Idpa?

T

tim_up_north

CGN Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
123   0   0
Location
KW, ON
As a 'back to new' handgun shooter, I've been pondering which sport to focus on.

I thought IPSC, but as I read more about IDPA, it seems slightly more straight forward and not as 'gamey' as IPSC. (And this in NO way is meant to cast any aspersions on IPSC).

The equipment needed in IDPA seems simpler, and from what I gather is meant to down play any advantages in gun/holster/equipment setup.

I have a few questions for those that shoot in this sport.

Is there an equivalent course to the Black Badge needed to join-in/compete?

Just how vibrant is IDPA in western Canada, as far as matches, etc?

Can you recommend the basics in equipment needed to start?

I trust my new to me stock Glock G17 is perfectly fine to use?

Thanks for any tips or info you can pass along to an interested new guy in this discipline.



.
 
Last edited:
IDPA is simpler when it comes to maximum equipment worn.

Stock Glock is fine.
You'll want a OWB or IWB holster which stays open when there is no firearm in it (Kydex or leather, maybe some newer nylon ones)

A double mag holder or two singles and about 4 magazines for your Glock.
Concealment vest/jacket/shirt (with arms out the holster/gun should remain hidden from the side, hence concealment garmet).
 
Oh.

As for courses available.

BB is good for ISPC and IDPA
CDP Competitor is offered by the CSSA and is good in Canada (I dunno about usability in ISPC however, I doubt it is valid)
 
IPSC, IDPA, CDPA, etc. Find out what clubs in your area shoot. It does you no good finding the perfect (for you) discipline if you have no one to shoot with.
 
Rudy H said:
IPSC, IDPA, CDPA, etc. Find out what clubs in your area shoot. It does you no good finding the perfect (for you) discipline if you have no one to shoot with.
Click to expand...


Too true. We're in a small town here. There are a few serious and competitive IPSC shooters (and therefore good mentors).

I'm shying away from IPSC though, on anything but a purely casual and fun level. I'm not sure if I'm going to dump any great amount of money into competition level equipment. I do really want to do the Black Badge course, so I will have to outfit myself suitably for that in any case....

I need a part time job to pay for my hobbies :eek::D


.
 
Production Division would be perfect for you

IPSC is NOT Expensive if it is the only sport in town.

When I first started, everybody was saying Open Division is an expensive division. I found a 2nd hand 1911 w red dot sight , Open Race Holster with 5 magazines for about $1300. You can still find the same bargain almost regularly.

I am still shooting that same pistol with no intention of buying a $3,000 replacement. I went from unclassified to class C winning a lot of trophies with that gun for around 3 years.

I am now shooting production with a Springfield XD . For my belt in production, I am using a thick cowboy belt which is stiff enough. I own a CR Speed Belt and they are the best. (I am keeping my CR stuff for my Open rig). Remember, a good CR Speed Belt with the inner and outer belt is only $65. The best investment you could ever buy. But since I have my cowboy belt and dont have the budget for a 2nd CR Speed, the cowboy belt works well for me.

Shoot your G17 in Production.

My trigger has NOT been worked on, sights are stock.

How much fun you have is entirely up to you. I dont get pressured by being the best. Be better than yourself everyday. My rating was 21% the last time I shot my XD but had a LOT of fun shooting it.

Personally, any lead downrange is good for me. If your intention is to have fun, you are on the right track with any sport.
 
Howdy Tim

I will try and answer most of your questions. However please bear in mind that I am an IPSC guy.

First off IPSC can be as gamey as you want it to be. If you want to come out and shoot your G17 in production with an Uncle Mike’s holster and mag holders then you can. If you want to take the same gun and do all of the approved modifications to it you can. If you want to buy gear to try and go faster you can. The first year I shot IPSC out of Hay River I shoot it with a military surplus 45 with pinhead sites. I had a hell of a good time. I didn’t win anything but so what.

Your G17 is also good for IDPA but I am not sure of the classes. In IDPA you have to use a holster off of their approved list.

IPSC Alberta is planning on holding 19 matches next year plus provincials plus the Canadian Nationals. Our indoor matches (5) are half day matches either Saturday evening, Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon. Our outdoor matches are double qualifiers. One match Saturday and one match Sunday. We average 100 people per match. IDPA in Alberta offered 6 matches this year, with about 20 to 30 people attending so I have been told. I am sure that next year they will try to double the number of matches. The Grand Prairie and Medicine Hat groups are doing something on the club level but are not “legal” IDPA clubs as far as I know (if I am wrong someone will correct me I am sure.)

I believe IDPA has a safety course but again I could stand to be corrected on this.

Also don’t think that IDPA is not gamey. It is like any sport that has people competing, especially males. Some people will do anything to win. The best advice I can give is pick you guy, give your all to it and go play.
 
Walter Hornby

In IDPA you have to use a holster off of their approved list.


Nope, no such lists exists. Legal holster requirements are set out in the rule book and examples of popular styles are illustrated ie Pancake, Kydex etc.

I believe IDPA has a safety course but again I could stand to be corrected on this.

No but they do have a Safety Officer Course. This course deals with the rules of IDPA and how they are administered by the Safety Officer. Course alos includes the duties of a safety Officer. Most clubs will take new shooters aside to confirm holster competance before allowing them to come to the line.

Also don’t think that IDPA is not gamey.

Not sure what you mean by this. Cheaters don't last long in any sport and in IDPA there is little reason to cheat. In the main you are competing against yourself for self improvement and against others for a 10 cent certificate that says you won. These can be bought at any stationery store and you can print out a humdred of them if you want to. Our club matches cost $5.00. Monies goes back to our club. Next year we will host the BC Provincials and the entry fee will likely be $50.00. Fees will go for the cost of lunch and costs to run the match with what little surplus going back to the club. Divisional Prizes will be Certificates. Any sponsor prizes from the "prize" table will be drawn by chance and will have nothing to do with how you shoot. IDPA is a trophy only sport.

Having been a safety Officer recently at the Washington State Championship I can tell you for a fact out of 91 shooters not one instance in SOing two stages did I see any evidence of gamesmanship. Shooters were polite and were clearly wanting to play by the rules. The guys were out for a good time and had one. One shooter questioned a procedural call I made and the call was quickly confirmed by others in the squad. The shooter apologised and accepted the cover call. Members of the squad recorded the scoring as it was called by the SO. I assume IPSC does the same thing.

Scoring is done from a distance of four to five feet. Close line calls go to the shooter.

Can "Gaming" occur, sure it can but guys like that soon gravitate to other endeavors. Playing by the rules is not "gamey"... cheating is.

The best advice I can give is pick you guy, give your all to it and go play.

To that I will add, "Have Fun". There are more important things in life to get worked up over than whether or not you place first, third or fourth or last in an IDPA/IPSC event. The important thing is that you enjoy your match experience and as a IDPA SO one of my main functions is to insure you do.

Take Care

Bob
 
Last edited:
Walter Hornby said:
IDPA in Alberta offered 6 matches this year, with about 20 to 30 people attending so I have been told. I am sure that next year they will try to double the number of matches.
Click to expand...

Nope, 6 matches next year as well (4th Sunday of the month starting in April, except September which is 3rd Sunday), plus Provincials (Thanksgiving weekend) and hopefully Canadian Nationals (early July). We will, however, try to increase our membership with a corresponding increase in the number of shooters at the marches.


Walter Hornby said:
IPSC Alberta is planning on holding 19 matches next year plus provincials plus the Canadian Nationals. We average 100 people per match.
Click to expand...


And IPSC has been around in Alberta for 30 years; IDPA for less than one.....
 
It doesn't matter what discipline you choose to pursue.

You only every need to follow 3 rules in any action shooting sport.

1. Play safe
2. Have fun
3. Follow discipline rules

#2 & 3 are about even. If you cannot have fun while following the rules, don't play. As usual Rule #1 is paramount.
 
Tim I took the S.O. course in Terrace and found it to be a great source of information.
If you can make it to Peace River for the course there you would come away with a good deal more knowledge of IDPA and be one step closer to setting up an IDPA club in Hay River.
And as Dragoon posted above IDPA is a growing disipline in western Canada. Our club in terrace is the only IDPA club in BC right now But there has been a lot of intrest in starting at least two other clubs in northern BC That I know of .The more shooters the better!!!

As for which is cheaper IDPA or IPSC I guess it all depends on your intrest level and how much you shoot. neither is free but both put lead down range and that is worth the dollars to me
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom