Looking to get into IDPA

[C.hud]

I met a couple guys at a shooting spot in the mountains a few months ago who got me interested in IDPA. Been shooting all kinds of guns for years now, have pistols, ar, shotgun etc. And was wondering what I needed to get started in IDPA.
-Chris

[Irving]

Spend a few minutes reading through some of the threads in this forum and you should have most of your general questions answered. The main thing is to show up.

As far as what you NEED:

1) Show up
2) gun
3) holster (no appendix, under the arm, small of back, ankle, etc) must be worn on the hip and behind the center line (3:00-9:00)
4) at least three magazines
5) Show up

[Hoser]

http://www.ar-15.co/forums/showthread.php?t=3717

[Not_A_Llama]

Two guys with steel targets at the Buffalo Creek "free for all" national forest shooting spot, by chance?

[C.hud]

sounds about right and if i recall right they were in a jeep.

[Not_A_Llama]

Haha, that was "rustycrusty" and me. We don't shoot there anymore, but I remember you were pretty good - glad you came around to looking FRIDPA up.

As the posters above mentioned, you don't really need much. Gun, ammo, holster, mags. You'll need to take the safety course first time, and make sure to ask lots of questions. Everyone's friendly.

Hope to see you next month.

[C.hud]

lol you said you would be there the following friday so i went and didnt see you thought the snow scared you off. I was shooting the 1911 and my girl had the pink 380. I kicked myself the following friday for not grabbing your number. I dont shoot there anymore either, i got a different spot that no one really knows about it. If i have a range safety officer card (might be expired i forgot to re up it) do i still need to take the safety class?

[DeusExMachina]

You probably will just because the class covers rules, commands, etc.

[C.hud]

That works sounds like those are important things to know.

[Hoser]

If i have a range safety officer card (might be expired i forgot to re up it) do i still need to take the safety class?

Define Range Officer card.

If you have not completed a IDPA, USPSA or ICORE match you need to attend the Intro To IDPA Class.

[Hoser]

If i have a range safety officer card (might be expired i forgot to re up it) do i still need to take the safety class?

From the FAQ thread...



How often are the new shooter intro classes offered?
“New to IDPA” shooter classes are offered prior to every FR IDPA Match and are free of charge. We do ask that you contact us to let us know that you will be coming. Show up by 7:30 and we will have someone available to run you through the ins and outs of IDPA. If you have an IPSC classification or have proof that you have competed in an IDPA, USPSA or ICORE match somewhere else, the class is not required.

[C.hud]

I dont have any IDPA cards i just have a NRA Range Safety Officer(RSO) card, so i just plan on taking the safety class.

[asmo]

Both my wife and I want to get into IDPA/IPSC. So I am thinking of coming to the next FRIDPA match. I see its the 2nd Saturday of the month so I am just confirming that the next match would be June 9th, 2012?

[Hoser]

I dont have any IDPA cards i just have a NRA Range Safety Officer(RSO) card, so i just plan on taking the safety class.

The NRA does not like IDPA or USPSA. Right now the NRA frowns on any movement with a loaded firearm. They have warmed up to it a little bit these past two years, but just a little.

NRA Action Pistol Matches such as AP, Bianchi, PPC, Bullseye, ect are very different from IDPA/USPSA/ICORE.

This is why we have a "New to IDPA" class before every match.

[Caithford]

I'm also a new shooter planning on attending the June 9th match. I couldn't find an e-mail address on the FR IDPA website to e-mail to let you guys know. Who should I e-mail?

[Sticks]

Caithford,

You don't need to let anyone know you are coming, just show up by 7:45 (safety meeting at 8:00).

Go to the National IDPA website, download the rule book and pre-read, then have any questions that you have ready so we can answer them during the class.

[Hoser]

I'm also a new shooter planning on attending the June 9th match. I couldn't find an e-mail address on the FR IDPA website to e-mail to let you guys know. Who should I e-mail?

From the IDPA FAQ thread here...



How often are the new shooter / Intro To IDPA classes offered?
“New to IDPA” shooter classes are offered prior to every FR IDPA Match and are free of charge. We do ask that you contact us via email... fridpa (at) juno dot com to let us know that you will be coming. Show up by 7:30 and we will have someone available to run you through the ins and outs of IDPA. If you have an IPSC classification or have proof that you have competed in an IDPA, USPSA or ICORE match somewhere else, the class is not required.



Caithford,

You don't need to let anyone know you are coming, just show up by 7:45 (safety meeting at 8:00).

Go to the National IDPA website, download the rule book and pre-read, then have any questions that you have ready so we can answer them during the class.

Sending us an email is not mandatory, but it does help us know how many people might be showing up for the "Intro to IDPA" Class.

[Caithford]

No worries. I'll be there for the safety meeting. I did shoot the USPSA match this past weekend and did a nice safety meeting with Paul Clark Sr., but learning the ins and outs of IDPA would also be useful. Besides, you can never have "too much" safety training.

I'm looking forward to it.

[thermobollocks]

No worries. I'll be there for the safety meeting. I did shoot the USPSA match this past weekend and did a nice safety meeting with Paul Clark Sr., but learning the ins and outs of IDPA would also be useful. Besides, you can never have "too much" safety training.

I'm looking forward to it.

The basics are pretty much the same (do what the SO says, don't point a gun uprange, keep your finger away from the trigger unless you're actively spitting lead), but the bookkeeping's different. I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect, just show up, be safe, and leave with the same number of holes as when you showed up.

[belizejet]

This is the first post I have made on this forum. Just moved back to Colorado after being away for almost eight years. Was doing a little IDPA out east. Looking to get into it again here. Anything with IDPA near Colorado Springs? What is the main difference between IDPA and USPSA? I shot a few matches back east for practical purposes, not to really compete (I use a carry gun not a $3000 STI). Never did a qualifier match. Does this mean I would have to do a class? Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting involved in all the shooting competition going on here.

[Hoser]

This is the first post I have made on this forum. Just moved back to Colorado after being away for almost eight years. Was doing a little IDPA out east. Looking to get into it again here. Anything with IDPA near Colorado Springs? What is the main difference between IDPA and USPSA? I shot a few matches back east for practical purposes, not to really compete (I use a carry gun not a $3000 STI). Never did a qualifier match. Does this mean I would have to do a class? Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting involved in all the shooting competition going on here.


Check this thread...

http://www.ar-15.co/threads/3717-IDPA-FAQ

[thermobollocks]

This is the first post I have made on this forum. Just moved back to Colorado after being away for almost eight years. Was doing a little IDPA out east. Looking to get into it again here. Anything with IDPA near Colorado Springs? What is the main difference between IDPA and USPSA? I shot a few matches back east for practical purposes, not to really compete (I use a carry gun not a $3000 STI). Never did a qualifier match. Does this mean I would have to do a class? Thanks for the info. Looking forward to getting involved in all the shooting competition going on here.

Aside from the thread Hoser mentioned, if you're used to IDPA, scoring and strategy are the big differences. IDPA uses raw time + penalties, USPSA uses points accrued on target minus penalties all divide by time to yield a hit factor. It takes some getting used to, but it's still the same general idea. There's also no cover rule (do whatever you can safely accomplish to engage the targets), and the equipment divisions are different. IDPA also requires you to stow your magazines or reload from slide lock, while USPSA doesn't.

If you're really worried about being under-geared, USPSA production, single stack, and revo division are basically the same as SSP, CDP, and ESR. You can shoot all of the above with all sorts of "working" guns. Plenty of folks do that, and do it well. USPSA folks don't bite (it's a procedural).

[belizejet]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like I will have to get involved with the USPSA stuff. IDPA seems to be way up north only and not in the COS area. I want to spend money on ammo not gas. :)