IDPA/IPSC Event walk-through

[trade_sniper]

Can someone describe both an IDPA and IPSC event from a participants point of view? Like show up at x'o'clock, signup/check-in which consists of xxx, first event consists of such and such, firing x rounds here, then x rounds there, second event consists of such and such, finish up by doing such and such, results are tallied and awards presented at x'o'clock.

I'd like to get an idea of what its like, how many rounds you fire in each section, what each section consists of, how much time do you have to wait between sections before you can shoot again, etc.

[J.P.]

usually show up about 8:30am and sign up at 9:00
Walk through starts at 10:00,then we squad up and start shooting.
A local match is over by 1:30 or 2:00pm.

[J.P.]

When you get to a stage,they will draw a shooting order (newbies get to go last if they want).
One person shoots,they score targets,tape them up,then call the next shooter.....and so on until your squad (usually 7-12 shooters) has completed the stage at which point you move to the next stage and do it all again.

[trade_sniper]

How many shots at each stage?

How many stages?

Is each stage timed or is each target timed?

Is a squad just a group of same-skill shooters?

How long does it take a squad to shoot a stage? In other words how much wait-around time before you get to shoot again?

[J.P.]

The number of shots per stage varies.
Usually it's around 12 shots per stage and a typical local match has about 6 stages.
A big match like a state championship will have 12-18 stages.

The stages are timed.
The timer starts at the buzzer and stops when you fire your last shot.
How many points you drop (accuracy) will determine how many seconds you are penalized on top of your raw time.

A squad is just a group.
For example,If there are say 24 shooters in a match,we'll squad up into three groups of eight shooters.
A squad is mixed so there may be shooters of all skill levels shooting in different divisions each.

We usually try to 'buddy up' so all the cool people shoot in a squad.
;)

[JuniorDVC]

I try not to shoot with JP. I always shoot in the cool squad. :) just playin

In a USPSA match there is usually about 200-250 rounds fired.
Squading/shooting order/etc. works the same as an IDPA match.

Just in USPSA you can have up to 36 rounds per stage (although that rule IS ignored).

You will have as much time as you need to complete any task or prepare for any stage. No pressure to start, we don't want a confused shooter, we take our time.

[trade_sniper]

Thanks for the info guys, I appreciate it. Sounds like USPSA shoots 3x more rounds roughly? I'll have to attend both to see which one we like the best.

[J.P.]

IDPA is a little more street relevant in that you have to use concealment and utilize cover when necessary.The have different rules for reloading as well,like you can't drop a partial mag on the ground.
There may be stages where you have to shoot targets in a particular sequence

In IPSC,it's more like "Here are 10 targets,every target gets two hits...ready? GO!"
Then you run around and kill everything at will as fast as you can. ;)

I'm not well versed in the IPSC rules because I've only shot a couple of those matches.

[Chuck S]

I only shoot IPSC so I'll just add a couple of things. Stages vary greatly. At my local club, we have a guy that always sets up 1 stage. Its always different and more difficult than anyone elses. In the prone, thru holes in cover, weak handed and around a corner on the same weak side, etc. We generally shoot and reload on the move too. You get a walk thru and figure out how you are going to "attack" each stage. The matches move along a lot faster than IDPA. Scoring is strange at first. Speed and accuracy count toward scores. You can take your time and shoot all "A"s and you'll get beat by someone that shot a mix but was faster by a good bit. At my local club, round count varies from 140-200. Its all about fun and shooting. NOT to be considered a training event. I shoot linited 10 and limited. Feel free to ask anything specific, I'll do my best to answer. You'd be advised to look at the rules to get a good idea.

[trade_sniper]

Both sound like a bunch of fun. Guess I need to hurry up and get my reloading crap setup!

[trade_sniper]

I know there is a link to an IDPA rulebook on here, is there one for IPSC/USPSA?

[Buzzdraw]

Link to USPSA page, includes rules http://www.uspsa.org/

Many of the IDPA guys who try USPSA go for the Limited, Limited 10, or Production divisions. No need to buy more gear to shoot USPSA; just use your IDPA stuff. All you really need to shoot USPSA with IDPA gear is pouches to hold 2-3 more mags. Max round count in IDPA stage is 18; you can need double that in some USPSA stages.

[1911user]

For USPSA matches, most people start a stage with 50-60 rounds total in the pistol and extra mags even though the max number of rounds required is 32 IIRC. Extra mags and ammo allow you to reload at the best times and not have to wait until you're empty. People usually plan to reload while moving to save time. Most local matches are 4-6 stages and rarely require more than 150 rounds unless you shoot way too fast and have to make up many misses. I normally take 200 rounds.

Bring the gear you have to a match and plan to have fun. You'll see some people with fancy, expensive equipment shooting very well. Don't make the mistake of thinking their skill and speed comes from the expensive equipment. Those same people would do well with very basic equipment. Winning takes hard work and good practice.

A reliable pistol and quality ammo are also important. Many competitors reload to save money and to make ammo exactly like they want. Once you start shooting matches and practicing more often, you'll be surprised how much ammo you go through. It's fun, come out and play.

[trade_sniper]

Yea, I would want to stick as closely as possible to what I use and carry daily. I don't really have any desire to have a 'race gun' type setup. Could that change at some point in the future? Sure, but right now, my primary interest is that I'm just looking for an active, fun and challenging means to practice and train, something more involved than typical stationary shooting (allowing no rapid fire or shooting from a draw) of static paper targets at the range.

After all, the purpose of all of my training, is to benefit me in a life or death situation, even if that is just making me more comfortable with my weapon and exposing me to new ways of shooting. I know that the IDPA and similar events are not self defense training, but the more time I spend with my weapon, shooting it, handling it, thinking about it, can only benefit me. I plan to attend as many self-defense courses as possible for that purpose.

Besides, it fun to shoot!

[trade_sniper]

Yes, since I shoot a .45, I can see the ammo becoming very expensive. I've never reloaded before and haven't had my gun long for that matter. My step-dad gave me all of his old reloading equipment. It's kind of old, but it should do the trick and save me a bundle. I have a couple of pieces yet to purchase for it before I can start reloading, but I've got 95% of what I need.

So for an IDPA match, would you guys say that 100 rounds would be enough? Then 200-250 for USPSA?

[trade_sniper]

I was looking at the IDPA rulebook and didn't understand this one completely. Would someone care to elaborate?

==========
CoF 11. On stages that have a minimum round count one (1)
round higher than the capacity of a competitors firearm,
emptying the firearm and failing to reload so as not to engage
the last shot in order to gain a competitive advantage will
result in an FTDR.
==========

I guess I don't understand how not reloading and taking the last shot could result in a competitive advantage? Looks like if you didn't reload and didn't take the last shot that you would be at a disadvantage?

[trade_sniper]

I noticed that Dan Wesson wasn't listed in the USPSA production gun list. CZ is and they own DW now, but they only listed CZ models and not the PM-7 model DW that I have. Its a regular 1911, so I wouldn't think it would be an issue, but does anyone know for sure?

[1911user]

Production division is for non-single action pistols so the dan wesson 1911 (or any single action) would not be listed. For all other USPSA divisions, there is no approved pistol list. The division is based upon the caracteristics of the pistol and magazines used.

A single-stack 1911 typically plays in Limited-10 where you can use up to 10 rounds in a mag. This is where I play (with a 1911 45 auto). It is also allowable to use higher capacity mags and only load 10 (like for an XD-40 which has 12 rd mags). The only difference between Limited and Limited-10 is the mag restriction of 10 rounds loaded in L-10. Production division has the same 10 rounds loaded limit.

The provisional Single Stack division would be another possibility except you can't get a classification in it as a new shooter (because it is provisional and could just go away in 2-3 years). You could get an L-10 classification which would automatically give you the same classification in SS. SS would also limit you to 8 rd. 45 mags and be more IDPA-like on restricting holster and mag carrier locations. 10 round mags are more fun IMO; 1 miss doesn't require you to do an extra mag reload. 8 round mags mean you'd better not miss or it's going to hurt via extra time; much less room for error and more potential frustration. This is supposed to be fun.


I'll take a stab at the IDPA mag rules. I shot IDPA for a short time several years ago. In short, IPDA is restrictive on how empty or partially-loaded mags must be handled during a reload. There is a competitive advantage to abandoning an empty mag during a reload. Mags with any ammo must be retained (tactical reload). Because IDPA and USPSA are competative sports, people look for every advantage in an attempt to win the competition. (neither are real tactical training and please don't try to convince yourself otherwise, but both teach and require safe gun handling under competative pressure). To save the question, USPSA has no requirement to retain any mags after reloading.

EDIT: I reread the IDPA mag question. It sounds like a very narrow rule to penalize someone who figured out it could be better overall to take the penalty for not shooting instead of the extra time needed for the reload and last shot. I could see how it might be used if there was a very risky, challenging target and people could gain an advantage by avoiding it.

[J.P.]

unless you shoot way too fast and have to make up many misses.

:lookaroun

[Buzzdraw]

Locally the FTDR penalty isn't an issue; the local shooters know that if they obviously "game" in an attempt to circumvent Cof 11 they WILL get caught. The Safety Officers around here are pretty sharp and will apply the rules fairly and without hesitation. The 20 seconds penalty that goes with a FTDR is one thing (ouch), but the hecking that would follow from fellow shooters would be worse (mega-OUCH.)