IDPA Rules, Explained Humorously

[Pat Cannon]

If you're gonna be one of those guys who whines about IDPA's rules, at least you can be entertaining.

[Rodentman]

I don't think I could do IDPA.

[rtk]

[westberg]

I do not wear a fishing vest, it is a 5.11 Tactical Vest, big difference.

[IDPA Shooter]

I do not wear a fishing vest, it is a 5.11 Tactical Vest, big difference.

Agree I have the 511, Woolrich and Sig vests in different colors so I can blend in with crowds. You see many people in
Mpls heading to dinner and show in a tactical vest with 6 pockets and another 6 zippered pockets

[rugersol]

Thanks!

[Holland&Holland]

You see many people in
Mpls heading to dinner and show in a tactical vest with 6 pockets and another 6 zippered pockets

Line with ziplocks and fill at dinner, then you have snacks during the show. Thank me later.

[Pat Cannon]

I don't think I could do IDPA.

It's much simpler in actual practice than they make it sound. If I can do it, you can do it.

And the equipment rules, some of which can seem silly, do keep the sport fairly affordable. UNLESS you geared up for IPSC first with fancy stuff and have to buy all different stuff. For that reason I recommend shooting IDPA before IPSC — what's legal in IDPA gear is pretty much a subset of what's legal in IPSC. (I haven't actually shot IPSC so you IPSC guys correct me if I'm wrong.)

[rugersol]

And the equipment rules, some of which can seem silly, do keep the sport fairly affordable. UNLESS you geared up for IPSC first with fancy stuff and have to buy all different stuff. For that reason I recommend shooting IDPA before IPSC — what's legal in IDPA gear is pretty much a subset of what's legal in IPSC. (I haven't actually shot IPSC so you IPSC guys correct me if I'm wrong.)

All that's really necessary to keep from buyin' two different holsters is to make sure yer first holster is IDPA-legal (as ya said, it's also then USPSA-legal) ... and buyin' a holster don't really dictate that ya gotta join IDPA, or shoot any matches.

Also, the holster I recommend fer most anyone to shoot USPSA is this one ... http://www.unholstered.com/doh-dropped-offset-holster-w-tek-lok.html ... I own one ... I've also removed the "DOH" piece easily with a screwdriver. Ron'd be a good guy to ask 'bout it, but according to his site, this ... http://www.unholstered.com/belt-holster-w-tek-lok.html is an IDPA-legal holster ... and near as I can tell, it's the same exact holster, with the "DOH" already removed ... fer $4 less.

Yer choice ... save $4, and it's still good fer USPSA. Or spend the $4, and with a screwdriver, it's still good for IDPA, and maybe a bit better, fer USPSA.

There also seems to be this perception that USPSA only uses "fancy" equipment. At one time, that was true. It's been quite a few years now, that ain't been true. USPSA created the Production and Single-Stack divisions for NO OTHER reason than to lure shooters BACK from IDPA. At which, the cost of that "fancy" equipment amounts to all of about $4 ... 'er so it would seem.

Oh ya ... and one 'er two extra mag-holders, I 'spose.

Frankly, if anyone thinks that kinda money's a deal-breaker, they picked the wrong damn hobby.

[westberg]

Yes to what ahrens posted.

I will add, some people like to compete with their carry setup for practice which is also a good idea. So for IDPA or USPSA you can start to compete for the cost of the match fees. Both IDPA and USPSA have divisions (equipment dictated) and shooter classifications (shooter skill level) so you would be competing against shooters with the same skill levels and equipment. Most people starting out are usually short mags and mag holders.

[870TC]

Don't forget to figure in the cost of running shoes for IPSC.

[rugersol]

Yes to what ahrens posted.

I will add, some people like to compete with their carry setup for practice which is also a good idea. So for IDPA or USPSA you can start to compete for the cost of the match fees. Both IDPA and USPSA have divisions (equipment dictated) and shooter classifications (shooter skill level) so you would be competing against shooters with the same skill levels and equipment. Most people starting out are usually short mags and mag holders.

Good point! ... I should know!

Although, it would still need to be a belt holster, and not cross-draw. Also double-check USPSA rules as to using an IWB. ... and even then, I'd recommend against it. ... most folks seem to tend to cover theyselves reholstering. ... and that's a DQ.

As to "running shoes", I'd recommend ya actually come to a Thursday nite at Oakdale this summer, and ask Ken & Mary what THEY recommend!

[westberg]

Don't forget to figure in the cost of running shoes for IPSC.

In my case I refer to them as stopping shoes. My speed isn't a big deal but once the mass gets going I want to be able to stop with my feet still under me.

[mmcnx2]

OK as a guy who shoots USPSA, this as funny as can be. It is exactly how I felt when I took a class 2 years ago and everyone else was and IPDA shooter. They started listing these rules and I though so much for being practical. Hey its a game no matter what version you play. Come on IPDA guys you have to admit it this is just a little true.

[westberg]

I have no problem admitting it's a shooting game with a different set of rules then USPSA, nothing more nothing less. I enjoy shooting that game as much as I enjoy shooting USPSA and 3-gun.

We were not discussing the disadvantages of either but trying to encourage people to come out and try either one with very little investment in gear starting out. From what I have seen USPSA benefits more from people starting out with IDPA and then moving into USPSA.

So you should be giving great thanks to IDPA for providing USPSA with a source of shooters.