IDPA Question

[Magload]

I need a clarification. I just got my IDPA The Tactical Brief and this statement was in it.

These are magazine limits for magazines on your belt only. You are able to start with a full magazine and one round chambered.

I am going to be shooting my M&P 5" Pro 9mm now on and due to a magwell and a few other things it fits into ESP with 10rds in the two mags on my belt. Am I reading this right that the mag I start with in the gun can have it's full 17rds in the mag and one in the chamber? The 2 mags on my belt can hold 10rds each giving me 38rds. This would sure make it a lot easier to make up shots on targets with out having to worry about running out. I been shooting a 1911 with 7 round mags so this question hasn't pertained to me. Don

 

[Grayfox]

I'm afraid not. Guns with a mag capacity of more than 10 rounds are limited to 10. What this means is that you can start with 10 in the mag and 1 in the chamber for a total of 11. So load your first mag with 11 and when you rack the slide you're legal. Some clubs will actually call you on a Procedural for starting with only 10.
In my case I shoot a 1911 with Wilson mags. I start with a full mag and 1 in the chamber for a total of 9 rounds.

 

[Magload]

I'm afraid not. Guns with a mag capacity of more than 10 rounds are limited to 10. What this means is that you can start with 10 in the mag and 1 in the chamber for a total of 11. So load your first mag with 11 and when you rack the slide you're legal. Some clubs will actually call you on a Procedural for starting with only 10.
In my case I shoot a 1911 with Wilson mags. I start with a full mag and 1 in the chamber for a total of 9 rounds.

Yes that is the way I understand it also but when the IDPA sends out their monthly Tactical Brief with this pdf in it it lead me to question the rule. http://www.multibriefs.com/briefs/idpa/IDPALegalFINAL.pdf

I to have Wilson Combat 8 round mags for my Gold Cup NM they took care of my FTF problems with the old colt mags that came with the used gun. Thanks for you reply. Don

 

[MattNH]

We get a lot of MA shooters up into NH for IDPA matches. They typically only have 10 round magazines and will use a "Barney" mag with one round to get that one in the chamber and then insert the 10 round mag.

SSP and ESP division capacity is 31, most do the 11,10,10 but some have to do 1,10,10,10. So in your .pdf link, they probably should say "loaded to division capacity" instead of "full" magazine.

 

[Magload]

We get a lot of MA shooters up into NH for IDPA matches. They typically only have 10 round magazines and will use a "Barney" mag with one round to get that one in the chamber and then insert the 10 round mag.

SSP and ESP division capacity is 31, most do the 11,10,10 but some have to do 1,10,10,10. So in your .pdf link, they probably should say "loaded to division capacity" instead of "full" magazine.

Yes I figured that is where the writer went wrong. I just wouldn't be right to start with 18 rounds in a 9mm and have to 10s on your belt. But then firing 38 rounds is going to hurt you times. My first shoot I was supersized how many shooters fires a extra round and each target and the number of downs they had. I shot the minimum rounds and ended up 12 down. Would nave done better but we were doing a indoor shoot and I dropped my flash light and had to shoot the last 3 targets with out seeing my sights. As it was a club shoot most was using gun mounted lights. I had to go out to the car and get a 3 cell Maglite. No rails on a Gold Cup that is why Oi am now shooting my 5' 9 Pro. Don

 

[fredj338]

The term "full mag" refers to the division mag limit, not what your gun will hold. So it isn't written wrong, but written in terms regarding IDPA rules. There are 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 rd guns that can be used in either ssp or esp. They both require a max of 10+1. Same guns can be used in ccp as for ssp or esp, if they fit the size requirement but only 8+1, regardless of the gun/mag cap. Example, I can use a stock G19 to shoot all three, just have to watch the max rd count. No problem using high cap mags either, just remember to not exceed the division mag cap.
Night sights are invaluable for low light shooting without a light. If I can see it, I can hit it with night sights, all the way to 25yds.

 

[OKFC05]

Yes that is the way I understand it also but when the IDPA sends out their monthly Tactical Brief with this pdf in it it lead me to question the rule.

That's the problem with paraphrasing the rule book in a "quasi authoritative" publication. I object to the practice, but I don't get to decide. I DO have to explain to shooters who bring such mis- impressions to the match that the rules are in the rule book, not the Tac Brief. Except for getting a heads up what the latest mis impression is going to be, I wouldn't bother reading the brief.

IDPA Match Director

 

[fredj338]

That's the problem with paraphrasing the rule book in a "quasi authoritative" publication. I object to the practice, but I don't get to decide. I DO have to explain to shooters who bring such mis- impressions to the match that the rules are in the rule book, not the Tac Brief. Except for getting a heads up what the latest mis impression is going to be, I wouldn't bother reading the brief.

IDPA Match Director

If you haven't read the rule book, The brief is open to interpretation. Read the entire ride book, especially the equip portion, then the brief is clear. The only reason the mag cap rule is there is to allow everyone to compete on the same level & have skill dictate the outcome, not mag cap. That & us poor shmucks living in socialist states like Kalif.

 

[Magload]

The term "full mag" refers to the division mag limit, not what your gun will hold. So it isn't written wrong, but written in terms regarding IDPA rules. There are 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17 rd guns that can be used in either ssp or esp. They both require a max of 10+1. Same guns can be used in ccp as for ssp or esp, if they fit the size requirement but only 8+1, regardless of the gun/mag cap. Example, I can use a stock G19 to shoot all three, just have to watch the max rd count. No problem using high cap mags either, just remember to not exceed the division mag cap.
Night sights are invaluable for low light shooting without a light. If I can see it, I can hit it with night sights, all the way to 25yds.

Kind of what I though plus one of the officals emailed me and said no worry all stages require only 18 shots so with 3 10 round mags +1 in the pipe that give a lot of make up shot that I don't plan on needing. I installed night sights Monday shot them Tuesday came home and centered the front better went back and they are right on. Just having a hard time learning to shoot the dot not the top of the blade. Don

 

[Magload]

That's the problem with paraphrasing the rule book in a "quasi authoritative" publication. I object to the practice, but I don't get to decide. I DO have to explain to shooters who bring such mis- impressions to the match that the rules are in the rule book, not the Tac Brief. Except for getting a heads up what the latest mis impression is going to be, I wouldn't bother reading the brief.

IDPA Match Director

I don't envy your job at all. Thanks for the info. I am not one to push the rules I just like knowing them. Shooting tournament archery for many years and golf I know now important knowing the rule book is. Don

 

[Magload]

If you haven't read the rule book, The brief is open to interpretation. Read the entire ride book, especially the equip portion, then the brief is clear. The only reason the mag cap rule is there is to allow everyone to compete on the same level & have skill dictate the outcome, not mag cap. That & us poor shmucks living in socialist states like Kalif.

I have read the book from cover to cover many times in fact it sits right here on my computer table and will till I have it memorized. Don

 

[fredj338]

I have read the book from cover to cover many times in fact it sits right here on my computer table and will till I have it memorized. Don

Then they will change something next year. Have fun, I love shooting IDPA.