Thinking about trying IDPA

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Timely thread.

I was at an F Class match with my kids this weekend and my 16 year old son, out of the blue, says he’d like to try a pistol competition.

I’ll be following the comments
 
my 16 year old son, out of the blue, says he’d like to try a pistol competition.
Would you consider having him try point shooting? It will help him shoot fast and accurate regardless of type of competition he ends up shooting.

Here's basic step-by-step - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-help-me-speed-up.824618/page-4#post-10902245

Grip I use for point shooting for at home dry fire practice - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-or-sight-issues.861314/page-2#post-11344669

Now I have everyone start point shooting with eyes closed natural point of aim at 5 yards after they are proficient with dry fire without moving the front sight. Once they can engage multiple targets at 5 yards with eyes closed (I have seen consistent 2"-3" groups on multiple targets with different shooters), shooting fast and accurate point shooting with eyes open is easier with looking past the front sight for more precise double taps (shooting at two targets that are stacked on top of each other) at greater distances.
 
Please no. Stop it right now
Don't knock it until you try it.

When many of us USPSA local shooters hit a plateau and could not improve our stage times and accuracy, some top regional shooters told us we need to approach the "Zen" of shooting and look past the front sight and make holes appear on target, anywhere at will. And took the time to coach us as they were able to take our factory stock pistols and blaze through the stage just as fast to prove it was not our equipment but our shooting approach and technique.

What they taught us to improve stage times and accuracy was in part, point shooting.

And the "Zen" of shooting instead of hoping that a hole will appear somewhere on A zone is to be absolutely certain that a hole will appear exactly where you intended the POI to be.
 
Then let them come here and explain it. Some poor kid doesn't need you here filling his mind with second hand nonsense.
 
Then let them come here and explain it. Some poor kid doesn't need you here filling his mind with second hand nonsense.
I am not going to argue with you as I have followed your shooting videos as a fan. You are a good match shooter.

But not all of us are like you.

And if someone wants to shoot a more practical match like IDPA that require more practical shooting (Our USPSA stage designer also designed/shot IDPA and often had unconventional shooting stages that benefited from point shooting techniques like single weak hand around cover with difficult sight picture), point shooting techniques can come in handy to quickly shoot closer targets.

So what I would suggest to Nature Boy is for his son to learn all the great match shooting techniques and also practice point shooting and utilize the best applicable shooting technique depending on the stage layout and type of match.

Peace.

Nature Boy, feel free to PM me.
 
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Point shooting is a nonsense technique adhered to by basically no one. If you are referring to target focused shooting that's one thing. Every single person at the top of the spot is getting input from their sights for every shot. There may not be a clear front post focus as that is not necessary for all shots at all distances, but to ignore your sights on purpose for certain shots is a guaranteed recipe for disaster.
Pro tip: it's not any slower to get input from your sights than it is to ignore them. Would you back out of your driveway with your eyes closed just because it's easy to do and you've done it 10,000 times? No, because it's better to look at what you are doing.
 
If you are referring to target focused shooting that's one thing. Every single person at the top of the spot is getting input from their sights for every shot. There may not be a clear front post focus as that is not necessary for all shots at all distances
Had you read my posts, you would have realized that while I suggested Nature Boy to start his son off practicing point shooting (Heck even eyes closed to introduce him to natural point of aim to become better familiar with his body), but for actual match shooting, to look past the front sight that regional USPSA shooters taught me to do and do the same thing as what you posted, but expecting/making holes to appear at POA anywhere on target at will, the "Zen" of shooting.

Yes, for match shooting accuracy, a front sight picture indexed on target is required. But with someone proficient in point shooting, shot can be made faster KNOWING the hole WILL appear on POA and can move onto the next target without waiting to see if the hole appeared at POA.

I am still fan of your shooting. ;)

Peace.
 
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I'd rather you weren't a fan and didn't try to confuse new shooters with nonsense.

Using the sights has nothing to do with waiting to see if a hole appears on the target either.

Maybe you should sign your posts with your USPSA number and classification so the new guys can decide if your ramblings are worth even paying attention to
 
I am retired due to spinal stenosis and got glaucoma with a touch of cataract so my match shooting days are unfortunately over.

Nature Boy, disregard what I posted as I am sure waktasz is absolutely correct as learning point shooting basics absolutely has no benefit in match shooting.

It was interesting that when us local USPSA match shooters plateaued and could not improve our stage times or accuracy, top regional USPSA shooters taught us on the aspects of beyond front sight point shooting to advance/resolve our match shooting issues.
 
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thank you for all of the advice and ideas. I will most likely use my CZ. I want to get a chronograph as well. My reloads are a little hot, so I may want to experiment with them as well to see what the PF is and then adjust accordingly. Gonna start looking at holsters and mag pouches soon as I don't have any for that gun.

Lots of great advice here. When I started IDPA, I just ran my carry gun in SSP. It was a P239 .40 IWB, crossbreed holster. The mags were inside my belt, no carrier. At 7+1 and .40 I wasn’t going win the car, but it was a rush for sure. Depending on your goals you may want to consider shooting multiple guns. I found there was humongous difference between slow target practice and fast paced action shooting. If it’s a tier 1 local match the stages probably won’t have many long shots anyway. Grab whatever you have and let them know you’re new, the SO and squad will help you out.

For IDPA holsters and mag pouches, take a look at Blade-tech and Comp-tac.
I’ll second the Blade-tech line, although lots of both appear at matches. Once I was hooked I did decide to compete and that’s fun as well.
 
As others have said visit IDPA matches and observe the two or three best shooters. Find out what style holsters they use along with the type of pistol. Ask them how they changed their gear over time in order to shoot better or faster. Safety is really stressed in these matches and you wouldn't want it to be otherwise and it does make you feel really safe. In my last IDPA shoot we had to use BUG or backup guns with barrel length no longer than 3 1/2 inches. Being a smaller pistol mine caught on my clothing and was dropped resulting in an immediate disqualification. I didn't mind because I knew the rules and it only makes me want to be a better IDPA contestant because it's a ton of fun.
 
I've been thinking about doing something other than putting holes in paper targets. There's a club not far from me that has IDPA matches every month. I have just started reading about the rules and what is involved in the sport as it sounds like a lot of fun. I plan to attend a couple of matches as a spectator to get the feel of the rules, courses, gear options, etc. I don't want to purchase a dedicated pistol for this until I figure out what I need/want, so I would like to use one that I already have. Out of the pistols listed below, what would you use?

CZ75B with Omega trigger, 9mm
Sig P320, 45ACP
Beretta 92FS, 9mm
XD Sub Compact, 9mm
S&W Shield, 9mm
XDS, 9mm
Kimber Stainless Target II, 45 ACP
Glock 42, 380 Auto

I'm leaning towards the CZ due to the fact that it is a full size pistol in 9mm that I shoot well. I have to get a chrono yet to test my reloads, but I figure if I get power factor down to about 130 in that gun, it should shoot pretty darn good for me.

So, how did it go? Any other advice you wish you had gotten?
 
The Cz.

And forget about making powder puff loads for now. Enjoy some recoil until you're competitive. Don't rush into every technique the top guys are using. That spoils the fun. Relax, and just survive the day. That's your first goal. Not getting DQ'd. That's your ''win''.

Load a snap cap and practice moving safely at home. Make ready, reholster, finger, 180, and such.

As for the point shooting? We do it often, to make things more interesting. You're welcome to use the sights though. Heck every shotgun bit in 3gun is that way. Not IDPA, but we might have a draw and shoot from retention position stage sometimes.
 
Concerning the gear, if three mags is the norm, I take at least 4. Count all ammo twice to ensure that there's enough for the day. If loading mags before showing up, load them to capacity- inventory everything going in the vehicle- twice before leaving the driveway. Type of holster- leather works for me. Clean/ oil/ and add grease as necessary. Do all this by the previous day, or night prior to the competition.

Is gathering own brass for later reloading- allowed? The grass may be tall, and the guy running that stage wants things to move along for next person standing by. Make a plan for when, and where to place fired brass, quickly, or forget it.

Total focus is on safety, and stage requirements. Figure out all the gear, holster placement, fit and that stuff ahead of time!
 
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I agree with the others, show up and shoot. Pick the pistol you're most comfortable with, take plenty of magazines and tell them you're new to IDPA. I remember my first match. Well, I remember the fun I had. Very experienced shooter, but had never shot a match before. All the regulars were welcoming and helpful. That hasn't changed. It's still fun.
 
And forget about making powder puff loads for now
My favorite practice load in 9mm was a 124 at about 1030fps.
Just so happens it makes 125 PF and became my USPSA match load.

You can only "powder puff" so much, but if you have a load you like that happens to be lighter than factory and still meets the rules no reason not to use it IMO.
 
I am retired due to spinal stenosis and got glaucoma with a touch of cataract so my match shooting days are unfortunately over.

Nature Boy, disregard what I posted as I am sure waktasz is absolutely correct as learning point shooting basics absolutely has no benefit in match shooting.

It was interesting that when us local USPSA match shooters plateaued and could not improve our stage times or accuracy, top regional USPSA shooters taught us on the aspects of beyond front sight point shooting to advance/resolve our match shooting issues.

The term 'point shooting' is probably making this discussion a bit more difficult than it has to be, but I believe the general methodology you're referring to likely originates here, where unsighted fire (referencing on the entire firearm rather than the sights) is one of many 'tools' available for particular situations:

https://www.amazon.com/Practical-Shooting-Fundamentals-Brian-Enos/dp/0962692506

So assuming Brian Enos is still relevant (kidding, of course), it could likely be said you're both right.
 
I am pretty creaky, too. That just means my match WINNING days are over. Not that I ever did a lot of that.
I started shooting USPSA in the mid 90s to improve my real life defensive shooting. I figured match shooting would be a good practice and utilized front sight flash on target.

My defensive shooting instructor who was USPSA RSO, who also taught PD/SD SWAT teams pointed out that in real life, use of front sight flash may not be practical due to low light situations, damage to front sight/missing front sight, chemical agent to face/eyes, etc. and after providing point shooting instruction, challenged me to shoot USPSA with factory stock defensive pistol which was Glock 22.

I think being proficient in point shooting in addition to utilizing front sight flash is another shooting option that could be beneficial in real life - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/flinching-drills.864546/page-2#post-11416785
 
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