First IDPA Match

[jmayton]

Me and some friends are headed to our first IDPA match this weekend.  I was wondering if anyone had any tips for us newbies.

[Savage]

First of all, congratulations! You are in for a great day of shooting.  There are a couple of things you can do to make your shoot more enjoyable before you even get to the range. First thing is, go to the IDPA web site and familarize yourself with the basic range commands. You can also check to see what division you'll be competing in, such as, SSR/ESR/ESP/SSP/CDP. Have a minimum of three speedloaders/magazines for your handgun, as well as a safe strong side holster and a double mag/speedloader pouch. Have the mags loaded to division capacity before you arrive at the range. Upon arrival go to the "Safe Area" and put on your gear. Make sure your handgun is unloaded, and no magazine inserted.  Be sure from that point on, that you do not handle or draw your handgun until instructed to do so by the SO. A small bag of some sort to carry spare ammo, mags, as well as the required eye and ear protection. Just to be safe, carry about 150 rds of ammo. For a cover garment, a long tailed shirt, jacket or vest will do. Get to the range at least 30 minutes before start time, and let the SOs know that it's your first match. They'll take it from there. Have a great time!
Savage

[jmayton]

Thanks Savage.  We're all excited.  Some of us have little experience with this type of shooting, others of us are former military, law enforcement, or like myself...raised by a law enforcement officer (I was out qualifying with the officers when I was 10); but we are all looking forward to the weekend.

I have another question: I have three pistols to choose from:  Glock 17 Gen1, Glock 22 Gen2, and a Springfield 1911.  I shoot the 22 the best of the three, but I have a lot of cheap ammo for the 17.  Would it be better for me to use the 9mm for my first match or does it really matter that much.  I also though about switching the uppers so I could shoot the 9mm on the Gen3 frame.  The way I look at is I'm more confident with the 22, the 17 is more controlable, but I'm probably faster with the 1911.  Any suggestions on that?

[John R.]

I don't shoot IDPA, but I do shoot IPSC. I think I would go with one of your Glocks, for your 1st match. Your 1st match should be about getting familiar with the game, don't worry about speed. Speed will come with repitition. Have fun and be safe.

[SHOOTALL]

if you have never shot in competition before use the simplest gun you have first . You will notice many use the 9mm as it is easy to shoot and cost less to shoot . If you have not praticed drawing your weapon in a safe way ( not crossing yours or anyone elses body with a loaded weapon do so before you go . Be careful with your off hand . Make sure you can draw as you turn and be safe . decide which way you will turn ( some stages start with your back to the target ) some do it either way , the fastest with a safe turn/draw is to the gun side . If you are not sure what the instruction is or course of fire ask the SO to explain thats what part of his job is . The range commands are very important to safety .
If you have a malfunction either clear it or remove your finger from the trigger and keep gun pointed down range . Ask SO for help/instruction before moving farther . Shoot factory ammo at first as reloads get no alibi .
Don't try to shoot fast try to shoot accy. speed will come .
I tried to list some of the things i saw as a SO .

GOOD LUCK !

[Savage]

jmayton,
Either of your Glocks will be fine. Both will fall in the SSP division. That means you will have 10rds loaded in the mag, and one chambered when loaded to division capacity. Most can shoot the 9mm a little faster than the .40, which might make a difference for you as the targets are close. A long shot in an IDPA match is 20 yds, and the zero points down area of the target is about 8", so extreme accuracy in not a requirement. If you elect to shoot the 1911 you'll be shooting in the CDP division with 8 in the mag and 1 in the chamber when loaded to division capacity. I am equipped to shoot SSP/ESP/CDP/SSR, but usually shoot either a Glock 17 or 22 in the SSP division. I like the simplicity and reliability of the Glocks. I shoot a minimum of two IDPA matches a month. Other actions pistol sports take up the rest of my spare time. Guess you could say I'm hooked! Speaking from experience, both military and LE qualifications are boring compared to action pistol!!! If available in your area, try USPSA, and the Steel Challenge too. If you do not reload, I bet you do once you get deep into these sports.  Relax and enjoy the experience, you're going to love it! Let us know what your experience was like. Good luck and shoot straight!
Savage

[jmayton]

Well, I've got my first one under my belt and might I say it was a blast!  It was run by Texas Tactical out of San Antonio, TX and they were a great bunch of guys.  Other than standing around a long time waiting for my 25 seconds of action (there were 90 shooters) everything ran smoothly.  I had one procedural for not retreating from a target even though the SO was shouting "Move!" the whole time and I had a steel target that didn't fall.  On that one, I heard the ding and and then acquired a new target.  Shoulda waited to see it fall....stupid 9mm!  Anyway, there were 5 of us who shot it together from our church and we are already planning on building a few targets at my friend's ranch so we can do a little better next time.  We should get scores next week once they are tallied...but it's not really about the score for us....except for bragging rights.

[williamlayton]

Stupid 9mm!!! UHOH. Here we go boys.
Thanks for the report and I am glad you had fun.
Blessings

[Savage]

jmayton,
The steel targets should be adjusted to where a center hit from a 9mm or .38, making the required power factor of 125, will take it down everytime. Just in case, I try to hit the steel high just to make sure when shooting a 9mm.
Savage

[jmayton]

I didn't mean to start anything.  I chose the smallest legal caliber in my collection because it was the most controllable and I had more cheap ammo for it.  There was another guy shooting a sub-compact 9 that hit another steel target 5 times and it never fell.  He was allowed to re-shoot the string and both steel targets fell on his first hit his second time around.  They also fell for me on the first hit as well.  I have no problem with the 9mm, it may not knock over a steel target, but I don't want to get hit with one. 

[Savage]

I shoot the nine in IDPA more than anything else. Just makes sense as it's the cheapest one I have to load for. IDPA is just a game. The steel targets should have been adjusted to fall with a center hit with any bullet making lowest legal power factor. There is little doubt in my mind that the 9mm will do what needs doing in a social situation with the right ammo.  Carry one frequently myself.
Savage

[jmayton]

Savage, I agree.  Just in that moment, when two of my friends are shooting .45's and having no problem and I also could have shot a .45 or a .40, I was a bit upset with my choice.

[Savage]

It's nice to shoot a multitude of different guns and calibers. Some are more enjoyable than others. The .40 and .45 loaded with heavy semi wadcutters take down the steel with authority, and cut a nice full caliber hole. The big hole can be worth a point or two on marginal hits. I have more 9mm ammo loaded than .40/.45 so I'm likely to shoot a 9mm again this weekend. I think I'll shoot a different pistol tho---------! Give the old .45 a try next match, it might be the one you'll shoot from now on!
Savage

[jmayton]

I've even thought about shooting the S&W 66.  There was one guy shooting a revolver and it looked like a lot of fun.  My 1911 is a Springfield GI with the low sights.  It shoots good, but the sights are hard to aquire, that's why it didn't go the first time out.

[mcwoodduck]

Shoot what ever you want to.
You said the one guy was having problems with his 9?
My club has a modified steel shoot and some of the guys there have thier guns loaded down and tuned to the ammo for paper targets that even the 40 or 45 will not move swingers.
Every time I have shot a full or even compact 9 at our course the steel has moved.  Even my 380 with FMJ rounds will drop or swing the steel.  On some plates you may just have to hit them a little further away from the hinge.
Hope you had fun.

[SHOOTALL]

If the targets are reg. IDPA targets a 9 with full power loads are enough .
Unless it is very cold and the targets got wet and froze which could cause a problem and should addressed by the SO or RO .

[jmayton]

Ok, the result are in.  Here are how the 5 of us scored.  In CDP we placed 13, 16, and 19 of 27 shooters with times of 142, 159.93, and 166.16 respectively.  In SSP we placed 9 (me) and 24 of 41 shooters with times of 123.24 and 165.46.  I thought we did great for our first time out.  The top two times in SSP were 86.45 and 88.81 by Expert and Master class shooters, so we have a lot to work on, but we learned a lot and will be back at it again soon.  Thanks for all the input and advice.

[williamlayton]

A fun read, Thanks.
Blessings