Looking into IDPA

bigred · Apr 3, 2012

I have been doing some research on IDPA ( youtube, IDPA.com, searches here at MDS)and would like to watch a match or two. I have a few questions that Im sure will be easy to answer.

1. Can I just show up and watch a match or would I have to tag along with somone in the event?

2. What is the most common cal used, 9mm, .40, .45, .357?

3. How do I go about getting started? Do I have to join IDPA.com or a local IDPA chapter?

4. What is the average cost for an event?

5. Anyone close to Middle River who wouldnt mind me tagging along at an event.

Braddbdl · Apr 3, 2012

My experience is limited to Sanners IDPA, but here goes:

1. In most cases you can go to a match and walk around, watch, and ask questions. If your comfortable and safe with a pistol though, you may as well just shoot the match. You will learn much more by shooting the event.

2. At the matches I shoot, SSP is the largest division, with 9mm being the most used caliber. CDP 1911 45 is the next most widely used.

3. You will need to join IDPA, via idpa.com. some places will let you shoot a couple of times before becoming a member of IDPA to make sure you want to participate. I don't know of any local IDPA club membership dues...

4. I would say 10-15 for a normal local event, plus your ammo (usually less than 90 rounds). If it is a state or national match then it will be considerably more.

5. Sorry, I'm in SOMD.

smokey · Apr 3, 2012

thurmont...matches usually start at 2, new shooter orientation(free class) starts at noon. Go through orientation, you learn everything you need to know to shoot(assuming you've already got a foundation in the basics) and then pay $15 to shoot. Later that night, you go online and join idpa to get their fancy card thing. They send you a box with some literature and a hat a little later. Bring the card they send you(or just the #) next time you go shoot at an event. Chip usually sends the scores to your email fairly quickly after you shoot.

http://tcandsc.org/tcscIDPAMatches.htm

bigred · Apr 3, 2012

Thanks for the info guys.

RJP3579 · Apr 3, 2012

There is a match this Friday (4/6/12) at 10am at AAF&G near Annapolis. Guests are always welcome to stop by and watch and ask questions. They will let you shoot a match or two prior to joining IDPA. They run several matches throught the month. Very friendly group and very relaxed matches, except for safety of course.

bigred · Apr 3, 2012

RJP3579 said:
There is a match this Friday (4/6/12) at 10am at AAF&G near Annapolis. Guests are always welcome to stop by and watch and ask questions. They will let you shoot a match or two prior to joining IDPA. They run several matches throught the month. Very friendly group and very relaxed matches, except for safety of course.

I checked AAF&G site and it dont have anything listed for 4/6/12, it has a IDPA Women's Clinic listed for 4/7/12. Am I looking in the wrong place?http://www.aafg.org/

RJP3579 · Apr 3, 2012

bigred said:
I checked AAF&G site and it dont have anything listed for 4/6/12, it has a IDPA Women's Clinic listed for 4/7/12. Am I looking in the wrong place?http://www.aafg.org/

http://www.aafgidpa.com
I think it is listed there. they have one on the first Friday of each month as well as a few Saturdays.

RAJay · Apr 3, 2012

Nice! I didn't know there was a separate site for AAF&G IDPA!

ElDunco · Apr 5, 2012

I'm in the same boat right now. There's a match next Wednesday, the 11th, at Blue Ridge Arsenal in Chantilly. Scheduled to start at 6pm, which might be easier than the midday for AAFG. My office is right around the corner from the range so I'll more than likely be attending. I'm planning on stopping by probably this evening and chatting with the guys there and getting some info about the match. If anyones interested I'll be happy to post what I find out.

davsco · Apr 5, 2012

hopefully for you it's not, but more than likely it is full. they run a mthly match at blue ridge ($20/event) and i do all i can to sign up early for the coming year and even then sometimes some time slots are full. i'm actually signed up for the 7pm squad, name's dave if you want to say Hi (green range bag with some neon zip ties). it is a fun place for idpa, they normally run around 4-5 shooters per hour time slot (normally 6, 7, 8 and 9pm), a couple of stages, in and out quick without having to drive 2-3 hours. occasionally they will do a two gun instead (rifle and pistol).

sometimes even with full slots, someone will cancel last minute and a walk-on will get lucky.

JackBlundell · Apr 5, 2012

I'll be in the 6 PM squad at Blue Ridge next Wednesday. I agree with Davsco's suggestion about walking on. People sign up for these matches months in advance and a surprising number don't show up. Bring your gear.

ElDunco · Apr 5, 2012

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll make sure I bring everything along. Even if I can't shoot I'm sure it'll be a fantastic learning opportunity. Sorry about hijacking your thread a bit bigred!

RJP3579 · May 8, 2012

We had several no shows last Friday (5/4) at AAFG. Great stages set up by Skip Miller, the match director.
Any update from bigred?

niftyvt · May 9, 2012

Sanners Lake is having a match on May 20.

bigred · May 9, 2012

I had to put it on the back burner due to work. A guy broke his hand and has been out and we had to cover his shifts, but he should be back soon.

jayc0968 · May 9, 2012

Caution bigred- it's addictive! Shoot some pistol matches to get comfortable then you might want to try DMG or 3 Gun. Mad rush!
Some days I shoot well, some days I don't. But it's all fun.
I'll be shooting the match Saturday at AAFG. I love the smell of Bullseye in the morning...

LAW683 · May 9, 2012

RAJay said:
Nice! I didn't know there was a separate site for AAF&G IDPA!

ALOT OF GOOD INFO AND ALOTT OF FUN

jbollman · May 10, 2012

After putting it off all last year I got round to trying it out this year.
So much fun. Very upset at myself for not getting out sooner.

Minuteman · May 10, 2012

AAFG has hosted 3-gun matches where you didn't need to have an IDPA number, I recommend those.

I joined IDPA, then hardly attended last year. I plan to try to get into at least a couple matches and get classified this year.

jimbobborg · May 10, 2012

jbollman said:
After putting it off all last year I got round to trying it out this year.
So much fun. Very upset at myself for not getting out sooner.

I put it off for years, I only started three years ago. Punching paper at the range is fun, competition shooting takes it to a much higher level.

Looking into IDPA

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