idpa vs ipsc

[olyeller]

I get the feeling that the OSA-ers are a little more active in idpa.
As a total beginner, Im curious as to the feelings competitors have about the two organizations. -whether ones catering more to sponsors, and which has a higher talent level.
-just shot my 1st ipsc match and Im hooked.
thanks.

[38Super]

This is a big can of worms. Remember that they are both "GAMES". IPSC is a lot more of a game than idpa. I have shot both for the past few years, even been to idpa nationals twice. the big difference is the rules and how everyone views the rules differently (what works best for them). both sports have highly talented competitors and there are several top ones that do shoot both and do well in both. Have also been involved in helping to run and organize two idpa state matches at Red Castle a few years ago and have seen idpa whiners. they are probably there at big level ipsc matches also, I have just never been to one of those yet.

Unless you are getting paid for doing it, it is just a game and a time to relax and enjoy fellow shooters company. Even if I shoot bad, it still beats being at work. Glad to hear you had a good time at the match saturday. It was a good one I justwish I had done better.

Hope this helps you out. they are both fun to shoot because it all breaks down to "trigger time".

[YukonGlocker]

What about the GSSF matches? How do they compare?

[J.P.]

They are both games.
IDPA was created,I think,to eliminate some of the 'gamer' aspect and make the competition a little more street relavent,which it does to some degree.
(don't read too much into that)

IPSC/USPSA is more like.... "Here are the targets,start here,everyone gets two....Ready? Go!"

Both are fun but you get a little more triggertime with IPSC/USPSA.
I mainly just shoot IDPA because that's what I started out with and I don't really have time to do both.

If I could shoot every IPSC and IDPA match every week,I definitely would!

[Chuck S]

I shoot IPSC. Simple reason really. I'd have to drive a lot further to shoot IDPA. I enjoy shooting.....a lot of rounds. That means IPSC. They are both GAMES, meant to be fun. I dont take it all that serious. Its not a training event. Let the flames begin!

[Michael Brown]

The whole IDPA vs. IPSC thing is a little like Racquetball vs. Tennis.

Neither is better. Its just a matter of what you enjoy and what you have an opportunity to attend.

OSA is very IDPA oriented because the clubs in Oklahoma have very successful IDPA programs.

If you go to Oregon or California, you will find IPSC to be more popular. IDPA is bigger locally but IPSC is far bigger nationally, although that may be changing with the IPSC Nationals coming to Tulsa and the USSA facility being built here.

If you have time to play racquetball AND tennis and enjoy both, why not do so.

Same with IDPA and IPSC.

If you are looking for a practical or self-defense element to either, it doesn't really exist so that shouldn't be a factor. The issues surrounding self-defense are more complicated than either game.

Pick one or both and enjoy.

Michael Brown

[olyeller]

"If you are looking for a practical or self-defense element to either, it doesn't really exist so that shouldn't be a factor. The issues surrounding self-defense are more complicated than either game."

Thats exactly what I wanted to hear. I want fun more than folks telling me how not to get killed.
Thanks, M.B.!

[Helmut]

IDPA - Profit Organization (Hail Bill) - Lower Round Count

USPSA - Non Profit Organization - Higher Round Count

Both games no matter how you cut it. Have fun.

[olyeller]

IDPA - Profit Organization (Hail Bill)

-Interesting....

[Michael Brown]

Don't let whether a sport is for profit or not affect your choice.

If we don't patronize some activity because its for profit, then we probably shouldn't watch a football or baseball game either. Its a silly, pointless statement.

The argument about it being for profit tends to be sour grapes from a lot of IPSC shooters who feel IDPA is encroaching on their territory.

The differences are also more substantial than lower or higher round counts.

To put it that simply would be like saying:

IDPA=Less expensive
IPSC=More expensive

Its silly statements that tend to drive a wedge between shooters and make them believe that they have to choose one sport over another.

Shoot whichever one you like or do both.

Enjoying it is the only issue.

Michael Brown

[Helmut]

If we don't patronize some activity because its for profit, then we probably shouldn't watch a football or baseball game either. Its a silly, pointless statement.

I am not patronizing one over the other......i know there are cheaters, whiners, cry babies, and arm chair commandos in both organizations....but there are good people in both organizations also.........that is just part of it. i accept that, but i have scruples.



The argument about it being for profit tends to be sour grapes from a lot of IPSC shooters who feel IDPA is encroaching on their territory.

Please don't label me as a ipsc shooter.....i am a 3-gun shooter and i shoot it in any match i can find a "FAIR and challenging" match



The differences are also more substantial than lower or higher round counts.
To put it that simply would be like saying:
IDPA=Less expensive
IPSC=More expensive

USPSA Production class is very comparable to IDPA in cost....except the cost of using more ammo, because of the higher round count.



Its silly statements that tend to drive a wedge between shooters and make them believe that they have to choose one sport over another.

I don't want to drive a wedge in to anyone....i am all for shooting whatever game you want to play......more power to it. personally i think that everyone should shoot a wide varity of sports, then make up there own mind of what game they want to play and excel at.



Shoot whichever one you like or do both.

Enjoying it is the only issue. 100% with you on that!

Michael Brown


But my person reason for the profit or non-profit statement is that i cannot bring myself to put a dollar into bill wilson's pocket.....the wonderful guy he is......i even refuse to put any of his parts in my guns (since there are equal or better quality out there).....during the birth of idpa was to get away from the rule intensity of ipsc and to get into the tactics of real life.....sorry, look at the rule book now.....even worse and it is still just a game!.......back to that scruple thing again......sorry

[JuniorDVC]

The way I see it, JP doesn't like USPSA because lil' girls beat him in it. :nutkick: (just messin JP)

I think USPSA is more of a physically demanding sport than IDPA. I shoot both sports but I like all of the running and weird positions in USPSA. IDPA is mostly stand-and-shoot and retreat-and-shoot, whereas in USPSA you oftenly can shoot targets while running and cover a lot more ground per stage.

I like running + I like shooting = I like running and shooting. = I like USPSA

It seems unworth the time and stress to wait 2 hours (literally) to shoot a 6-12 round IDPA stage. (some IDPA Majors)

I see USPSA as a greater challenge; with harder shots.

IDPA is cool, too. To be good at IDPA you must master gunhandling.

It's all shooting, and shooting IDPA is better than no shooting at all. :thumb:

[green country shooter]

The differences between them are minor.
We are very lucky to be living in a time when
we can choose between two action pistol sports.
Before IPSC most people thought bulls-eye shooting
with a .45 was as realistic as it was going to get.

Shoot both if you can.

There is a lot of bitter history on the part of
some of the IDPA founders towards IPSC, which
explains some of the harsh things said
occasionally, but I couldn't care less who's
feelings were hurt at a match 20 years ago.

[pstmstr]

I would tend to agree. I'm a new shooter and have only shot a couple of IPSC matches which were great fun with some good people to help offer tips. I would like to shoot IDPA too because I just like to shoot.