August 5, 2022Pistol matches can be fun — basics for IDPA Pistol shooting. While most of our readers are riflemen, it’s still fun to shoot a pistol match once a year. If you shoot IDPA (Int’l Defensive Pistol Assn.), you don’t need much equipment. You can win matches with a $400 pistol, $20.00 worth bulk 9mm ammunition, and a $20.00 value of ammunition. It’s a bargain compared with what you’ll spend on a competitive Benchrest rig or F-Class rig, custom rifle hand-loads, and a custom rifle hand-load. Shooting Sports USA has a great article that explains the basics and classifies IDPA. IDPA isn’t your granddad’s bullseye pistol match. There is action and movement. Stages are timed and competitors engage targets from cover, if possible. Sometimes single-handed shooting is required. Shooting while moving is also possible. You can compete with any handgun that is suitable for self-defense, but not with $4000 raceguns with fancy optics. IDPA is popular because you can compete 100% without spending a lot of money. Shooting Sports USA surveyed IDPA shooters at 2016 IDPA Nationals in order to determine their top gun brands and models. The 9mm Glock 34 was the top choice for the SSP (Standard Service Pistol), and ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol). The Smith & Wesson M&P Pro was next in popularity.
Shooting Sports USA IDPA Gun Chart There are three main IDPA classes, SSP and ESP. They are Custom Defensive Pistol for.45 ACPs (mostly 1911 types), Concealed Carry Pistols (CCP) and Revolver. All classes have a minimum power factor. Scores are determined by shot placement on the IDPA target and time.
The official IDPA Target (right), has multiple scoring zones. You lose one to three points if you miss the target’s head or center mass zones (both shown in green in illustration). Here’s the formula: Score in seconds = Time + Points Down + Penalties. IDPA adds “points down” (and other penalties) to your time. You get 3 points down if you hit the target’s outer edge. One point can be awarded for hitting the center. The center hit or the head shot is 0 point down. Check out IDPA Scoring for Dummies. Five Tips for New IDPA Shooters. This Editor started his career in competitive shooting at local IDPA matches. I shot a 9mm Glock 34 and a 9mm SIG Sauer S226, and even a match with a.38 SPl S&W Snubbie. The SIG P226, which fit my hand better than the Glock, was accurate and reliable, was what I settled on. I found that the P226 was more accurate than the Glock in pointing out targets, which is a good thing. Here are FIVE TIPS FOR NEW IDPA Competitors: Dry-Fire Practice at home
Dry-firing for 30 minutes each week can dramatically improve your sight acquisition and grip. Grab some snap caps and get to work. One tip: Don’t do it in your backyard if you don’t want neighbors to see. One friend dry-firing in his backyard received an unexpected visit from the police (with guns drawn) It can be very frustrating, to say the worst. You can practice one-handed shooting (both strong-hand and weak-hand).
I saw the most embarrassing misses during IDPA matches when one-handed shooting was required. Many pistol shooters spend all their time shooting with one hand. This is the best technique, however, in an IDPA match you might be required to shoot one handed. Shooting with your left hand will feel strange if you are a righty. Your accuracy will be poor unless practiced. Start your one-handed training with a centerfire pistol and then move to a rimfire pistol. Handload your 9mm ammunition.
Although it may seem sacrilege, if you only shoot one match per month, it’s probably not worth your time and money to reload 9x19mm. I did reload my 9mm ammunition on a progressive for several years. I stopped reloading 9mm ammo on a progressive because it was a waste of time and money. I started buying 9mm reloads commercially, which worked well. Reloading was only a small way to save a few cents per shot, which was not worth the effort. Find a good holster that fits right
You usually draw from your holster during IDPA matches. Many people had problems with Kydex holsters or leather holsters during draw. You can try a variety of brands at your local store. Be calm, be smooth, and AIM your shots
Many people think IDPA is all about speed. There are score zones on the official IDPA target so you need AIM and focus. Do not just “run and gun”. You will score more points if you keep calm and aim your sights at the target’s center for every shot. You will improve your speed with time. It is better to ensure that every shot is a hit. The IDPA Rules contain more details about the Class requirements.
Round must be at minimum 9mm with a 125 Power Factor. Gun mods are not allowed. Double action pistols such as the Sig P226/228 must be started with hammer down SSP must fit in the full IDPA gun testing box (8.75″ x 6.25″ x 1.2525). Enhanced Service Pistol Division
Round must be at minimum 9mm with a 125 Power Factor. This was originally designed for single-action pistols like the Browning HP. However, ESP allows DA/SA pistols like the CZ 75 to start “cocked, locked”. ESP must fit in the full IDPA gun test box.Custom Defensive pistol (CDP).
Round must be.45 ACP and have a minimum of 165 Power Factor. This class will feature a majority of 1911-type single action pistols. Single-action firearms must be cocked and locked. CDP must fit in full IDPA gun testing box. Concealed Carry Pistol
This division was created by IDPA in 2014. It requires a minimum 9mm cartridge and a 125 Power Factor. Guns are smaller than other classes. The barrel length must not exceed 4.375 inches. or less. CCP must fit into the compact IDPA Test Box measuring 7.75 inches. x 5.375? x 5.375?
The IDPA established a Revolver Division in 2016 (REV), with two sub-categories, Stock Revolver or Enhanced Revolver. Stock Revolvers can use speedloaders, while Enhanced Revolver may use moon-clips to accelerate loading. (NOTE: A BUG REV class is available for small revolvers.
