IDPA FAQ

[ray1970]

Yeah, the fault lines and shooting boxes were weird. I figured if you were in or behind them then you were considered behind cover. Kind of a way to take the judgement call out of the equation. You either are or are not using cover.

But then our SO kept talking about it like you still had to be careful not to break cover.

It was confusing. Almost like the SO didn't know what he was talking about.

[Gravy Sandwich]

I read the new rule book before the Classifier, and I'm glad I did because I might have DQd myself for something as minor as having manually adjustable screws on my holster.

My best guesses, Irving:

I interpret the no moving non threat rule to mean no non-threats mounted on swinging or sliding target stands.

The painted hard cover rule would prevent folks from shooting through simulated hard cover to score hits on threat targets. If, for example, a swinger were to swing behind black painted cardboard, it would be very subjective of an SO to call hits and misses on that swinging target if one or more shots went through the simulated cover. If the target swings behind actual hard cover like steel, then its impossible to get a hit by shooting through hard cover.


I'm guessing the decock rule is aimed squarely at CZ pistols, at least some of which can be decocked to a half cocked position. Since it specifies guns that must be manually decocked by pulling the trigger, it wouldn't apply to guns with decocking mechanisms like HK where the hammer rests in a slightly cocked position to keep the hammer off the firing pin in decocked position.

I like the fault line rule for selfish reasons, but I think it will result in unintended consequences. There is no longer a subjective call about cover as long as your feet are behind the fault line, and I didn't see mention of a "50% upper body behind cover" like in the old rulebook. A shooter can potentially lean out as far as necessary from cover to create a more open array of targets, enabling them to transition much faster across those targets since they no longer have to visually expose themselves to only one target at a time. The gamers on Brian Enos have already figured this one out.

I don't care much for the the new scoring with one second per point down. I get that you can't miss fast enough to win a gun fight, but you can certainly shoot too slow to win, as well. IDPA seems hell bent on chasing off USPSA's Alpha/Charlie shooters (50% down-zero and 50% down-one hits). Not entirely convinced that IDPA's ideal shooter is particularly effective on da stretz.

The new rulebook has no mention of the tactical reload/reload with retention. It appears to still be legal in certain circumstances, but an insider secret. It is the Animal Style Double Double of IDPA.

[Irving]

I haven't gotten to the holster part, where should I look for that? We had the same impression of the fault lines and it's nice to have cover be less subjective. The shooting boxes were more confusing.

I'm not sure the new scoring will effect anything, as it's always been the case that shooting too slowly will keep you out of the top positions.

[Gravy Sandwich]

Section 8.5 P.
"Holsters with screws or knobs that extend past the outer face of the holster are allowed if the adjustment
screw(s) require a tool to change tension, the screws protrude less than 0.125” from the outer face of the
holster, and they meet all other holster requirements. Additionally, all tension screws anywhere on a holster
must require a tool for tension adjustment"

The holster I ran previously in IDPA had brass knobs to adjust retention on the fly without a tool. Wore it to Nationals and a couple State matches without issue. No longer legal, as far as i can tell.

[Irving]

Thank you. Pretty sure all my holsters are okay. It sounds like they are describing some gaming boater I've never heard of.

[battlemidget]

Can you wear a standard molle/external belt for fridpa or must it be a CC setup? Could I wear a standard belt with an unbloused shirt to meet the requirement?
I watched some videos, looks like an overcoat or jacket fits the bill.

[Irving]

As long as your fishing vest/t-shirt or whatever covers the end of your barrel, you are good to go. I switched from IWB to OWB and just run an untucked shirt.

Generally, non-safety stuff is more lenient during just an average match anyway.