It’s not uncommon for our readers to be rifle men, but shooting a pistol match is fun every now and again. You don’t require a lot of gear, and IDPA (Int’l Defensive Pistol Assn. ) is a great option if you want to shoot. You can win matches with a $400 gun and $25 worth of bulk ammo. This is a bargain when compared to the cost of a PRS or F Class rig, and custom hand loads. Shooting Sports USA’s article on the IDPA basics and classifications is a great place to start if you are interested in the game. IDPA isn’t your grandfather’s bullseye match. There is action and movement. The stages are timed and competitors can engage targets from cover, if they have it. Sometimes, single-handed shooting and shooting while moving are required. You can compete using any self-defense handgun, but not $4000 Raceguns. IDPA is popular because you can compete 100% without spending a lot of money. Shooting Sports USA surveyed IDPA shooters during the 2016 IDPA Nationals in order to determine their favorite brands and models of guns. The 9mm Glock 34 was the top choice for both the SSP (Standard Service Pistols) and ESP classes. The Smith & Wesson M&P Pro was the next most popular choice. In 2024, we expect that many competitors will be using SIGs or Walthers while Glock use has decreased. IDPA Gun Chart by Shooting Sports USA. Along with SSP, ESP and Custom Defensive Pistols (CDP), there are also three other IDPA classes. These include Concealed Carry Pistols (CCP) and Revolvers (REV). All classes have an established minimum power factor. Scores are based upon time and shot placement of the IDPA target. IDPA Scoring System
The IDPA Target (right), has multiple scoring zones. If you miss the center mass or head zone of the target (both are shown in green in the illustration), you lose one or three points. Here’s the formula for scoring (in seconds): Score = Time + Penalties + Points down. In IDPA, you add “points down” and penalties to your time. If you hit the outer edge, you will get 3 points. Nearer the center can be 1 down. The center hit or headshot is 0 down. IDPA Scoring For Dummies. Five Tips for New IDPA shooters This Editor began his competitive shooting career with local IDPA events. I shot a Glock 34 in 9mm, a SIG Sauer S226 in 9mm and even a.38 Spl S&W Snubbie for one match. I chose the SIG P226 because it was more accurate and reliable, and fit my hand better. The P226 pointed better for me than the Glock, which helped me with target acquisition. Here are five tips for new IDPA competitors. Dry-Fire Practice at home
Dry-firing for 30 minutes a week can help you improve your grip, sight acquisition and accuracy. Grab some snap caps of good quality and get to it. One tip: don’t dry-fire in your backyard if your neighbors are watching. One of our friends was dry-firing his gun in his yard when the local police showed up (with guns drawn). This can be a very dangerous situation. Practice one-handed shooting (both strong-hand and weak-hand)
The majority of the worst misses that I saw at IDPA matches occurred during stages that required one-handed shooting. Many pistol shooters only shoot two-handed. It’s the best way to shoot, but you may have to shoot one-handed in some IDPA stages. Shooting with your left hand will feel strange if you are a righty. Your accuracy will also be poor without practice. Start your one-handed training by using a rimfire gun, and then move on to your centerfire weapon. 3. You don’t need to hand-load your 9mm ammo
It may seem sacrilegious, but if your only match is one per month, it probably won’t be worth the time or money to reload. I reloaded my 9mm ammo using a progressive for about two years. After weighing the cost and time involved, I decided to buy commercial 9mm ammo. It worked perfectly. Reloading only saved me a few cents a round, and it wasn’t worth my time. 4. Find a Holster that Fits Right
In IDPA matches, you draw from the holster while playing. I saw many people struggle with Kydex holsters which would not release or leather holsters which were too tight or rocked when drawn. Try out a few brands at your local store. 5. Be Calm and Smooth, and Aim Your Shots
IDPA is often viewed as a sport of speed by many people. There are score zones on IDPA targets, so you must AIM and focus. Don’t “run and shoot”. You will score more points with less “points down” if you remain calm and align your sights on the center of the targets for EVERY shot. With time, speed will come. It is better to ensure that each shot is a success.
