PPC - To Get Started (Holster etc.)

rkaine

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Hi - So I've been out shooting my XD-40 Tactical, working on both right and left hand, and want to start PPC at the club (BRRC).

What holster/rig would be recommended? I'm looking for something low cost probably.

How many magazines? I have two, I believe I'll need at least two more.

Thanks for helping out a newby.
 
PPC is different for the Duty Pistol shoots

Minimum equipment required:

a handgun (usually a six-shot revolver of .32 caliber or above, but semi-auto's (of .35 caliber or above) are fine too)
a holster and sturdy belt (must be "strong-side", no crossdraw or shoulder rigs)
3 speedloaders or 4 magazines (3 is a bare minimum, the more the better)
a loading tray (unless you have 10 speedloaders)
a bucket or tray for your reloads and empty cartridge cases
belt mounted speedloader holders for at least three loaders
eye and ear protection
At least 60 rounds of ammunition, preferably light to mid-load wadcutters. Full metal jacket and magnum loads are specifically disallowed at most matches.

Most PPC shooters use .38 Special Smith & Wesson K or L frame revolvers (which are currently available on the used market in Canada for $300-$400). There are many modifications that can be done, but a stock gun will be fine to get started. Trigger jobs, custom grips, heavy barrels and sight ribs are among the most popular modifications. Optical sights, ports or compensators, and barrels over 6 inches in length are specifically disallowed.
 
Many years ago some of the Police Departments wouldn't allow high speed jacketed ammo because their indoor ranges didn't have a backstop rated for it. That's a long time ago... back when most coppers were carrying revolvers. I haven't been to a match in years where jacketed ammunition was not allowed... most of the competitors shooting autos are shooting jacketed.

I think JB is confusing the NRA "Service" match with the CPCA "Duty Pistol Match". CPCA Duty Pistol is specifically a match for semi-autos (no revolvers allowed)... they must be DA, DAO or Striker Fired (Glock)... no single action autos. The guns me be from an approved list of Duty types firearms (as issued in Canada) and they mandate a minimum 8lb trigger weight on the first pull. Holster must be minimum level II retention as issued for Uniform Duty used in Canada.

But you don't need all of that to compete in a basic PPC match. The regular PPC match (not Duty Pistol event) allows a wide variety of guns (revolver or semi-auto) and basic equipment. An inexpensive Fobus holster, 4 mags, etc will do the trick. In regular PPC matches the gun only has to have a minimum 2.5lb (revolver) or 3.5lb (semi-auto) trigger weight to be acceptable.

Go to the CPCA website for a complete list of Duty Pistol requirments...

www.cpca-ppc.ca

You can also get a pretty good description of the various types of PPC events and equipment used at the Barrie Gun Club website:

http://barriegunclub.org/ppc/whatisppc.htm

:)
 
Duty Pistol Comps or Distinguished Comps EH?

As above, with the XD-40, in my opinion, you could have lots of meaningful practice and competition with it in CPCA Duty Pistol as well as "conventional PPC"
The "XD" in "XD-40" stands for EXTREME DUTY (Pistol)

For PPC startup, it would be easier in my opinion to start PPC with "Distinguished" in the self loading pistol category while also leaving the "XD" door open to Duty Pistol down the line or even DCRA Service Pistol.

In terms of a Level Playing Field the XD-40 as a great piece of equipment which would be among its "Service-Duty Pistol Peers" as much or more iin Duty Pistol as in Distinguished.

In Distinguished either the $1300 Colt Gold Cup/Trophy or the $2500 S&W PPC9 from the Smith and Wesson Custom Shop could be the XD-40's "competition stablemates" eh. However IF you master your equipment you can still hold up to the builtin advantage such "exotic equipment" provides.


Also, the XD-40 is chambered in the 21st Century's Duty Pistol chambering: 40S&W.

Its my "Form(XD) Follows (XD) Function" comment here.

You cant lose either way and to "keep it super simple" the standard 7yd-15yd-25yd-50yd PPC format is the way to go "for starters" with Duty Pistol as another option down the line.

Dont forget IPSC Production or IDPA competition too!

Its all fun; so many gun games and friends on the range to discover!
 
the standard 7yd-15yd-25yd-50yd PPC format is the way to go with Duty Pistol
PPC duty pistol course of fire distances are, 3yd, 5yd, 7yd, 15yd, & 25yd max.
Questar covered the gear all ready.

The CPCA duty pistol course of fire is fairly close to what a lot of police services, here in Canada, do for qualifying. It is a very good mix of the "new" style of qualifying and the "old" traditional PPC stuff. Therefore, quite challenging.

And just to reiterate, you could take your complete duty pistol gear and compete in the open PPC event should you choose. In the bad old days, that's how it was done.

The most important thing to remember, take out any gun and go shooting.
 
Thanks for the advice - I will be taking the PPC course at the club to get "holster qualified" for the down range shoots.

I'll start looking into the Fobus holsters.

Basically, using this as stepping stone to other Pistol events (IPSC, IDPA) etc. I just want to start slow and get good at shooting.

And, I am going to keep shooting more and more - going to start reloading also, so I can keep down the costs when I start shooting more and more.

Thanks for the advice, hope to see you on a range someday - I can probably use the pointers
 
There will be a PPC Intro/Certification Course held at the Barrie Gun Club on November 25th and November 27th. Those interested in PPC (Police Pistol Combat) shooting are invited to register, (you do not have to be a BGC Member to take this course).

The course involves a Friday evening of classroom instruction (7pm - 10pm) and a full day (Sunday 9am - 5pm) of range time. Those who successfully complete the shooting drills and the written examination will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Canadian Police Combat Association.

Equipment Used:
Revolver (.38 cal) or Semi-Auto (9mm or larger)
Holster, Belt and Speedloader Carriers or Mag Pouches
Speedloaders / Magazines
Ear and Eye Protection
@ 500 rounds of reliable ammunition (target loads if available)

Don't worry if you do not have all of this equipment, we do have some loaner gear available... please insure that you indicate your needs when registering. One of the topics covered on the first evening will be various equipment used in PPC shooting and recommendations on what to look for when purchasing... so don't run out and buy gear now... if you have it already that's great... if not wait for the course.

To register please e-mail: PPC@BarrieGunClub.org
 
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