Austin IDPA

[A-R]

Well I "observed" my first IDPA match Saturday morning at Austin Rifle Club, put on by Texas Tactical. I plan to "bring my toys" as one guy said, and "play the game" next time.

For any TexasCHLForum members who may have been out there shooting, I was the guy in the olive green "Got Ammo?" T-shirt and American flag ballcap who was asking a lot of questions.

to the folks who set up and supervise these matches. I was VERY IMPRESSED with the attention to safety while still allowing everyone to have fun and test their skills. Great group of guys.

I was only able to stick around for about an hour or two, but got a good feel for how it all works and saw some good shooting. One "stage" had the shooter start while sitting in a chair, hands on knees, with his pistol resting on a barrel in front of him. When the buzzer sounded, he had to engage two "bad guy" targets with a "good guy/no shoot" target inbetween directly in front of him from the seated position, then pivot about 180 degrees (still sitting) and hit a metal target about the size of a squirrel that was probably 15+ yards away. I asked one of the competitors "why is that squirrel a threat?" and loved his response "that darn squirrel will steal your whiskey when you're not lookin' "



Like I said, good bunch of guys.

Anyone else interested in trying out an IDPA match in Austin? Would be fun to put together an Austin TexasCHLForum group to go to a match. The next one is Sunday July 4, so not sure if the wife will let me get away for that one (but I'm going to ask). After that it's Saturday July 24, day after I should be completing my CHL instructor certification course (anyone going to the July 19-23 CHL instructor course want to stick around til Saturday morning and go shoot IDPA?). They also hold matches in Comal County (northeast of San Antonio), so I might go try one of those if the particular weekend works better for me.

Anyway, here is link to the Texas Tactical shooting schedule http://texastactical.net/Schedule/Displ ... hedule.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And directions to Austin Rifle Club http://texastactical.net/directions/AustinRifleClub.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lancermit]

Hi AR!

I shot my first IDPA match the previous Sunday at ARC. ARC's website said it was an IDPA match, but it was actually a "Carbine/Pistol" IDPA match. (Be sure to check Texas Tactical's schedule to see what's really goin' on. http://www.texastactical.net/Schedule/D ... hedule.asp) Well, they let me and another guy shoot pistol only, with everyone else shooting both carbine AND pistol in each stage. I outscored the one other "pistol only" guy, and ranked 18th out of 24 overall -- and they were all using rifles! Not too bad for my first IDPA match, I figure. ??

I would like to have gone to Saturday's match, especially since it was a "pistol" match, but I had relatives in for the weekend. I wanna see how I rank as a newbie among the more experienced guys/gals.

Also, I realize that anyone arriving early is welcomed to help set up the stations, and you need to show up a little early anyway to register, etc.; but, What time does the match actually begin? 9:00 or 10:00 am?

I will try to make the July 4th match, and will definitely be at the July 24th one. It was WAY too much fun for me. I'll be even 'funner' when the weather cools down some. If I keep this up, I'm gonna have to buy a new gun!

See y'all there!?

[CWOOD]

Hi, austinrealtor.

I was on a squad that you visited. I was a scorekeeper in tan vest, jeans and a white long sleeve shirt. Glad you came out and glad you had a good time.

Your impression of the general level of quality folks matches my experience over the years. Every group with whom I have shot IDPA has proved to be similar. Please bring your gear next time.

After you have been shooting IDPA a while you will be amazed at the level of improvement in skill you will gain. In safety, accuracy, reloading skill, target recognition, malfunction clearing, shooting on the move, etc.

[Andiceman]

Also keep in mind that Austin Lone Star Practical Pistol Club (http://www.alsppc.org/ also holds regular USPSA/IPSC matches at the Austin Rifle Club. Both ALSPPC and Texas Tactical do a great job of welcoming new shooters and plenty of folks shoot both types of matches.

Check the ARC calendar http://austinrifleclub.org/index.php?op ... h.calendar to see what's going on. If you see an ALSPPC or Texas Tactical match, check their web sites as well for additional information.

Austin Rifle Club is a member-only club, but you DO NOT have to be a member to shoot any of the matches held at ARC.

[eureka40]

I attended my first IDPA match at ARC a couple of months ago. After going through all 5 sets without any major blunders I felt pretty good about it. My confidence level was boosted exponentially. I will no doubt be going back to more matches. Fun, safe, and challenging all at the same time.

[AggieMM]

Glad to meet you yesterday, and glad to hear you're gonna come back and play. But remember what I said, competitive shooting is very addictive!!!

Ryan
SO on the squad you watched.

[A-R]

CWood, AggieMM:

Thanks for the encouragement, guys. July 4 doesn't look good (family obligations) but I'm hoping to get to one of the other July matches.

Which calendar is more accurate? ARC or Texas Tactical?

According to Texas Tactical calendar, next Austin match is July 24

http://texastactical.net/matches/schedule.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But ARC schedule seems to show more matches ... one on the 18th as well?

http://www.austinrifleclub.com/index.ph ... =07&day=28" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[AggieMM]

Mike might have just noticed the issue, as there is one now on his schedule for the 18th:

http://www.texastactical.net/matches/schedule.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But I'd normally rely on Mike's schedule, as that's the one the Mike goes by, and if Mike doesn't think there is a match, he won't show. :)

Ryan

[lancermit]

Mike might have just noticed the issue, as there is one now on his schedule for the 18th:

http://www.texastactical.net/matches/schedule.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But I'd normally rely on Mike's schedule, as that's the one the Mike goes by, and if Mike doesn't think there is a match, he won't show. :)

Ryan

The match on the 18th is a 'Carbine' match -- not too suited for handgun only competition. Although you CAN compete, the stages are geared more toward rifle scenarios. And, you can't really compare your standings with everyone else, as most everybody else will have used BOTH rifle AND pistol.

I'm gonna make the match on the 24th for sure!

[Purplehood]

LOL. I just realized that IDPA sounds too much like work to me. My attitude sucks.

[gringop]

Hi AR!
Also, I realize that anyone arriving early is welcomed to help set up the stations, and you need to show up a little early anyway to register, etc.; but, What time does the match actually begin? 9:00 or 10:00 am?

Signup starts at 9:00, New Shooters Meeting at 9:45, Shooters Meeting and Squading at 9:55. Shooting starts at 10:00.

Please get there by 9:30, that gives you time to sign in, get geared up, attend the new shooters meeting if needed and get the match started on time. There is shade on all the bays, Mike has water coolers there but bring some of your own sports drinks.

5 stages. 18 rounds max required shots on a stage but bring some extra ammo in case you miss. 100 rounds will get you though fine.

Usually we are finished around 1:30.

Come on out, be safe, have fun and shoot with us.

Gringop

[HighHandicap]

There is a USPSA match this Saturday at Austin Rifle Club. I think I will attend and maybe even participate (got the kitchen pass!). I've never done any competitive shooting and I'm relatively new to shooting a pistol so I'm hoping this will help me sharpen my skills.

Here's the email I got about the match:
"Saturday: USPSA Pistol match with a classifier, 5 stages, approximately 140 rounds. Signup is at 9am and the shooting starts at 10am. Setup may happen Friday afternoon.otherwise it'll begin/resume at 730am on Saturday."

Let me know if any of y'all are going to attend as well.

[CompVest]

Just be advised that USPSA is different than IDPA in quite a few of their rules and the use of concealment garments.

[OldCannon]

One of the awesome things is that you can shoot BOTH IDPA and USPSA at ARC (whoa - Acronym Soup!).

The ARC's calendar is more likely to be accurate though, as each club is required to reserve the shooting bays in advance.

While I'm on this topic: If you are shooting there and are not a member of the ARC, _please_ join. The contributions of the ARC membership have made things like the action pistol bays possible, and the club can only get better with more responsible members. We are _very_ dedicated to educating our youth about shooting sports and have many programs for those of you with young ones. There are also many more improvements coming to the other shooting ranges as well.

[HighHandicap]

One of the awesome things is that you can shoot BOTH IDPA and USPSA at ARC (whoa - Acronym Soup!).

The ARC's calendar is more likely to be accurate though, as each club is required to reserve the shooting bays in advance.

While I'm on this topic: If you are shooting there and are not a member of the ARC, _please_ join. The contributions of the ARC membership have made things like the action pistol bays possible, and the club can only get better with more responsible members. We are _very_ dedicated to educating our youth about shooting sports and have many programs for those of you with young ones. There are also many more improvements coming to the other shooting ranges as well.

I've been trying to get out there for the Range Orientation class, but the first Sunday of the last several months have been filled with other family obligations. I'm planning to make it to the August one. I've already got my membership application completed!