IDPA or IPSC, How do I get started?

rkm456 said:
When you say belt, you mean a specific belt, or just something the mag pouches and holster will fit on?
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For IPSC, there is the following rule:

5.2.3 Unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing, the belt carrying the holster and all allied equipment must be worn at waist level. The belt or the inner belt or both must be either permanently sewn at the waist, or secured with a minimum of three belt loops attached to shorts or trousers.​

So threading your belt through belt loops and then mag holders and then more belt loops and then your holster get's tiresome real quick :)

You should look into getting a competition belt like this: https://www.freedomventures.ca/products/cr-speed-super-hi-torque-range-belt Much easier to put on/take off and having your holster and mags firmly mounted to your waist is just better.
 
VanMan said:
For IPSC, there is the following rule: 5.2.3 Unless otherwise specified in the written stage briefing, the belt carrying the holster and all allied equipment must be worn at waist level. The belt or the inner belt or both must be either permanently sewn at the waist, or secured with a minimum of three belt loops attached to shorts or trousers. So threading your belt through belt loops and then mag holders and then more belt loops and then your holster get's tiresome real quick :) You should look into getting a competition belt...
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For IDPA, there is the following rule:

8.4 Belts
Belts may be no wider than 1 ¾ inches (44.5mm) or thicker than 5/16 inches (7.9mm) and must pass through a minimum of all but two of the pant loops.

So, for IDPA, an 'outer belt' cannot be used in that way. (You can use it, but it must pass through the belt loops.) Whatever belt is used "...must pass through a minimum of all but two of the pant loops."
 
Onagoth said:
Nobody is going to care for his first match or for his safety course
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appropriate equipment is covered in the Black Badge course (at least it was in mine), and unfortunately out here in the west for level II and above matches we are getting our equipment checked at each stage of a match :( It is so detailed that a lot of folks got hassled about using a DOH with their Bladetech holsters and being in violation of the 50mm rule. So now when I run a practice at our club, we do equipment checks and I help the newbies with their equipment so they don't get blindsided during a qualifier.

I'm interested to know, is IDPA less strict?
 
With tongue firmly planted in chek:

IDPA has more rules and hence more rules nazis, IPSC has flashier shirts hence more prima donnas.

IDPA is more prescriptive in how you are expected to shoot a stage, IPSC allows you to decide how you want to shoot it. The gear is pretty much the same in either, tho IDPA allows a fewer number of mags on your belt when you start the stage.
 
VanMan said:
appropriate equipment is covered in the Black Badge course (at least it was in mine), and unfortunately out here in the west for level II and above matches we are getting our equipment checked at each stage of a match :( It is so detailed that a lot of folks got hassled about using a DOH with their Bladetech holsters and being in violation of the 50mm rule. So now when I run a practice at our club, we do equipment checks and I help the newbies with their equipment so they don't get blindsided during a qualifier.

I'm interested to know, is IDPA less strict?
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A lot of it comes down to the club.... What you said above makes sense for a lvl 2...for club level matches, I would never fault a newbie for equipment...

IDPA at the club level can be fairly lenient too depending on the match director... Bigger area matches are likely to have equipment checks
 
On equipment four mags for IDPA, (Initially you can get by with three and even two until you are ready to decide whether you like the sport or not. Once you want to make a commitment four mags for IDPA and I would suggest a fifth for IPSC. You can carry your spare mag or mags in your pocket initially as well. At some point though two single mag holders would be the way I would go for IDPA. Go with an IDPA compliant holster and use it for both sports. You won't notice and difference in your draw times and certainly not in your scores.

Both sports are great fun. I would try both. No need to go out and buy a vest for IDPA or a silk screen speed shirt for IPSC. For IDPA join the Hawaiian Shirt crowd. You will fit right in, forget the vest until you are sure you like the sport or you don't like the shirt. :>). If you enjoy IPSC then go and take their Black Badge course. It will give you a good understanding on the rules of the sport. If you are''t ready for IPSC and prefer IDPA don't take the course until are ready to move in that direction, you will have saved yourself a couple of hundred dollars.

Lastly shoot either or both sports for fun. You might get caught up in the competitive aspect of the sports but you don't have to. Remember at the end of the day you will eat and sleep just fine no matter how you score. Too, the fun is in the shooting and the folks you will meet.

Go here: www.idpacanada.ca and check out the equipment section. There is a good article there on IDPA equipment needs.

Take Care

Bob
ps
Both sports have rules to play by. IDPA RB is 50 pages long in 10pt type and has lots of full page illustrations and can be confusing to read, the other is 60 pages long and written in 8pt type and is easier than Greek to understand but takes longer to memorize. ASIThe latter has even smaller pages. Take time to study the IPSC hand signals on page 60. :>) ASI's rule book is 8 pages and is an easy read.
 
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VanMan;13035997 I'm interested to know said:
I don't recall ever doing an equipment check at a club level match. (Unless it was done as a learning exercise for an up and coming Sanctioned Match for new shooters)

For Tier 2 through Tier 5 Sanctioned Matches equipment checks take place. I have never seen anyone measure the minimum distance from the body a gun can be from the body By rule (3/4", 19.1MM for males), Ladies may use dropped and offset holsters, there is no maximum distance for them. Correct positioning etc of the holsters is illustrated in the RB. It is really a non issue. Most competitors understand the need for an IDPA compliant holster. I guarantee you nobody ever has been sent home for a firearm being 19.3MM away from their body. IF and I say IF with the last sentence in mind, the shooter would be allowed to shoot the match for no score.

Safeties are checked at the Chrono to ensure they are functional. If they are found to be not working before the competitor has shot a stage a replacement firearm can be used. If after a stage has been shot it is a DQ. Equipment placement is checked at the first stage of most matches and is watched for during the match (yes there are some who would cheat or try in the sport). For the most part sometimes you will ask a shooter to move the holster back a bit but it is rare. Again the shooters at these matches understand the rules and try to play by them.

Take Care

Bob
ps Folks should understand both IDPA, IPSC and ASI are in the entertainment business, If folks are not entertained by what they are doing they will do something else. Safety is our main concern, first and foremost. I would hope in your example someone who was at 50.1MM would still be playing. How far away from the body can your gun be was not on my IPSC Black Badge course exam. Sounds like it should have been...or not. I should add the difficulty with the rule in question is the distance can vary based upon body type. One holster set up can be legal for one person but not another, Some common sense should prevail.
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IPSC is pretty much the same on the equipment checks - I do them at practices to help them out newbies, and it's not done at club level matches. At Lev II+ matches, they do them prior to each stage briefing so the competitor can modify his equipment if needed (and there's lots of us around to help if needed). If for some reason they are not able to do that, then they just shoot the match for fun and their scores don't count.

I found this interesting comparison on IDPA and IPSC http://www.rrmemphis.com/op015.html
I don't there is too much IDPA out here in the west coast though. Sounds like it may be more popular in the US as they actually allow defensive carry?

Canuck44 said:
I don't recall ever doing an equipment check at a club level match. (Unless it was done as a learning exercise for an up and coming Sanctioned Match for new shooters)

For Tier 2 through Tier 5 Sanctioned Matches equipment checks take place. I have never seen anyone measure the minimum distance from the body a gun can be from the body By rule (3/4", 19.1MM for males), Ladies may use dropped and offset holsters, there is no maximum distance for them. Correct positioning etc of the holsters is illustrated in the RB. It is really a non issue. Most competitors understand the need for an IDPA compliant holster. I guarantee you nobody ever has been sent home for a firearm being 19.3MM away from their body. IF and I say IF with the last sentence in mind, the shooter would be allowed to shoot the match for no score.

Safeties are checked at the Chrono to ensure they are functional. If they are found to be not working before the competitor has shot a stage a replacement firearm can be used. If after a stage has been shot it is a DQ. Equipment placement is checked at the first stage of most matches and is watched for during the match (yes there are some who would cheat or try in the sport). For the most part sometimes you will ask a shooter to move the holster back a bit but it is rare. Again the shooters at these matches understand the rules and try to play by them.

Take Care

Bob
ps Folks should understand both IDPA, IPSC and ASI are in the entertainment business, If folks are not entertained by what they are doing they will do something else. Safety is our main concern, first and foremost. I would hope in your example someone who was at 50.1MM would still be playing. How far away from the body can your gun be was not on my IPSC Black Badge course exam. Sounds like it should have been...or not. I should add the difficulty with the rule in question is the distance can vary based upon body type. One holster set up can be legal for one person but not another, Some common sense should prevail.
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Wouldn't it be awesome if we could combine the two?
IPDOC??
International Practical Defensive Operators Club
Think it has a nice ring to it.
Rolls off the tongue.

All the fun of freestyle shooting, and the coolness of fishing vests/loud Hawaiian shirts for concealment.
 
pauls said:
Wouldn't it be awesome if we could combine the two?
IPDOC??
International Practical Defensive Operators Club
Think it has a nice ring to it.
Rolls off the tongue.

All the fun of freestyle shooting, and the coolness of fishing vests/loud Hawaiian shirts for concealment.
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You're on to something there...
 
pauls said:
Wouldn't it be awesome if we could combine the two?
IPDOC??
International Practical Defensive Operators Club
Think it has a nice ring to it.
Rolls off the tongue.

All the fun of freestyle shooting, and the coolness of fishing vests/loud Hawaiian shirts for concealment.
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LOL! I think you are onto something. Baseball cleats and fishing vests..... Will gigantic cheater guns be allowed? ;)
 
bollox said:
LOL! I think you are onto something. Baseball cleats and fishing vests..... Will gigantic cheater guns be allowed? ;)
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Of course they will
IPDOC is all inclusive.
Divisions are still in developmental phase.
There will be a place for all.

Vests must however be adorned with a minimum number of pieces of flair.
Failure to meet the minimum flair will result in procedurals, and disrespect/ridicule from your fellow competitors.

All TPS reports (Tactical procedure summary... aka written stage briefing) must have a cover sheet. There will me a memo to remind people.
 
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