Shot my first IDPA match today
 

Not sure if more fun could be had for $15 :)

As mentioned by another poster, it is like a DE, lots of hanging around talking to folks, watching others shoot, thinking about how you will engage the targets and then you are up for less than a minute.

Aside from the rain and cold and not packing a sack lunch, alf was a happy camper today.

Learned more about shooting in 200 rounds today than i did 2000+ rounds in a static range. I was using my Sig 228. If you have a gun, you owe it to yourself to try this...(NoStatic, ya hear me?)

Here are some pics, not of me just some guys on my rotation.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1137899197.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1137899218.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1137899241.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1137899262.jpg

Every one thinking about a pistol for self defense should try this at least once. Amazing how many guns jam, safeties don't get released, magazines don't feed, bad ammo, etc.
This is a ball.

Some of the most fun you can have with your clothes on... unless you get into a group of snobs who think you can't shoot if you are using knife pouches for magazines for your clone of a cheap 9mm... gotta use a $4k custom 45 that you buy and don't get to see for a year. Of course if you do that, and end up being a B grade shooter (this was the old IPSC rating) and coming in high for your class, they tend to get really upset.

IDPA is pretty much the most fun you can have with a pistol. It IS a good excercise. We also have 'carbine matches' around here, much like IDPA, it's also fun as heck.

Shooting at the range is just nothing like you'll encounter at a match like this. All you need is a pistol, at least three magazines, a holster, and a mag carrier.

Here in Southern Maryland, for 4K you can get a good used trailer, a pickup, and afford IDPA matches...the pistols on you.

The matches are great. It is amazing how things go arwy when you're shooting with a timer, in fluid situations with spectators.

I shoot about every two months with IDPA (more on the farm)...still working on an A.

damn you guys...

OK...anyone in SoCal do these? I've found a couple of groups at the IDPA site: Piru, Santa Clarita, Chino (the San Fernando group's site doesn't respond).

Looks like I have to join the NRA, at least to join one of the places :O

...I am not a member of the NRA and they never asked. The folks I deal with at IDPA don't seem to care much about my politics, which is why I keep shooting with them.

Edit: I hope you are wrong about the NRA issue...

It is one of the gun clubs that does IDPA in the area that requires NRA membership (Santa Clarita), not the IDPA itself. I guess that means I'll likely check one of the other ones out first...

Most of the guns used were stock service pistols, lots of Glocks. Several customized 1911s but they all looked stock with nothing hanging off them.

I just showed up with a couple of hundred rounds, hearing protection, Sig 228, 3 mags and a $30 holster i bought used on the SigForum. I put the 2 spare mags in my back pocket.

The folks there were generally friendly and not snooty. Just respect the safety rules, be courteous, listen, learn and have fun. Just like going to a DE.

No need to join the NRA, heck i did not even join the IDPA, just paid the non-member $15 fee.

added: Actually it is very much like going to a DE, street driving is like shooting at a static range, this is like driving your 911 on the track. You are going to learn a lot about the machine, yourself and how to make the 2 work well together.

alf