IDPA Newbie

Sad In CA · January 20, 2012, 08:53 AM

Hello I am a newbie at IDPA and I am looking forward to trying an event in Corona, CA sometime this year. I have a few questions...

1) It seems like a lot of Glocks make it out to these events... Would my Sig229 .40 be at a disadvantage?

2) I have no holster... Do I need a specific holster for my Sig and can anyone recommend a solid one? Does it have to be a CCW holster? I was thinking about the Sig branded P229 paddle holster. The IDPA guidelines do not give suggestions, that's why I am asking here.

3) Any other suggestions or tips? This year I am really looking forward to getting my feet wet and rounds down range.

Thanks!

Jim Watson · January 20, 2012, 11:27 AM

1. Assuming you are familiar and reasonably practiced with your P229, you will be ok. I always recommend you start with whatever suitable gun you already own instead of buying a new gun before you are sure you like the match.

2. I cannot recommend the Sig brand holster. It has a trigger finger latch similar to the SERPA which has been banned on several ranges. Get a plain open top Kydex holster. Blade Tech and Comp Tac are good brands, and even the Blackhawk plain CQC without SERPA is fine. Here is one of those on sale about as cheap as anything you will find.
http://www.reactgear.com/Blackhawk-S...e-p/4155-p.htm

You will also need two magazine carriers and at least three magazines. If you do not have wicked high capacity magazines so you can load one with 11 to start the stage, a fourth magazine for a Barney Bullet will be a help.

3. I like the New Shooter Briefing at
http://www.gadpa.com/index.php/idpa/...oter-briefing/
and you can always grind through the rule book at www.idpa.com

I don't know what you mean by "sometime this year."
The right time is NEXT. Whenever the nearest club shoots next.
Don't be burning daylight. A lot of people have cursed every match they let pass by when they find out what a good time they can have.

Waldog · January 20, 2012, 11:29 AM

You won't be at any disadvatage with your SIG 40. You will be limited to 10 rounds in your magazine.

A paddle holster will be fine. You will find that most competitors use a KYDEX holster of some sort. Specifically Blackhawk, Blade Tech or, Comp-Tac. However, suitable inexpensive holsters are available from FOBUS, Uncle Mikes and GALCO.

You need three magazines.

You will also need a magazine pouch that holds two mags. These are KYDEX as well.

Biggest mistake newbies make is not keeping their finger off the trigger until on target and, trying to shoot too fast.

Accuracy is more important than speed.. I recommend go slow, listen to your Safety Officer and tell him you are a NEWBIE.

You will be warmly received. New shooters are ALWAYS WELCOME.

GlenF · January 20, 2012, 11:44 AM

IDPA is lot's of fun. And yes, you will be at a disadvantage with that pistol. But who cares?

You will enjoy the competition and the people you will meet. After some time and experiance you may change your clothing, pistol, holster, belt, shoes and a whole bunch of other stuff. But at first just go and enjoy yourself.

Something to be aware of is the amount of practice you will want to do which leads to reloading if you are not already doing that. The hot (gamers) shooters in the groups I shoot with average about 1000 rounds a week in practice. I'm not a great shooter, might not even be considered a good shooter, but I have fun.

Jeff22 · January 21, 2012, 02:27 AM

Join IDPA and look for a classifier match to shoot.

Your Sig would work just fine in Stock Service Pistol Class (or in "Production" class in USPSA/IPSC)

Buy decent equipment. One of the posters recommended kydex gear from Blade Tech or Comp Tac and I think that's a fine recommendation. I have holsters from both places and have been pleased with them.

Get a good quality leather gun belt to properly support your holsters & mag pouches, and some kind of concealment garment. Many IDPA matches are shot from concealment (but not the classifier match)

Read the discussion on this forum above called "Name one thing you learned at your last match".

The Brian Enos shooting forum has a section devoted to IDPA shooting.

There is a specific IDPA forum that you can find on the net that also has good information.

Shoot safe and have fun!!

Therealkoop · January 23, 2012, 06:59 PM

Make sure you see your front sight when you shoot.

Shoot slow and accurate.

Shoot the minimum number of rounds allowed.

January 20, 2012, 08:53 AM	#1
Sad In CA Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2012 Location: CA Posts: 6	IDPA Newbie Hello I am a newbie at IDPA and I am looking forward to trying an event in Corona, CA sometime this year. I have a few questions... 1) It seems like a lot of Glocks make it out to these events... Would my Sig229 .40 be at a disadvantage? 2) I have no holster... Do I need a specific holster for my Sig and can anyone recommend a solid one? Does it have to be a CCW holster? I was thinking about the Sig branded P229 paddle holster. The IDPA guidelines do not give suggestions, that's why I am asking here. 3) Any other suggestions or tips? This year I am really looking forward to getting my feet wet and rounds down range. Thanks! __________________ The greatest tragedy to befall a man is to hold both California and firearms close to his heart.

January 20, 2012, 11:29 AM	#3
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 359	You won't be at any disadvatage with your SIG 40. You will be limited to 10 rounds in your magazine. A paddle holster will be fine. You will find that most competitors use a KYDEX holster of some sort. Specifically Blackhawk, Blade Tech or, Comp-Tac. However, suitable inexpensive holsters are available from FOBUS, Uncle Mikes and GALCO. You need three magazines. You will also need a magazine pouch that holds two mags. These are KYDEX as well. Biggest mistake newbies make is not keeping their finger off the trigger until on target and, trying to shoot too fast. Accuracy is more important than speed.. I recommend go slow, listen to your Safety Officer and tell him you are a NEWBIE. You will be warmly received. New shooters are ALWAYS WELCOME. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!! “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.” Winston Churchill

January 21, 2012, 02:27 AM	#5
Jeff22 Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2004 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 715	new IDPA shooter Join IDPA and look for a classifier match to shoot. Your Sig would work just fine in Stock Service Pistol Class (or in "Production" class in USPSA/IPSC) Buy decent equipment. One of the posters recommended kydex gear from Blade Tech or Comp Tac and I think that's a fine recommendation. I have holsters from both places and have been pleased with them. Get a good quality leather gun belt to properly support your holsters & mag pouches, and some kind of concealment garment. Many IDPA matches are shot from concealment (but not the classifier match) Read the discussion on this forum above called "Name one thing you learned at your last match". The Brian Enos shooting forum has a section devoted to IDPA shooting. There is a specific IDPA forum that you can find on the net that also has good information. Shoot safe and have fun!! __________________ You can only learn from experience if you pay attention!

January 20, 2012, 11:27 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	1. Assuming you are familiar and reasonably practiced with your P229, you will be ok. I always recommend you start with whatever suitable gun you already own instead of buying a new gun before you are sure you like the match. 2. I cannot recommend the Sig brand holster. It has a trigger finger latch similar to the SERPA which has been banned on several ranges. Get a plain open top Kydex holster. Blade Tech and Comp Tac are good brands, and even the Blackhawk plain CQC without SERPA is fine. Here is one of those on sale about as cheap as anything you will find. http://www.reactgear.com/Blackhawk-S...e-p/4155-p.htm You will also need two magazine carriers and at least three magazines. If you do not have wicked high capacity magazines so you can load one with 11 to start the stage, a fourth magazine for a Barney Bullet will be a help. 3. I like the New Shooter Briefing at http://www.gadpa.com/index.php/idpa/...oter-briefing/ and you can always grind through the rule book at www.idpa.com I don't know what you mean by "sometime this year." The right time is NEXT. Whenever the nearest club shoots next. Don't be burning daylight. A lot of people have cursed every match they let pass by when they find out what a good time they can have.

January 20, 2012, 11:44 AM	#4
GlenF Member Join Date: April 4, 2011 Location: Monett, Missouri Posts: 98	IDPA is lot's of fun. And yes, you will be at a disadvantage with that pistol. But who cares? You will enjoy the competition and the people you will meet. After some time and experiance you may change your clothing, pistol, holster, belt, shoes and a whole bunch of other stuff. But at first just go and enjoy yourself. Something to be aware of is the amount of practice you will want to do which leads to reloading if you are not already doing that. The hot (gamers) shooters in the groups I shoot with average about 1000 rounds a week in practice. I'm not a great shooter, might not even be considered a good shooter, but I have fun.

January 23, 2012, 06:59 PM	#6
Therealkoop Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2010 Posts: 285	Make sure you see your front sight when you shoot. Shoot slow and accurate. Shoot the minimum number of rounds allowed.