IDPA question

DavidJBlythe · December 20, 2005, 08:00 AM

I am going to attend my first IDPA event tonight at a indoor range. I barely have the equipment I need, but the local guys said that they would help me out. Anyone have any tips for a first timer?

HSMITH · December 20, 2005, 08:44 AM

Go slow, listen to the range officer, and WATCH YOUR MUZZLE. If you do those 3 things you will have fun and be safe. If the RO knows you are brand new he will often 'coach' you a little as you are shooting. Learn to walk, then jog, then run, then sprint.

jcims · December 20, 2005, 02:25 PM

I have been thinking about doing the same thing.

Would it be a bad idea to go through it once with a snap cap first? (Assuming DA and, of course, thick skin

)

donkee · December 20, 2005, 05:07 PM

You'll see guys shooting that have been doing this for quite awhile. Don't try to match their speed the first day. Speed comes with time. Pay attention, take your time getting good hits, be safe, and have fun.

donkee · December 20, 2005, 05:07 PM

You'll see guys shooting that have been doing this for quite awhile. Don't try to match their speed the first day. Speed comes with time. Pay attention, take your time getting good hits, be safe, and have fun.

Lycanthrope · December 20, 2005, 05:09 PM

A lot of Safety Officers will coach you through your first match if you agree to shoot for no score. It's agood way to get familiar.

k9lwt · December 20, 2005, 05:17 PM

Just take your time, be safe, and have fun.

boing · December 20, 2005, 09:02 PM

HSMITH speaks the truth. Most important of all, keep your gun pointed down range: when you move, when you reload, when you show clear, when you shoot.

But then, you're there already. Waiting for your range report.

DavidJBlythe · December 22, 2005, 07:38 AM

Been Match night +2 and no emailed scores yet...
I realized very quickly that I could not expect to match that kind of speed my first night. I was very worried about some elements I had never practiced quickly before: drawing from holster, firing, and reloading. My first match I was REALLY nervous. The range officer said "Are you sure you're ready?" "Yes." (Keep in mind about 30-50 people are watching your every move). As soon as I heard the buzzer I swung out of the chair while drawing my blaster and got into a good kneeling position. The rest is just a blur really. When I got all done, I heard something like "Zero, Zero, Zero, Two." Quite a few guys congratulated me and then more shooting started up. I did two matches that night and plan to go back for sure.

HSMITH · December 23, 2005, 08:42 AM

David, glad you had a good time. Shooting matches is just something that punching paper can't get close to in terms of fun.

Get out and try a USPSA match too, a little different but a boatload of fun as well.

Be careful though, you might turn into a match junkie, scouring websites for your next competitive fix

Joe D · December 23, 2005, 08:59 AM

David, blank out everything else but your front sight. You will not even be aware of the crowd.
One other note, it is more important what you are doing when you are not pulling the trigger during a stage. Economy of motion is what wins matches.

Dr.Who · December 23, 2005, 02:12 PM

David,

As a RO, Range Officer, I always appreciate when a first time shooter tells me so... I will always spend extra time to explain and go through the stage. I many cases, it it their first time drawing from a holster from concealment at speed. In some cases, for the sake of safety, the first time at the club match, I will ask them to take off their cover garment. Just so they have one less thing to worry about...

Glad you had a great time... Keep going, and you have more....

DavidJBlythe · December 24, 2005, 11:54 AM

I'm David B. In the SSP category. I figure it's not bad for a first timer. Can't wait till the next match. I don't think it will be time to speed up any... just become more familiar. I can't see risking safety for a few seconds.

IDPA MATCH SCORES 12-20-05 LARRY'S

ESP
STAGE
NAME TOTAL (TPD) 1 2 PENALTIES
SCOTT 25.65 (6) 14.01 (6) 11.64 (0)
JIM W. 27.32 (1) 11.40 (0) 15.92 (1)
J.D. 13.07 (8) 13.07 (3) 17.67 (5)
ERICK 41.26 (13) 20.68 (6) 20.58 (7)
WALT 55.76 (8) 23.01 (7) 32.75 (1)
BRANT 84.36 (46) 35.62 (10) 47.78 (36) FTNx2

SSP
RANDY N 31.44 (11) 17.19 (9) 14.25 (2)
WILLIAM 32.52 (10) 12.82 (3) 19.70 (7)
FRANK M 34.10 (3) 16.39 (1) 17.71 (2)
WESLEY 34.34 (18) 14.89 (10) 19.45 (8)
CHRIS 35.88 (10) 15.62 (2) 20.26 (8) PEx1
LEWIS 35.96 (6) 15.09 (2) 20.87 (4)
DAVID B. 40.01 (9) 18.12 (2) 21.89 (7)
BRYAN 42.85 (18) 21.49 (15) 21.36 (3)
RALEIGH 43.66 (17) 21.60 (13) 22.06 (4)
JIM C. 44.68 (10) 21.07 (2) 23.61 (8)
DAVE N. 45.76 (9) 22.09 (8) 23.67 (1)
DAN H. 47.71 (18) 22.51 (7) 25.20 (11)
KENT 58.29 (17) 27.66 (6) 30.63 (11)
RODGER 61.91 (36) 39.79 (32) 22.12 (4) FTNx1

CDP
CHARLES 27.88 (6) 13.77 (5) 14.11 (1)
BARRY 40.20 (22) 20.69 (20) 19.51 (2) NTx1
MIKE F. 40.23 (10) 17.14 (4) 23.19 (6)
JERRY M. 40.71 (21) 19.40 (14) 21.31 (7)
BRIAN 41.79 (13) 19.40 (5) 22.39 (8)
CHAD 43.23 (8) 20.44 (1) 22.79 (7)
JASON 49.92 (10) 32.83 (7) 27.09 (3)
DAVID R. 53.09 (9) 17.93 (6) 35.16 (3)
LOGAN 57.81 (43) 35.64 (34) 22.17 (9)
JON C. 61.27 (34) 21.91 (7) 39.36 (27) FTNx1
JOE C. 66.32 (11) 36.09 (6) 30.23 (5) PEx1

SSR
ED 44.22 (6) 19.47 (5) 24.75 (1)
RON 47.61 (30) 13.54 (4) 34.07 (26) FTNx1
THOMAS 50.41 (9) 27.19 (7) 23.22 (2) PEx2

PENALTIES: PE=PROCEDURAL ERROE=3SEC.
NT=HIT ON A NON-THREAT TARGET=5 SEC. PER TARGET
FTN=FAILURE TO NEUTRALIZE (NO ZERO OR -1 HITS)=5SEC.
(TPD)=TOTAL POINTS DOWN=0.5 SEC. EACH

DavidJBlythe · December 24, 2005, 11:59 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and support. Everyone have a Merry Christmas.

Or as to not offend anyone:

Happy Christmakwanzahanukkah!

December 20, 2005, 08:00 AM	#1
DavidJBlythe Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: USMC, Centcom Posts: 214	IDPA question I am going to attend my first IDPA event tonight at a indoor range. I barely have the equipment I need, but the local guys said that they would help me out. Anyone have any tips for a first timer?

December 23, 2005, 08:59 AM	#11
Joe D Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 1999 Location: Alabama Posts: 455	David, blank out everything else but your front sight. You will not even be aware of the crowd. One other note, it is more important what you are doing when you are not pulling the trigger during a stage. Economy of motion is what wins matches. __________________ Miss? That can't be a miss. Looks like a perfect double to me.

December 23, 2005, 02:12 PM	#12
Dr.Who Junior Member Join Date: November 6, 2004 Location: Ill Posts: 1	David, As a RO, Range Officer, I always appreciate when a first time shooter tells me so... I will always spend extra time to explain and go through the stage. I many cases, it it their first time drawing from a holster from concealment at speed. In some cases, for the sake of safety, the first time at the club match, I will ask them to take off their cover garment. Just so they have one less thing to worry about... Glad you had a great time... Keep going, and you have more.... __________________ "Not Everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." A. Einstein 1879-1955

December 24, 2005, 11:54 AM	#13
DavidJBlythe Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: USMC, Centcom Posts: 214	Scores Are In! I'm David B. In the SSP category. I figure it's not bad for a first timer. Can't wait till the next match. I don't think it will be time to speed up any... just become more familiar. I can't see risking safety for a few seconds. IDPA MATCH SCORES 12-20-05 LARRY'S ESP STAGE NAME TOTAL (TPD) 1 2 PENALTIES SCOTT 25.65 (6) 14.01 (6) 11.64 (0) JIM W. 27.32 (1) 11.40 (0) 15.92 (1) J.D. 13.07 (8) 13.07 (3) 17.67 (5) ERICK 41.26 (13) 20.68 (6) 20.58 (7) WALT 55.76 (8) 23.01 (7) 32.75 (1) BRANT 84.36 (46) 35.62 (10) 47.78 (36) FTNx2 SSP RANDY N 31.44 (11) 17.19 (9) 14.25 (2) WILLIAM 32.52 (10) 12.82 (3) 19.70 (7) FRANK M 34.10 (3) 16.39 (1) 17.71 (2) WESLEY 34.34 (18) 14.89 (10) 19.45 (8) CHRIS 35.88 (10) 15.62 (2) 20.26 (8) PEx1 LEWIS 35.96 (6) 15.09 (2) 20.87 (4) DAVID B. 40.01 (9) 18.12 (2) 21.89 (7) BRYAN 42.85 (18) 21.49 (15) 21.36 (3) RALEIGH 43.66 (17) 21.60 (13) 22.06 (4) JIM C. 44.68 (10) 21.07 (2) 23.61 (8) DAVE N. 45.76 (9) 22.09 (8) 23.67 (1) DAN H. 47.71 (18) 22.51 (7) 25.20 (11) KENT 58.29 (17) 27.66 (6) 30.63 (11) RODGER 61.91 (36) 39.79 (32) 22.12 (4) FTNx1 CDP CHARLES 27.88 (6) 13.77 (5) 14.11 (1) BARRY 40.20 (22) 20.69 (20) 19.51 (2) NTx1 MIKE F. 40.23 (10) 17.14 (4) 23.19 (6) JERRY M. 40.71 (21) 19.40 (14) 21.31 (7) BRIAN 41.79 (13) 19.40 (5) 22.39 (8) CHAD 43.23 (8) 20.44 (1) 22.79 (7) JASON 49.92 (10) 32.83 (7) 27.09 (3) DAVID R. 53.09 (9) 17.93 (6) 35.16 (3) LOGAN 57.81 (43) 35.64 (34) 22.17 (9) JON C. 61.27 (34) 21.91 (7) 39.36 (27) FTNx1 JOE C. 66.32 (11) 36.09 (6) 30.23 (5) PEx1 SSR ED 44.22 (6) 19.47 (5) 24.75 (1) RON 47.61 (30) 13.54 (4) 34.07 (26) FTNx1 THOMAS 50.41 (9) 27.19 (7) 23.22 (2) PEx2 PENALTIES: PE=PROCEDURAL ERROE=3SEC. NT=HIT ON A NON-THREAT TARGET=5 SEC. PER TARGET FTN=FAILURE TO NEUTRALIZE (NO ZERO OR -1 HITS)=5SEC. (TPD)=TOTAL POINTS DOWN=0.5 SEC. EACH

December 20, 2005, 08:44 AM	#2
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	Go slow, listen to the range officer, and WATCH YOUR MUZZLE. If you do those 3 things you will have fun and be safe. If the RO knows you are brand new he will often 'coach' you a little as you are shooting. Learn to walk, then jog, then run, then sprint.

December 20, 2005, 02:25 PM	#3
jcims Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2005 Location: Ahyah Posts: 290	I have been thinking about doing the same thing. Would it be a bad idea to go through it once with a snap cap first? (Assuming DA and, of course, thick skin )

December 20, 2005, 05:07 PM	#4
donkee Junior member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Location: Mid-Michigan Posts: 449	You'll see guys shooting that have been doing this for quite awhile. Don't try to match their speed the first day. Speed comes with time. Pay attention, take your time getting good hits, be safe, and have fun.

December 20, 2005, 05:09 PM	#6
Lycanthrope Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2001 Location: PA Posts: 1,752	A lot of Safety Officers will coach you through your first match if you agree to shoot for no score. It's agood way to get familiar.

December 20, 2005, 05:17 PM	#7
k9lwt Senior Member Join Date: June 13, 2005 Location: Posts: 123	Just take your time, be safe, and have fun.

December 20, 2005, 09:02 PM	#8
boing Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1998 Location: WNC Posts: 1,072	HSMITH speaks the truth. Most important of all, keep your gun pointed down range: when you move, when you reload, when you show clear, when you shoot. But then, you're there already. Waiting for your range report.

December 22, 2005, 07:38 AM	#9
DavidJBlythe Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: USMC, Centcom Posts: 214	Been Match night +2 and no emailed scores yet... I realized very quickly that I could not expect to match that kind of speed my first night. I was very worried about some elements I had never practiced quickly before: drawing from holster, firing, and reloading. My first match I was REALLY nervous. The range officer said "Are you sure you're ready?" "Yes." (Keep in mind about 30-50 people are watching your every move). As soon as I heard the buzzer I swung out of the chair while drawing my blaster and got into a good kneeling position. The rest is just a blur really. When I got all done, I heard something like "Zero, Zero, Zero, Two." Quite a few guys congratulated me and then more shooting started up. I did two matches that night and plan to go back for sure.

December 23, 2005, 08:42 AM	#10
HSMITH Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2002 Posts: 2,019	David, glad you had a good time. Shooting matches is just something that punching paper can't get close to in terms of fun. Get out and try a USPSA match too, a little different but a boatload of fun as well. Be careful though, you might turn into a match junkie, scouring websites for your next competitive fix

December 24, 2005, 11:59 AM	#14
DavidJBlythe Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2005 Location: USMC, Centcom Posts: 214	Thanks for all the suggestions and support. Everyone have a Merry Christmas. Or as to not offend anyone: Happy Christmakwanzahanukkah!