stress of a real-world self-defense situation so the stress of competition is the best way to shine a harsh light on areas that you may never have thought to work on. Most people are good shots but never think to practice drawing their weapon from concealment, drawing fresh magazines from concealment and reloading under pressure. The great thing about those skills is that they can be practiced at home and without costing a single round of ammo. Spending a few moments a day drawing your gun or magazine while wearing your shirt or vest will pick you up a ton of speed for competition and for a possible real life situation. Practicing those slide-lock reloads and the reloads while retaining the magazine are another must.

In addition to the dry-fire stuff, once you've shot a match or two you can take those failure points from the match (areas you feel you need to work on like off-hand shooting or just weapon-hand only shooting) and head to the range with a more focused training routine rather than just a slow-fire, hole-in-paper punching day on the firing line.

And just a quick edit, I'm consistently one of the fastest and highest scoring shooters and I use a completely box stock Glock 21 and now I use a stock M&P45 full-size with thumb safety. If your gun will run, learn to run it and once you've gotten it you'll never even notice the trigger. I think far too much emphasis is placed on finding the 'Golden Trigger' with the perfect feel and break; once the lead starts flying the only thing you'll notice is holes in paper.

 

[Rhino1]

Wise man said, "You can't shoot fast enough to make up a miss." Safety is first, accuracy second, speed third. Work on the accuracy first. Take that extra .1 or .2 sec to get a good sight picture which prevents the miss, down 3, FTN, etc. improving speed will come from everything except the shooting, i.e., draws, movement, reloads, indexing, etc.

 

[john bh]

I agree you did great. I'm still waiting to take that step.I'm the problem thanks for sharing

 

[Jeb21]

Good for you! Keep going and learning. You have the right attitude and your gear sound perfect. A 9mm pistol is relatively inexpensive to feed and the M&P 9 is an excellent handgun. I predict that you will find your range session more productive as you will now have new skill to perfect. All of which will make you a more rounded handgun shooter.

 

[moosedan]

congrats on the match I still remember my first too. The thing about IDPA is lots of ways to shoot things you won't do or think of on your own and you get to shoot it too. The guys around IDPA are great most will help you and give advice to you its better to ask early to get it right the get bad habbits.
Welcome to the sport.