IDPA & Kahrs?

[aray]

What do folks know about the IDPA? I got interested in trying this out after reading one of Ayoob's books since it seemed to be oriented to "practical" self defense shooting techniques and equipment. Looks like a lot of fun too.

But I've never been to a match. What do folks here think?

Also, would my CW9 (with extra magazines) be appropriate for an IDPA event? Or would the small magazine capacity (7+1) be too much of an obstacle, forcing me to go with one of my Beretta 92Fs and a 15+1 capacity configuration?

Thanks.

[Mudinyeri]

I don't shoot IDPA but I'm fairly familiar with it.

Changing magazines is usually part of the competition so six-round magazine capacity will only hurt you in certain matches. The long trigger and reset will probably hurt you more.

The 92FS would be an excellent gun to start out with. Just make sure you get good quality magazines for it.

[at_liberty]

What do folks know about the IDPA? I got interested in trying this out after reading one of Ayoob's books since it seemed to be oriented to "practical" self defense shooting techniques and equipment. Looks like a lot of fun too.

But I've never been to a match. What do folks here think?

Also, would my CW9 (with extra magazines) be appropriate for an IDPA event? Or would the small magazine capacity (7+1) be too much of an obstacle, forcing me to go with one of my Beretta 92Fs and a 15+1 capacity configuration?

Thanks.

10+1 is the limit in ESP class but you don't have to load to capacity. 9 rounds like the stock 1911 9mm guns is still competitive. Shoot whatever you have. Enter the Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) class, take your time, and hit your targets. Worry about getting better rather than being competitive. You should find a lot of support for new shooters. You can figure out what gun will work best later, but your Beretta is where you should start in my opinion.

Check the IDPA website

[OldLincoln]

I visited a match and saw the exercises they do. I believe it can be what you make of it. If you are really and want competition you can get setup for it. If you want to learn the moves and practice just for self defense you can do that also.

They had a beginners group set up at the left side of the range and were teaching them the drills and practice. This is what attracted me as I doubt I could be competitive.

But, if I somehow became pretty good I'd give it a shot - WITH my EDC gun and holster. My purpose is to win IF I ever have to use it for SD. My gain from IDPA would be knowledge and confidence in my new skills.

BTW: about half of the participants in the match I saw are active and retired LEOs who have been doing this stuff awhile. They were very friendly and not condescending so I think for what I want it would be good.

[aray]

If you want to learn the moves and practice just for self defense you can do that also. ...

They had a beginners group set up at the left side of the range and were teaching them the drills and practice. This is what attracted me as I doubt I could be competitive.

But, if I somehow became pretty good I'd give it a shot - WITH my EDC gun and holster. My purpose is to win IF I ever have to use it for SD. My gain from IDPA would be knowledge and confidence in my new skills.

Yeah, that's sorta what I'm thinking too. I actually have some natural shooting talent, but by the same token I'm not ex-LEO or ex-military so I'm under no illusions I could ever run with the big dogs. I'm just looking to: a) improve my SD skills and b) have fun.

But on the other hand I only have two 7 round magazines and one 8 round magazine for my CW9. I was just wondering if I had an event that required more than 22+1 shots to be fired, I'd have to reload, and if that would so kill the event that it wouldn't be worth the effort. In that case, I'd have to bring my Beretta 92F (with its larger magazines) which is sorta not consistent with the theme above, since the CW9 is my normal carry weapon.

[OldLincoln]

Wonder if you can use a BUG? That should be allowed because if you never practice it how will you use it? I know they require some drills using strong and weak hands so why not a BUG?

[Tack]

Aray
I'm a IDPA Safety Officer and VP of our local club, so hopefully I can answer some of your questions. Your CW9 would allow you to shoot in Stock Service Pistol (SSP) Division. Division Capacity of SSP is 10 in the magazine with 1 in the chamber when you start the COF. You would need to use all one capacity magazine in a match. So you would need to use all 7 or 8 round mags, not a mixture of both. You can't use extended mags in IDPA. I wouldn't shoot in ESP with your CW9. That Division is 9mm 1911's etc. If you shot your 92F you could shoot SSP, but would load your 15 rd. mags with 10 rds only, plus 1 in the chamber at the start of the COF. You only compete against people in your Division and Classification. IDPA is designed for the use of carry guns and carry gear. While some folks try to game it up, but still stay legal, I have alot more respect for those who adhere to the spirit of the game. It is alot of fun, and you can get alot out of it. Mostly practice of skills that you can't do at the majority of ranges. Check out IDPA.com for the rules etc. Hope this helps.

[skychief12]

[QUOTE=Mudinyeri;29215]I don't shoot IDPA but I'm fairly familiar with it.

"The long trigger and reset will probably hurt you more."

If this is a true statement (I think it is), would that also apply to a actual gun fight?

I ride a Harley with t-shirt and jeans most days. I find my CW40 IWB works as good as anything I can come up with. But the above is a concern.

Being a long time 1911 .45 guy and packed a .45 grease-gun in Vietnam. My perfect world is to carry my Kimber 100%. I can get my Kimber down to EMP size (width). The barrel length is not much of a issue (IWB). 34oz loaded has you sagging by EOD, not to mention bumpy. Did I mention it's going to be 100 degrees again this week here in the great state of Texas?

Hope someone comes up with something like the Sig 238 and in something bigger than 9mm. Sorry guys I'm coming from .45 down not .380 upward.

Back to the point, IDPA is a great way to go and your smart sticking to your carry gun. Long trigger and reset is want you'll be dealing with in the real deal. So learn to LIVE with it (pardon the bun).

[OldLincoln]

Hey Tack, nice to have an expert answer the questions. How about using a BUG in drills? Unlike mag changes, how many practice going to the back up in a fire fight?

[recoilguy]

10+1 is the limit in ESP class but you don't have to load to capacity. 9 rounds like the stock 1911 9mm guns is still competitive. Shoot whatever you have. Enter the Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP) class, take your time, and hit your targets. Worry about getting better rather than being competitive. You should find a lot of support for new shooters. You can figure out what gun will work best later, but your Beretta is where you should start in my opinion.

Check the IDPA website

Some good advice, except I would say compete with the CW9 in stock service catogory. If you get better each week faster will eventually happen. New guys do get alot of support, it is fun and you meet some great people who enjoy shooting as well.

The berreta would only allow 10 in the mag even though it can hold 15, I think Berreta mags would be easier to come by, I might be wrong but I think it is so.

RCG

[Mudinyeri]

[QUOTE=skychief12;29251]

I don't shoot IDPA but I'm fairly familiar with it.

"The long trigger and reset will probably hurt you more."

If this is a true statement (I think it is), would that also apply to a actual gun fight?

I ride a Harley with t-shirt and jeans most days. I find my CW40 IWB works as good as anything I can come up with. But the above is a concern.

Being a long time 1911 .45 guy and packed a .45 grease-gun in Vietnam. My perfect world is to carry my Kimber 100%. I can get my Kimber down to EMP size (width). The barrel length is not much of a issue (IWB). 34oz loaded has you sagging by EOD, not to mention bumpy. Did I mention it's going to be 100 degrees again this week here in the great state of Texas?

Hope someone comes up with something like the Sig 238 and in something bigger than 9mm. Sorry guys I'm coming from .45 down not .380 upward.

Back to the point, IDPA is a great way to go and your smart sticking to your carry gun. Long trigger and reset is want you'll be dealing with in the real deal. So learn to LIVE with it (pardon the bun).

I certainly hope no gunfight in which I am involved lasts as many rounds as an IDPA stage.

With that said, in a gun-fight you're fighting another person - potentially with their own gun - not the clock. Personally, I feel perfectly comfortable being able to defend myself against the average hoodlum using my CW40. I practice, practice, practice. I'm betting (my life) that the hoodlum doesn't.

Sorry, OP, for the off-topic post.

[Tack]

Hey Tack, nice to have an expert answer the questions. How about using a BUG in drills? Unlike mag changes, how many practice going to the back up in a fire fight?

OldLincoln
"Expert" You're too kind.

Bug matches are a side match in IDPA if the club holds them. In regular IDPA matches your required to wear one firearm only. In a Bug match your limited to loading 5 rounds so both pistols and revolvers are on a level playing field. No reloads are allowed on the clock either.

Our club has never held a Bug match, but I'm considering doing one now if we have the interest.

[RichN]

It depends on what you want out of IDPA. If you want to win matches, then a Kahr is not your best choice. If you carry a Kahr and you want to get better with what you shoot, then it is fine.

I frequently shoot my MK40 in IDPA. Some stages require 18 shots, so I use a total of three six round magazines. You can only use three magazines in a match, and they must all be the same size. I use my five rounder as a "Barney mag" to load the chamber and then switch to the six rounders for a total of 19 shots. If I miss more than one shot on a course requiring 18 rounds then I will run out of ammo and have to take the misses on my score, but I'm mainly there to gain proficiency with my weapon. If that is also your main goal, then bring your Kahr and have fun.

If you have more than one club in your area, check them all out. Different clubs have a different feel to them. One club in my area requires at least 16 rounds on almost every stage. Another one usually only has one or two stages that big and a few requiring 6 or less. Some clubs can afford moving targets and at some everything is stationary. You might decide you like one more than the other or you might get really hooked and find yourself at a different club every weekend. I'm currently up to two per month. I usually shoot my MK40 at the club with smaller stages and my Sig P229 at the club with larger stages.


I hope this helps.

[RichN]

Aray
I'm a IDPA Safety Officer and VP of our local club, so hopefully I can answer some of your questions.... You can't use extended mags in IDPA. ...

The new rules clarifications allow you to use extended mags as long as all of your mags are the same and the gun fits in "the box" with the mags inserted. I use the six round magazines with my MK40 all of the time.

[Tilos]

Steel Challenge with a CW9

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