IPSC costs
- Thread starter paintgunner
- Start date
Your provincial IPSC webpage should give you an idea of the cost
Membership in on is 70$
Your black Badge course fee is less than 100$
For ammo... Depends how much you shoot and how many matches you do... And training
Level 2 are around 100 rds
Level 3 are around 200 rds
Membership in on is 70$
Your black Badge course fee is less than 100$
For ammo... Depends how much you shoot and how many matches you do... And training
Level 2 are around 100 rds
Level 3 are around 200 rds
It can be as expensive as you like.
However, if you'd like to keep costs down, consider shooting in a division like production where the rules mean you won't be allowed expensive modifications to your handgun like red dots, comps and mag wells (and gunsmith costs!)
Also, do you reload? That can drastically cut your costs, or alternatively allow you more practice more with the same amount of money you have budgeted for ammo.
If you go for a simple kydex belt holster, as opposed to one of the fancy race type holsters, that will also save you cash.
So to answer your question, I don't know. Too many variables. But if you don't want to break the bank think about some of the above factors as you price things out and you'll find it's very doable.
However, if you'd like to keep costs down, consider shooting in a division like production where the rules mean you won't be allowed expensive modifications to your handgun like red dots, comps and mag wells (and gunsmith costs!)
Also, do you reload? That can drastically cut your costs, or alternatively allow you more practice more with the same amount of money you have budgeted for ammo.
If you go for a simple kydex belt holster, as opposed to one of the fancy race type holsters, that will also save you cash.
So to answer your question, I don't know. Too many variables. But if you don't want to break the bank think about some of the above factors as you price things out and you'll find it's very doable.
LOL, all true..
To trim costs, hook up with the local IPSC Club and talk to the guys.
Find the guy(s) there who most seem to share your outlook at budgeting. (Translation: If you're a cheap bastage, don't dwell too long with the caviar set. )
Besides a gun you like and trust, at least 5 mags, a good quality belt and holster, and your initial course fees, the rest of the game is simple.
Matches cost between $10 and $400, but for the most part count on $20-50. ($25 or less most of the time for local matches)
There is the cost of travel, so figure out where the clubs are and how much time and gas you'll need.
Opinions will vary on how much practice and match ammo you'd need. I'd suggest the redline begins at 4k per year and climbs with your interest, but......
even production is expensive, depends how seriously you want to get into it and how many matches you attend. and level 2 are definitely more than 100 rounds, atleast the ones I attend. 150-200 is more like it, also depending on how much you miss. all I'm saying is be prepared to spend a ton of money.
I find most of my expenses are for travel and food while attending matches. If you're really good at analyzing your shooting, you won't need to spend as much on ammo for practice, because you should be able to break down your practice into separate skills to work on. With the rising costs of ammunition (and problems with availability), I find I do more dry firing these days and only use live ammunition for the things that really need it.
Last year I spent roughly:
$600 ammo
$75 IPSC Membership fees
$150 Club membership dues (actually, I spent less because I'm a life member, but that's how much I would have paid)
$500 match fees
$2300 travel fees (including airlines, rental cars, gas, hotels, food, travel to and from the range)
If you only shoot locally, then you save yourself a big chunk of change.
Last year I spent roughly:
$600 ammo
$75 IPSC Membership fees
$150 Club membership dues (actually, I spent less because I'm a life member, but that's how much I would have paid)
$500 match fees
$2300 travel fees (including airlines, rental cars, gas, hotels, food, travel to and from the range)
If you only shoot locally, then you save yourself a big chunk of change.
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It's not cheap for sure.
Do you already have the equipment?
If you just look at ipsc. Each match in Alberta so far has been forty bucks.
The most cost is travel/accommodation/food IMO
Find a buddy from the same city and split the cost.
Do you already have the equipment?
If you just look at ipsc. Each match in Alberta so far has been forty bucks.
The most cost is travel/accommodation/food IMO
Find a buddy from the same city and split the cost.
Having only been involved a few months, IMO location plays a role. Local matches are $10, maybe 8-12 people show up. I think it's the bargain of the century. Drive four hours away and it's $40 and 50 people.
I have friends in AB and I know it's not cheap. But usually wages are higher there so it's relative. I've heard of range membership in the hundreds of $$$.
Hang out at the range and ask around, there is always someone ready to help new shooters, or reloading etc. to trim costs.
Best piece of advice that was given to me last year: Buy a realiable new or near near pistol, four mags holster and belt. Go shooting. I bought a new M&P range kit in 40, came with everything less a $9 belt for $649. It might not be the best thing going, but I like it.
I might be around $1200 year end including ammo and pistol, next year should come in around $6-800+-.
I have friends in AB and I know it's not cheap. But usually wages are higher there so it's relative. I've heard of range membership in the hundreds of $$$.
Hang out at the range and ask around, there is always someone ready to help new shooters, or reloading etc. to trim costs.
Best piece of advice that was given to me last year: Buy a realiable new or near near pistol, four mags holster and belt. Go shooting. I bought a new M&P range kit in 40, came with everything less a $9 belt for $649. It might not be the best thing going, but I like it.
I might be around $1200 year end including ammo and pistol, next year should come in around $6-800+-.
For bare bones, this. Except I'll say there's no particular need to get a new shadow. There are slightly cheaper pistols available. Shoot the gun you want to when you start, and later on if you want to push the envelope then maybe you will start to think about the winningest gear.
You also might luck into a complete used setup and save quite a few bucks, too. Troll the EE over the fall and winter and you might well do that.
And of course, everybody knows that the cost of practice ammo will quickly eclipse the cost of everything else, gear-wise. But if you're on a budget, there is a LOT of useful training you can do without ammo.
My ipsc costs are nothing compared to what gets spent on 3-gun activities.
By comparison ipsc is cheap.
Fact is... If you wanna play you gotta pay. That goes for every pastime/sport you might be involved in.
Hell... I wonder what it would cost you to join in on some beer league hockey team or really get into golf or ten pin bowling..?
By comparison ipsc is cheap.
Fact is... If you wanna play you gotta pay. That goes for every pastime/sport you might be involved in.
Hell... I wonder what it would cost you to join in on some beer league hockey team or really get into golf or ten pin bowling..?
OK, I guess I should have been more specific with my question. Once the gear is paid for, how much do you guys usually spend on everything else (ammo, fee's courses, ect)? I'm sure it also depends on how good of a shot you are, and how much you practice.
Thanks for all the advice so far, I know my question wasn't very specific! I think the next step is to talk with some guys that are into it to get a better idea of what it might cost. It looks like a really fun sport!
Dexter Morgan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Start by shooting local club-level matches.
You could easily spend years (or a lifetime) just doing that and having fun. Plenty of people do it, and none of them spend millions of dollars on it.
If someday you decide to become a National/International competitor, then you are talking about serious time and money commitments.
But if/when that day comes you will be willing to make whatever sacrifice is necessary to do it.
Maybe it means living in a cheaper apartment, or driving a cheaper car. But so what?
I'm the South Zone Director for IPSC AB. Feel free to contact me and I can try to help you with some of your questions. One thing I would recommend is going out to a local league night and watching, asking questions, and possibly trying it out. There isn't much in the Calgary area for a league, but we have a pretty active league here in Lethbridge if you're interested.
Edit to add: We have 2 qualifiers in Brooks Oct. 19th and 20th. You're welcome to come out and watch, ask questions and see what it's all about!
Edit to add: We have 2 qualifiers in Brooks Oct. 19th and 20th. You're welcome to come out and watch, ask questions and see what it's all about!
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