IDPA Question

[wo5m]

In the next month of so I will be moving from Fort Worth to the downtown Dallas area. I figure that getting involved in IDPA would be a great opportunity to establish new friends in the area and learn new things.

I've been reading the rule book and committing it memory. The question I have is regarding the lights and lasers rule. I know that both are illegal in a match, but let say I have a laser that is integrated into the gun(ie LaserMax) will the disqualify the gun itself? I did read somewhere that it was OK to use a gun with the laser as long as it was not activated. But I don't think the guy knew much about IDPA.

I'm thinking of getting a Glock 17 and installing a LaserMax so can work on aiming without using the sights. I like the idea of having the internal laser, but may also consider a rail mounted laser if it means I will not be able to use it in IDPA.

Thanks

Randy
wo5m

[SRVA]

The only rule that I know of is the one that prohibits the attaching of a laser or flashlight to the gun. With one of the internal lasers I don't believe that will apply if the laser is not used.

Another rule will apply though. If the guide rod is not made of the same material as the factory guide rod, the gun can only be shot in ESP.

In any case, this will not be in issue at most local matches but would be an issue at any major match. Best idea is to find a local club and ask if they will let you shoot matches, in ESP division, as long as you don'e use the laser.

In my personal opinion, the laser is no advantage in IDPA matches.

[jimlongley]

I shoot a gun with LaserGrips on it, occasionally, in club matches. I (usually) do not turn the laser on (once in a match I forgot it was on and started that way, pulled the gun back, turned it off and continued - the SO decided I had penalized myself enough so he didn't give me a procedural) and hardly anyone ever comments.

The few comments I have received were more on the order of "neat", "Do they work?" and stuff like that.

I actually like the feel of the LGs a lot and wish I could buy a dummy set, at lower price of course, for my normal carry gun.

[Roger Howard]

Here is the rules in IDPA rule book.


The following modifications are NOT ALLOWED IN ANY
DIVISION unless otherwise specifically mentioned.
A. Compensators of any type including hybrid or ported
barrels.
B. Add-on weights for a competitive advantage (this includes,
but is not limited to, weighted magazines, tungsten guide rods,
brass magazine wells, weighted grips).
C. Heavy and/or cone style barrels without a barrel bushing.
D. Sights of non-standard configuration (i.e. Ghost rings, Bo-
Mar rib, etc.).
E. Disconnection or disabling of any safety device on any gun.
F. Lights mounted on guns.
IDPA founders hoped to create a practical shooting discipline that
will not turn into an equipment race. Pistol barrel porting does
enhance recoil control (granted increased muzzle flash is an
unwanted byproduct) and thus could offer a competitive
advantage. If the Board of Directors (BoD) allowed ported barrels,
then it would be a “necessary modification� to be competitive, thus
increasing the cost of participation substantially....


EXCLUDED Modifications (NON-Inclusive list):
1. Externally visible modifications other than grips or sights.
2. Robar style grip reduction.
3. Add-on magazine well opening.
4. Guide rods made of a material different from the factory part
it replaces.
5. Seattle Slug Grip Plug and similar weighted products.

[Scott Murray]

I have a Lasermax for my Sig P239. It takes about 2 minutes to replace it with the original takedown lever and guide rod. I prefer to do this when shooting without the laser anyway, just to avoid wear on the laser system.

So if you want the Lasermax, it shouldn't have to interfere with IDPA.

Scott