Need help with IDPA for newbie

[Arthury]

I am looking at the IDPA website again and again and I am not finding enough info for a person who is new and want to participate. I even sent them email and no response so far...

Questions:

1. Besides joining IDPA as a member, what are the steps to take to get into a State wide match? Someone told me that I need to compete in local smaller matches as a novice in order to move my level up to Marksman before I can get to enter state level.
2. If I were to replace the trigger on my M&P with an Apex trigger, would that disqualify me to enter the SSP category?

 

[cyberiad]

1. Some matches allow novice shooters, I think this is at the discretion of the match director. It is very likely you would still have to shoot a classifier in order to enter, if you haven't already.

Shooting a number of local matches before shooting a state-level match is a good idea but many matches, aside from those like the Nationals or Carolina Cup don't have a requirement to have shot a certain number of sanctioned matches as a condition of entry.

I recommend contacting the director of the match you intend to shoot to ask about the requirements. If it's available on the web the entry form for the match should specify the requirements (eg, only Marksman or above).

2. Apex trigger parts are allowed, see page 20 of the rule book, "Internal action work may be used to enhance trigger pull..." However, if Apex offer an actual trigger that replaces the factory M&P trigger (and I don't know if they do or not) I do not think that is allowed because the list of permitted modifications on page 20 of the rule book is an inclusive list which means if it's not on the list it's not allowed.

 

[Jim Watson]

To get in a state, regional, or other "sanctioned" match you must be an IDPA member and have a classification. Most places accept Novice class shooters, some like the Nationals require at least Marksman. If you can shoot the Classifier at Marksman or better, you are good to go about any place, but there is room for Novices where I do most of my shooting.

I would want you to have shot some club level matches before going to a championship, but it is not an actual requirement most places short of the Nationals (I did not know about The Cup.) I shot at the first Nationals in 1997 and there were people there for their first IDPA match, not just their first sanctioned match, and they found it a bit of a challenge.


The Apex internal parts and Action Enhancement Kit are fine for IDPA SSP. There was a guy on the Benos board who said his Forward Set Sear made a visible difference and entered himself in ESP.

 

[Arthury]

Thanks for your kind responses.

I think I will start meeting with a couple of the local clubs and see if they conduct local matches.

As for the trigger, I will stick with the stock one for now. Just shot the 9 and 45 today and they seemed fine to me. My accuracy is improving and so far, the 45 seemed somewhat more accurate to me; possibly, due to the slower MV.

 

[frankw]

We have a New Shooter video that you might find helpful.

Get your gear together,Be safe and have Fun.

New Shooter Briefing » Greater Atlanta Defensive Pistol Association

 

[Arthury]

Nice intro video to the basics. Thanks for the link!

 

[SR]

I highly recommend the Panteao Productions videos for new IDPA shooters. Panteao Productions I just signed up for the online version to see how I liked the videos. I've looked at Vogel's first video and the first half of Harrington's video. Both excellent.

I have not had a chance to look at Mark Redl's videos. He's a great instructor and I'm sure this is also an excellent video....

 

[pop-gunner]

If you look at your state on the IDPA website's map under clubs it will show you the ones in your area.

 

[Arthury]

Thank you, everyone, for your patient and kind responses.
If only I were more patient, I would have answered all my questions when the IDPA registration arrived.

These days, new IDPA membership included a DVD that explained everything.

Anyway, I attended my first ever IDPA local match yesterday and I had a great time. I also completed my Classifier on the same day which I regretted because I was quite tired after the match. I would not recommend doing a Classifier after a match.

Anyway, I highly recommend joining the IDPA and attend local matches if you want some realism and dynamics in your shooting. I believe the founders of IDPA has hit the goals in these matches.