IDPA
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I shoot the M&P Pro 5" in SSP and the shield in BUG. The compact fits in CCP.
My advice is to take whatever you have and GO SHOOT! What are you waiting for? Learn the game and then decide your favorite division and personal objectives.
My advice is to take whatever you have and GO SHOOT! What are you waiting for? Learn the game and then decide your favorite division and personal objectives.
I started with IDPA in the mid-90's. By early 2000's it had transitioned into a game with so many rules, requirements and proscriptions that it lost the majority of the training value for me. There are so many other options available for how I want to train that putting up with the gaming BS just doesn't interest me any more.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
As others said, take what you have and have fun. I've used my M&P successfully in the past. Have moved on to other guns, but the M&P is a great gun to participate in. If it works for you, use it.
Find an OWB holster & a 2 magazine mag carrier, 3 mags & you are ready to go.
I have shot in IDPA for a long time and am a very early member. Yes, it has rules. Yes, it is a game but it is much closer to reality and therefore to honest training than, say, USPSA/IPSC. A lot of the value of it is in how you approach it. You practice shooting quickly, moving with alacrity (which is hard to me these days. I still have fun but am no longer competitive). Keeping track of what you have shot and what you have left. Your gun handling will maintain or improve generally. I am kind of odd in that I sometimes take unusual weapons to shoot. I can justify that to myself as I know very well I am not taking home a trophy. I went thru with a Luger a year or so back. It was a blast. Plus you get to hang out for the better part of a day with some like-minded people. There are worse ways to spend a day. I typically shoot a single-stack 1911, sometimes a shorty, sometimes a government model.
CBStuard
Member
I am in my 4th year in IDPA. As mentioned almost any common pistol is fine. I would want one that holds 10 rnd mags though. You could shoot a shield but will be changing mags more often. A longer sight radius is good but typically distance is 30 ft or less. I love my fiber optic front sight. A simple kydex holster, a double mag pouch, and 3 mags is the minimum and really nothing more is needed. I have more mags w/ me in case of a problem. Register for an event and go. No need to belong to a club. No need to belong to IDPA until after several matches and it's just $40/year. When you check in tell them it's you first and ask for someone to ask questions of. Once you are assigned to a squad be sure to let the leader know you are new also. Often the leader will work the shoot order so you are last at each stage. It is very, very helpful to get to watch 6 or 8 others shoot first. Just sign up, I am sure you will enjoy it.
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The others have made good points. About how you approach it....do you want trophies or are you looking for a chance to shoot under pressure with what you may use to defend yourself? If it's the latter, you're really shooting against your prior performances more than match placing.
It really isn't defensive training as such. Yes, you do have to "use cover" but a lot of the movement may not be/isn't the way you want to move on the street. Some years back I ran over my RO when shooting while retreating.
It really isn't defensive training as such. Yes, you do have to "use cover" but a lot of the movement may not be/isn't the way you want to move on the street. Some years back I ran over my RO when shooting while retreating.
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sdarc
Member
The M&P will be just fine. I shoot a FS 1st gen. and have for many years. I bought a Kimber1911 in 9mm to shoot this year. Gun is accurate. I since put in an Apex trigger kit and new trigger in the M&P and have gone back to using it.
One of the clubs I shoot with has gone back to the older way of IDPA. Shooting on the move, cover calls, FTN etc... It seems to bring back more of the defensive aspect of the game.
Full disclosure, I started in IDPA about 12 years or so back. got away for a bit and came back last year. I hadn't read the 'new" rulebook thinking what could have changed? Boy was I surprised!
One of the clubs I shoot with has gone back to the older way of IDPA. Shooting on the move, cover calls, FTN etc... It seems to bring back more of the defensive aspect of the game.
Full disclosure, I started in IDPA about 12 years or so back. got away for a bit and came back last year. I hadn't read the 'new" rulebook thinking what could have changed? Boy was I surprised!
.38SuperMan
Member
I agree! I started USPSA about thirty years ago and got out of it around 2000. New marriage and a thriving business to run didn't leave enough time for play.
I'm now in my 70's and wanted to get back into competing. The number of people in the game has grown a lot and you now spend a full day waiting around for your turn to shoot plus there are so many crazy rules now.
An old shooting buddy suggested IDPA so I shot a couple of matches. Nice folks and fun game but the rules are insane. I commented the rules must have been drafted by a home owners association. Anyway the rules were just too much so I have no plans to go back. What I did was buy some steel, poppers and spinners and target frames. I just bought ones for 22 cal. My wife and I live 10 minutes from a little private outdoor range were members of and About twice a week set up our steel and targets and shoot away with our 22 rifles and pistols.
I don't feel I have to compete now. I did that years ago and did very well. I'm in my 70's Now and will never be competitive again and just want to Have some fun and this does it without any rules.
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Jim Watson
Member
Strange, I am in my 70s and am getting ready to go to an IDPA match.
I also shoot some USPSA and a bit of Steel Challenge; several other forms over the years from Trap to Long Range.
Without the rules, structure, and community of competition, I would feel pretty lost.
I also shoot some USPSA and a bit of Steel Challenge; several other forms over the years from Trap to Long Range.
Without the rules, structure, and community of competition, I would feel pretty lost.
mmb617
Member
This discussion is interesting to me because the club I belong to often hosts IDPA shoots. I thought it might be fun to get in on but after reading the rules and seeing they do not allow appendix carry holsters I gave up. Why bother when I can't use my EDC holster?
I wonder why they have that rule. I'm guessing it's because the rule makers think it's unsafe? That's a pretty arbitrary decision in my eyes.
I wonder why they have that rule. I'm guessing it's because the rule makers think it's unsafe? That's a pretty arbitrary decision in my eyes.
An M&P is fine, I've shot both standard M&P and M&P Pro in IDPA. If you're looking to be competetive, you should check out the IDPA forums for advice in that direction.
Don't want to turn this into an IDPA bashing thread, but for anyone reading, please don't consider it 'training'. IDPA rules have progressed (regressed?) to the point where it has about the same training value as USPSA... it's just trigger time, like any other game.
I understand they have to have rules to have structure, but the 'gamers' have ruined any resemblence to what works in the real world.
Don't want to turn this into an IDPA bashing thread, but for anyone reading, please don't consider it 'training'. IDPA rules have progressed (regressed?) to the point where it has about the same training value as USPSA... it's just trigger time, like any other game.
I understand they have to have rules to have structure, but the 'gamers' have ruined any resemblence to what works in the real world.
.38SuperMan
Member
Rules like dropping your magazine on the ground if you have one in the chamber or a partial loaded mag dropped on the ground make no sense. Also rules about which targets to engage first are ridiculous. You do have to have rules about safety and I understand specific classes / types of guns competing against similar guns but a lot of the rules are just over the top.
Games have rules. In potentially dangerous games many of those rules are safety oriented. When you are dealing with people who carry often but shoot little an appendix holster has possible issues. If you DO do something stupid, like grab the trigger before you are fully clear, you can have a very nasty accident. I also disagree about target priority. Engaging targets as you see them or engaging near to far makes sense from a tactical point of view. Saying you don't agree is fine. Saying they make no sense is not completely reasonable (IMHO).
Jim Watson
Member
Perhaps there needs to be an Appendix Shooters Association.
It's not just mean old IDPA.
USPSA does not allow appendix in Production where most of the usual crotchguns would fall.
Local organizers smarter than Bill have holster provisions.
GADPA does not allow appendix.
ASI does not mention appendix but says the gun must not be pointed at shooter or bystander during holstering or draw. Shoulder and cross draw rigs are not allowed.
MCTS says "belt holster" but does not mention appendix although shoulder and cross draw rigs are not allowed.
3GN does not allow IWB.
I have seen two AIWBs in matches. One guy was allowed to shoot from one in an IDPA match. I don't know why, he had a foreign accent, maybe he was on a Visiting Expert visa and showing We Colonials how it is done in Ruritania. His draw looked ok out of the holster, I thought his presentation was bringing his left hand forward of the muzzle but the SO said he was not sweeping himself. The reholster was marginal in terms of sweeping himself.
The other at a USPSA match where it was allowable in Limited. This person was wearing an IWB further forward than most AIWB aficionados, which put his normal draw very close to the 180, and sweeping the crowd on a stage that had a start line at 45 degrees. The RO was his buddy and would not call it. Thankfully we have not seen this genius again.
Oh, yeah, there are ranges - not sanctioning organizations - that do not allow a SERPA holster, either.
It's not just mean old IDPA.
USPSA does not allow appendix in Production where most of the usual crotchguns would fall.
Local organizers smarter than Bill have holster provisions.
GADPA does not allow appendix.
ASI does not mention appendix but says the gun must not be pointed at shooter or bystander during holstering or draw. Shoulder and cross draw rigs are not allowed.
MCTS says "belt holster" but does not mention appendix although shoulder and cross draw rigs are not allowed.
3GN does not allow IWB.
I have seen two AIWBs in matches. One guy was allowed to shoot from one in an IDPA match. I don't know why, he had a foreign accent, maybe he was on a Visiting Expert visa and showing We Colonials how it is done in Ruritania. His draw looked ok out of the holster, I thought his presentation was bringing his left hand forward of the muzzle but the SO said he was not sweeping himself. The reholster was marginal in terms of sweeping himself.
The other at a USPSA match where it was allowable in Limited. This person was wearing an IWB further forward than most AIWB aficionados, which put his normal draw very close to the 180, and sweeping the crowd on a stage that had a start line at 45 degrees. The RO was his buddy and would not call it. Thankfully we have not seen this genius again.
Oh, yeah, there are ranges - not sanctioning organizations - that do not allow a SERPA holster, either.
hogblue
Member
There are no rules in a real gunfight.
Jim Watson
Member
Sure there are:
You are liable for every shot you fire.
Bullet placement counts most.
Etc.
Training and practice for a "real gunfight" is very demanding and expensive. I know of a few people who say they stick with it but many of us do not have the resources or perseverance.
You are liable for every shot you fire.
Bullet placement counts most.
Etc.
Training and practice for a "real gunfight" is very demanding and expensive. I know of a few people who say they stick with it but many of us do not have the resources or perseverance.
While I don't shoot in any organized matches some friends and I will set up our own steel course for friendly competition. Other than safety very few rules. I shoot a 5" Pro Series with fiber optic sights quite often with no complaints. I enjoy the friendly competitions with my group of shooting buddies and at times even feel the nerves.
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USPSA and IDPA both have a rulebook to provide structure. I'm CRO certifed in USPSA and SO (used to be CSO) in IDPA. Recently took online ongoing recert tests for both. USPSA has better organized rules by a little. IDPA rules have moved nearer to USPSA in the last couple years. These IDPA recent rule changes make it simpler for new shooters to safely compete as well as make the SO's job easier.
Either game provides excellent trigger time. Throw in that inevitable match stress and it's good continuing firearm familiarization. Neither teach gunfight tactics or such and don't pretend to do so.
Either game provides excellent trigger time. Throw in that inevitable match stress and it's good continuing firearm familiarization. Neither teach gunfight tactics or such and don't pretend to do so.
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