IDPA - any shooters?

[zercool]

First match of the year was this morning. I shoot Custom Defensive Pistol with my 1911. It was decent weather - overcast, 50 degrees. Range was MUDDY. Decent turnout - five squads of 7-9 people. Good mix of weapons - the usual allotment of 1911s, at least a few Glocks, saw a S&W auto but didn't catch the model.

One fellow in my squad I have to give props to - he was shooting 18-round stages with a S&W Airlite J-frame 5-shot and no strips or loaders. I was impressed - he missed most of the targets on the first stage, out to about 15yd. By stage five he was drilling center-mass at 15yd. No speed records, but again, no strips or loaders.

I got out my 1911 last night and took the paintbrush to it ... not much - it's a GI 1911 with low-dark sights. A bit of Testors flat white enamel on the front blade and a dot on either side of the rear notch made finding the sights SO much easier. Night and day, literally.

I also got to meet forum member StanB - we got assigned to different squads, so we didn't get to chat much, but I hope to see him at another shoot!

So, anyone else shoot? And what division?

<STRIKE>I expect I'll see times in a few days, and I'll probably update then.</STRIKE>

Total time: 190.65s, 97 points down (and a procedural, not sure what that was for). I know a few of the places I choked, but the down total seems a touch higher than I expect. Ah well - I shoot for fun, not for score.

 

[zercool]

First match of the year was this morning. I shoot Custom Defensive Pistol with my 1911. It was decent weather - overcast, 50 degrees. Range was MUDDY. Decent turnout - five squads of 7-9 people. Good mix of weapons - the usual allotment of 1911s, at least a few Glocks, saw a S&W auto but didn't catch the model.

One fellow in my squad I have to give props to - he was shooting 18-round stages with a S&W Airlite J-frame 5-shot and no strips or loaders. I was impressed - he missed most of the targets on the first stage, out to about 15yd. By stage five he was drilling center-mass at 15yd. No speed records, but again, no strips or loaders.

I got out my 1911 last night and took the paintbrush to it ... not much - it's a GI 1911 with low-dark sights. A bit of Testors flat white enamel on the front blade and a dot on either side of the rear notch made finding the sights SO much easier. Night and day, literally.

I also got to meet forum member StanB - we got assigned to different squads, so we didn't get to chat much, but I hope to see him at another shoot!

So, anyone else shoot? And what division?

<STRIKE>I expect I'll see times in a few days, and I'll probably update then.</STRIKE>

Total time: 190.65s, 97 points down (and a procedural, not sure what that was for). I know a few of the places I choked, but the down total seems a touch higher than I expect. Ah well - I shoot for fun, not for score.

 

[roundgunner]

I shoot IDPA a lot.
Stock Service Revolver – Expert
Enhanced Service Revolver – Expert
Stock Service pistol – Sharpshooter
Enhanced Service pistol – Sharpshooter
Custom Defense Pistol – Sharpshooter

As you can see most of my practice goes into the revolvers. That’s why I use the screen name Roundgunner. I got really good with a 1911 while on active duty but my heart has always been in revolvers.

Last year I took second at the Nationals, third at S&W Winter Nationals. This year I took 6th at S&W Winter Nationals because I’m not getting the practice it takes.

I think I will not shoot as many major matches but I will still make the locals.

Are you in upstate eastern NY? We have a very active IDPA area here in southern New England. Our local club has 2 Sunday morning matches a month and every Thursday evening during daylight savings time. This week is the first this year.

If you travel and are interested let me know I will send all info.

 

[Bib]

I've been shooting IDPA since '99. Sharpshooter in both CDP and SSP.

 

[bubbiesdad]

I shot my third IDPA this morning. I am currently unclassified. Today I was happy since I had no failures to nuetralize and no innocents hit. Last month I had one stage that when it was over I heard the scorer say "zero, zero, zero, zero, zero."

I'm new to it so I take my little victories as they come.

 

[Grayfox]

I've been shooting IDPA for about 5 years now. I use a Springfield 1911 in CDP class and a 4" 586 in SSR class.
I'm afraid I'm not very good at it. I know I'll never be a serious competitor. Five years and still a Marksman.

But for a half blind, half crippled, middle aged old fart, I do have a lot of fun.

 

[rbert0005]

Shot my first match last week, did the qualifier a month ago.

Finished 2nd in class. Marksman, hey you have to start somewhere. I had never drawn from a holster in competition before.

Bob

 

[sar4937]

I started 3 yrs ago. I shoot in CDP and SSP. I have never shot in a sanctioned match yet.

 

[OKFC05]

IDPA match director.
We shoot year 'round in OK.
Get your gear and c'mon to the range!

 

[David Sinko]

I pretty much quit IDPA and haven't been to a match in over a year. I shot for quite a few years and really enjoyed it. Back then I shot SSR exclusively and shot Master on the classifier. Then the revolver division split and the rules became very idiotic. Many of the rules imposed on the revolver shooters (maximum gun weights and speedloader and moonclip holder restrictions, to name but a few) are very oppressive and senseless. And I never saw a chronograph at a major match, which is very insulting to those of us who are expected to compete at the higher power factor, like ESR. People around here were taking advantage of very lax enforcement of certain rules, so I just walked away from it.

I now shoot USPSA exclusively.

Dave Sinko

 

[RobO]

Brian,

I've never shot IDPA. How far would I have to drive to try it? I just joined a range up here, but they don't do matches, just a trap league.

 

[zercool]

Originally posted by RobO:
Brian,

I've never shot IDPA. How far would I have to drive to try it? I just joined a range up here, but they don't do matches, just a trap league.

About an hour. Range I shoot at is the Cortland Pistol Club, in Groton. Not fancy - five outdoor bays, a storage shed, and a porta-john - but cheap to join ($35 annual family membership), open "8am to dark", and good folks. They shoot IDPA the first Saturday of each month at 10am, and IPSC (which I haven't tried) on the second or third Saturday.

I'd be happy to meet you at a range sometime and run you through a scenario or two. IDPA is super-easy scoring-wise - half a second penalty for each point down, rank by time. IPSC gets a little ... confusing.

Duty rigs are acceptable although for IDPA you'd have to put a long shirt or coat over - holsters must be concealed. I shoot my 1911 from a Galco Fletch with an untucked shirt over it... Fletch isn't ideal for IDPA since it has a thumb break, but it's what I have so I use it. I may get a Yaqui slide at some point to smooth things out. Not much of an equipment race, either - no compensators, lights/lasers ... pretty much you have to run a stock carry gun.

Shoot me an email if you're interested in getting together some morning.

 

[m657]

I shot a "run & shoot" match with multiple reloads, obstacles and complex targets once. Too physically demanding for me.

I do enjoy speed steel and cowboy style. And bowling pins now & then. They keep me pretty busy. I'm neither fast nor slow....kinda half-fast....

 

[JamesArthur60]

I've competed in USPSA and tried IDPA last summer. I used my 9mm XD Tactical. Unfortunately, I sold my gear because it became too frustrating for me. With my 'older eyes' I just cannot see the front sight. I wear tri-focal glasses and have tried different lense combinations. I could not make the sight adjustment. It just wasn't enjoyable and I'm sure I'll miss the sport this season.

One thing I noticed regarding IDPA shooters. I never saw anyone shooting small concealable handguns. I mean those little J frame or 380 Walthers as the one member posted. But, I was just as guilty shooting my big 5" XD (which I wouldn't consider a CC gun), rather than using my CC snubnose M36.

 

[Grayfox]

James, I feel your pain bud. I also wear Tri-focals and it does make shooting a real PITA.
I had a pair of glasses made up with just the middle prescription only. Makes the target just a little fuzzy, but the sights are nice and clear. You might give that a try.

 

[zercool]

Originally posted by JamesArthur60:
One thing I noticed regarding IDPA shooters. I never saw anyone shooting small concealable handguns. I mean those little J frame or 380 Walthers as the one member posted. But, I was just as guilty shooting my big 5" XD (which I wouldn't consider a CC gun), rather than using my CC snubnose M36.

Some of the small guns have trouble making power floor - 9x19mm is the minimum in autos, and .38 in revolvers. Chop off two or three inches of barrel and the velocity may drop down enough to make it "illegal". We don't chrono the club matches, though. Also, since it is a scored game (and while I think learning to move and shoot is good, anyone who says IDPA is training is crazy), a heavy gun is quicker than a lighter one.

We do allow Back Up Gun (BUG) matches from time to time, where people do shoot the smaller stuff - 36s, Walthers, Keltecs, etc. I'll look forward to running my Bersa through that.

 

[rundownfid]

I've been shooting IDPA about 5 years. This year I hope to get 5 gun Sharpshooter. I have been shooting SSR for the past 3 years and really like the K frame smiths, but want to get back into shooting the autos and I do have a 625 that needs to be used.
Although I shoot some USPSA and want to try the 3 gun competitions I really prefer IDPA as it is more "real world".
We occasionally use bug guns as a side match, if you get a chance to use a crimson trace laser try it with a bug, amazingly fast and accurate. I may just try to use my 3" 60 at a match I have 2 J frame speed loaders, but since 18 rounds are needed occasionally, those last 3 from a "speed strip" (now there is a misnomer) may be a problem.

 

[haggis]

I don't want to knock IDPA. They are usually interesting matches, and I always liked shooting CDP and ESP. However, their revolver rules suck, and they're even worse since the rule changes. Splitting up a small division like SSR makes for a very short participants list. Their speedloader positioning restrictions make it difficult if you reload weak-handed, and restrictions on where you can reload are clearly tactically stupid. Like Dave Sinko, I got tired of the BS and walked away. I now shoot revolver in USPSA, and while I don't shoot nearly as well as the slide guns, I get to shoot a lot of challenging field courses and practice my reloading a lot. Yeah, they're both just games, but I figure that 2+ second reloads have some usefullness in the real world.

Buck

 

[OKFC05]

Their speedloader positioning restrictions make it difficult if you reload weak-handed

I shoot SSR, and you need to check on the rules "clarifications" made in IDPA by Robert Ray in the last couple of years.
You can put speedloaders on the left side just like magazines if you wish.
Robert Ray has done a lot to respond quickly (welcome relief to match directors) and give clear answers. There is still no on-line file of clarifications, but IDPA members usually post them on the idpaforum:
http://www.idpaforum.com/

 

[OKFC05]

Some of the small guns have trouble making power floor - 9x19mm is the minimum in autos, and .38 in revolvers. Chop off two or three inches of barrel and the velocity may drop down enough to make it "illegal".

In IDPA, the shooter may request his ammo be tested in a gun with the maximum legal barrel in his division. Thus, any club penalizing shooters with short barrels is not following IDPA rules.
See page 28, para 2, IDPA Rule Book.
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf