IDPA

[Richy Fiberglass]

I think that anyone that considers carrying a gun should not only practice a lot, but should shoot some IDPA courses. The first one that I went to got my heart pumped up. Not knowing what you are going to shoot, and have everyone else watching you, is a challange in itself......

 

[lashlaroe]

I know this thread has been dromant for a couple weeks, but...

I think that anyone that considers carrying a gun should not only practice a lot, but should shoot some IDPA courses. The first one that I went to got my heart pumped up. Not knowing what you are going to shoot, and have everyone else watching you, is a challange in itself......

I agree and am planning on shooting my first match UC this month. Up until recently, there was no place within an hour that I could even think about it. Now we have a new range nearby that holds matches every month.

I'm really looking forward to it, and using my Colt Commander too!

 

[Ken O]

In my area the IDPA matches all have a BUG (back up gun) class for the 5 shot snubbie/baby Glocks. There is also a night BUG match that is lots of fun with a shoot house etc in Mt. Pleasant, MI. Trying to reload in pitch black with a revolver is a challenge!

 

[Jim Watson]

A club in my area has an annual BUG championship.
This year's had 13 stages, each with 5 rounds from the BUG.
Two stages called for your FSG (Full Size Gun),
two supplied a rifle, one supplied a shotgun, one supplied a shotgun AND you shot your FSG in addition to the BUG. There was meant to be another shotgun stage, but the ammo supplied would not shoot reliably so it was a case of abandoning an unserviceable gun and going straight to the BUG.
Lots of fun and valuable experience with your little gun under competition stress.

 

[lashlaroe]

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll just add to this one.

I shot my first IDPA match today and had a blast! Literally and figuratively. We were rained out after only 3 COF out of the 6 COF planned, but I had such a great time anyway that I will do this again next month for certain.

They also had a three stage BUG COF I was looking forward to shooting, but the rain beat us there.

As I have limited equipment for this sort of thing, I used my Colt CC. I enjoyed using it, but can see where it could get expensive to feed it if I continue shooting these matches (and I will).

This was great fun and humbled me for sure. I am determined to do better next time...aren't you all?

 

[Ken O]

Mike, glad you had a good time. I hope you picked your brass because sooner or later you will reload. Primers are about .03, you use <6gr. of powder (.45acp) there is 7000 gr in a pound. I cast my own bullets so they are close to free. Even buying the bullets, I doubt you would have more than $10 for a box of 50 of .45s. I have no idea what commercial ammo cost because I never buy it.

 

[lashlaroe]

I picked up as much brass as I could. Things were a bit rushed (weather issues) and there were 11 guys in my squad, not all of whom understood or cared about making sure reloaders got their brass back. So I estimate I only ended up with 50% of what I started with. Had I been shooting 9mm, it would have been easy to come home with my shot amount.

The range is a lost brass range that collects in brass buckets, but they understand reloader's needs and let you take as many as you shot, your own if you can find 'em, other's if you can't.

I expect to get back into reloading soon, as times are a bit tough right now...and yet I really enjoy this sport, so will need to reload to continue to enjoy it.

In any case, I had such a good time that I'm working hard to get my friend to make the next match with me. Heh, heh...it's insidious that way.

 

[Snobal]

I shot my first IDPA match last weekend....

It will not be the last....

WOW! That was a hoot!

Did it with my 3" SP101 and a couple of speed loaders.

Guess I'll be getting something that shoots more than 5 shots without a reload.

 

[lashlaroe]

Snobal,
Glad you had a good time! It sure is fun, isn't it?

I can see how easy it is to get sucked into buying tons of new equipment and guns to be able to compete better. I've already found myself thinking those thoughts. However, I'm also thinking that perhaps first I should use my daily carry arm a few times to improve my abilities with it before I go chasing scores. I believe that was the original intention of the IDPA to start with.

I think that I will shoot my Kahr P9 next time as it is my usual daily carry, even though I prefer to shoot my Commander in .45. I know that my Kahr won't get me in the top scoring arena against all those larger high-capacity Glocks and others preferred for competition, but that's not why I decided to try IDPA anyway.

If I get as sucked into this IDPA stuff as I think I may, then there will be plenty of time in the future for the pure competitive aspect anyway.

Have fun and good shootin'!

 

[CatsEye]

If I get as sucked into this IDPA stuff as I think I may, then there will be plenty of time in the future for the pure competitive aspect anyway.

IDPA is a blast, but you are right about waiting to get new stuff. After several months you will have been around long enough to actually know what you want. I shot the gun I had, an XD40, for the first year. By that time I had seen and shot enough to know what I wanted, a M&P Pro 9mm. I have been happy with the decision since the first day.