IPSC - What do I need to know?

[32-20]

Hello fellow CGN'ers. I've been toying with the idea of getting into a "relaxed" yet competative pistol sport. A shooting sport that isn't overly demanding in regards to man hours. What I mean is that I don't have the time to shoot every weekend (or even every other weekend) at this time. Furthermore, I'm hoping to find a type of competition that is laid back and fun as opposed to serious and stressing.

I've been told by a few people that perhaps IPSC is the way to go. For those of you who do shoot in IPSC, perhaps you might offer a total stranger to the sport a little insight? I know nothing about it at all. I'm not even sure where to find a good source of information in regards to rules and regulations, expectations and equipment restrictions.

I'm a 9mm guy at heart. I know, I know...It's a girly caliber. Enough said but I like it and if I do get involved in IPSC I have two different pistols from which I might shoot with. My second choice is a Grand Power K100 while my first choice is a Beretta 92FS. Both are bone stock. To those of you with experience in the field, are either of these pistols a decent candidate for the sport? Why and/or why not?

If IPSC isn't the right way to go, what is? All I'm interested in really is punching holes in targets and scoring points. Timed or not timed is fine by me. Dynamic or static targets are fine to. I'm really not picky here. I'm looking for a simple, friendly, fun pistol shooting sport which records points and rankings. That's about it.

I'm located just southeast of Winnipeg (Ste. Anne, Mb.) and I am a member of the Firing Line Gun Club. I will also be renewing my Steinbach membership very soon. If a local individual can provide some detailed insight to either of the ranges that I belong to in regards to IPSC, I would appreciate it. If there is any specific information that is...LoL.

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[SVISTI1911]

IPSC can be as relaxed or "stressful" as you want it to be. You decide your level of commitment. This is no different from any sort of competitive sport, it is what you make of it.

You can shoot what you have, the pistol you bring will better in some divisions then others. Both of these would be legal for Standard and Production divisions but would be better off in Production so you would compete against shooters with similar "type" pistols as opposed out to tricked out Standard guns. Good news for you 9mm is most likely the most popular caliber in the Production division. Check out ipsc.org for the rules. The most important thing when you start is that you have fun, the rest will take care of itself.

 

[john simmons]

IPSC Manitoba web site would be a good start for local info, and just so you know the Canadian IPSC nationals will be in Brandon this year. If not to shoot, it could be worth watching some of the shooting.

 

[JHM]

I just started doing the IPSC thing, and I totally agree that you can make it as stressful or as relaxed as you want it to be. The guys I was squadded with were all amped up and a little jumpy, they ended up spending a lot of ammunition trying to put down plates. I just walked and focused on making my shots count... ended up getting a plaque for placing first in my division... go figure.

fwiw I thouroughly enjoyed it, and the only disadvantage I can see you having with 9mm (in production class anyways) is that the steel plates may not go down with an off center hit as easily as with a more powerful cartrige.

 

[rdgietz]

Hi there Daniel...

I shoot IPSC out of the Firing Line and Selkirk here in MB.. We have an IPSC night every Wednesday night at the Firing Line, where we set up different stages and shoot from 7 pm till 10 PM. If you are interested come on by. You will need about 100 -120 rounds plus 3 mags, holster, etc... If you have the black badge under your belt that is great. However one of the guys will give you a little primer and we will usually let you shoot a few simple stages once you are comfortable with the IPSC safety practises. If you enjoy it you can contact IPSC Manitoba, thru their website
http://www.ipscmanitoba.ca/ ,
and sign up for the black badge course...

In addition I also shoot in the Manitoba defensive pistol league, which is also a lot of fun. There are some differences but you can read about it at the following website..
http://www.mdpl.ca/

We normally shoot matches out of the Firing line and Selkirk Ranges. The next match is March 31 at the firing line. As with IPSC you do need a holster certification course to participate, however the Black Badge will cover both sports.

If you are interested just drop by on a Wednesday, bring your gun, holster, 2-3 mag and 100 rounds. Shooting usually starts at 7:30..

RDG

 

[toxic]

I shoot IPSC in Manitoba. I was a fairly serious competitor before but now I'm in it just for fun. I consider practicing to be like cheating...simply because I don't have time to practice anymore.

Wednesday nights at the Firing Line is a great way to get to know some of the guys and it's excellent practice. I learnt a lot from the Wed night crew. Take Dan up on his offer to go hang out. You'll get a great feel for what it's all about. There is a Black Badge course coming up too if I'm not mistaken.

Selkirk and the Firing Line are by far the two most IPSC friendly clubs in the Winnipeg area.

 

[32-20]

I think I'm going to have to abandon my IPSC thoughts. I work Monday-Friday 2:30-11:00PM. Therefore, wednesday night shoots are out of the question for me...

Oh well... Thanks for all the information guys. I appreciate it!

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[jonesbb630]

I think I'm going to have to abandon my IPSC thoughts. I work Monday-Friday 2:30-11:00PM. Therefore, wednesday night shoots are out of the question for me...

Oh well... Thanks for all the information guys. I appreciate it!

Cheers!
- Daniel

Wait a minute. You're not going to give-up that fast are you? Just because you can't shoot during the week, does not mean you can't shoot on weekends. I would say the majority of the production shooteres are weekend shooters. Nothing stoping you from going to the range for practice weekdays before work either. There has to be some form of weekend shootings or competitions on weekends in your area.

 

[my_2_cents]

I think I'm going to have to abandon my IPSC thoughts. I work Monday-Friday 2:30-11:00PM. Therefore, wednesday night shoots are out of the question for me...

Oh well... Thanks for all the information guys. I appreciate it!

Cheers!
- Daniel

Don't give up so easily, the black badge course is usually a two day course, saturday and sunday, and most matches are held on weekends. Wednesday is only a practice night at your local range. If you can't make it out to practice to see what its about, then go observe a match on a weekend, or just read about IPSC on the IPSC website, and take the plunge directly into the black badge course. I don't have time to practice, and I still get out and shoot about half of the matches at my local range. I'm not going to win any medals, but I have fun and keep my skills up at a minimal level.

 

[toxic]

Matches are a Sunday affair in Manitoba. Of the shooters in the province only a small percentage are the Wed night firing line crew. You're bound to run into us at other times at the range.

 

[32-20]

Matches are a Sunday affair in Manitoba. Of the shooters in the province only a small percentage are the Wed night firing line crew. You're bound to run into us at other times at the range.

I just drove past The Firing Line on my way to Princess Auto...Seemed like a lot of cars in the parking lot! I should have stopped in for a quick peek but time wasn't on my side.

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[rdgietz]

As mentioned by toxic... Wednesday nights are practise only... the matches are on Sunday.. for IPSC.. and the matches for MDPL are on Saturdays.. So you will be able to shoot the matches... If you are interested PM me and i can meet you at the FL sometime and give you a little introduction.. let me know.. i can make it during the day, however the FL is only open at noon on weekdays...

RDG

 

[MudChucker]

Here in Manitoba matches are a sunday gig. As you have a membership in Steinbach your still able to practice with a small group. There are about 6 of us who shoot in steinbach so your still able to get out and do some organized practice.... we'll likely start practicing in late May.

I also go to the Wednesday night practices at FLGC....judging by how poorly I shot at this last match I may need to start going in the afternoons as well

 

[32-20]

....judging by how poorly I shot at this last match I may need to start going in the afternoons as well

Well, if I joined the sport it certainly wouldn't be to "show off"! My pistol skills are poor at best but I do enjoy the craft. This is why I'm looking for something in the "not so competative" sector. I'm affraid of embarassing myself...LoL.

Should I decide to pursue this avenue MudChucker, I'll certainly take you up on your offer! All the other offers extended to me as well. I so appreciate it!

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[gambit]

I think I'm going to have to abandon my IPSC thoughts. I work Monday-Friday 2:30-11:00PM. Therefore, wednesday night shoots are out of the question for me...

Oh well... Thanks for all the information guys. I appreciate it!

Cheers!
- Daniel

Wow don't give up I never practise,just shoot a match and have fun that's what it is all about