What is the difference? (help a noob out) - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

**boardsurfer** · 05-07-2008, 12:25 PM

I have been doing some reading today about IPSC/USPSA/IDPA and could really use some clarification. I have never shot competitively, so I know nothing of these things.

First, the local club here advertises matches for IDPA, and IPSC. What is the difference? Are these matches put on by a different governing body? Are the targets different? Different gun requirements? I did notice the XD is approved for the IPSC Production division.

I guess I am just hoping for someone to iron this mess out for me. There is a shoot close to me in a few weeks that I am going to see if I can observe.

Thanks

Ishpeck · 05-07-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boardsurfer

I have been doing some reading today about IPSC/USPSA/IDPA and could really use some clarification. I have never shot competitively, so I know nothing of these things.

First, the local club here advertises matches for IDPA, and IPSC. What is the difference? Are these matches put on by a different governing body? Are the targets different? Different gun requirements? I did notice the XD is approved for the IPSC Production division.

I guess I am just hoping for someone to iron this mess out for me. There is a shoot close to me in a few weeks that I am going to see if I can observe.

Thanks

IPSC is considered silly by Jim Cirillo. IPSC allows lots of meta-game stuff and race guns.

IDPA is considered good training by Jim Cirillo. IDPA emphasizes practical combat training in the rules.

texasm203 · 05-07-2008, 01:08 PM

Outstanding.... so, who the **** is Jim Cirillo and why should his opinion matter to me?

Gantz · 05-07-2008, 01:34 PM

USPSA/IPSC are pretty much the same thing. IDPA is a bit different, they're all games... I wouldn't even worry about someone saying one is good defensive training and the other isn't. As I said both are GAMES, not training per se.

Anyways, maybe I can clear up the differences a bit. USPSA/IPSC is more race/gear focused. As you said, you can use your XD in Production class, although I recommend reading the rules so you know what you can/can do and where you have to wear your gear. You play a bit more shoot 'em as you see 'em with pretty loose rules outside of safety. Safety rules are of course a primary concern and strictly enforced. In USPSA/IPSC you have more freedom. You can shoot a stage in nearly any fashion you want so long as you don't put anyone in danger and the rules don't exclusively say you can't.

IDPA is more "defensive" in the nature that the game is played but still doesn't really exemplify what would be good tactical training as its is, once again, a game. IDPA is more structured and you're kind of told how to shoot stages with not many options around what you're told.

The cool thing about USPSA/IPSC is there's a classifiation for most anything. It's a hung what ya brung and shoot type of event. If your gun/gear doesn't fit into one category then odds are it will fit into another!

Take what you read in this post with a grain of salt. There's definatly more rules, techniques and all that fun stuff involved in both sports than I touched on. Anyways, I reccomend you give both a try. Both games are a ton of fun and you will likely become a better SHOOTER from playing both or either.

Now, hopefully someone can come in and give you a decent post about each game lol.

**boardsurfer** · 05-07-2008, 01:59 PM

That's great Gantz, thanks a bunch. I found a pdf that had a ton of different stages and how they are laid out. Pretty interesting to look through.

Gantz · 05-09-2008, 09:33 AM

No problem man, I'm just sorry someone didn't come along and make sense of that mess I tossed in lol.

drawson · 05-09-2008, 10:44 AM

USPSA is the branch of the internation IPSC orginization.

I've shoot USPSA/IPSC since 1993. In the early years there where no classes, I shot a 1911 w/ 7 & 8 rnd mags agains Para 38 Supers w/ 20++ rnd mags. Then limited and open divided. IDPA came from some old time IPSC shooters that weren't happy w/ the way USPSA was heading.

Now USPSA has many classes. Limited, Open, Limited 10, Production, Single stack, & revolver.

USPSA courses of fire is more free style. IDPA is more confinded.

USPSA courses are more rounds and longer shots. IDPA the course are behind cover.

You can shoot local USPSA matches as much as you want w/o joining USPSA, IDPA you only can shoot one match was a non member.

scooterj · 05-10-2008, 05:18 PM

United States Practical Shooting Association
lots of info here

DocMedic · 05-11-2008, 10:31 PM

Just shoot both of them you'll love them both, word to the wise, You'll find more Older IDPA Shooters look down on IPSC "Gamers". Ignore these people like its the plaque.

speeddeacon · 05-12-2008, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocMedic

Ignore these people like its the plaque.

What, are you a dentist?

05-07-2008, 12:25 PM	#1
boardsurfer XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 408	What is the difference? (help a noob out) I have been doing some reading today about IPSC/USPSA/IDPA and could really use some clarification. I have never shot competitively, so I know nothing of these things. First, the local club here advertises matches for IDPA, and IPSC. What is the difference? Are these matches put on by a different governing body? Are the targets different? Different gun requirements? I did notice the XD is approved for the IPSC Production division. I guess I am just hoping for someone to iron this mess out for me. There is a shoot close to me in a few weeks that I am going to see if I can observe. Thanks __________________ "Denial has no survival value" XD45 Service

05-07-2008, 01:08 PM	#3
texasm203 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 1,448	Outstanding.... so, who the **** is Jim Cirillo and why should his opinion matter to me? __________________ If you won't stand behind our troops, please stand in front of them!

05-07-2008, 01:34 PM	#4
Gantz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 187	USPSA/IPSC are pretty much the same thing. IDPA is a bit different, they're all games... I wouldn't even worry about someone saying one is good defensive training and the other isn't. As I said both are GAMES, not training per se. Anyways, maybe I can clear up the differences a bit. USPSA/IPSC is more race/gear focused. As you said, you can use your XD in Production class, although I recommend reading the rules so you know what you can/can do and where you have to wear your gear. You play a bit more shoot 'em as you see 'em with pretty loose rules outside of safety. Safety rules are of course a primary concern and strictly enforced. In USPSA/IPSC you have more freedom. You can shoot a stage in nearly any fashion you want so long as you don't put anyone in danger and the rules don't exclusively say you can't. IDPA is more "defensive" in the nature that the game is played but still doesn't really exemplify what would be good tactical training as its is, once again, a game. IDPA is more structured and you're kind of told how to shoot stages with not many options around what you're told. The cool thing about USPSA/IPSC is there's a classifiation for most anything. It's a hung what ya brung and shoot type of event. If your gun/gear doesn't fit into one category then odds are it will fit into another! Take what you read in this post with a grain of salt. There's definatly more rules, techniques and all that fun stuff involved in both sports than I touched on. Anyways, I reccomend you give both a try. Both games are a ton of fun and you will likely become a better SHOOTER from playing both or either. Now, hopefully someone can come in and give you a decent post about each game lol. __________________ "Bang" Spike Spiegel/Kei Kurono

05-07-2008, 01:59 PM	#5
boardsurfer XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 408	That's great Gantz, thanks a bunch. I found a pdf that had a ton of different stages and how they are laid out. Pretty interesting to look through. __________________ "Denial has no survival value" XD45 Service

05-09-2008, 09:33 AM	#6
Gantz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 187	No problem man, I'm just sorry someone didn't come along and make sense of that mess I tossed in lol. __________________ "Bang" Spike Spiegel/Kei Kurono

05-09-2008, 10:44 AM	#7
drawson XDTalk Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Mountain Green, Utah Posts: 87	USPSA is the branch of the internation IPSC orginization. I've shoot USPSA/IPSC since 1993. In the early years there where no classes, I shot a 1911 w/ 7 & 8 rnd mags agains Para 38 Supers w/ 20++ rnd mags. Then limited and open divided. IDPA came from some old time IPSC shooters that weren't happy w/ the way USPSA was heading. Now USPSA has many classes. Limited, Open, Limited 10, Production, Single stack, & revolver. USPSA courses of fire is more free style. IDPA is more confinded. USPSA courses are more rounds and longer shots. IDPA the course are behind cover. You can shoot local USPSA matches as much as you want w/o joining USPSA, IDPA you only can shoot one match was a non member. __________________ IPSC Master in Ltd 10, Ltd, & Open Range master @ Impact guns USPSA A-24264

05-10-2008, 05:18 PM	#8
scooterj XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: LaPlace, LA Posts: 138	United States Practical Shooting Association lots of info here

05-11-2008, 10:31 PM	#9
DocMedic XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 16	Just shoot both of them you'll love them both, word to the wise, You'll find more Older IDPA Shooters look down on IPSC "Gamers". Ignore these people like its the plaque.

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