Saturday IDPA match at PSC

[SteyrM40]

Hello everyone,

Just a message to say THANKS to everyone who helped me out at the IDPA match at PSC on Saturday. This was my first time and I was very pleased with the way things were organized and with all the tips I got from fellow IDPAers. I can't wait until the next match in January, and I have several friends who have penciled it in on their calendar.

A special thanks to Eric Achord who was my "mentor" for the day and helped explain all the ins and outs to me.

I did alright, except for stages 1 and 2 (A bay, which I did last)... those two really messed up my daily score. The SO on the A bay explained to me something very important: accuracy is more important than time. I'll remember that for the January shoot.

Other important lesson learned: bring a baseball cap.

I noticed a lot of people wearing vests and carrying with OWB holsters. I was under the impression that IDPA required you to shoot wearing normal/everyday carry rig and clothing, so that is how I shot. Just to get an idea of how people shoot these things, I have posted the poll above.

Thanks again! I'm hooked!

Stay safe...

SteyrM40

[j1132s]

I wanted to come to the PSC IDPA but wasn't able to. I'm hoping to attend the first one next year just to meet some of the Houston members.

Recently I shot my first IDPA, I wore my normal clothes and normal jacket and usual OWB holster and usual gun. (My other carry method is pocket carry, but IDPA doesn't allow pocket holsters.)

The only difference is the addition of a double mag pouch (and 2 extra mags) and the 10 round mag limit.

My usual holster has active retention so drawing is a bit slower. Another problem I noticed with my setup is that when retention is needed, I don't have any pockets to stuff the mag so I had to put it back into the pouch, which is slow due to my jacket. I think a competition vest (I guess that's not the word for IDPA, maybe a "IDPA legal, non-competition, but good for competition" vest) would greatly speed up the draw and mag changes.

I'm not sure if I should invest in something that I'll only wear for IDPA since according to IDPA, you can't use competition specific items. Anyway, I'll probably stay with IPSC for now and the next (last?) IDPA will be w/ PSC.

[longtooth]

IDPA or IPSC w/ my carry weapon & holster. Regular street clothes. Only thing I change is my mag carrier & remove my pepper.

[GlockenHammer]

The reason I got started in IDPA was to gain experience and skill for concealed carry. It kind of defeats the purpose if you use special purpose equipment. My goals in IDPA do not involve winning trophies or corporate sponsorships. So, it does not bother me if others around me choose to use specialized equipment or fail to use cover properly, etc.

You get out of it what you want to.

[Piney]

Greetings--

My main reason for shooting IDPA is to hone my carry skills. Its fun to compete, but that's not my primary reason.

I shoot with street clothing-- usually a tshirt and a cover shirt/jacket depending on the weather.

Depending on my mood-- I'll either use my carry (a G26) or my G34.

So far, I use my carry holster, a CTAC. But Im hoping Santa will bring me a OWB model-- that barrel gets a bit warm after a long string !!

[HighVelocity]

I generally shoot IDPA matches with a larger version of what I carry most of the time.
Example: Carry Glock 26, compete with Glock 17, carry 3" 1911, compete with 5", ect. There are things that come up in an IDPA course of fire that will most likely NEVER come up in a real life situation.
Example: Headshots at more than 7 yards or shots out to 35 yards. (If I have 35 yards between myself and an attacker, I'm gettin' the heck out of there)
As far as clothing, I wear a 5.11 type vest when competing but only on occasion while out in public. Mainly because I have to carry a lot more "stuff" on my person at a match than I do out in the wild.
Example: I'm not carrying 5 or more loaded mags on my person right now, or a camera, or a chamber brush, or loose rounds in my pocket ect.

A lot of folks compete with daily gear and that's great, some have game specific gear and that's fine too. It's all about what YOU the shooter want to get out of it. You're there for your own personal experience, nobody elses. If after the match you're smiling because you had a good time and perhaps improved your skills then that's all that matters.

Gary

[SRVA]

HV +1000. Competition is really about developing your gun handling skills.

[jbirds1210]

I generally shoot IDPA matches with a larger version of what I carry most of the time.
Example: Carry Glock 26, compete with Glock 17

This describes my exact choice for IDPA/carry gear. However, I do often carry the 17 or a Glock 22. I shoot IDPA with a 5.11 vest and OWB holster.

If it is not in violation of the rules....go for it! It is a unique experience for everyone and we all bring different needs to the match.

To be honest.....the reason I do not shoot with my IWB holster is because nobody wants to stand out there and watch me pull up my pants and tuck in my undershirt all day. It would not be comfortable . I do a great deal of practice with my carry gear in the privacy of my home where these things are not an issue.
Jason

[Roger Howard]

I use my OWB with a 5.11 vest. I do wear the vest in public when it is cool enough.

[ea40ss]

Hey SteyrM40, It was a pleasure to shoot with you!

Don't worry too much about the Stages 1 & 2, You did great!

Just remember to take your time. Take 5 minutes if you need to, to complete a stage. For now just concentrate on making the shots. You will be more satisfied when you look at the scores when you see a low points down with a high time as opposed to a high points down and a high time because of points down. I think I've confused myself. Anyway, you get the idea.

Also, you have hit on what can be a touchy subject. You shot the match with exactly what you carry, A good number of people do. That is the true spirit of the IDPA. Doing so can help people understand very quickly what equipment combos will and will not work, Where best to place the holster and what sort of cover garment works best.

There are those folks who shoot IDPA strictly for the purpose of perfecting their carry strategy and becoming most comfortable with their carry gun. And there is nothing wrong with that.

There are those folks who are there to compete and try to win, usually not with their normal carry equipment but still within the rules. And there is nothing wrong with that either.

In either case the main objectives are still: to improve shooting ability and confidence, Safe gun handling, and to have fun.

Anyway, I've rambled enough.

Point is, shoot the matches with what is going to help you with your personal objectives and goals.

I shoot with a Kydex OWB and a 5.11 vest, neither of which is my normal carry equip. The vest seems to be part of an unofficial IDPA uniform. Along with the 5.11 pants.

Look forward to seeing you in January and bring some friends.

Eric