Several years ago we decided to hold a Defensive Pistol match every month at our Sportsman's Club. We decided it needed to be revolver friendly, so we set the stages up with reloads at 6 rounds. We also decided to Keep the total round count to 50 maximum for the match. So we ended up with 4 Stages with 12 rounds per stage.
As most folks carry a small gun for concealed carry we have a BUG Division. It is set up with reloads at 5 rounds. The BUG guns shoot the exact same course of fire as everyone else just with 40 rounds total.
We wanted to keep equipment rules to a minimum, pretty much bring what you have. So no issues with showing up with a 6" revolver.
We were already shooting IDPA silhouettes in our sniper rifle match, so that was the target we went with. An Army Major who was shooting with us at the time introduced us to the IDPA scoring system, which we converted over to.
We were shooting all silhouettes in the match, no isues with power to knock down steel, so we also added a Rimfire Division which has went over well.
Someone mentioned shooting a match being considered practice by some. This is the case with everyone shooting in our match. Showing up once a month to shoot with your buddies is practice.
I have gotten more familiar with IDPA Rules over the years. I think we will stick with the way we are doing things. It seems to work for our shooters.
My point is, I think IDPA could have went a slightly different direction and been much better.
No problem with 18 round Stages, just reload everything at 6 rounds. Be revolver friendly.
Stay with the cardboard silhouette targets, and a rimfire division will work fine.
Make an adjustment for BUG (Handguns with barrels 3" or under) to shoot with reloads at 5 rounds, no penalty for not shooting a 6th shot. Encourage the shooters to shoot what they carry in a match.
Pitch the BOX. Shooting a longer barrel gun drawn from a conventional holster from concealment should offset any accuracy advantage the longer barrel might give.
Handgun Capacity. No Issue they all reload at 6 rounds.
One Revolver Division again: I think a single division would promote a market for better self defense revolvers. The L Frame 40 would have been the revolver of choice in IDPA by now if the division had not split.
My 2 Cents
Bob
