IDPA: questions???

[profesor]

I know many of you are apart of and compete in IDPA matches. I am interested in getting involved, so I was wondering if some of you can give me the “low down” about what it is and what I need to do. I did look at their website. If I understand correctly, I need to become a member. I did find out that there is a club about 30 minutes from my city, but it is in the next state. Do I need to contact the local club??? How do I get involved??? Do you pay to enter the matches??? Can I use my XD subcompact??? Any info. on the steps to getting started would greatly be appreciated.
<O</O
Thank you…

[propellerhead]

The club I shoot with gives you one free match. Your intro match is free. After that, you have to be a member of IDPA. Basically, you contact the club and they will make sure someone gives you the new shooter briefing. Our club recommends you show up with your gear on the first day since it's easier to learn by doing. Some clubs want you to watch first. All you need is your XD, a two mag holder, two magazines and a holster. Everything that came in the XD kit.

Check out the new shooter info and videos at Cross Timbers IDPA. It might help.

[Fish609]

I shoot IDPA, but I am not a member yet. It may be at the club's discretion to require you to be an IDPA, but I never thought it was required.

As far as the XD SC, that is what I shoot, so yeah. (just expect for the glock jerks to give you crap!)

Your best bet is to call the club or the person that heads up the pistol leagues and ask him what to do. IDPA people are pretty nice. I have never seen a fight at one yet.

Also, check out this link. Lots of good "starter" info: Defensive/Practical Pistol Competition Primer - AR15Armory.com

Let me know if you have more Q's!

[Frenchy]

And you can go to the source...
International Defensive Pistol Association

[tenring]

As far as the XD SC, that is what I shoot, so yeah. (just expect for the glock jerks to give you crap!)

Only happened to me at the range once.....














Before I actually shot my XD...













After that, no more Glock bigotry, more like. holy Crap, how much did you say you paid for that again, I might have to pick one up! The accuracy of a .40 with a 3.25 inch barrel is laughable until they see you driving nails with the XDsub

[Deerhunter]

I shoot a couple of matches in PA before moving to Texas, but the club didn't require me to join. My first time there they had a club member stand with me while I watched and he was more than happy to explain the regs and give pointers. After watching for about an hour and a half I decided I would give it a try. I finished in the middle of the pack of about 30 guys. You had a mix of shooters from very good to very bad. The best advice I received was to only shoot as fast as you can shoot accurately. There were a lot of guys who would shoot the course twice as fast I would but they wouldn't hit any thing.

Just call a club, show up with a good attitude, and safety first mentality and you will have a ball of fun and will meet some nice guys along the way.

[orrminator]

+1 on everything above and its very addictive. Once you start you just want to keep improving your scores. Sometimes the clubs also have three-gun matches as well which are even more fun!

[profesor]

Thanks for all the info. guys. Propellerhead, the videos and website helped alot. I called the club today, they said first match is free. After that it is only $8 dollars, they told me what to bring etc. He said the first time, I need to go early so he can go over the rules. He also said the first match they will put me last so I can see how everything works. After the first match and certainly after the second, I would have to become a member of IDPA. I have no problem with that. I am excited!!! Any suggestions for a first timer at the IDPA???

The guy I spoke to seems to be really nice. He said that most in their club are in it for the fun and experience. Sounds great. Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated...

Thanks again for the info. I will I will let you know how things went after the first match. There is one on the 17th and another on the 27th.

[propellerhead]

Originally Posted by profesor

Any suggestions for a first timer at the IDPA???

You'll see guys who shoot really fast. Don't think you'll shoot like that the first time. Make your first few stages like walk-throughs. Get familiar with the process of getting loaded, starting the stage, going through the motions, clearing, holstering, etc. Concentrate on those first. Shooting fast and accurate will come later. Most of all, don't stress over sucking the first few times. Everyone started out like that. You'll find that it's a fun ride!

[Loves2Shoot]

Originally Posted by profesor

Any suggestions for a first timer at the IDPA???

Be safe, have fun, ask questions and you'll be ok