Beginner IDPA course?

Verbal Clint · December 29, 2012, 09:59 PM

I just called the local indoor range that has an IDPA club (the only one in my city) and they said that I couldn't shoot unless I took some 2 hr course they offered through one of their instructors. Is this typical, or just a case of "C-Y-A" or another way to squeeze money out of people?

Jim Watson · December 30, 2012, 01:03 AM

Policies vary.

I can't blame an indoor range for requiring you take a class.
First, it is a profit center for their business and a range is not really a high margin operation.
Second, there are more safety risks to action shooting indoors than on a heavily bermed outdoor range. My IDPA club got thrown out of the only indoor range in the area because of a safety infraction that would have only gotten the individual offender DQed most places.

RickB · December 30, 2012, 02:04 PM

We never allow a new competitor to shoot without their first having demonstrated the ability to safely draw, shoot (

), unload, etc. It benefits everyone - the competitor, the range, other competitors - to do so.
How much is being charged for the class? We do a no-cost, hour-long orientation/briefing prior to every match, but I've also been involved in teaching a two-day class, for which we charged $75.

motorhead0922 · December 31, 2012, 10:20 AM

My indoor range required an orientation before I could go on the list to do action pistol. It took about an hour, about 75 rounds, and $10. It was great fun.

Sadly, they stopped doing action pistol some time back, citing safety concerns with the concrete floor. Somebody slipped on a shell casing while running, and fell.

RickB · December 31, 2012, 01:35 PM

A gun range, with people standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they blast away at targets, floor, ceiling, overhead lighting, and they cancel action pistol because someone slipped on a case? That's funny. Sort of.

Jim Watson · December 31, 2012, 08:38 PM

We have a guy with a broom to take care of such worries.

Waldog · December 31, 2012, 09:52 PM

Here in San Diego there is only ONE range that will let you draw from a holster. And, it's an indoor range. None of the club ranges will let you draw unless it's a FORMAL match.

Verbal Clint · January 1, 2013, 01:27 AM

I'm not really complaining. It's just frustrating when the website says come out and shoot and then I find out there's a caveat. And it's also disappointing because of my upcoming schedule, I won't be able to shoot for a couple months.

December 29, 2012, 09:59 PM	#1
Verbal Clint Member Join Date: March 14, 2012 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 68	Beginner IDPA course? I just called the local indoor range that has an IDPA club (the only one in my city) and they said that I couldn't shoot unless I took some 2 hr course they offered through one of their instructors. Is this typical, or just a case of "C-Y-A" or another way to squeeze money out of people? __________________ Luke 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe."

December 31, 2012, 09:52 PM	#7
Waldog Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2007 Location: SOCAL Posts: 340	Here in San Diego there is only ONE range that will let you draw from a holster. And, it's an indoor range. None of the club ranges will let you draw unless it's a FORMAL match. __________________ I am the Christian Conservative that CNN warned you about!!

January 1, 2013, 01:27 AM	#8
Verbal Clint Member Join Date: March 14, 2012 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 68	I'm not really complaining. It's just frustrating when the website says come out and shoot and then I find out there's a caveat. And it's also disappointing because of my upcoming schedule, I won't be able to shoot for a couple months. __________________ Luke 11:21 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe."

December 30, 2012, 01:03 AM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,757	Policies vary. I can't blame an indoor range for requiring you take a class. First, it is a profit center for their business and a range is not really a high margin operation. Second, there are more safety risks to action shooting indoors than on a heavily bermed outdoor range. My IDPA club got thrown out of the only indoor range in the area because of a safety infraction that would have only gotten the individual offender DQed most places.

December 30, 2012, 02:04 PM	#3
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 4,841	We never allow a new competitor to shoot without their first having demonstrated the ability to safely draw, shoot ( ), unload, etc. It benefits everyone - the competitor, the range, other competitors - to do so. How much is being charged for the class? We do a no-cost, hour-long orientation/briefing prior to every match, but I've also been involved in teaching a two-day class, for which we charged $75.

December 31, 2012, 10:20 AM	#4
motorhead0922 Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 323	My indoor range required an orientation before I could go on the list to do action pistol. It took about an hour, about 75 rounds, and $10. It was great fun. Sadly, they stopped doing action pistol some time back, citing safety concerns with the concrete floor. Somebody slipped on a shell casing while running, and fell.

December 31, 2012, 01:35 PM	#5
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Posts: 4,841	A gun range, with people standing shoulder-to-shoulder as they blast away at targets, floor, ceiling, overhead lighting, and they cancel action pistol because someone slipped on a case? That's funny. Sort of.

December 31, 2012, 08:38 PM	#6
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 9,757	We have a guy with a broom to take care of such worries.