IDPA Competition Questions and Answers

[Gail]

We have received a lot of questions about getting started in IDPA. Everyone on the ProArms Podcast Team is a certified IDPA Range Officer and if we don't know the answer to your questions we can get it from IDPA Headquarters.

Gail

P.S. Please sign you name to your posts.

[Superheat]

Are factory glocks with compensators allowed to shoot?

[Chris]

No compansators allowed. If you have a ported Glock you may change the barrel to a factory equivilent non-ported barrel and use the ported slide.
Chris Christian

[Steve]

So, Chris....based on recent experience, which type of handgun would be best for shooting IDPA in the rain?  An auto loader or one of those revolvatators.  Does mud/water negatively affect speedloaders or pistol magazines more?  Inquiring minds want to know.   

Steve

[Miggy]

"Life is Revolver-Unfriendly."

Somebody gave me that great piece of advice when he heard I bought a S&W Model 65-2 for IDPA. I am guessing mud will make life even more unfriendly come reloading time.

My advice learned the hard way: If you cast your own bullets for IDPA revolver, please get a round nose mold. semi-wadcutters are really hard to load in the cylinder. They do make pretty round holes in the cardboard though.

And since we are in the revolver subject and speaking SSR, What type of holster, speedloaders, ammo (may it be factory or reloads), pouches, etc are your favorites?

[Chris]

Steve,
You didn't need to put the Smiley Face in there... I could see the grin on your face from my home.. over 100 miles away from yours. Which gun for the rain? My vote goes for the Revolvenator... you can just shake it and the water drains out. As for mud impeding the speedloaders.. don't try to reuse the ones you drop and carry enough already loaded for the match... although you might want to get JB's take on that. He had a mud issue with a moon clip at the 2006 IDPA Nationals.

Miggy... I use a GP-100 that probably doesn't show in Ruger's catalog.
Speedloaders are Safariland Comp 111, holster is Blade Tech, speedloader pouch is a customized one...loads are whatever RN bullets I can load to get to make a 130 PF. (Speer 158 swaged LRN are a favorite).
Chris Christian

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Gail and Chris;

I'm considering IDPA and/or 3-Gun for the fun of competition, stress inoculation, and the gun handling skills.  Talked to several competitor in each discipline, but haven't been able to discuss, compare, and contrast things with anybody that knows both.   

Any thoughts on the two competitions?

Dan 

[Chris]

Dan,
Three gun is fun. But, it's expensive (rifle, shotgun, pistol.. plus all accessories & ammo). It's also grueling. More physically challenging than I want at my age. The logistics of loading the vehicle for each match are also a pain.
I'm happy with IDPA... and if I want to blast away with my EBR I just find a local Action Rifle match. Once you get into IDPA you'll have all the handgun gear you need for Three Gun, anyway. I'd start with IDPA and see if you want to go further.
Chris Christian

[Charlie Foxtrot]

.
Cogent thoughts, sir!

And I do get some rifle and shotty time with SASS.  I'll give IDPA a look.  And the ammo situation. <shudder>  I take it a Glock 17 with Kali mandated 10 round mags is acceptable?   

[Chris]

CF.
Your Glock 17 is fine, and it has a great record in IDPA competition. You'll be shooting in Stock Service Pistol (SSP) division, but it's also legal in Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) division. In either division your 10 round magazines will require a "Barney load" (so called because of Barney Fife and his single bullet)... insert a magzine, chamber a round, remove magazine, and replace with a full 10 round magazine. SSP & ESP are allowed 11 rounds in the gun to start, and all reloads are then made with a magazine with ten rounds.
Chris Christian

[Rvick82]

Hey guys,

I am really wanting to shoot in my first IDPA Competition next month at Gateway in Jax. Fl. I have never done anything like that before. My shooting consists of going to the range and working on very basic skills (accuracy, site alignment, two eyed target acquisition, etc) is there anything special I need to do to prepare for the IDPA next month? Also, the only gun I have to use in the competition is my Glock 29 SF. Is using the 10mm ok for the competition? I looked over the rules and didn't see anything that mentioned I couldn't use that caliber. Thanks and I look forward to doing this competition next month!

[Miggy]

New Shooter! Welcome to IDPA!

I think 10mm will be fine. Your fellow shooters will hate you 'cause of the noise but they'll get over it.
My recommendations:
-If they have (and I am almost sure First Coast does) a New Shooter Orientation, pay attention. You will be told the rules of the Range & the Club, safety rules and whatever else they think you may need.
-GO SLOW! Don't try to match the speed and tactics of more seasoned shooters. Concentrate in making holes in the right areas of the target, use proper cover and be safe with your gun.
-You will be nervous but don't be shy to ask questions. If you are unsure about a Course of Fire, ask the Safety Officer (SO) about it. He/she won't mind at all. And be prepared to screw up by forgetting some detail or hitting a No-Shoot. You are learning the sport and that is bound to happen
-Help paste and set steel. Like a friend of mine says: This is not an Amusement Park. Help is always appreciated and makes the match go smoother.
-Equipment: Above all have a good solid holster that will allow you to reholster the gun one handed. Even a cheap Fobus will do. Don't forget your cover garment.
-Help set up and tear down props. Again, any help is greatly appreciated.
-Be Safe...Be safe and Be safe. Remember the Four Rules at all times. It is gonna be hot so watch out for heat related incidents. Hydrate and relax.
-Have Fun!

[Jerome from California]

+1 on being helpful re-setting stages.
I never shot IDPA but I remember range divas who wouldn't help re-tape targets, re-set steel, or p/u brass when I used to shoot USPSA.

[Chris]

Rvick,
Follow Miggy's advice. First Coast IDPA does have a new shooter briefing... and a New Shooter squad. That will ease you into the sport.
Don't try to be the fastest shooter, because you won't be. But, if you take your time you could be the Most Accurate shooter. Flagler IDPA (just down the road from Jax in Bunnell) has a IDPA match the second Saturday of each month.
Chris Christian

[mcq1111]

Thanks for all the advice!
I'm heading to my first IDPA match tomorrow and your posts put me at ease a bit.
I'm looking forward to learning some new skills and watching the action.
Thanks again.
Travis

[Chris]

Travis,
Let us know how you did, and how you liked it. And, don't hesitate to ask questions. I just SOed a handful of new shooters at Flager IDPA this morning, so I'm used to answering questions... and there is no such thing as a stupid question when it comes to rules, procedures, equipment and safety.
Chris Christian

[Bubafat]

No compansators allowed. If you have a ported Glock you may change the barrel to a factory equivilent non-ported barrel and use the ported slide.
Chris Christian

Can you explain factory equivalent?  Does this mean it has to have Glocks polygonal rifling?  I need to buy a barrel for my glock 20C and would rather get one that doesn't have polygonal rifling so I can shoot inexpensive lead caste bullets.

[Chris]

The rifling is not an issue. As long as the barrel is the same configuration (length, diameter, and original caliber) cut rifling is fine.
Your 10mm Glock is legal in both SSP and ESP divisions.
Chris Christian

[Panhead Bill]

what are the differences between the various types of competitions (IDPA, USPSA, IPSC)?

Bill

[Chris]

Bill,
That’s a book length question, so I’m going to give you the condensed version.
1. USPSA and IPSC are the same. IDPA is a separate organization. Both are similar in that they are action shooting events and use similar targets... although the scoring systems are slightly different.
2. Both have multiple gun divisions so that similar guns compete against each other. The equipment rules can get a bit complex but any IDPA legal equipment is legal in at least one USPSA division... but not the reverse.
3. IDPA is more tactically oriented in the use of cover and in target shooting order. IDPA also uses shorter strings of fire (18 round maximum per string) and does not require as much movement through a course of fire. I’ve shot USPSA matches where I had to move through 50 yards and 60 rounds of ammo. That doesn’t happen in IDPA.
Both are fun, and give you plenty of trigger time. The biggest difference is that USPSA is a track meet with guns, and IDPA is a choreographed ballet.
Chris Christian