IDPA or IPSC, How do I get started?

rkm456

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Okay, so I'm currently waiting on the transfer of a H&K USP, and I think I'd like to get involved in some shooting sports. Obviously I need trigger time in before I try to do anything competition wise, but what equipment do I need, and what info do I need to get started? Thanks in advance.
 
IDPA is easy: you need a pistol, pouches for two mags, four mags total (two in pouches, one in pistol, one "barney" mag to load your first round), a holster, and a concealment garment. There are some rules around holsters (eg: no "drop" or offset holsters for men), but your standard bladetech or Soleley Canadian will do.

Can't speak to IPSC. I don't have any shirts bright enough to participate!
 
Ipsc requires a holster, belt, few mag pouches and at least 4 mags.

Not much needed to start.

Beyond equipment you need to be a member and have to complete the black badge
 
Ipsc requires a holster, belt, few mag pouches and at least 4 mags.

Not much needed to start.

Beyond equipment you need to be a member and have to complete the black badge

When you say belt, you mean a specific belt, or just something the mag pouches and holster will fit on?
 
Just anythjng that mag pouches and a holster can attach too....if you end up liking it, youll probably want a competition belt

I figure as much. I'm just tring to avoid breaking the bank while I'm just getting a feel for it.
 
IDPA is easy: you need a pistol, pouches for two mags, four mags total (two in pouches, one in pistol, one "barney" mag to load your first round), a holster, and a concealment garment. There are some rules around holsters (eg: no "drop" or offset holsters for men), but your standard bladetech or Soleley Canadian will do.

Can't speak to IPSC. I don't have any shirts bright enough to participate!

+1 For IDPA, can't speak for IPSC either and agreed on the bright shirts...LOL
 
For IPSC. You sign up for a Black Badge course which is basically a safety course over 3 days. Then if you pass, you do a provisional match, if you don't get DQ'ed, you get your black badge. Then you go to the IPSC website, find matches and sign up and go and have fun. Simple
 
Okay, so I'm currently waiting on the transfer of a H&K USP, and I think I'd like to get involved in some shooting sports. Obviously I need trigger time in before I try to do anything competition wise, but what equipment do I need, and what info do I need to get started? Thanks in advance.

On October 2nd at EOSC there will be an IDPA match, maybe you can pass by and see if you like what you see. They also give the new shooter course for IDPA at that club.
 
Interesting. In your opinion, what makes a holster suck?

There was just no adjustability. Also it pointed right down my leg so if there was an accidental discharge, it would hit me. With my new one, I have it pointed away so if there is a AD, it will go about a foot beside me. I got the Ghost Stinger from Doubletap sports who is a sponsor. I use it this past weekend and has no issue. Worked as it should.
 
Might be hunting, but I'll see if I can make it work. What time?

9:00 to 3:00 around. If you can't make it just go on the Eastern Ontario Shooting Club website, click IDPA and you can email Greg.
Smith Falls also has local matches.
For a holster visit solelycanadian.com As cereal83 said, it's better to spend $86 the first time than $65 then $86.
 
When I first got started with IPSC a few years ago they had local practice nights where you could come try a couple stages even if you hadn't done the black badge course yet. I don't know if other ranges do this, but it might be worth looking into. You should probably have some shooting ability before you take the course, but you could also learn quicker if you dont already have a bunch of bad habits to unlearn. My wife had barely shot a handgun before she did her black badge and by the end she was shooting better than some of the guys that had some experience. One or two of them had been to a bunch of our practice nights before doing the course too. I've done a few IPSC matches and use a $20 or $25 Blackhawk holster, pretty much the cheapest one they make. Not the SERPA model, just their plain Jane plastic holster. It came with an adjustable belt mount, but I ended up making my own that is much more solid and puts the gun lower. At first I had a couple cheap double mag holders, but replaced them with angle adjustable single ones pretty quick after my black badge course. The competition specific belts are nice to have, things stay where you want them better, and I actually bought mine from my black badge instructor during the course. Smart guy, he had one that was my size and offered to let me try it to see what I thought. Having stuff stay put is pretty important when you start trying to pick up the pace a bit.
Kristian
 
Looks like the holster you've listed would work for IDPA too. That said, there is great wisdom in attending a few sessions and seeing what others are running. You can glean a fair bit off that...
 
When I first got started with IPSC a few years ago they had local practice nights where you could come try a couple stages even if you hadn't done the black badge course yet. I don't know if other ranges do this, but it might be worth looking into. You should probably have some shooting ability before you take the course, but you could also learn quicker if you dont already have a bunch of bad habits to unlearn. My wife had barely shot a handgun before she did her black badge and by the end she was shooting better than some of the guys that had some experience. One or two of them had been to a bunch of our practice nights before doing the course too. I've done a few IPSC matches and use a $20 or $25 Blackhawk holster, pretty much the cheapest one they make. Not the SERPA model, just their plain Jane plastic holster. It came with an adjustable belt mount, but I ended up making my own that is much more solid and puts the gun lower. At first I had a couple cheap double mag holders, but replaced them with angle adjustable single ones pretty quick after my black badge course. The competition specific belts are nice to have, things stay where you want them better, and I actually bought mine from my black badge instructor during the course. Smart guy, he had one that was my size and offered to let me try it to see what I thought. Having stuff stay put is pretty important when you start trying to pick up the pace a bit.
Kristian

This.
 
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