New to IDPA

[husky390]

I just took the IDPA Phase 1 class and think I'm going to try a round in the IDPA. What class is recommended for an XD .45 4" barrel? It's looking like I'll be using the mag holders supplied with the XD and I bought a paddle holster from XD that is comfortable and makes for an easy draw. Any tips or suggestions for a newbie?

O.K. sorry, read some other posts and figured out what classes I can join and shoot in. I guess just get out there and shoot. Is there anyone who carries an XD 45 but competes with an XD 9mm? My thought is shoot the 9mm since its cheaper and I don't have to worry about shooting up my carry gun. Just a thought, any ideas?

[Myk9noseknows]

Welcome to IDPA, it's a lot of fun and you will learn a lot

You don't want to shoot up your carry gun? WTF man, the reason you carry a gun is because if you're going to use it, you better know how to use it well.

Think of it this way, if you were a pro basketball player, would you practice tennis all day long?

Shoot what you carry, if you can't afford the extra $4 for ammo, you need to take a long hard look at your budget. I can't say it enough to both newbies and veterans, SHOOT WHAT YOU CARRY, that's the point to IDPA.
Most guys at IDPA will shoot aluminum cased Blazer ammo because it's cheaper. I shoot a .45 and will sometimes shoot Wolf to save a few dollars.

If you want to compete IDPA with a 9mm, you better sell your .45 and start to carry a 9mm. Afterall, what does IDPA stand for...DEFENSIVE PISTOL, i.e. what you CARRY dude.

[Loves2Shoot]

I would have to disagree with the "shoot what you carry" IF it comes down to being able to shoot more 9mm rounds versus .45 rounds and your budget is limited.

The reason I believe this is that in my experience, it is easier to learn with 9mm since there is less noise and recoil. This allows you to more quickly master the fundamentals and gives you a lot more rounds to practice with for the same budget. Once you master the fundamentals moving up up to the .45 will be very simple. You will most likely save more than enough on ammo to pay for the cost of another pistol if you are serious about your practice. Since the controls are the same you will find switching between the two is not hard at all.

I wouldn't worry about "shooting up" your carry gun, they can digest a lot of rounds, since that is what they were designed to do.

IDPA is a great sport and people can be quite dogmatic about it but don't let that turn you off. I know some of the best shooters is the USA don't shoot it for that reason alone, which is sad to me, but I understand their point of view.

It can be a fun time shooting guns with great people or some twisted fantasy of combat training (ie. the brotherhood of the tactical killer elite) but it is only what you make of it. Have fun and be safe!

[waynes_world_45]

+1..well said

Originally Posted by Loves2Shoot

I would have to disagree with the "shoot what you carry" IF it comes down to being able to shoot more 9mm rounds versus .45 rounds and your budget is limited.

The reason I believe this is that in my experience, it is easier to learn with 9mm since there is less noise and recoil. This allows you to more quickly master the fundamentals and gives you a lot more rounds to practice with for the same budget. Once you master the fundamentals moving up up to the .45 will be very simple. You will most likely save more than enough on ammo to pay for the cost of another pistol if you are serious about your practice. Since the controls are the same you will find switching between the two is not hard at all.

I wouldn't worry about "shooting up" your carry gun, they can digest a lot of rounds, since that is what they were designed to do.

IDPA is a great sport and people can be quite dogmatic about it but don't let that turn you off. I know some of the best shooters is the USA don't shoot it for that reason alone, which is sad to me, but I understand their point of view.

It can be a fun time shooting guns with great people or some twisted fantasy of combat training (ie. the brotherhood of the tactical killer elite) but it is only what you make of it. Have fun and be safe!

[slugger6]

Originally Posted by husky390

Is there anyone who carries an XD 45 but competes with an XD 9mm?

Me. Actually I have competed with both, but find the 9mm is cheaper and has less recoil issues.

[AKpredator]

+2...Right on, Scott. 9 milly is easier to shoot and cheaper to buy and load.

[husky390]

Thanks for the info. If I do decide to go 9mm it will be with an XD so that way the gun "feels" the same and has the same controls. Wolf ammo doesn't work in my XD but I have yet to try the Blazer ammo. I'm looking forward to shooting a match.

Have any of you guy's tried the back up gun class?

[DuckShot]

Mr. husky390,
I'm in the same boat as you are. I will start competing in a local league next week, and will start with my .45. I'm with you on the 9mm issue to save on ammo. Today I checked out an XD-9 and a Glock 9mm. Hmmm, decisions decisions. Good luck

[Gryff]

Originally Posted by husky390

What class is recommended for an XD .45 4" barrel?

Is there anyone who carries an XD 45 but competes with an XD 9mm? My thought is shoot the 9mm since its cheaper and I don't have to worry about shooting up my carry gun.

An XD-45 can compete in CDP (the 1911 division) because it is .45ACP, or you can shoot in ESP (the single-action auto division). If you shoot CDP, you load only 8 rounds in each mag. If you go ESP, you can load 10 rounds per mag.

You are probably better off shooting in CDP, since you'll be less competitive in ESP when going against 9mm and .40S&W guns. But also remember that you don't have to be competitive to have fun, and skill will also make up for gun differences.

I use a XD9 Tactical for IDPA because a) the reduced recoil makes me more competitive, and b) ammo is a LOT cheaper. But there is a lot of validity to using your defense gun for competition because it gives you excellent experience. I plan to get an XD45 Tactical as a home defense gun, so that my defense gun is 95% identical to my competition gun.

Don't worry about "shooting up" your carry gun. Plan on replacing your recoil spring every 5000 rounds, and maybe your barrel after 15000-20000 rounds. Doubt you'll achieve those numbers anytime soon.

As for being new to IDPA, I've posted a few times on what to do/expect. Instead of re-writing all of that, I'll just point you at some of those posts:

Competitve Shooting Question

Want to shoot IDPA but have questions

Good luck,

Jim

[Plowboy22]

Originally Posted by Myk9noseknows

Welcome to IDPA, it's a lot of fun and you will learn a lot

You don't want to shoot up your carry gun? WTF man, the reason you carry a gun is because if you're going to use it, you better know how to use it well.

Think of it this way, if you were a pro basketball player, would you practice tennis all day long?

Shoot what you carry, if you can't afford the extra $4 for ammo, you need to take a long hard look at your budget. I can't say it enough to both newbies and veterans, SHOOT WHAT YOU CARRY, that's the point to IDPA.
Most guys at IDPA will shoot aluminum cased Blazer ammo because it's cheaper. I shoot a .45 and will sometimes shoot Wolf to save a few dollars.

If you want to compete IDPA with a 9mm, you better sell your .45 and start to carry a 9mm. Afterall, what does IDPA stand for...DEFENSIVE PISTOL, i.e. what you CARRY dude.

+1
I have never understood why someone would train with a 9mm then carry a .45