Newbi Questions Re IPSC and Black Badge

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sailor723

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I've been shooting for about six months now and several people at the club have suggested I take the next black badge course. I'm not sure how interested I am in the whole thing so I don't want to spend a ton of money up front.

Looking at what I own in terms of handguns I think only my 9mm Grand Power or my CZ75 would work (others are either .22's, a S&W 586 or BHP's). The CZ is a limited edition so I'm not sure I want to mark it up with a holster (I'm assumimg holsters cause wear/marks). The leaves the GP K100 which is a bit of an oddball gun when it comes to finding a Bladetech type holster. To make matters more complicated I'm left handed.

Anyone have any ideas where I can buy a basic (read $200) rig?

From what I understand I'd need a holster, belt and a couple of mag holders...
 
You need more than a couple mag holders. A large IPSC course of fire could use 5 magazines (I only own 5). I use four mag pouches and one magnet. For the Black Badge course you can get by with 2 mag holders and your pockets but it won't get you through a match.

I know people who shoot the K100 in IPSC and they do fine. The Bladetech holster is very popular. I own one for my CZ SP01.

I shoot with a lot of lefties so these things are available.
 
sailor723 said:
I've been shooting for about six months now and several people at the club have suggested I take the next black badge course. I'm not sure how interested I am in the whole thing so I don't want to spend a ton of money up front.

Looking at what I own in terms of handguns I think only my 9mm Grand Power or my CZ75 would work (others are either .22's, a S&W 586 or BHP's). The CZ is a limited edition so I'm not sure I want to mark it up with a holster (I'm assumimg holsters cause wear/marks). The leaves the GP K100 which is a bit of an oddball gun when it comes to finding a Bladetech type holster. To make matters more complicated I'm left handed.

Anyone have any ideas where I can buy a basic (read $200) rig?

From what I understand I'd need a holster, belt and a couple of mag holders...
Click to expand...

Since you aren't sure, don't worry about what you need to compete with, a holster and a couple of mag pouches will do fine for the course. Any of the firearms you listed will do fine, you may have more luck finding a left hand holster for the CZ, revolver or BHP. Shoot whichever one you are most comfortable with. Depending on how much time you have spent shooting the CZ or revolver in double action you might find it easier to use the Browning, or the CZ in SA mode. Otherwise get lots of trigger time in with the CZ and revolver shooting DA as a good chunk of the course will be drawing and firing the first shot in DA if thats the route you choose.
 
PapaHotel01 said:
Since you aren't sure, don't worry about what you need to compete with, a holster and a couple of mag pouches will do fine for the course. Any of the firearms you listed will do fine, you may have more luck finding a left hand holster for the CZ, revolver or BHP. Shoot whichever one you are most comfortable with. Depending on how much time you have spent shooting the CZ or revolver in double action you might find it easier to use the Browning, or the CZ in SA mode. Otherwise get lots of trigger time in with the CZ and revolver shooting DA as a good chunk of the course will be drawing and firing the first shot in DA if thats the route you choose.
Click to expand...

You can take the course with a SA like a Browning???
 
Any handgun with minimum caliber of 9mm is fine for Black Badge. You don't need to spend a huge amount on holsters and rigs until you're sure you want to stay in the sport, either.
 
OK...I thought all IPSC was based around double action....or at least the first shot had to be DA.

I already have 5 mags for my .40 BHP so that might work.
 
That's only one division and there are no divisions on the BB course. The BHP could be shot in standard division (albeit in minor) but you can test the waters and try out the sport with a gun you are familiar and comfortable with before deciding whether or not you want to sink a pile of money into it.
A .40 bhp should be a major gun.
 
Another dumb question if I may. When I buy a holster that kind of attachment should I specify? Blade Tech seems to offer 5-6 options and I don't even know what half of them mean!
 
sailor723 said:
Another dumb question if I may. When I buy a holster that kind of attachment should I specify? Blade Tech seems to offer 5-6 options and I don't even know what half of them mean!
Click to expand...
BladeTech DOH (drop & offset holster) is what I use. The TeckLock belt attachment is a nice feature to have but the StingRay belt attachment is fine if you don't want or need quick release of the holster from the belt.
 
It'll be personal preference as far as the hanger, personally I have the drop offset and hate it. I don't like the angle it puts the gun on. I prefer a more straight up and down presentation
 
Your other option is a CR Speed holster. You can change it to fit almost any gun you want. I like mine so much I have 3 of them, just so I don't have to reconfigure them for different guns. They're so easy to use even a rabbit can do it!


318154_10150799144019523_1798795210_n.jpg



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You can kinda see it in this picture as well

9976_289795207885544_6707948634953815284_n.jpg
 
The Black Badge is a safety course only. You need it to participate at most clubs. The rules are loose, however. There are other options for sport shooting that don't chew up 500 rounds of ammo, and course fees for a safety course. You will also face pressure to purchase the expensive CR speed set-up. Furthermore IPSC competitions often involve conflicting interpretation of rules and needless disqualifications. About one out of every ten people who finish a black badge course ever compete in more than a few matches.

Try IDPA instead. It is a lot more user friendly IMHO..

sailor723 said:
I've been shooting for about six months now and several people at the club have suggested I take the next black badge course. I'm not sure how interested I am in the whole thing so I don't want to spend a ton of money up front.

Looking at what I own in terms of handguns I think only my 9mm Grand Power or my CZ75 would work (others are either .22's, a S&W 586 or BHP's). The CZ is a limited edition so I'm not sure I want to mark it up with a holster (I'm assumimg holsters cause wear/marks). The leaves the GP K100 which is a bit of an oddball gun when it comes to finding a Bladetech type holster. To make matters more complicated I'm left handed.

Anyone have any ideas where I can buy a basic (read $200) rig?

From what I understand I'd need a holster, belt and a couple of mag holders...
Click to expand...
 
Redmaple said:
The Black Badge is a safety course only. You need it to participate at most clubs. The rules are loose, however. There are other options for sport shooting that don't chew up 500 rounds of ammo, and course fees for a safety course. You will also face pressure to purchase the expensive CR speed set-up. Furthermore IPSC competitions often involve conflicting interpretation of rules and needless disqualifications. About one out of every ten people who finish a black badge course ever compete in more than a few matches.

Try IDPA instead. It is a lot more user friendly IMHO..
Click to expand...
Sounds like somebody didn't have a good time ;).

I tell people to look at the various pistol disciplines and pick the one that appeals to them the most (you can play in two or more as well and many do).
I do that without stepping on the other guy's toes.
Cheers.
 
Redmaple said:
The Black Badge is a safety course only. You need it to participate at most clubs. The rules are loose, however. There are other options for sport shooting that don't chew up 500 rounds of ammo, and course fees for a safety course. You will also face pressure to purchase the expensive CR speed set-up. Furthermore IPSC competitions often involve conflicting interpretation of rules and needless disqualifications. About one out of every ten people who finish a black badge course ever compete in more than a few matches.

Try IDPA instead. It is a lot more user friendly IMHO..
Click to expand...

f:P: Not this crap again. The BB is a course that covers all aspects of shooting IPSC - rules, safety, the draw, etc. You need it to participate in IPSC sanctioned matches at all clubs in Canada. The rules aren't loose however. The course doesn't chew up 500 rounds of ammo - you progress based on your own skills. Some people have completed the course in 350rds, others have used 600. There is no pressure to purchase any set-up. You buy gear based on what division you choose to shoot in. You can ask people for opinions then make your own decision. The rules cover pretty much any scenario you can imagine. Most DQ's are for safety violations. Do you have a source for your 1 in 10 comment, or are you just blowing smoke?

I don't know much about IDPA, except that the 2015 world championship will be held in Puerto Rico and will attract all 350 competitors.
 
I have been participating in IPSC for several years.

At the club level - the only level most people compete in - you don't have to have a BB course but it is highly recommended. While the BB course has a core, the practices for teaching vary from one instructor to another. In some instances people must bring up to 1,000 rounds.

Yes, the BB is required for IPSC sanctioned matches - whatever that is..

People invariably makeup a few add-ons to the rules resulting in inconsistencies. Combine that with confusion over the rules - movement rule, in particular - and you can end up with a mess. It got to the point where I backed away from ROing because I no longer knew what to do.. Too many people resented being DQed, even after the RM confirms the same.

Canada is the only country that has a requirement for a BB course. Every one else seems to get by without any one getting injured. It may be an efficient way to get people used to the rules but I don't see it as essential.

In my neck of the woods, about one in ten people who finish the Black Badge compete in more than a few matches. It is only offered once a year resulting in a major bottle neck for entry to IPSC.

IPSC can be fun. But there are other options with a lot less "red tape."

Yes, you will get a lot of snide comments from people about your gun and rig. Very unsportsmanlike.

pmt said:
f:P: Not this crap again. The BB is a course that covers all aspects of shooting IPSC - rules, safety, the draw, etc. You need it to participate in IPSC sanctioned matches at all clubs in Canada. The rules aren't loose however. The course doesn't chew up 500 rounds of ammo - you progress based on your own skills. Some people have completed the course in 350rds, others have used 600. There is no pressure to purchase any set-up. You buy gear based on what division you choose to shoot in. You can ask people for opinions then make your own decision. The rules cover pretty much any scenario you can imagine. Most DQ's are for safety violations. Do you have a source for your 1 in 10 comment, or are you just blowing smoke?

I don't know much about IDPA, except that the 2015 world championship will be held in Puerto Rico and will attract all 350 competitors.
Click to expand...
 
From everything the OP has stated 1. shooting inexperience 2. lack of real enthusiasm for the project 3.limited $$$$ and most critical: 4. apparent total lack of knowledge regarding the scope of IPSC - as an "old hand" in the sport I would suggest:

1. get out and go to a few IPSC matches as a spectator to get a feel for what its "all about" - see the various rigs and guns being used - when shooters have shot a stage - feel free to ask them questions. 2. in the mean time get lots of dryfire/mag change time (doesn't cost a thing) then finally 3. lots of range time to develop ACCURACY and a high degree of "comfort level" with the gun of your choice.
THEN decide just how serious you are about this project because any kind of "success" in IPSC takes a lot of HARD WORK and personal motivation to achieve. I'd sooner see someone stay in their present involvement and enjoy themselves rather than take a BB course without a whole hearted committment to the project and end up bad mouthing IPSC as some of the other posters have already.
Any project worthwhile doing , is worthy of one's committment to its success. IMO.
 
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