What do you like the MOST and the LEAST about IDPA?

[Sailor]

Those of you in the Dallas area that only get to shoot straight ahead and only 3-4 stages per match need to shoot with Collin County IDPA at Jacob's Plain Gun Club. The website is http://www.ccidpa.org

We will usually shoot 8-9 stages in 4-5 hours in 3 squads expending 150+/- rounds. We have 5 full and 2 half shooting bays. Some stages will encompass well over 180 degrees of SAFE shooting. Last Saturday we had a 2 gun match and shot 6 stages. Everyone shot their primary weapon as well as their B.U.G. in every stage. The reason for only 6 stages is that the B.U.G. takes extra time for each shooter to set-up and then clear.

We also host 3-Gun matches about every quarter or so.
http://www.ccidpa.org/threegun.html

Check us out next time you shoot. We are first and foremost a "new shooter friendly" club.

Cody

PS: I like both IDPA and USPSA. Each has it's +'s and minuses. Try both, pick the one you like and shoot it as often as possible.

[propellerhead]

We will usually shoot 8-9 stages in 4-5 hours in 3 squads expending 150+/- rounds. We have 5 full and 2 half shooting bays. Some stages will encompass well over 180 degrees of SAFE shooting.

If only you guys weren't so far from southwest Fort Worth... :sigh:

[solaritx]

Just for the record: I do take pride in my daughter. It is nice to see her both through my eyes and the eyes of others. In fact, I am very proud of all of the youngsters from Texas that have come along. There are many that do both their families proud and their IDPA families proud.

Second: there no longer is Par time in IDPA. Removed at the last IDPA Rulebook update.

Forgot: Likes: people like Cody that bring really good adult beverages to sample after the guns are put up. Man- that is what friends are for, even if he is Navy <g>

Dislike: people who are allergic to tape and those who intentionally cheat.

Garry N

[Skiprr]

Likes: SOs like Garry who will, if time permits, stop and say, "I gave you one procedural. Do you know why?" That kind of immediate-feedback, self-analysis is what training is all about. Even though, admittedly, IDPA is practice, not training.

And my last procedural was one Garry caught: I dropped a mag--though it was empty--when I wasn't at slide lock. The rule is there 'cause you may not be sure, under stress, the mag really is empty.

[age_ranger]

Those of you in the Dallas area that only get to shoot straight ahead and only 3-4 stages per match need to shoot with Collin County IDPA at Jacob's Plain Gun Club. The website is http://www.ccidpa.org

We will usually shoot 8-9 stages in 4-5 hours in 3 squads expending 150+/- rounds. We have 5 full and 2 half shooting bays. Some stages will encompass well over 180 degrees of SAFE shooting. Last Saturday we had a 2 gun match and shot 6 stages. Everyone shot their primary weapon as well as their B.U.G. in every stage. The reason for only 6 stages is that the B.U.G. takes extra time for each shooter to set-up and then clear.

We also host 3-Gun matches about every quarter or so.
http://www.ccidpa.org/threegun.html

Check us out next time you shoot. We are first and foremost a "new shooter friendly" club.

Cody

PS: I like both IDPA and USPSA. Each has it's +'s and minuses. Try both, pick the one you like and shoot it as often as possible.

No kidding...that was the best time i've had shooting local IDPA matches. Great group of people to boot! Can't wait for teh weather to lighten up so I can make it out there again.

[Paladin]

Likes:

-The challenge of it all, it's way more of a challenge that just regular target shooting
-Meeting great folks
-Having a great time with those folks
-Shooting a match safely
-Testing myself and my gear

Nits:

-Handling non-threats (should be more non-threats, should be a difference between wounding a non-threat(-1, -3) vs. "killing"(-0). Hitting -0 should cost more time. Shoot/no-shoot skills are vital, and "killing" a no-shoot target should more seriously count against your score.
-Think it should be illegal to stick your gun/hand out forward of a barricade. There are several reasons not to do that in real life. Some uber-tactical folks out there discount IDPA as truely practical because of this kind of stuff. And it would be easy enough to change.

[austin]

In FOF one of the goals in a multi-threat stage should be to increase distance, seek and improve cover, find the gunmen, and to flank. Most stages I have seen are set up to where the shooter moves TOWARD the threat. This is a big no no and will end up getting you shot. Every FOF sim I have been in in and out of the Army moving towards the target has gotten me or someone else shot.

Ammunition management should be up to the shooter. I was trained to stay topped off and to know the status of my weapon at all times and this is so ingrained in me that is instinctual. Its proper that if you fire four rounds and are moving to a new position that you would load a fresh mag and retain the used one. Slide lock scares me.

Threat assessment should be more realistic. Barricade order is fine but if one threat is looking away and the other is looking at you, the one facing you is the immediate threat, not the one facing away.

3D targets. Box-type targets would be nice faced at different angles. A bit harder to eval the hits, but much more realistic.

I will not shoot at a muddy range where there is movement and there are pistols that cannot be safed during movement.

[GlockenHammer]

3D targets. Box-type targets would be nice faced at different angles. A bit harder to eval the hits, but much more realistic.

I agree. I dislike all targets facing the shooter broadside, but angling them too much makes taping difficult. A box target would be a boon.

-Think it should be illegal to stick your gun/hand out forward of a barricade. There are several reasons not to do that in real life. Some uber-tactical folks out there discount IDPA as truely practical because of this kind of stuff. And it would be easy enough to change.

I agree. Simple enough to change and a positive one at that.

I have a few "I forgots"...

Like:
* "After the shooting" activities (off the clock) like
-- requiring scanning targets
-- a tac load off the clock after all targets are neutralized
-- cover a threat until SO asks if finished
these activities attempt to break the oft-trained practice of unloading and showing clear as soon as the shooting is over. The only way I see to incorporate them is to require them in the course of fire and give a procedural if the shooter mentally quits the scenario without completing it.

* I would like to see some verbalization incorporated, but I suspect that those not 'tactially minded' would just go through the motions or have their little saying pre-programmed and no good would come of it. I was actually complimented by an SO once for telling my NT to "get down" as I threw them to the ground before the shooting started (verbalization wasn't required).

* I would like to see more low-light scenarios.

* I like "found gun" stages where you get to shoot an unfamiliar firearm (and someone else's ammo). This may have been the only time I have shot a double action revolver, for instance.

* Stages starting with the firearm in various states of readiness (e.g., unloaded, not in a holster, etc.) I would love to have folks draw and fire an aimed shot without a round in the chamber and have them do a tap-rack-bang. Unfortunately, those who do not adhere to the spirit of the drill gain the advantage making this a poor candidate for IDPA.

* Here's a fun idea: take the shooter's first mag from them. Without their observation, empty it and mix in a snap cap and give it back to them. When they shoot the scenario, they have to do a malfunction drill. (This is where an extra assistant SO can be used to keep things moving by preparing the mags before they are on the line to shoot.)

Dislike:
* inadequate use of cover around barricades, both with foot placement and upper torso/head.

* requirement to take a knee around low cover (as long as the shooter is using the cover, that should be good enough.)

* procedurals for not loading to 'division capacity' during a limited vickers stage.

* procedurals for too many mags on the belt when they are not accessed during the stage (many matches have a shooter shoot more than one scenario in a row and the belt is a convenient place to keep extra mags)

[Popshot]

LIKE:

Instead of boring bull's eye shooting, we get to draw from holsters, engage multiple targets, set up in a wide variety of situations, make reloads and continue firing, while moving, using cover, and keep shooting - sometimes very fast. What's not to like.

ROs and participants who welcome new shooters. I was new once, and was very appreciative of guidance. I try to return the favor.

The game is accessable to anyone with good shooting and safety skills, as well as old war horses and speed demons.


DISLIKE:

We are stuck with very old target technology. Innovations such as reactive targets and 360 degree berms will cost lots and lots of dollars.

When all stages matches are challenging, some new shooters may not return. Consider a mix of straight-forward and complex stages.

10 round magazine capacity limits are arbitrary restrictions that politicians have placed upon citizens of some cities or states. Unless the match is held in a jurisdiction where magazine capacity greater than 10 rounds is illegal, ditch the requirement.

[Supercat]

I go for the practice and the people, Almost all I have met are top noch.

The only thing that gets me a bit is IDPA was for practical pistol shooting and competition, but some guys come out with some firearms that are not close to something you would or could carry. I carry a Custom Colt Combat Commander but only custom finish and some Wilson Combat internals.

I've seen some pretty serious race guns at our matches, Huge mag well flares, porting, compensators, target cut gripps etc...

[Kalrog]

Like:
Semi-realistic situations
Gets the heart pounding while shooting
FUN!!!

Dislike:
Really only 1. I don't CCW with a strong side hip holster so I can't truly practice as I carry. I understand why they don't want to allow my shoulder holster (safety), but it does somewhat defeat the purpose.

[DMG]

Supercat:

If you havd seen ported barrels and compensators, that should not have been an IDPA match. As far as the other mods, if the gun still fits in the box it should be ok.

David G.