Want to start shooting IDPA

radioflyer · September 1, 2009, 09:42 AM

I want to start shooting IDPA. I downloaded and read the rulebook and observed a practice match last week. Seems like a lot of fun.

What is the procedure one needs to do in order to get a classification and eventually compete?

Also, I noticed IDPA regs don't allow mounted flashlights. Do they allow mounted lasers (even i they're not actually used in the competition) I have a Lasermax rail mount laser on my P30 and would prefer to leav it attached if it's legal to do so. (I did not see any reference to lasers in the 05 rule book.

RickB · September 1, 2009, 12:34 PM

Go to the club finder at idpa.com, and contact the representative of the closest (or best) club in your area. They will tell you what you need to do to get started. You do not need to be classified to compete, except at sanctioned matches (state or regional championships). All clubs are required to run an annual classifier match on one of their regular match weekends, so just make sure to attend that match. At our club, individual shooters can arrange with a Safety Officer to run them through the classifier, if there's a need to get classified before a scheduled match date.
I would think a rail-mounted laser would be covered by the same rule as a rail-mounted light, and that allowed lasers are of the Lasergrip type. My local matches draw 65-75 shooters, and I've never seen anything mounted on a rail.

Nowhere Man · September 1, 2009, 12:37 PM

All you need to compete is to show up. You'll need a handgun, holster, 3 magazines and some sort of "cover". You can use an unbuttoned shirt for cover to begin with.

No lasers are allowed. Your local club may or may not allow you to leave it on. Any State or Nat match would require you to remove it.

http://www.idpa.com/ has the current rule book online.

Go and have fun.

Dave

radioflyer · September 1, 2009, 02:44 PM

sounds simple enough. My local range has a weekly IDPA meet

radioflyer · September 3, 2009, 10:42 PM

shot my first IDPA meet today....this **** is fun!!!!

Wagonman · September 3, 2009, 11:03 PM

Are there low light stages?

Jim Watson · September 4, 2009, 06:35 AM

Yes, but not very often. They are harder to administer with regard to safety and time. If you have an indoor range, it is easier to control, but still a challenge to the MD.
They are a challenge to the shooter, too.

radioflyer · September 4, 2009, 07:24 AM

Most of the guys said low-light Cof's are usually reserved for nationals or independant IDPA meets

radioflyer · September 4, 2009, 07:30 AM

Just go the results back from the first meet. I scored #2 in a group of 9

....must be all those years of playing Arear 51

Nowhere Man · September 4, 2009, 07:38 AM

Way to go!

Dave

Brit · September 28, 2009, 03:45 AM

Our club has a big turn out, once a month, 70 and more.

Trouble with big turn outs, time in the sun. Great guys, every one will help with advice, very safe, good SOs, I carry every day, same holster as in my IDPA matches, Glock belt slide, chunks cut off it, $12! in a couple of years you might break a belt loop, new one ($12).

Do your low light practice in the house, empty gun... NO LIVE AMMO!... be aware, not much stops bullets in a home. Happy shooting.

mkim1120 · October 12, 2009, 06:50 AM

where is idpa in houston?

Strick · October 12, 2009, 07:18 AM

In houston you can shoot IDPA almost every weekend of the month. On the west side you can shoot WHIDPA in monaville (that is where I shoot mostly), south side is PSC in Alvin, north side is Thunder Tactical in conroe.

We shoot every wednesday at WHIDPA starting at 6pm. They shoot ever wed night also over at Thunder I am not sure what time though.

radioflyer · October 12, 2009, 07:23 AM

Shiloh gun range on 1960 has an IDPA meet every thursday at 7pm

September 1, 2009, 09:42 AM	#1
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	Want to start shooting IDPA I want to start shooting IDPA. I downloaded and read the rulebook and observed a practice match last week. Seems like a lot of fun. What is the procedure one needs to do in order to get a classification and eventually compete? Also, I noticed IDPA regs don't allow mounted flashlights. Do they allow mounted lasers (even i they're not actually used in the competition) I have a Lasermax rail mount laser on my P30 and would prefer to leav it attached if it's legal to do so. (I did not see any reference to lasers in the 05 rule book.

October 12, 2009, 07:18 AM	#13
Strick Member Join Date: January 6, 2009 Location: Katy, TX Posts: 67	In houston you can shoot IDPA almost every weekend of the month. On the west side you can shoot WHIDPA in monaville (that is where I shoot mostly), south side is PSC in Alvin, north side is Thunder Tactical in conroe. We shoot every wednesday at WHIDPA starting at 6pm. They shoot ever wed night also over at Thunder I am not sure what time though. __________________ Click for my shooting blog

September 1, 2009, 12:34 PM	#2
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Go to the club finder at idpa.com, and contact the representative of the closest (or best) club in your area. They will tell you what you need to do to get started. You do not need to be classified to compete, except at sanctioned matches (state or regional championships). All clubs are required to run an annual classifier match on one of their regular match weekends, so just make sure to attend that match. At our club, individual shooters can arrange with a Safety Officer to run them through the classifier, if there's a need to get classified before a scheduled match date. I would think a rail-mounted laser would be covered by the same rule as a rail-mounted light, and that allowed lasers are of the Lasergrip type. My local matches draw 65-75 shooters, and I've never seen anything mounted on a rail.

September 1, 2009, 12:37 PM	#3
Nowhere Man Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 172	All you need to compete is to show up. You'll need a handgun, holster, 3 magazines and some sort of "cover". You can use an unbuttoned shirt for cover to begin with. No lasers are allowed. Your local club may or may not allow you to leave it on. Any State or Nat match would require you to remove it. http://www.idpa.com/ has the current rule book online. Go and have fun. Dave

September 1, 2009, 02:44 PM	#4
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	sounds simple enough. My local range has a weekly IDPA meet

September 3, 2009, 10:42 PM	#5
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	shot my first IDPA meet today....this **** is fun!!!!

September 3, 2009, 11:03 PM	#6
Wagonman Senior Member Join Date: September 11, 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,014	Are there low light stages?

September 4, 2009, 06:35 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,543	Yes, but not very often. They are harder to administer with regard to safety and time. If you have an indoor range, it is easier to control, but still a challenge to the MD. They are a challenge to the shooter, too.

September 4, 2009, 07:24 AM	#8
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	Most of the guys said low-light Cof's are usually reserved for nationals or independant IDPA meets

September 4, 2009, 07:30 AM	#9
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	Just go the results back from the first meet. I scored #2 in a group of 9 ....must be all those years of playing Arear 51

September 4, 2009, 07:38 AM	#10
Nowhere Man Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Location: North Port, FL Posts: 172	Way to go! Dave

September 28, 2009, 03:45 AM	#11
Brit Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Orlando FL Posts: 1,934	Our club has a big turn out, once a month, 70 and more. Trouble with big turn outs, time in the sun. Great guys, every one will help with advice, very safe, good SOs, I carry every day, same holster as in my IDPA matches, Glock belt slide, chunks cut off it, $12! in a couple of years you might break a belt loop, new one ($12). Do your low light practice in the house, empty gun... NO LIVE AMMO!... be aware, not much stops bullets in a home. Happy shooting.

October 12, 2009, 06:50 AM	#12
mkim1120 Member Join Date: October 11, 2007 Posts: 24	where is idpa in houston?

October 12, 2009, 07:23 AM	#14
radioflyer Senior Member Join Date: August 20, 2009 Posts: 188	Shiloh gun range on 1960 has an IDPA meet every thursday at 7pm