What do I need to attend a IPSC entrance course other than a handgun?

RemingtonMarlin said:
"SPECIAL NOTE:
Please make certain that you have all of the equipment required to take this Black badge course. You will need a handgun of a caliber 9mm or larger. A suitable holster, at least four magazines or speed loaders and a proper gun belt to carry it all. If you are fairly new to handgun shooting we would also prefer that you have had the equipment long enough to have shot at least one thousand rounds of ammunition through the gun you'll be using for the course, as well as using the magazines, holster and mag pouches to make certain everything functions as it should. Please do not borrow equipment to take the course. If you do not have all the required equipment, please wait until you do before completing the request for a Black Badge course."

----quoted from Ontario IPSC
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The idea behind this statement is to ensure that you have spent sufficient time with the gun before attempting the course. The BB course is a safety course and you must be reasonably profficient with the gun to be able to meet the accuracy level required to complete the course. It is primarily to discourage someone from buying their first handgun and immediatly signing up for the BB course with no trigger time.
That being said, if you are reasonably accurate and just haven't got everything together yet, most BB Instructors and assistants have gear available to assist students if needed.
 
Each BB instructor has different rules. some do not want students that have not shot handgun for at least a year. others want their students to have their own gear. I always tell people to talk to the instructor that they are going to take the course with. They will be up front with you as we all have a desire for the sport to grow or we wouldn't be taking the time to teach people.
 
Quigley said:
...and that the equipment is reliable.

Nothing takes the fun out of shooting faster then a jam-o-matic (although most of the CZ owners don't seem to mind) ;)
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Indeed... exactly what my brother in law had happen constantly with the C-7's in the CF. Prior users not cleaning it properly etc etc... and one of the biggest flaws in the m-16 design overall.
 
BB Course

Because I'm a Snowbird, anything I do in Canada has to be crammed into the summer months.

I got my RPAL, bought a gun and completed my Black Badge all in the same year. The BB course was a fitting climax to a very exciting summer. I took the course just a week or two after getting the gun and so had very little time to get accustomed to all the gear and the fast pace of IPSC shooting.

In addition to a new gun, I had just two magazines and couldn't get more for my SIG. The course is not a walk in the park and at least for me was a significant and rewarding challenge. A new gun, plenty of inexperience and having to recharge my two mags constantly added significantly to the challenge and fatigue factor but I squeaked through and regard that experience as a real high point. I thoroughly enjoy IPSC shooting and would likely do it all over again. That said, a slower pace and taking the course after more experience with the full complement of gear that is recommended is a very good idea.
 
I have had people take the course with their equipment and they were experience shooters....it wasn't funny to watch....a gun that run well for planking 50 in one night might not run so well for IPSC... reloading and the gun running hotter... :)

I think that anybody can take and pass...if they really want too, it's just harder for some.
 
Dansy said:
I have had people take the course with their equipment and they were experience shooters....it wasn't funny to watch....a gun that run well for planking 50 in one night might not run so well for IPSC... reloading and the gun running hotter... :)

I think that anybody can take and pass...if they really want too, it's just harder for some.
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Indeed.. one of the things I love about the 92's is how well they handle such compared to some others.
 
I have not shot IPSC for over a year, so I have sitting in my closet, 2 or 3 pairs of safety glasses, and 2 pair of ear protectors. If you are interested, I will mail them to you free of charge! I also have a UTG range bag, to carry pistol, belt, ammo etc. That I could sell to you for $40.00 plus shipping. Let me know if your interested! Cheers!
 
There are two schools of thought on how much practice you should have before going to the BB. One is that it's better to go with zero experience so that the instructor can teach and maintain good habits right from the start.

To do the excersises you need 3 magazines, we also shot a practice stage which required 4. Buy uncle mikes holster and mag pouches. They are functional and wicked cheap, then you can upgrade when you know what you want. Depending on your instructor they may lend you stuff, you do have to ask a long ways before hand though. One guy on our course had EVERYTHING lent to him by the instructor. Gun, holster, mags, belt, the guy only bought his own ammo.
 
I think if you replace the term "experience" with "good attitude" you'll find what is more important to getting through the course easily. I've helped on many, many courses and find someone who has at least some time spent learning how to fire an accurate shot will have the ability to get through the course with a lower round count and lower blood pressure...lol...as long as they are willing to be open to learning the rest, even if it means we have to rebuild your techniques from the ground up. The problem with some experienced shooters is that they don't think they have to learn or that they already know everything they need to know. Regardless of experience if you come to the course to learn and have an open mind, you will cruise through. If you think you are there to impress the instructors with your mad skilz...it's going to be a looooong weekend.
 
Oh, and if you think having the raciest gear (race holster, race gun) will make the course easy, you are probably going to be disappointed. Its like taking your driving test in an F1 car...it could be done but it won't be easy. I took and passed my course with a Beretta 92F and a thumbsnap duty type holster.
 
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