First IDPA

Shadi Khalil · October 29, 2009, 07:39 PM

Hello all,

I'm shooting in my first IDPA this Saturday and have no idea what to expect. I have little to no info other than what I need and what time to be there. He mentioned something about having to qualifying but didn't really elaborate. So what should someone who has never shot in an IDPA competition expect the first time out?

Nowhere Man · October 29, 2009, 07:52 PM

AH!!!! You're gonna love it.

Start out going slow. Speed will come with experience.

What he was talking about is a Classifier match. Read the rule book here: http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf That will tell you everything you want to know about the classifier.

You'll quickly learn which ones to listen to, which ones to ignore.

Again, have fun. That's what it's all about.

Dave

rjrivero · October 29, 2009, 07:55 PM

Enjoy the shoot. The important thing is to handle the firearm safely. Take your time, and mind your muzzle.

Don't worry about the classifier. They don't mean anything until you've shot enough of them to give you a "class designation" and I think that's like 6 or so.

Let your range officer know that you are a new shooter, and they'll help you out.

As Nowhere Man says, it's about having fun. I would add that it's about having fun, safely!

Field · October 29, 2009, 08:34 PM

your first time simply try and avoid doing anything goofy or unsafe

Jim Watson · October 29, 2009, 09:25 PM

There is a clearer guideline than the rulebook for the new shooter at:
http://idpaforum.com/images/Welcome_...A_Shooting.pdf

There are IDPA videos all over youtube.

First, don't hurt anybody, scare anybody, or get disqualified for unsafe behavior.

Second, follow instructions, the course of fire is pretty choreographed.

jsykes · October 29, 2009, 11:53 PM

He may not be talking about a classifier and just means you'll have to go through a safety qualification briefing. Most of the clubs around here do it and they basically just go over the rules, how to handle the gun safely, what kind of instruction and range instructions you'll receive and possibly have you demonstrate safe gun handling. Its no big deal and if that is what they are doing, you'll feel much more comfortable after it as well.

If not, like others said, just listen closely to the instructions you'll receive and tell them you're new and they'll be happy to help walk you through things and you'll have a fun and safe time.

rampage841512 · November 12, 2009, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the info here. I'm going to be shooting my first match this weekend, and this was helpful.

rjrivero · November 12, 2009, 07:32 PM

Oh and NO HANDLING AMMO in a SAFE AREA. NONE. EVER.

fineredmist · November 13, 2009, 09:14 AM

If you are unsure of anything, ask. Remember, there are no dumb questions, just dumb answers. The ROs and your fellow shooters will help you in anyway they can. Be safe and enjoy the sport.

J.Kendall · November 13, 2009, 01:57 PM

I'm pretty new to IDPA too. After getting some of the nerves out on the first or second stage, you'll have a total blast.

Nowhere Man · November 13, 2009, 02:37 PM

I still get the first stage jitters.

I've been shooting IDPA for about 3 years.

Dave

dukeofurl · November 16, 2009, 02:14 PM

A few things I've learned is that if you have a plan, it will completely vacate your mind once the buzzer goes off.

Be cool. Take your time. You cant miss fast enough to win.

That said, just relax and try to have fun. Getting better comes with time and experience.

The_Vigilante · November 16, 2009, 08:19 PM

If you are going to shoot the Classifier for your first IDPA match you will need 90-rds of ammunition, 3 mags, holster (hopefully IDPA-approved), and mag holders-either a double mag holder or 2 single mag holders. Good luck.

bamaranger · November 20, 2009, 03:01 AM

Congrats on becoming a comp shooter and taking a step deeper into the gun owners world.

Safety is paramount. The safety rules you are accustomed to in you normal range environment may not be those of IDPA and the range of the match.
Listen up, be patient and flexible/teachable.

Enjoy the match and look upon it as a learning/training excercise, which it is.

I'm new also, and am having a great time. Should have been doing it for years!
If I can ever learn to shoot, move and think all in the same match, I might get better!!!!!!!!!!

October 29, 2009, 07:39 PM	#1
Shadi Khalil Senior Member Join Date: September 23, 2006 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 5,210	First IDPA Hello all, I'm shooting in my first IDPA this Saturday and have no idea what to expect. I have little to no info other than what I need and what time to be there. He mentioned something about having to qualifying but didn't really elaborate. So what should someone who has never shot in an IDPA competition expect the first time out?

October 29, 2009, 08:34 PM	#4
Field Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2009 Posts: 295	your first time simply try and avoid doing anything goofy or unsafe __________________ iPSC=A66009 iDPA=A38321 http://www.youtube.com/user/FieldBoy111

November 12, 2009, 07:29 PM	#7
rampage841512 Senior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Location: Gardendale, Alabama Posts: 665	Thanks for the info here. I'm going to be shooting my first match this weekend, and this was helpful. __________________ "What is play to the fool and the idiot is deadly serious to the man with the gun." Walt Rauch,Combat Handguns, May '08

November 13, 2009, 01:57 PM	#10
J.Kendall Member Join Date: November 9, 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 40	I'm pretty new to IDPA too. After getting some of the nerves out on the first or second stage, you'll have a total blast. __________________ One of the NRA's newest members

November 16, 2009, 08:19 PM	#13
The_Vigilante Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2008 Location: Far West Texas Posts: 200	First IDPA If you are going to shoot the Classifier for your first IDPA match you will need 90-rds of ammunition, 3 mags, holster (hopefully IDPA-approved), and mag holders-either a double mag holder or 2 single mag holders. Good luck. __________________ The_Vigilante Keeping the streets safe! A man can never own enough guns!

October 29, 2009, 07:52 PM	#2
Nowhere Man Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 172	AH!!!! You're gonna love it. Start out going slow. Speed will come with experience. What he was talking about is a Classifier match. Read the rule book here: http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf That will tell you everything you want to know about the classifier. You'll quickly learn which ones to listen to, which ones to ignore. Again, have fun. That's what it's all about. Dave

October 29, 2009, 07:55 PM	#3
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	Enjoy the shoot. The important thing is to handle the firearm safely. Take your time, and mind your muzzle. Don't worry about the classifier. They don't mean anything until you've shot enough of them to give you a "class designation" and I think that's like 6 or so. Let your range officer know that you are a new shooter, and they'll help you out. As Nowhere Man says, it's about having fun. I would add that it's about having fun, safely!

October 29, 2009, 09:25 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,542	There is a clearer guideline than the rulebook for the new shooter at: http://idpaforum.com/images/Welcome_...A_Shooting.pdf There are IDPA videos all over youtube. First, don't hurt anybody, scare anybody, or get disqualified for unsafe behavior. Second, follow instructions, the course of fire is pretty choreographed.

October 29, 2009, 11:53 PM	#6
jsykes Member Join Date: July 16, 2008 Posts: 61	He may not be talking about a classifier and just means you'll have to go through a safety qualification briefing. Most of the clubs around here do it and they basically just go over the rules, how to handle the gun safely, what kind of instruction and range instructions you'll receive and possibly have you demonstrate safe gun handling. Its no big deal and if that is what they are doing, you'll feel much more comfortable after it as well. If not, like others said, just listen closely to the instructions you'll receive and tell them you're new and they'll be happy to help walk you through things and you'll have a fun and safe time.

November 12, 2009, 07:32 PM	#8
rjrivero Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,399	Oh and NO HANDLING AMMO in a SAFE AREA. NONE. EVER.

November 13, 2009, 09:14 AM	#9
fineredmist Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2008 Location: Wethersfield, ct Posts: 128	If you are unsure of anything, ask. Remember, there are no dumb questions, just dumb answers. The ROs and your fellow shooters will help you in anyway they can. Be safe and enjoy the sport.

November 13, 2009, 02:37 PM	#11
Nowhere Man Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 172	I still get the first stage jitters. I've been shooting IDPA for about 3 years. Dave

November 16, 2009, 02:14 PM	#12
dukeofurl Member Join Date: May 20, 2004 Posts: 28	A few things I've learned is that if you have a plan, it will completely vacate your mind once the buzzer goes off. Be cool. Take your time. You cant miss fast enough to win. That said, just relax and try to have fun. Getting better comes with time and experience.

November 20, 2009, 03:01 AM	#14
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,308	good for u Congrats on becoming a comp shooter and taking a step deeper into the gun owners world. Safety is paramount. The safety rules you are accustomed to in you normal range environment may not be those of IDPA and the range of the match. Listen up, be patient and flexible/teachable. Enjoy the match and look upon it as a learning/training excercise, which it is. I'm new also, and am having a great time. Should have been doing it for years! If I can ever learn to shoot, move and think all in the same match, I might get better!!!!!!!!!!