IDPA with a 1911 Question

Croz · April 21, 2009, 09:19 AM

Here's a simple question for anyone who has done or prepared for IDPA with a 1911.

When do you cock the hammer for the first shot? On the draw, or after it's on target?

Or does IDPA allow you to keep it condition 1 in your holster?

fourrobert13 · April 21, 2009, 09:28 AM

When you load and make ready before the buzzer sounds.

webhead · April 21, 2009, 09:31 AM

It is cocked when you are instructed to "load and make ready"
i.e. 1911 is loaded (one in the chamber), cocked and then safety on before returning to holster before the start.

NRAhab · April 21, 2009, 09:44 AM

The IDPA range commands for all shooters are the same, for 1911s here's how it works.

Go to the line with an unloaded and holstered firearm
When the RO says "load and make ready" draw your 1911 and insert a magazine
rack the slide to chamber a round
engage the safety
and holster

You will then assume the prescribed "ready" position, and the RO will say "Are you ready" then "standby". After standby the buzzer sounds, and you'll draw from concealment to engage the array of targets. You should have a cocked and locked firearm with the safety on - so once the muzzle is pointed downrange, sweep the safety off as you prepare to engage.

The 1911 pistol is designed to be carried with a round in the chamber and the safety on with the hammer cocked. Any other method of carrying a loaded 1911 is unsafe compared to the "Condition 3".

Croz · April 21, 2009, 09:56 AM

Got it. I thought that might be the case.

I was actually wondering, but not because I have a 1911. I had been considering going to a local IDPA range and trying it out, but I have a Sig 229, which is DA/SA.

A few folks told me that DA/SA is bad for IDPA because the trigger pull is so different between the first shot and the second.

Thought about the idea of cocking the gun as I drew, so that wouldn't be an issue. Wondered what 1911 guys did, but then remembered after I posted that the 1911 can be locked after it's cocked, whereas my Sig has no safety.

I may have to practice doing controlled pairs in DA/SA.

jmtgsx · April 21, 2009, 09:58 AM

If I may correct the above post slightly.
Steps 1-3 are correct.
Step 3 1/2. Release and stow the magazine and replace with a full magazine, or release the magazine and insert one additional round to replace the chambered round. You are now loaded to division capacity.
Steps 4 and 5 are correct.

webhead · April 21, 2009, 10:20 PM

It is also permissible to have a mag w/ plus one and use that as the 1st clip. Example, in SSP if all your mags can hold 10 rounds, load them all to 10 rounds and add an extra round to one clip, assuming it is more than 10 round capacity. Use that 11 round clip to start so when you load the pistol, you have 10+1.

NRAhab · April 22, 2009, 12:06 PM

Yeah, I wasn't going to all concerned with the barney mag, since the OP obviously wasn't up to speed on the IDPA rules. I knew I could count on someone to be a rules lawyer though!

RickB · April 22, 2009, 12:19 PM

OK, so while we're at it, the command is "Shooter ready?"
"Are you ready" is the USPSA command.

Croz · April 22, 2009, 12:32 PM

My question wasn't even really a rules question at all, but rather a technique question. I was trying to find out if 1911 users cocked the hammer on the draw, but forgot about carrying them in condition 1.

I really find IDPA interesting, and hope to compete at some point.

webhead · April 23, 2009, 08:12 AM

IDPA shooting is fun. I believe there's more thinking involved than USPSA especially with some of the more elaborate CoFs. And as you can tell from the responses, a lot more rules interpretations. Which has turned more than one match into an interesting debate. I just keep reminding myself that it's just for fun and I'm happy to be shooting targets.

April 21, 2009, 09:19 AM	#1
Croz Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 307	IDPA with a 1911 Question Here's a simple question for anyone who has done or prepared for IDPA with a 1911. When do you cock the hammer for the first shot? On the draw, or after it's on target? Or does IDPA allow you to keep it condition 1 in your holster?

April 21, 2009, 09:28 AM	#2
fourrobert13 Senior Member Join Date: November 28, 2005 Location: South West Ohio Posts: 336	When you load and make ready before the buzzer sounds. __________________ Be aware of yourself and everything around you.

April 21, 2009, 09:44 AM	#4
NRAhab Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 683	The IDPA range commands for all shooters are the same, for 1911s here's how it works. Go to the line with an unloaded and holstered firearm When the RO says "load and make ready" draw your 1911 and insert a magazine rack the slide to chamber a round engage the safety and holster You will then assume the prescribed "ready" position, and the RO will say "Are you ready" then "standby". After standby the buzzer sounds, and you'll draw from concealment to engage the array of targets. You should have a cocked and locked firearm with the safety on - so once the muzzle is pointed downrange, sweep the safety off as you prepare to engage. The 1911 pistol is designed to be carried with a round in the chamber and the safety on with the hammer cocked. Any other method of carrying a loaded 1911 is unsafe compared to the "Condition 3". __________________ Join the community at GunUp!

April 22, 2009, 12:06 PM	#8
NRAhab Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2005 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 683	Yeah, I wasn't going to all concerned with the barney mag, since the OP obviously wasn't up to speed on the IDPA rules. I knew I could count on someone to be a rules lawyer though! __________________ Join the community at GunUp!

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April 21, 2009, 09:31 AM	#3
webhead Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 30	It is cocked when you are instructed to "load and make ready" i.e. 1911 is loaded (one in the chamber), cocked and then safety on before returning to holster before the start.

April 21, 2009, 09:56 AM	#5
Croz Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 307	Got it. I thought that might be the case. I was actually wondering, but not because I have a 1911. I had been considering going to a local IDPA range and trying it out, but I have a Sig 229, which is DA/SA. A few folks told me that DA/SA is bad for IDPA because the trigger pull is so different between the first shot and the second. Thought about the idea of cocking the gun as I drew, so that wouldn't be an issue. Wondered what 1911 guys did, but then remembered after I posted that the 1911 can be locked after it's cocked, whereas my Sig has no safety. I may have to practice doing controlled pairs in DA/SA.

April 21, 2009, 09:58 AM	#6
jmtgsx Member Join Date: May 30, 2007 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 27	If I may correct the above post slightly. Steps 1-3 are correct. Step 3 1/2. Release and stow the magazine and replace with a full magazine, or release the magazine and insert one additional round to replace the chambered round. You are now loaded to division capacity. Steps 4 and 5 are correct.

April 21, 2009, 10:20 PM	#7
webhead Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 30	It is also permissible to have a mag w/ plus one and use that as the 1st clip. Example, in SSP if all your mags can hold 10 rounds, load them all to 10 rounds and add an extra round to one clip, assuming it is more than 10 round capacity. Use that 11 round clip to start so when you load the pistol, you have 10+1.

April 22, 2009, 12:19 PM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	OK, so while we're at it, the command is "Shooter ready?" "Are you ready" is the USPSA command.

April 22, 2009, 12:32 PM	#10
Croz Senior Member Join Date: December 9, 2008 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 307	My question wasn't even really a rules question at all, but rather a technique question. I was trying to find out if 1911 users cocked the hammer on the draw, but forgot about carrying them in condition 1. I really find IDPA interesting, and hope to compete at some point.

April 23, 2009, 08:12 AM	#11
webhead Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 30	IDPA shooting is fun. I believe there's more thinking involved than USPSA especially with some of the more elaborate CoFs. And as you can tell from the responses, a lot more rules interpretations. Which has turned more than one match into an interesting debate. I just keep reminding myself that it's just for fun and I'm happy to be shooting targets.