Questions about starting in IPSC

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Steve227

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Hello all,

I'd like to start doing IPSC next year at the Coquitlam range. I've read some of the rule books but they get over complicated quite quickly.

What I'm looking for is some basic info about getting started cheaply.

As I understand there are 2 or 3 "classes" to compete in. The cheapest being some sort of "stock" class. This is where I want to be.

My question is this: What are the more common pistols to use? I'm leaning towards a Glock because they have no external safety and can be left cocked in the holster.

Any other info that you think might make beginning easier for me is also welcomed.


Thanks,

Steve
 
Steve,

There are 3 "Divisions" commonly practiced in Canada.

There is "Production Division"... (Think NASCAR... $$)
Some common guns would be Glock, M&P, XD, CZ, Tanfoglio

There is "Standard Division"... (Think Indy Car... $$$)

There is "Open Division"... (Think Formula One... $$$$)

And to be fair there is also a "Revolver Standard Division"... (Think wheelchair races at the nursing home) (Sorry revo guys... I just don't know how you do it.) It takes a very patient man to play IPSC with a revolver, in my opinion.

Try and get out to the gun club on an IPSC night and talk to the guys... most all of the IPSC type will let you try out their guns so you can get a feel for what is best for you. Some of the best shooters in the world shoot Glock, and it is indeed a simple gun to use. That being said, after competing with a Glock for a couple of years I have opted to go for the CZ SP01 Shadow. But that's just me. Others on here will give a variety of opinions on the topic. Just don't rush into a purchase without trying a couple different guns out first.
 
In addition to what Filthy1 has said. You need to take the black badge course. There are a number of instructors in the lower mainland. Don't be in a hurry to purchase a pistol. Try out as many as your can before deciding on which one is right for you. Most IPSC people are friendly so don't be afraid to ask lots of questions.
 
Steve,
Glock is probably cheapest option to go. It is a good gun and easily modifiable, parts are cheap and available.
Or go with Shadow, bit more expensive, but excellent pistol.
 
Steve,

The rule book may look a little convoluted but for the average shooter it is actually very simple...be safe and shoot!

The match officials will look after the rules for you.

You have to take the Black Badge course and that is where you will learn range safety in addition to basic gun handling.

Once you have a few matches under your belt and start to speed up you will find your interest and knowledge of the intricacies if the rule book will naturaly develop.

To start with obtain a reliable pistol, a holster, 4 mag pouchs and around 6 mags and you are good to go for the next available BB in your area.

Have fun.

John
 
Spend some time with your local IPSC section, go to thier practice and talk with them also talk with your possible black badge instructor.

Most of the information above is good, except - don't waste your time on a Glock. If you like IPSC, you'll shortly thereafter replace it with something else that's actually competitive, but not much more expensive.

Look at what the guys at your club are currently using and then pick a gun.

Better to spend $900 the first time than $600 and $900 a few months later.
 
Filthy1 said:
And to be fair there is also a "Revolver Standard Division"... (Think wheelchair races at the nursing home) (Sorry revo guys... I just don't know how you do it.) It takes a very patient man to play IPSC with a revolver, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

What not to know? Point, aim, pull the trigger, then goes bang. Well, it is a double action every time and reload every 6 rounds, but so what?
I would call it more like a sport bike, well tuned and it never jams. :)
 
Freedom Ventures said:
Most of the information above is good, except - don't waste your time on a Glock. If you like IPSC, you'll shortly thereafter replace it with something else that's actually competitive, but not much more expensive.

Better to spend $900 the first time than $600 and $900 a few months later.
Click to expand...

Good advice. I went through 2 plastic guns before settling on the CZ Shadow. I'll never go back to the lightweight polymer pistols for IPSC.
 
OK, I will wade into the Glock question. I started out with a Glock 17 (9mm) and used it for one season. There was two things I did not like about the Glock. The Glock did not fit my hand well and after 150 rounds or so, it became painful to shoot. Also, the Glock is light so I found the recoil to be 'snappy'. Not a good combo when you are shooting for points with a timer.

I switched over to a CZ Shadow. The CZ frame fits me much better and the CZ is a heavy gun compared to the Glock which tames the recoil. Grip fit, recoil control, sight picture equals faster second shot equals double alpha (hopefully).
 
OK,

First let me thank everyone for their replies and information. This is exactly what I was looking for.

Second, I've done a little bit of looking at the CZ Shadow but I didn't see what action type it has. My Beretta 90-Two is double/single, which I've heard isn't ideal for IPSC. I was leaning towards the Glock because of the single action. What is the CZ Shadow?

Thanks,

Steve
 
The Shadow is DA first shot and SA for subsequent shots. It takes some getting used to put once you master it the gun is one of the most winning guns in production. Because it's a metal gun you get less recoil so your follow up shots are faster.
 
I would never say that a Glock is the best choice for Production...but I'll take its' reliablity...and crappy trigger over the CZ Jamo-f**king-matic...any day of the week.

CZ should be embarrassed by how some of those boat anchors are leaving the factory. I owned 2...and they were far and away the most finicky guns I've ever owned. I'd rather shoot than f**k around with guns...so I'll stick with my Open Blaster and Glock...and leave the stove piping sumpreme to shooters that like to tinker...

There...that feels better :cool:
 
:D
Steve227 said:
I was leaning towards the Glock because of the single action. What is the CZ Shadow?
Click to expand...
Glock Single Action? - Nope. "Safe action" or better known as the squish trigger. Bascially, the trigger on a Glock is much like all-season tires, a compromise that generally sucks.

On a CZ (or the STI GP-6 or the Tanfoglio Stock II or the Baby Eagles / Jerichos or your Beretta) you get a double first, then a single the rest of the time!

Take the average IPSC match with 124 rounds and 8 stages. Worst case - you only would shoot 8 rounds with the double action trigger, and the rest a nice, crisp light single action. Toss in a empty gun start or some close targets near the start of a stage and the double action is almost negligible.

Then there's the mag changes. With 10 round mags - Canadians change Mags. Ever look at a Glocks' mags? - it's barely got a taper. Look at the other mags listed above - nicely tapered. Makes getting them in that tiny hole easier on the run...

I could go on, but I think you should get the drift now.
 
Don't be afraid to tell us how you really think Quigley......LOL

I have heard that the CZ's need some gunsmithing to become reliable.

I will throw another firearm into quagmire. I have recently bought myself an STI GP6 and so far haven't had any problems with it. I am coming from a G17, a very reliable pistol but isn't ideal for IPSC, but it is a great way to get into the sport on the cheap, right around $1000 for everything you need to start.
 
I have no significant problems with my Shadow. I have had 2 small issues that were easily resolved.
1. I had to load my reload a little shorter. Factory ammo is no problem.
2. For a short time in the heat of a stage I was pushing too hard on the mag release which caused the mag to hang. A little less pressure and all is well.

I think that for every owner who will b!tch to no end there are 10 satisfied owners. Doesn't matter if it's guns or trucks.
 
Just get into the sport. No matter what advice you gonna get, good or bad, your shooting life will verify it one way or another.
Just ask this question:
who is shooting same pistol since they got into this sport?
And I am not talking recent, new members, but those who have shoot more then 10,000 rounds or so.
Myself I went through 3 pistols to settle on one.

Get into this sport, it is a great sport, very frustrating, but great.

My advice is:
if you have money, get yourself most expensive pistol you can buy, after trying few platforms.
 
7.62mm said:
I have heard that the CZ's need some gunsmithing to become reliable.
Click to expand...

Good lord who from? I have four CZ's and a Tanfoglio and have yet to have any kind of problem with reliability, other than one of my reloads I missed crimping. That is after thousands of rounds of competitive shooting. Both makes are built like tanks, super reliable with excellent support. What more can you ask for?

As far as accuracy is concerned the five guns mentioned are capable of far better accuracy than I can get out of them. When I miss it is me not the gun.

Jim Bell shot his Tanfoglio Combat Sport in IDPA ESP for three years prior to his untimely death and never had a failure of any kind. Jim used to say "yup pull the trigger gun goes bang what else do you want?"

Take Care

Bob
 
Can you use the Rock River Arms LAR-15 for IPSC? I know it might be sort of like doing a drag race with a transit bus, but it still is a pistol.
 
And what kind of holster would you choose to use? :cool:
For Production - NO
For Standard - NO
For Open - look App. D1, my concern will be mag length
 
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