Well I went to my IDPA orientation class tonight

[buddycraigg]

I’m ashamed with how I conducted myself.

I normally carry IWB, with my shirt tucked in, at 2 O’clock.
That doesn’t fit IDPA rules, so I had to use my belt holster.

Since I’m use to pulling my shirt up while grabbing the grip, I was not use to putting my support hand flat against my chest.
I covered the fingers of my support hand NOT once, NOT twice, BUT three times during live fire.
I’m lucky I didn’t get banned from the range.

Now for the really embarrassing part.
My 45, 9, 380 and 25 are all subcompact sized or smaller pistols
The first reload I did, I went from my 10 round mag to 16.
The extra inch on the grip totally freaked me out and I put my support hand someplace that it shouldn’t be.
I got lucky and only took a small chunk of skin out of my thumb with the slide.
(And yes, I hold my gun “tea cup” style. I’m trying to fix that bad habit.)

I switched to my 16 round for the first shots and then used my 10 for the reload without anymore hand placement problems.
** other than I covered my left hand for the 3rd time for the night at some point.

Luckily, I can still count to 10 without taking off my shoes, but man that was a humbling experience.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

[1lowlife]

Live and learn Bro.....
I wish I had time and money to get involved in IDPA.
I bet you learned something tonight.
And that is why you are there.
So I would say you are on the right track.....
Have fun and learn......

[Myk9noseknows]

That's the whole reason to join IDPA, first it's a learning experience, then it's a really fun hobby.

At least these "goofs" happened during training and not in a real world emergency.

You were so busy beating yourself up for your mistakes, you probably didn't notice everyone else doing "inappropriate" things as well

[chromechicken]

Are you not allowed to use an IWB holster for IDPA? If not, doesn't that defeat the whole purpose behind why IDPA was started?

[profesor]

Thanks for the post. I am going to orientation and my first match next Thursday. I am quite sure that it will be a humbling exprience for me also. I am trying to maintain the be safe and accurate mentality, speed will come later. Good luck on future matches!!!

[propellerhead]

Sounds like you need to go through the draw and reload sequence several times at home with a clear pistol. Use your support hand to grab as much shirt over your gun and pull it all the way up to your upper chest. Don't worry about exposing yourself. Throw your strong arm elbow straight back. Your strong hand should naturally find your pistol. Do this over and over again in front of a video camera and correct yourself. Muscle memory will take over.

I use my Crossbreed Supertuck IWB holster for IDPA. IWB holsters are legal.

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by buddycraigg

I’m ashamed with how I conducted myself.

I normally carry IWB, with my shirt tucked in, at 2 O’clock.
That doesn’t fit IDPA rules, so I had to use my belt holster.

Since I’m use to pulling my shirt up while grabbing the grip, I was not use to putting my support hand flat against my chest.
I covered the fingers of my support hand NOT once, NOT twice, BUT three times during live fire.
I’m lucky I didn’t get banned from the range.

This is a good concealment system for deep cover concealment but NOT for IDPA. Like Proppelerhead said IWB is legal for IDPA, the 2 oclock carry is not. Move the gun back onto your hip more and you will be legal. I can't stress enough how important it is to read the rule books yourself.
http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

Originally Posted by buddycraigg

Now for the really embarrassing part.
My 45, 9, 380 and 25 are all subcompact sized or smaller pistols
The first reload I did, I went from my 10 round mag to 16.
The extra inch on the grip totally freaked me out and I put my support hand someplace that it shouldn’t be.
I got lucky and only took a small chunk of skin out of my thumb with the slide.
(And yes, I hold my gun “tea cup” style. I’m trying to fix that bad habit.)

I switched to my 16 round for the first shots and then used my 10 for the reload without anymore hand placement problems.
** other than I covered my left hand for the 3rd time for the night at some point.

Luckily, I can still count to 10 without taking off my shoes, but man that was a humbling experience.

Learning can be fun but if you aren't paying attention it can hurt a lot.

Originally Posted by buddycraigg

Practice! Practice! Practice!

Well you said it better than any advice we could give you!

[buddycraigg]

Originally Posted by propellerhead

Sounds like you need to go through the draw and reload sequence several times at home with a clear pistol. Use your support hand to grab as much shirt over your gun and pull it all the way up to your upper chest. Don't worry about exposing yourself. Throw your strong arm elbow straight back. Your strong hand should naturally find your pistol.

all of my practice draws have been with IWB at 2 o'clock, with my shirt tucked in.
With IDPA rules, the holster has to be at 3 o'clock or more.
My IWB holster does not hold it's shape and one handed re-holstering is difficult to say the least, so I went with my open carry belt holster.
Now my support hand didn't have to grab my shirt anymore, but kept wanting to reach for my appendix by habit.

Originally Posted by The Knight Of Light

I can't stress enough how important it is to read the rule books yourself.

I did, I wasn't sure about the "centerline" thing when the book talked about where the holster had to be, that's why I brought my belt holster with me.

I'm not trying to defend my bad actions.
I'm trying to share my learning experience.

Like the reload with the 16 round mag, i never thought the extra grip sticking out would feel so unnatural that i would put my support hand someplace it shouldn't be

[The Knight Of Light]

Originally Posted by buddycraigg

all of my practice draws have been with IWB at 2 o'clock, with my shirt tucked in.
With IDPA rules, the holster has to be at 3 o'clock or more.
My IWB holster does not hold it's shape and one handed re-holstering is difficult to say the least, so I went with my open carry belt holster.
Now my support hand didn't have to grab my shirt anymore, but kept wanting to reach for my appendix by habit.

The holster thing is also an indicator of bad holster design. Even with a IWB you should be able to reholster your pistol with one hand. I would try to find a different holster. I like desantis leather as it is inexpensive and reinforced to stay open without the firearm in it. Also in order to keep from covering your hand you should get the Thunder Ranch training DVD. Clint Smith illustrates the proper draw sequence and also has many good techniques for new shooters.

Originally Posted by buddycraigg

I'm not trying to defend my bad actions.
I'm trying to share my learning experience.

Like the reload with the 16 round mag, i never thought the extra grip sticking out would feel so unnatural that i would put my support hand someplace it shouldn't be

I am not trying to chastise you for your actions though it may seem that way. The way it sounds you must have had the grip sleeve on the mag. I would try your gun at the range without the sleeve to see if it functions properly. This may add an option for you if you don't want to get an extra set of 10 round mags for the XDSC and eliminate the pinching.

[jblakk]

I went for the first time to my local ranges "action shooting". Its like IPSC, but not official, just good practice. There were alot of people that offered me good advice on things I was doing. One of the Big ones I learned after the first stage was go slow, and do it right. Don't try for speed till you get the rest right.

I didn't realize how hard it was to walk and shoot at 6 targets till I tried it. Needless to say, I didn't do that good the first time, but I am confident I will get better. One of the guys said to me "hey, you didn't shoot anyone, so that was a good first time. The fun will come soon."