Advice on IDPA vs USPSA for Beginner?

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I would imagine op has either read all this and decided to take up archery or is silently watching. lol
But i'd be ok with strong hand a side. Sounds fair to me.

Maybe even instead of fair.
 
I'm going to start IDPA or USPSA with a Ruger carbine. I just have a red dot on it. My tendency is to shoot guns that are somewhat realistic for carry and home self-defense. Thus, I never got into the fancy mods. I want to practice with what I will use, if God forbid, but folks vary in what they want to get out of the games. I like the draw, trigger, sighting, firing practice. I don't think it is tactical training in any sense - I take classes for that. Skills practice is the purpose.
 
It's **** like this that drive shooters to IDPA and away from USPSA before they even get started. There are plenty of divisions of USPSA where it's not an arms race.

Your intended profanity asdide, Did you Really read what I said? I'm a proponent of USPSA!
 
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I don’t think “fair” was the intention.

It’s obvious to everyone that they are going to be much faster, with current rules.

If a MM shooter could shoot any pistol as fast as they could shoot a carbine, they would be a master class shooter.

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Not sure where the OP is located, and I know he asked USPSA vs IDPA, BUT

Two things to consider since your objective is to find a new game to play.

A spinoff of IDPA that started in Atlanta that has spread to other areas is GADPA. GADPA changed some rules of IDPA and changed the target zones and scoring. It has its issues as well. (They don't penalize you for dropping a magazine with ammo. It's your ammo and if you want to throw it away it's your business. Of course if you run short at the end of the stage, too bad.)

The second is to consider ICORE. Reason being, since you're bored with CAS stages, is that ICORE borrows from everybody's stage designs. Bowling pins, falling plates, colored shooting boxes to match colored plates. Combine IDPA, USPSA, Shooting Steel, Pro-Am & anything else then design your stage (within some limits of course). At an international shoot one stage had 31 targets and was scored best ONE hit per target. One stage had two racks of falling plates @10yds and 2 D1's at 50yds-best 3 shots.
 
I shoot USPSA (still meaning to try some IDPA matches for fun)
If all you are after is having fun I think either would be a blast. (matches are just loads of fun IMO)
I chose USPSA to start because the rules seemed a bit simpler.

Down load the rule and do a quick read through of all of them, then and go shoot one!
I shoot Single Stack (1911s only, and I am in a 10 rnd mag state anyway) so I get to do lots of mag changes.

For USPSA if you are shooting Production (limited to 10 rnds in the mag-most striker fires and DA/SA pistols fit here) you will need at least 4 mags, 5 or 6 would be better and mag holders for them.
If you want to load to mag cap (assuming you can have more than 10) limited will let you.

IDPA if I remember correctly limits you to one in the gun and 2 (maybe 3 depending on cap) so you won't need as many mags.
(and you won't shoot as much ammo, shooting more ammo is good IMO, I believe this so strongly I miss targets just so I can shoot extra rounds and practice mag changes;))

You can go watch a match at first, but I would suggest taking you equipment and going ahead and shooting it.
There is a first time for everything:D, might as well get the first one under your belt, much more fun to shoot than to watch.

At least in my club everyone is very helpful to new shooters, we were all one at some point in time.

Shoot+enjoy.
 
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One looks like this

the other looks like this


There is a distinct difference in pace because the penalty for any hit outside of the center in IDPA is so high and because of the cover/engagement order rules.
 
Good points above. Fair warning I shoot IDPA and USPSA "TYPE" matches but I haven't officially shot USPSA. Local club does matches with that type of stage though and up to 50 rounds in a stage, run and gun as fast as you can.


I think the primary factor for you may be what sounds less stressful or scary: a 12 or 18 round stage in IDPA with a pretty well defined method to shoot the stage, or a 30-50 round stage in USPSA with "you solve it" on the stage description?
Good points above. Fair warning I shoot IDPA and USPSA "TYPE" matches but I haven't officially shot USPSA. Local club does matches with that type of stage though and up to 50 rounds in a stage, run and gun as fast as you can.

Both are a hoot. The secret to enjoying IDPA is to find an SO and squad that are there to have fun and be safe and make sure the new people keep coming out. And remember that is IS just a game with a different set of rules.

I think the primary factor for you may be what sounds less stressful or scary: a 12 or 18 round stage in IDPA with a pretty well defined method to shoot the stage, or a 30-50 round stage in USPSA with "you solve it" on the stage description?
I started USPSA a couple weeks ago. They said max round per stage is 32. I’ve shot IDPA before. They are both fun. Both are games. USPSA is a little more out in the open that it’s a game. IDPA wants to say pretend it’s more realistic. Both are excellent to practice and improve your skills. I like to golf but only with people that want to have fun with it. The most boring things are fun with the right group of people and fun things can be ruined by the wrong group.
 
My two goals for the day were learn something and don't get DQ'd for safety. Achieved those and didn't finish last...
For a first time, that sounds like a win, win and win of you had a good time, that’s called a superfecta. Enjoy your new hobby.
 
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