IDPA anyone?

[mloamiller]

Just wondering how many people participate in IDPA matches. What are you thoughts - is it worth the expense? Is it useful?

[jayinsat]

I plan to do it. It seems fun as all get out and relatively inexpensive. It cost less than a ticket to an amusement park in many cases and is super beneficial to anyone with a chl.

[A-R]

Very worthwhile, especially if your practice/training to this point has been typical stand-and-shoot ranges.

Competitive shooting IS NOT TRAINING, but it is goood practice on the fundamentals of drawing, fast target acquisition, reloading, moving, using cover/concealment, etc.

If you have access to a "tactical" shooting range that allows multiple targets, drawing, speed shooting etc., you can do as well or better to practice if you have the time to set up multiple targets etc. But for most of us, IDPA is the closest we'll get to "tactical" practice.

It's also a ton of fun. If you ever played cops-n-robbers, cowboys-n-Indians, or "laser tag" type games as a kid ... this is the adult version, with live ammo.

Give it a try ...

And the expense isn't too bad - if you're practicing as much as you should anyway -- typical match you'll need 100 rounds of practice ammo, gun, strongside belt holster, dual mag pouch, and three magazines ... use what you use for concealed carry.

[extremist]

Exactly what A-R said, +1.

We have one of the "busiest" IDPA clubs in the country, check out our website for the match calendar. We will have more than 130 matches this year. And close to you (Winchester Shooting Gallery I-820 and Lancaster).

http://www.ctidpa.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Come on out and shoot your first match free. You must be there by 5:00 for a new shooter's briefing.

Go to the IDPA website and download the rule book and read it before you come. Also get some "decent" gear - NO mushy nylon holsters allowed.

Regards,
James

[texanjoker]

Gotta get out here in the next month. In CA we did a lot of tactical shooting, here in TX they have no budget for training ammo. IDPA seems like the way to have fun and keep skills up.

[A-R]

Gotta get out here in the next month. In CA we did a lot of tactical shooting, here in TX they have no budget for training ammo. IDPA seems like the way to have fun and keep skills up.

message me next time you want to go to an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club http://www.texastactical.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... I shoot with these guys as often as I can .... teaching CHL classes the next two weekends, so likely won't get out there again til end of the month

[texanjoker]

Gotta get out here in the next month. In CA we did a lot of tactical shooting, here in TX they have no budget for training ammo. IDPA seems like the way to have fun and keep skills up.

message me next time you want to go to an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club http://www.texastactical.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... I shoot with these guys as often as I can .... teaching CHL classes the next two weekends, so likely won't get out there again til end of the month

Sounds good. As of last week I finally have Saturdays off. Can I use my normal duty gun belt? It is probably a little slower then the high speed stuff, but I want to keep my muscle memory in tact.

[thatguy]

We shoot IDPA matches here at The Arms Room every Monday evening starting at 630 pm, new shooters are asked to be here at 530 pm for first time orientation.

I see a HUGE difference in shooters who compete vs. those who don't. I implore anyone who has a CHL or carry's a gun to practice and train and IDPA is probably the best vehicle to get that done.

Most wont come out because they are nervous or think someone is going to make fun of them and this is not true, you wont find a better bunch of classy people than at an IDPA match...

[Wes]

I have always wanted to give it a try myself but didnt even know where to begin. Let us know if you take a stab at it, id be interested to see how it goes.

[Piney]

Don't yet not having shot at an IDPA match stop you. Make arrangements to go to one a little early. Take some time to visit with the folks out there. Bring your gear with you. If you feel comfortable- shoot. If not, stick around and visit. I've spoken with a number of folks who've initially come out to watch and then said they wished they'd brought their gear to shoot.

If you go to shoot-- just tell the SO (Safety Officer) at each stage you're new at this. He/she will probably let you not have to draw. He/she will watch a bit closer and may even offer a couple of general tips.

Enjoy--

[A-R]

Gotta get out here in the next month. In CA we did a lot of tactical shooting, here in TX they have no budget for training ammo. IDPA seems like the way to have fun and keep skills up.

message me next time you want to go to an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club http://www.texastactical.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... I shoot with these guys as often as I can .... teaching CHL classes the next two weekends, so likely won't get out there again til end of the month

Sounds good. As of last week I finally have Saturdays off. Can I use my normal duty gun belt? It is probably a little slower then the high speed stuff, but I want to keep my muscle memory in tact.

Yes definitely on the duty belt. I think rules specify full duty belt (radio etc) just as worn on duty to be technically within the rules ... but at these weekend local matches, no one worries too much about the minor rules. As long as it's a duty type holster on that duty belt (with some retention device(s) to slow you down), you'll be good to go. They just don't want guys putting a high speed/low drag holster on a duty belt and saying "this is my duty gear"

Usually get a small contingent of LEOs at most of the matches there - I've shot with some Travis SO SWAT guys, a Hays CO deputy, a few APD guys & gals, an ACC guy.

[A-R]

Don't yet not having shot at an IDPA match stop you. Make arrangements to go to one a little early. Take some time to visit with the folks out there. Bring your gear with you. If you feel comfortable- shoot. If not, stick around and visit. I've spoken with a number of folks who've initially come out to watch and then said they wished they'd brought their gear to shoot.

THIS ... I went "just to watch" my first time and after the first shooter went through the first stage I was kicking myself for not "bringing (my) toys and playing the game" as they like to say.

[texanjoker]

Gotta get out here in the next month. In CA we did a lot of tactical shooting, here in TX they have no budget for training ammo. IDPA seems like the way to have fun and keep skills up.

message me next time you want to go to an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club http://www.texastactical.net" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... I shoot with these guys as often as I can .... teaching CHL classes the next two weekends, so likely won't get out there again til end of the month

Sounds good. As of last week I finally have Saturdays off. Can I use my normal duty gun belt? It is probably a little slower then the high speed stuff, but I want to keep my muscle memory in tact.

Yes definitely on the duty belt. I think rules specify full duty belt (radio etc) just as worn on duty to be technically within the rules ... but at these weekend local matches, no one worries too much about the minor rules. As long as it's a duty type holster on that duty belt (with some retention device(s) to slow you down), you'll be good to go. They just don't want guys putting a high speed/low drag holster on a duty belt and saying "this is my duty gear"

Usually get a small contingent of LEOs at most of the matches there - I've shot with some Travis SO SWAT guys, a Hays CO deputy, a few APD guys & gals, an ACC guy.

Cool. I don't think they will let me take a radio to shoot IDPA, but one never knows.

[C-dub]

Don't yet not having shot at an IDPA match stop you. Make arrangements to go to one a little early. Take some time to visit with the folks out there. Bring your gear with you. If you feel comfortable- shoot. If not, stick around and visit. I've spoken with a number of folks who've initially come out to watch and then said they wished they'd brought their gear to shoot.

THIS ... I went "just to watch" my first time and after the first shooter went through the first stage I was kicking myself for not "bringing (my) toys and playing the game" as they like to say.

I did the same thing. It would have been a lot of fun, but I don't regret not shooting. I could watch the whole thing and learn without any stress. Sure, I was still stressed at MY first match, but less so, maybe. I didn't shoot myself or anyone else except the targets and didn't get any safety violations. Whatever one feels comfortable with is fine. The key is to not hurry and hit your targets. Speed will come later.

[cbunt1]

I do, it is, and it is. :)

As A-R mentions, it's not tactical training, but is as close as most of us get. To me, the real benefit for participants is threefold:

1) An opportunity to handle your gun under stressful conditions, in a controlled environment. Most of us strap it on, carry it all day, and then take it off. It *WILL* change the way you handle your gun, and the way you think about handling your gun---for the better. It will likely change at least *something* about the way you carry your gun daily, and about your mindset about doing so. Again, for the better.

2) An opportunity to shoot at something besides the basic static targets (So-called "stand and deliver"). You will learn to draw and engage, shoot on the move, shoot from behind cover, from different positions, strong and/or support-hand shooting, firing while seated, etc. You will also learn new ways to think about target engagement (not all of it is "real world" but as with many things in life, it's not which conclusion you come to, but THAT YOU CONSIDERED THE ALTERNATIVE).

3) The most important thing: you will meet new like-minded people, and have an opportunity to share stories, interests, and and ways of doing the same thing. Three shooters may look at and participate in a scenario, and work the details in three different ways, for different reasons. There's even a good chance of running into the top-of-the-league guys in this sport...and trust me, they're as friendly and helpful as the newbies.

There's really nothing to lose by giving it a shot. Granted it's not for everyone, but I have to think that everyone that has come to our club's matches a couple of times has learned something new, and I assure you that each of them has taught me something new.