Need input on my first IDPA and weapon selection [Archive]

View Full Version : Need input on my first IDPA and weapon selection

At The Ready

06-14-12, 08:46

I am planning on shooting my first IDPA this Saturday, and am more or less just going for the experience of attending my first competition. I am new to the comp scene but not to shooting. I would like some input from experienced competitors on gear/weapon/ammo selections, and general advice. I am going to be shooting my Sig Skorpion 1911 w/ CMC Power +10 mags in a kydex rig. I'm not worried about my gun because I've got 2,000rds through it and am confident in it's/my ability. However I am wanting to look for a gun in 9mm for economical and speed reasons. I carry a glock on duty (LEO) and like the G34, but also am a 1911 guy as I shot it for 7 years in the Recon community (USMC).

Just need advice from shooters who know what they are doing in this realm.

R/S,

Palehorse

fastfive0

06-14-12, 09:35

Since you already are familiar with glocks it will be a natural progression to go with the g34. Glock built it specifically for Idpa/practical style shooting comps. Basically for gear all you need are 3 mags,mag holder and eyes/ear protection.

Go slow, learn from others and read the rule book if you haven't already. Ask questions! Most people are very friendly and helpful to new shooters at a local Idpa match. Good luck!

Fastfive0
Ssp/expert

Moltke

06-14-12, 09:43

Shoot what you already have until you get your feet wet. After you've shot a match or two then incrementally purchase the things that you think will make you better.

Ty_B

06-14-12, 13:45

For your first IDPA match, it doesn't make any difference which of those guns you use. You may find that a Glock makes more sense long term if that's what you carry more. Of course, there is a separate division in IDPA for 1911s.

I am not trying to cast aspersions here, but please go slow and don't be too hard on yourself if you don't smoke everyone due to your background. Even if you're a good shooter, you'll need to learn the rules and how to move through the course.

rudy99

06-14-12, 16:36

You might check out some of the first few episodes of: The PowerFactor Show (http://www.powerfactorshow.com/page/16/). They address these issues related to getting started in competition. At the end of the day, they (and I) would recommend just shooting the first few matches with whatever you own already and see what other people are using and compare that to your own preferences.

You can also reference the 2011 IDPA World Championship Equipment Survey (http://www.idpa.com/tj.asp?ID=331) to see what kind of gear is being used. This will pretty much tell you the Glock 17/34 and the M&P dominate, from a numbers perspective. Blade Tech (http://www.blade-tech.com/home.php) and Comp Tac (http://www.comp-tac.com/) tend to dominate the holster/mag pouch segment.

Also depends on what you want to get out of IDPA. If I ever shoot another IDPA match, I will run my Walther PPS because that is my primary carry.

EDIT: Since you are a LEO, you can run your duty gear.

Police or military officers may use their duty rig, but
ALL retention features of the holster MUST be used and all belt
equipment (mace, handcuffs, etc.) must be present.

Failure2Stop

06-14-12, 16:44

Shoot your duty gun and gear.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

okie john

06-14-12, 17:38

If you're going to 9 for the cheap ammo, shoot your duty gun. But there's really no wrong answer here.

Okie John

theblackknight

06-14-12, 18:41

He didnt mention which glock is his duty gun.OP, G22? G21? G17?

OP, are you looking to run your duty skills on the timer, or are you looking to game?Both?If you are looking to run your own thing for the real world, tell the SO this and hopefully he will just let you do your thing and not offer up tactical advice based on whatever procedurals you earned in the stage.If he insists,just grin and bare.

Also,Your gun puts you in CDP, so you wont be able to run your mags full, but you will have the advantage of that bigger base plate for grabbing reloads.

This article is awesome for new comp shooters,
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=86718&hl=pat%20harrison&st=0

Also, have someone video your stages, you can review yourself,post it up and have people pick it apart. Reviewing video of noob shooters vs. DM's like at the world shoot will reveal things you can learn from without even burning ammo.

Along with the sticky about the classifier in this forum ,Hilton has a awesome program here for training for it http://10-8performance.blogspot.com/2012/04/training-for-idpa-classifier-stage-3.html

And have fun!

Alaskapopo

06-14-12, 23:54

At The Ready

06-15-12, 02:20

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the wealth of knowledge and wisdom. I had no idea i could run my duty rig, and that seems to be the practical choice for my first event. My duty weapon is a G23, (I know I know, its issued and required for duty use so I have to carry it, but I hate a compact duty gun), anyways... For the first go-around it will do just fine, and I might be able to convince the dept. firearms instructor that this is training, and weezel a couple boxes of ammo out of him.

I am in the middle of reading all of the articles, info, etc. that has been recommended, and it has been very helpful!

Again, thank you M4C community and I will post an AAR on Sunday.

Shoot, Kill, Win
Palehorse

rob_s

06-15-12, 05:53

If the G23 is your issued gun I'd pick up a G19 and outfit it identically if you can't get department ammo and have to pay out of pocket. That way it will fit in your duty rig. But I'd also shoot some matches with your CCW rig, assuming you carry off duty, under whatever your normal concealment garment is.

There are folks that get wrapped up in the competition and use guns & gear they never would outside the match (G34, vests, holsters that push the envelope of the rules) and there are those that "are just there for the practice" and shoot their carry/duty gun, in their everyday holster, under the t-shirt they conceal the gun with every day. Neither are wrong, but be one or the other. Way to many people get stuck halfway between.

Personally, I shoot USPSA for the competitiveness and IDPA for a chance to work with my CCW equipment. IMO the competition is stiffer at USPSA because you get less of the "just there for practice" people you find at IDPA. Which is both a good and a bad thing. I find IDPA in general to be much more relaxed, and relaxing. I also think IDPA is an easier place to start because of this.

Just pick your path. Doesn't mean you can't change paths later, but always remember why you are there, and when you start to think about a new gun, gear, etc. always compare it back to your purpose and evaluate if it fits or not.

Mudcat

06-15-12, 08:32

Some great advice, that I really cannot add much to. Just go and shoot, have a good time. Some people are really competitive others like myself are not. I shoot the games for practice. They have some awesome stages with movers and disappearing targets that really will test a person and make them better shooters. I just shoot my G19 in a IWB holster. I have a G34 and race rig but just don't use it. Have fun and make your shots the speed will come.

Sent from my evil black iPhone using Tapatalk

tb-av

06-15-12, 13:04

I was considering the same thing and was looking towards the G34. But now that Grant basically has a custom S&W M&P with Storm Lake barrel, I think I would just go that route.

You can get one set up just like your 1911.