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Old February 29, 2012, 09:08 AM   #1
markt99
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First IDPA Match

Hey guys,

I just shot my first IDPA match. Actually this is my first firearms competition of any kind.

This match was 5 stages, 4 of which were also the classifier (classifier stage 1 split to 2 stages at the re-taping point)

I shot CDP.

I was really nervous, but began to relax by the 3rd stage I shot. It was evident in my scores.

I guess I did ok. I was nervous and shot way too fast on the first 2 stages. The second stage I shot was classifier stage 3. Points down were 9, 11, and 22. If I had the last target in line with the other 2 I would have saved 5 seconds!

Classifier portion was 179.87 with 86 points down.

I think with a little less beginner nerves I could shoot a good bit better today without additional training, but not the 40 seconds to make sharp shooter.

I guess marksman isn't bad for my first match.

I'm going to try to practice 2-3 times a month and I hope to make 6 more matches this year.

Any advice.
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Old February 29, 2012, 10:35 AM   #2
MrBorland
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Congrats on your 1st match & on your classification.

Quote:
Any advice.
1. Points down on stage 3 of the classifier can really eat your lunch, so it pays to slow down to get your hits.

2. On trying to classify as a sharpshooter: Take your time. Shooting matches well is more important than shooting classifiers well. If you do the former, the latter will take care itself. The reverse isn't automatically so, and is often a quick route to discouragement. You've got a learning curve to get through, so focusing on your class right now is a distraction you don't need.

3. Accuracy before speed: Shoot matches within your control, and you'll get faster. Shoot too fast, beyond your control, and you'll get good at missing faster, which is a dead end. Strive to keep your PDs in check. I go by the 10% Rule: If time due to PDs is more than 10% of your raw, you're out of control.

4a. Dry fire regularly: It improves your gun handling skills & pays big dividends at matches. Plus, it's free. Practice your draw, movement & reloads. Things that become automatic are things you don't have to think about when the buzzer goes off.

4b. Dry fire regularly: Execute your movements perfectly, and remember that dry fire is as much about vision skills as gun handling. Practicing sloppy movements and/or getting on target without seeing your sights just to beat a timer is counterproductive. You'll just get good at being a sloppy shooter. Another dead end.

5. Have fun!
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Old February 29, 2012, 12:23 PM   #3
RickB
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MrBorland is right on. Don't think of good classifier scores as an end in itself. Practice shooting fundamentals, but there is a lot more time to be saved on movement when you aren't shooting, than in pulling the trigger faster.
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Old February 29, 2012, 03:46 PM   #4
Ambishot
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Congrats on your first match!

One quote that I always try to think of before entering a match is: "You can't miss fast enough to win." - Jeff Cooper

I'll echo what RickB and MrBorland have mentioned, pay attention to the fundamentals of shooting before you start thinking about getting quick. The speed will eventually come.
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Old March 1, 2012, 03:53 AM   #5
Jeff22
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IDPA classifier

I REALLY like the IDPA classifier match as a good comprehensive test of basic skills.

Stage 3 IS the classifier. With a little bit of practice, you can shoot the first two stages with a high score (even all the headshots) but people tend to crash & burn on Stage 3.

Things to avoid:
(1.) Don't crowd your cover. Stay back an arm's length. Having some distance will make it easier to roll around the side of cover and engage the multiple targets
(2.) Don't shoot too fast. People have a tendency to go way too fast on Stage 3 and drop a bunch of hits as a result.
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Old March 1, 2012, 12:13 PM   #6
MrBorland
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Yep, "shoot slow & move fast", and "don't crowd cover" are good nuggets.

I thought of another though: Splits & transitions - they should be pretty close to the same time. Do it right, and it'll sound like you're shooting to a metronome. Here's a good example. This gentleman with his old school Model 10 service revolver is an SSR Master, btw.

And here are some examples of what not to do. It may sound cool, but it's a very inefficient way to shoot, and they even proved it to us by showing the targets. I'm guessing these guys, with badass tactical glove, badass stance and cigar aren't IDPA Masters.
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Old March 2, 2012, 11:33 AM   #7
hounddawg
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Grats on your first match. I shot one season IDPA a couple of years back and was absolutely horrible at it, but still had fun. Got more into LR rifle and have been shooting it pretty much exclusively for the last couple but recently picked up a used S&W and am going to give ICORE a try this year and maybe dust off the 1911 and do a couple of IDPA matches also. Probably be horrible as ever but it will still be a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
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Old March 2, 2012, 03:34 PM   #8
Don P
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Carry on as is. Enjoy it, have a good time and remember the one person you have to out shoot is yourself. My main objective is to complete the match NOT BEING DQ'ED! Shooting the best match of your life and being DQ'ed on the last stage means nothing but being DQ'ed. All else goes in the trash. Just my take on it and if you have a bad stage, leave it and move on.

Above all you have to have fun while shooting the match regardless of the level of the match.

In closing its dam addictive ain't it????
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Old March 2, 2012, 09:39 PM   #9
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wrong thread apologies
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Old March 3, 2012, 10:11 PM   #10
lashlaroe
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Glad you had fun shooting your first match. That is the most important thing IMO. I really can't add anything to the advice above. Just wanted to give you kudos for getting out there and doing it.
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Old March 16, 2012, 01:07 AM   #11
chills1994
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do a google search for " IDPA classifier tips"

Collins County IDPA has a pretty good webpage of advice on how to shoot it better.

There is also a really good thread on one of the 1911 forums.
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Old March 21, 2012, 04:13 PM   #12
bitttorrrent
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I might try my first match this weekend in new buffalo, mi.

What do i need to do? I can register IDPA on website and I have either my new Caracal F(can get a holster from my Dad) or PX4 (with holster).

Do I need to do a qualifier course? Contact the club?

Have not shot a match since a was 12 and shot on a junior nra rifle club.
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Old March 21, 2012, 07:16 PM   #13
CatsEye
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You don't need to be a member to shoot your first match. Make sure you have all your equipment (gun, holster, mag pouch, mags and ammo) and hit the range. When you get there tell them you are a new shooter and they will go over the basics. Listen to what they say and don't get in a hurry. Your main goal the first time is to be safe and get a feel for how things work.
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Old March 22, 2012, 09:16 AM   #14
Don P
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Quote:
What do i need to do? I can register IDPA on website and I have either my new Caracal F(can get a holster from my Dad) or PX4 (with holster).

Do I need to do a qualifier course? Contact the club?
First you need to just show up at the match. You will shoot what ever gun division your handgun fits into.
You will shoot as a unclassified shooter.
You can become a member of the IDPA if you choose after your second match. Some clubs will let you shoot as many matches as you wish without being a member.
If you like the discipline and become a member then you can shoot a classifier match
Equipment needed, holster that fits your belt and if you have it a magazine pouch that hold 2 magazines or 2 single magazine pouches.
IF you DO NOT have magazine pouches don't fret over it you can use your pants pockets.
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Old March 23, 2012, 10:28 AM   #15
mrvco
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I shot my first IDPA match a few weeks ago... it was a good time and not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be after reading the rule book and some of the forum posts. It was certainly not nearly as humbling as my first steel match the following weekend Regardless, I highly recommend participating in either or both formats.
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Old April 25, 2012, 03:14 PM   #16
Gryff
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Dry fire at home and practice on:
  • a smooth but rapid drawing with minimal extra movement
  • rapid acquisition of the front sight after the draw
  • smooth and quick transitions between targets
  • reloads

At the range, learn the rhythm of your gun during rapid fire (if possible). Also practice to reset your trigger quickly without letting it all the way out. A smooth trigger press during rapid shooting is critical, so you want to avoid beating on it and causing your gun to move more than necessary. Getting your body to learn and use the reset point of your trigger (rather than the full take-up) helps with this.

You don't have to shoot it like a laser-aimed machine gun, but you do need to try to recognize and eliminate inefficiencies in your movement, focus on that front sight, and press the trigger smoothly. Do this, and it is pretty easy to jump from Marksman to Sharpshooter.

Quote:
do a google search for " IDPA classifier tips"
http://www.downrange.tv/blog/quest-f...reakdown/5576/
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