First IDPA Match

payback48 · February 2, 2009, 04:56 PM

I am shooting in my first IDPA match this Saturday. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do or expect? I spoke with the match director and he told me what to bring. Other than that, I don't know what to expect. At least I talked a friend into shooting with me so I won't (hopefully) make a fool out of myself alone!!!

Japle · February 2, 2009, 08:30 PM

Don't worry about looking foolish. Every shooter there has been where you are. They all made mistakes their first match or 2 and every match since.

SECRET: The winner is the one who makes the fewest mistakes. But even the winner screwed something up.

Pay attention to proper form, follow the stage carefully and shoot accurately. No one expects you to be fast. In fact, if a new shooter is trying for speed, he makes everyone nervous.

oldkim · February 2, 2009, 09:01 PM

Be Safe.

1) Get there early. You can help set up targets and get to know the folks running the match. That way they can match you up with an experienced shooter too.
2) Cold range so make sure your gun is empty. Your mags are full (10 round limit) but not in the gun until you get on the starting line.
3) Point muzzle down range at all times (except when in holster)
4) NO finger on the trigger until you engage your target.
5) Don't swing your gun beyond the 180 degree (90 each way from front).
6) Have FUN!
7) Bring lots of ammo and magazines fully loaded (load only 10 rounds)
8) Bring a snack and water
9) Wear comfortable but warm clothing, gloves and hat - wear in layers with good shoes (boots).

For your first time go SLOW and be safety minded. Everyone wants to go home after the match. Have a great time!

oldkim · February 2, 2009, 09:07 PM

Look over the RULE BOOK if you have time. You can get clarification from the SO and others at the match.

Also IDPA has some good info on getting ready for a match on their site.

http://idpa.com/dps_info.asp

RULE BOOK
http://idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf

payback48 · February 2, 2009, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the replies. I have shot handguns for years but never in competition. The only competition I have shot in is skeet.

NGIB · February 3, 2009, 10:14 AM

I'm shooting my first 2 this month as well and needless to say I'm looking forward to it. We have a small IDPA club here and I know most of the folks so it shouldn't be too stressful...

Jim Watson · February 3, 2009, 10:24 AM

Read the New Shooter's Guide and Useful Information at:
http://delcoidpa.com/home.html
It is easier to get through than the rule book.

9mm1033 · February 3, 2009, 10:47 AM

Try to be the last shooter in your group. Observe the others shooting the stage. And by all means, tell the SO you are a new shooter.

RickB · February 3, 2009, 11:30 AM

Just to echo what's already been said, shoot straight, and under control. There will be a bit of sensory overload, so concentrate on doing the fundamentals. Familiarizing yourself with the rules is a very good idea. I still get calls from shooters who have been competing for years, with questions that could have, and should have been answered by a quick trip through the rule book. Have fun!

S391 · February 3, 2009, 03:09 PM

Wow, great information! I'm hoping to shoot my first IDPA match this weekend and this thread has been a fountain of good information, thank you!

oldkim · February 3, 2009, 07:13 PM

Remember to bring cash to cover the match fees. Exact change really helps too. Makes the lines go faster and the club doesn't need to have up front money to make change.

Have fun!

payback48 · February 3, 2009, 08:17 PM

Thanks for all the replies. They were all very helpful. Now I just have to wait for Saturday to roll around.

February 2, 2009, 04:56 PM	#1
payback48 Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15	First IDPA Match I am shooting in my first IDPA match this Saturday. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do or expect? I spoke with the match director and he told me what to bring. Other than that, I don't know what to expect. At least I talked a friend into shooting with me so I won't (hopefully) make a fool out of myself alone!!!

February 2, 2009, 09:01 PM	#3
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	Think Safety First Be Safe. 1) Get there early. You can help set up targets and get to know the folks running the match. That way they can match you up with an experienced shooter too. 2) Cold range so make sure your gun is empty. Your mags are full (10 round limit) but not in the gun until you get on the starting line. 3) Point muzzle down range at all times (except when in holster) 4) NO finger on the trigger until you engage your target. 5) Don't swing your gun beyond the 180 degree (90 each way from front). 6) Have FUN! 7) Bring lots of ammo and magazines fully loaded (load only 10 rounds) 8) Bring a snack and water 9) Wear comfortable but warm clothing, gloves and hat - wear in layers with good shoes (boots). For your first time go SLOW and be safety minded. Everyone wants to go home after the match. Have a great time! __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org Last edited by oldkim; February 2, 2009 at 09:03 PM. Reason: correction - load to 10 rounds

February 2, 2009, 09:07 PM	#4
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	If you like to read and have time - do read Look over the RULE BOOK if you have time. You can get clarification from the SO and others at the match. Also IDPA has some good info on getting ready for a match on their site. http://idpa.com/dps_info.asp RULE BOOK http://idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org

February 3, 2009, 10:14 AM	#6
NGIB Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2007 Location: Ft Stewart, GA Posts: 932	I'm shooting my first 2 this month as well and needless to say I'm looking forward to it. We have a small IDPA club here and I know most of the folks so it shouldn't be too stressful... __________________ Proud to be a veteran. (USAF Retired, Army Civilian) I'm old, grumpy, and jaded - still vertical though...

February 3, 2009, 10:47 AM	#8
9mm1033 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2005 Location: A big city with far too many cars and people. Posts: 932	Try to be the last shooter in your group. Observe the others shooting the stage. And by all means, tell the SO you are a new shooter. __________________ No one reads or cares what is written in ones signature box. So I'm not writing anything worth reading or remembering.

February 2, 2009, 08:30 PM	#2
Japle Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2004 Location: Viera, Florida Posts: 1,340	Don't worry about looking foolish. Every shooter there has been where you are. They all made mistakes their first match or 2 and every match since. SECRET: The winner is the one who makes the fewest mistakes. But even the winner screwed something up. Pay attention to proper form, follow the stage carefully and shoot accurately. No one expects you to be fast. In fact, if a new shooter is trying for speed, he makes everyone nervous.

February 2, 2009, 09:44 PM	#5
payback48 Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15	Thanks for the replies. I have shot handguns for years but never in competition. The only competition I have shot in is skeet.

February 3, 2009, 10:24 AM	#7
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	Read the New Shooter's Guide and Useful Information at: http://delcoidpa.com/home.html It is easier to get through than the rule book.

February 3, 2009, 11:30 AM	#9
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	Just to echo what's already been said, shoot straight, and under control. There will be a bit of sensory overload, so concentrate on doing the fundamentals. Familiarizing yourself with the rules is a very good idea. I still get calls from shooters who have been competing for years, with questions that could have, and should have been answered by a quick trip through the rule book. Have fun!

February 3, 2009, 03:09 PM	#10
S391 Member Join Date: November 19, 2008 Posts: 51	Wow, great information! I'm hoping to shoot my first IDPA match this weekend and this thread has been a fountain of good information, thank you!

February 3, 2009, 07:13 PM	#11
oldkim Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 462	One last thing Remember to bring cash to cover the match fees. Exact change really helps too. Makes the lines go faster and the club doesn't need to have up front money to make change. Have fun! __________________ "Shoot Safetly, Shoot Often and Share Your Sport." Jim Scoutten, Shooting USA Check out my new website: www.shootonthemove.org

February 3, 2009, 08:17 PM	#12
payback48 Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 15	Thanks for all the replies. They were all very helpful. Now I just have to wait for Saturday to roll around.

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