I see your point but I still think the course is important for if nothing else
"MY" safety. The way to challenge the the test is to complete the whole course. Anybody can look good for a few draws and movements, what I want to know is under pressure and time after a long day at a match are they still safe. Many sports require certain qualifications if you want to play. If you don't qualify you don't play, even to help coach minor hockey I had to take a safety course, a coaching clinic and a speakout class. Aprox 12 hours of my time and $300 later.
The problem is that everybody already "thinks" they are a safe and experienced shooter. Just like everyone thinks they are a great driver and I watch idiots all day long on the road and shake my head. You only have to go watch the line at a general shooters night to see the different levels of gun awarness, safety, etc.. I am not saying you are anyone else is not safe but if you pass the black badge it makes me feel a little more secure that my self or the shooter will be able to have a fun match and go home without any extra holes in us. After all we are playing with real guns and live ammo and some people just are scary with thier gun handling.
As far as cost goes, if you are worried about the price of the course this is just not a sport for you. I watch so many people take the course and for every 10 people who take only one or two actually show up to matches regularly. Shooting sports are expensive in general and IPSC is no exception. If you practice IPDA with 500 rounds or IPSC with 500 rounds it cost the same. As far as fancy gear goes, usually the top shooters are the guys with the basic gear. Really you need a gun that works well and all the time. If the gun isnt reliable you can't win.
