Stephen, I have found the Texas Tactical group to be among the most friendly and hospitable folks around. Their two primary goals for their matches are:
1. Be Safe
2. Have Fun
If you are not doing both, you should consider doing something else.
The matches start sign up at 9A with hammer down at 10A. Between there is a 'new shooters meeting' followed by the regular meeting where basic safety expectations are reviewed
The new shooters meeting, is a welcome, a summary of what to expect and how the match is run, rules, scoring, safety and range commands. Lasts about 10 minutes max.
The IDPA match consists of a number stages or scenarios ( usually 5 or 6 with this group) where the shooter is presented with a problem to solve as a law abiding concealed carry citizen. For example you approach an ATM at night and your are accosted by armed theives intent on taking your cash. Or you may be in a convenience store late at night and some robbers enter threatening everyone. Each stage will require no more than 18 rounds (you can use more if needed) and may have 3-9 targets, some may be moving, some may be behind hostages (no-threat targets), some may be protected by hard cover...or some combination of these...and you will be moving as you encounter the threats. Before each stage, written instructions are read and a physical walk-through is given each squad and questions answered.
Equipment requirements are minimal.
1. handgun with a minimum .38 Special or 9mm
2. a simple belt type holster at the waist. No shoulder, crossdraw, small of back, thigh rigs. Just a regular verticle or FBI cant holster.
3. a total of 3 magazines for semi-auto or three speed-loaders for revolver
4. a concealment garment, which can be a vest, untucked sport shirt, hawaiian shirt, long T-shirt, etc.
5. eye and ear protection
6. ammo 100-150 rounds
7. $20 total match fee which includes range fee.
The regular match runs till about 1-1:30P and the shotgun side match adds about an hour depending on the number of participants.
There are some National Class shooters there, beginners and a wide range in between. Last week we had 45 shooters, ranging in age from about 10 to the 70's. We had 5 new LEO shooters participate. LEO's can use duty gear in lieu of concealment garments. We have computer folks, welders, Amzoil salesmen, pharmacists, Volvo mechanics, LEO's, Austin FD battalion chief, students, current and ex military......... you get the drift. We have some women but need and want more to participate. My daughter(age 21) shoots with us when A&M, work and social calender permit. She started with us at age 17 and now an older sister wants to start.
I really look forward to it and find it a great source of stress relief. Some times after too long between matches even my wife comments that I "need to go shoot something".
The range is Cedar Ridge Range about 13 miles west of New Braunfels toward Bulverde. The Texas Tactical website has directions and lots of other info.
For more info go to:
http://www.texastactical.net/
and
http://idpa.com/
If anyone cannot make it with this get together but would like to give it a try, just let me or AggieMM know and we would be glad to get you started and be on a squad with you at a mutually convenient time.
With my schedule I've managed to miss each get together since Eagle Peak but I have new toys now...