IDPA & Kahrs?

[dfloresjr]

I say shoot the Kahr. I shot my first IDPA match 2 mos. ago and used my Sig P226, since it was my LEO gun and I had all the necessary equipment. I intend to start using my CW9, but I will buy a few more 8 round mags first. On most of the stages that I shot, I didn't use the full capacity for the stage anyway. If you want to shoot for score, then another gun might be better. If you are shooting for fun and for valuable training and range experience with your carry gun, use the Kahr.

[Old Salt]

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.

You will have no trouble shooting IDPA with your CW9. There are many 7+1, 1911's shooting IDPA, you will however need extra magazines. Most shooters have three, one in the gun and two more on their belt or in their pocket. If you have never shot IDPA go to a match and just watch how they shoot the different stations. Don’t worry about time, safety is number one, good hits number two and last and for a lot of shooters less important, is time. As far as follow up shots,I’m sure your CW9 will shoot as fast as you can get back on target and pull the trigger. I’ve seem many shooters using revolvers and they do pritty good. Shooting IDPA gives you a different feel than just standing in one spot punching holes in targets.

[JohnR]

I fully intend to use my K9 for IDPA. The mag capacity is only one less than a 1911, which people seem to use for matches without batting an eye. What I want out of it is to be the best I can be with my EDC, so I think it's going to be great. Only been to one classifier so far, though.

[Just One Shot]

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

Linky no worky.

:4:

[REACT]

http://www.idpa.com/

[mad1ben2]

IDPA with your carry gun...

I entered my first IDPA match last November. It was so valuable for me simply because it introduced me to something much, much different than punching paper at my indoor range.

I approached it with the goal of gaining confidence in my ability to use my CCW for defense and not to see how fast I could complete a stage or where I ended up in my class.

In fact, now that my carry guns are Kahrs, I bought a TP9 to use in my future matches with the thoughts that the grip, sight picture, trigger pull, trigger reset, etc... are consistent across my carry guns (p380, p40, pm9).

The range I shot at does have 'BUG' matches once a month and I hope to enter one of those this spring... but the match I entered was a 6-stage IDPA event and I don't recall any stage requiring more than 18 rounds... most much less.

I found it great experience as the timer immediately got my blood pumping.. I learned techniques that I never learned shooting at paper in an indoor range where I can't even start with a holstered weapon... I shot out of vehicle windows, I shot through car windows, I shot around obstacles and victims... it gave me much more confidence in my abilities and made shooting so much more fun... sorry... I'm rambling now... highly recommend IDPA with your carry weapon!

[jocko]

sounds like alot of fun to.... what wasnormally the maximum distance. as I can'thit jack sh-t with my PM9 past 10 yards, probably more so even in a stress situation. I don't get in anout of cars like I used to so I would need a vehicle with door and entry about the size of a rolls royce or bently???

[mad1ben2]

jocko

ha! that's funny...

The longest shots were roughly 15-20 yards (may have been a bit closer, I never stepped it off). In one stage we sat in the back seat of a minivan. Butt had to start with both cheeks on the seat and your back against the seat back. Once the buzzer sounded you could slide forward as long as one cheek stayed on the seat. We shot through the open side door of the minivan at 5-6 bad guys (some close, some far, one in an adjacent car, and one holding a victim hostage behind car). Once those were shot we then adjusted to shoot out the open back hatch, over the seat back, at a bad guy behind a barrel.

It was definitely a ton of fun... a definite confidence builder and light-years more fun that punching paper in an indoor range lane... IMHO.

[garyb]

Good Thread! Good input. I plan to shoot IDPA this year with my PM40. I've been to a local IDPA match with a long time martial arts buddy who is in law enforcement (top gun) and master instructor. He has always been a competitor. We were in different weight divisions in tournaments, but we trained hard together. Good guy and a b@!! buster. He had been dying to out shoot me in IDPA for years. This year he is getting his wish. Be careful what you ask for.

I am guessing that the smaller, local IDPA type shoots are all different. The IDPA shoot I attended had a max of 18 rounds at a station, with the longest shot being 25 yrds. Lots of double taps, and triple taps, movement during shots, changing angles, one handed, weak handed, etc... Alot of what is kind of unnatural stuff, but good practice. The situations vary with each shoot. I spoke to the club president and he encouraged me to shoot my PM40 and if for some reason I did not meet a certain standard, I could still shoot until I made the necessary adjustments. They are all there to help new guys. Everyone is very helpful and take their time to show you how to sort things out. My buddy told me that it is all about gun control and having fun (but he wants to beat me). He loves to shoot his 40 against the 9's...haha. He told me to get a waist holster; 3-4 of the 6 round mags with mag pouches; a vest, shooting glasses and ear protection, 100-200 rounds (depending on how many times I want to shoot the course) and a shooting bag...then just show up and have a good time. Alot of teasing and fun.

I agree that my PM40 MAY put me at a disadvantage for a couple of reasons, at least "at first", but the purpose is to get good practice while having fun. The 40 is one challenge that I feel I am quick to overcome. The size of the gun is another challenge. The number or rounds in a small single stack is another that will cause me to lose time with mag changes. I am already practicing for that with dry fire. I am a viscious competitor and my feeling is that even if I don't shoot good scores "at first" and even though the PM40 is not tricked up to be a top IDPA choic;, I will learn, adapt and become better and better with my carry weapon. It is about improvement and enjoyment. However, the reality is...I will adapt and I plan to beat my buddy with my pocket gun....haha. Seriously, I want to have fun and get better with every match. I have no real expectations beyond that. Improvment will make it fun.

Again, good thread and thanks for posting it.

[jocko]

can

ha! that's funny...

The longest shots were roughly 15-20 yards (may have been a bit closer, I never stepped it off). In one stage we sat in the back seat of a minivan. Butt had to start with both cheeks on the seat and your back against the seat back. Once the buzzer sounded you could slide forward as long as one cheek stayed on the seat. We shot through the open side door of the minivan at 5-6 bad guys (some close, some far, one in an adjacent car, and one holding a victim hostage behind car). Once those were shot we then adjusted to shoot out the open back hatch, over the seat back, at a bad guy behind a barrel.

It was definitely a ton of fun... a definite confidence builder and light-years more fun that punching paper in an indoor range lane... IMHO.

u basically shoot a cours elike your talkingabout without a timer person with you, more less just taking your time and no pressures to do anything but hit the target. Sounds like fun but for me I guess at first I would like to shoot the course numerous times just me, myself and I with no pressures except mayb ehitting a civilian in the target..

[mad1ben2]

The only event I went to did not allow any practice shooting at all... the range only became 'live' when the competetion started and each stage was explained just before shooting began. We were instructed exactly how to shoot the stage... which targets to hit first, second, third, etc.. as well as how many rounds to shoot at each target and whether they were to the center of mass or head shots (or both).

Also, I don't currently belong to an outdoor range (the closest is over an hour from my house). However, I imagine that if you do have access to an outdoor range that also holds these types of matches you certainly could set up your own practice courses and shoot them as much as you'd like...

Others with more IDPA/USPSA experience can certainly chime in, but I'd assume practicing outside an actual competetion would be readily available if you have access to the range.

[garyb]

The IDPA competition event I observed was a timedcompetition and did not allow individual practice without a range officer. Each station had a designated range officer at all times and this individual gave specific commands and instructions to the shooters at that station who were timed. However, I did note that a shooter could reshoot the course for score and simply call it a practice round. The practice shooter was timed and but his score did not count. Otherwise everything was for official competition scoring and was timed. This IDPA shoot was held at a local outside club and I'd imgine that individual members were permitted to practice on their own when the outdoor range was open....timing this would be optional and at the discretion of the member(s) practicing on their own.

The IDPA shooting events really are great practice for gun control because of the varying situations and simulations; shooting form requirements (single hand, strong hand, weak hand, two hand); barriers and concealment issues, practicing draw and holstering; dealing with jams, reloading mags, etc; and being timed puts on some added pressure. Shooting in these events help to improve your shooting speed and accuracy as well as gun control. Safety is a big thing. I am told that the main weakness with IDPA's score system is that it is weighted more on speed than on accuracy and although the intention is to balance accuracy with speed, you are better off to sacrifice some accuracy to keep your times short.