OP
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Good Ol' Boy
Member
Thanks for the link.
I also found these that I'm also liking.
https://smokymtnconcealment.com/products/canik-comp-2-0-competition-holster
Finally Going To Try Some Competition
- Thread starter Good Ol' Boy
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Thanks for the link.
I also found these that I'm also liking.
https://smokymtnconcealment.com/products/canik-comp-2-0-competition-holster
Jim Watson
Member
Manual tension adjustment knob. Did not used to be allowed in IDPA, I don't know about the current holster rules.
Capt.Roll
Member
LOL, regarding equipment, kind of like asking a golfer what ball, driver, wedges, etc. they like. Lots to choose from and there is going to be several different setups that may work for you equally well. One thing I've been doing at the matches I've attended is to try and pay attention to equipment details that are common to all the participants. Before I try to make any changes that may provide a benefit to me I'd like to narrow down the choices. Just to start trying X, Y or Z becomes expensive pretty quickly.
I do like my Alien Gear Cloak Mod (paddle) along with the AG double mag carrier (paddle) carried weak side. Both are functional for me but are they best for competition? I don't have the experience at this point to make that judgement. However, blindly purchasing new equipment at this time in hopes of shaving a couple of seconds off my stage times is pointless.
One thing I do like about Alien Gear, once you make the initial investment in once of their holsters, you can purchase/swap just the shell to fit a new pistol. I recently purchased a Sig P320RX full size. AG only makes the shell for the P320. But 20 minutes with the Dremel and I had a custom fit for the RX slide.
I do like my Alien Gear Cloak Mod (paddle) along with the AG double mag carrier (paddle) carried weak side. Both are functional for me but are they best for competition? I don't have the experience at this point to make that judgement. However, blindly purchasing new equipment at this time in hopes of shaving a couple of seconds off my stage times is pointless.
One thing I do like about Alien Gear, once you make the initial investment in once of their holsters, you can purchase/swap just the shell to fit a new pistol. I recently purchased a Sig P320RX full size. AG only makes the shell for the P320. But 20 minutes with the Dremel and I had a custom fit for the RX slide.
OP
OP
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Well it rained elephants and hippos yesterday so it was a no go. I'm pretty bummed.
I wish there was a club that had matches more than once a month around here.
I will update.....
I wish there was a club that had matches more than once a month around here.
I will update.....
OP
OP
Good Ol' Boy
Member
It is an adjustable retention knob that is also an option on the RHT holsters you posted a link to.
Jim Watson
Member
Depends on your definition of "around here."
I just signed up for IDPA at 135 miles and Steel Challenge at 95 miles.
But I scratched from the previous 135 on 60% chance of rain. Got in one at 22 miles and another at 9 miles, though.
"Combat Radius" also includes ranges at 66, 88, and 117 miles.
Base criterion, don't take longer to get there than the match takes.
OP
OP
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Oh I understand. The club that I've been aiming to start with is about an hour and thirty minutes away. No other USPSA clubs any closer and I'm not really willing to go much further for a regular GTG.
Only two IDPA clubs within range, one of which I'm trying to get more info on and the other requires you to not only become a member at around 300 bones a year but also be a NRA life member.
What's weird is that even when I look at ALL the USPSA clubs in VA, they mention not having to technically join the USPSA unless you shoot more than one match per month but none of them have more than one match per month. So I guess there are no level 2 shooters in VA?
I just wish I didn't have to wait so long in between, and I haven't even started yet.
thomas15
Member
Everyone that owns a firearm should be a member of the NRA.
In other news I shot a steel league match today. Rained like crazy on the way out and one the way home but not more than a light drizzle during the match. This match was 95 miles each way. Next week I'm shooting a rimfire challenge match that is at a club 20 miles from my place this is easily the closest range I travel to for matches and I shoot 1 or 2 matches per week. I think that once you get out and start shooting and meet shooters you will find out about other matches that just don't advertise much or are wildcats.
Dudedog
Contributing Member
Bummer about the rain.
Rained on us one match last winter.
Visibility was ok so we shot the match in the rain.
Had to cover the targets with clear garbage bags, made it a pain to tape.
All and all kind of fun other than I had a couple issues with where the bleep is the mag release.
A bit trickier when your fingers are cold and wet.
Hopefully you will get good weather the next time around.
Rained on us one match last winter.
Visibility was ok so we shot the match in the rain.
Had to cover the targets with clear garbage bags, made it a pain to tape.
All and all kind of fun other than I had a couple issues with where the bleep is the mag release.
A bit trickier when your fingers are cold and wet.
Hopefully you will get good weather the next time around.
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Jim Watson
Member
I have shot in the rain with cleaner bags over the targets. No fun but the entry fee was paid. I did two IDPA Nationals in fringe storms from hurricanes.
No more.
No more.
I'm talking about that spike of kydex, not the knob
There's no requirement to join USPSA to shoot local (Level 1) matches.
As far as I know, IDPA matches must be open to all members, regardless if they are members of that club or of the NRA. It's in the club agreement they sign when they become affiliated.
thomas15
Member
It is interesting that here in NE PA we do get some shooters from MD, VA and WV even at local matches.
Another thing is once you establish yourself and make some friends then it is easier to carpool and save on travel expenses.
Another thing is once you establish yourself and make some friends then it is easier to carpool and save on travel expenses.
Jim Watson
Member
Yup. I have a van, so I am the bus driver for a group of 4 when we all go to a match.
thomas15
Member
I think IDPA wants you to become a member of IDPA after you shoot your first match. I don't shoot that much IDPA but I have never heard of anyone not being allowed to register for a local match because they were not a member. Of course If you want to shoot in a sanctioned match then you need to be classified which implies that you are a member.
Jim Watson
Member
IDPA now allows 3 Tier 1 club level matches before pressuring you to join.
The busiest club in my "combat radius" has gone to requiring IDPA membership and preregistration on Practiscore. They cut off entries at 13 per squad, usually six, sometimes seven squads.
The Steel Challenge match encourages preregistration with a $5 discount. I haven't seen them turn away a walkon but it has been close a few times.
The busiest club in my "combat radius" has gone to requiring IDPA membership and preregistration on Practiscore. They cut off entries at 13 per squad, usually six, sometimes seven squads.
The Steel Challenge match encourages preregistration with a $5 discount. I haven't seen them turn away a walkon but it has been close a few times.
Capt.Roll
Member
The shooting association I joined allowed me three matches before requiring I join IDPA. The match fee is $10 and association members receive a 50 percent discount off the match fee although we still have to pay the applicable range fee, usually not more than $15. The association membership is only $36 per year so the match fee discount more than offsets the membership fee.
Matches have 32 participants and are generally full.
Matches have 32 participants and are generally full.
OP
OP
Good Ol' Boy
Member
Just to be clear, the club I'm referring to for IDPA requires that you be a member of the range and that you be a NRA LIFE member in order to shoot their IDPA matches.
It's a members only club so that rule holds aside from any matches. You have to be a member to even shoot there. The last I checked they had a year waiting list.
The NRA LIFE membership thing is I guess just something extra they decided to tack on.
I have no idea what the IDPA rules might say about that.
It's a members only club so that rule holds aside from any matches. You have to be a member to even shoot there. The last I checked they had a year waiting list.
The NRA LIFE membership thing is I guess just something extra they decided to tack on.
I have no idea what the IDPA rules might say about that.
Jim Watson
Member
If they are affiliated and offer real IDPA, they have agreed to follow IDPA rules and must let me shoot. I suspect they are the sort who would drop affiliation if pressed on it.
IDPA Match Administration Rules
1.6 Requirements for Club Affiliation
IDPA Match Administration Rules
1.6 Requirements for Club Affiliation
- Match director/club contact personnel must be current IDPA members.
Match director/club contact personnel must be certified IDPA Safety Officers. Club matches must be open to all IDPA members.
thomas15
Member
Jim is correct. It is true that a private club can hold members only matches as that is their right. However if they are IDPA affiliated and holding tier 1 or higher matches then it has to be open to the public. Personally I wouldn't lose my mind over IDPA but you have to start somewhere. My personal rule is if the host of a match isn't happy to welcome newcomers or non club members then I simply pass on them as there are a lot of places that will welcome me.
Regardless, I find it hard to believe that in the Richmond VA area there are not umpteen opportunities to shoot some kind of match. IDPA isn't the only game and there should also be wildcat "clone" matches out there. Not to sound like a jerk but since this thread started on June 9, I have shot in 8 static steel matches.
An upcoming match search on practiscore.com lists matches 30 matches in VA, 27 in WV, 2 in Delaware, 1 in NC and 83 in PA. And that is only those listed on practiscore.
This isn't on practiscore and I know nothing about this facility but they have a steel challenge match on August 4 in northern VA http://www.iwla.us/ You will need to contact them if interested. Another internet forum that has a lot of serious competition shooters and associated information is the Brian Enos forum. Consider checking that out.
Regarding club membership in general, allow me to make an observation. I think it depends of the geographic area but there are different kinds of organizations. Around here there are 1. private clubs, 2. commercial ranges and 3. public ranges. There are of course exceptions but public ranges offer little to the individual interested in practicing/training for competitions, and commercial ranges may not be much better and generally are expensive. That leaves private clubs. My suggestion is find a private club that has an active handgun program. There you have the best chance of connecting with those that already compete and this is the best way to find out where there are matches, how to train and what to buy. Private doesn't automatically mean expensive or exclusive. I belong to arguably the premier private gun club in PA, the dues is $30.00/year, awesome facility, really. I don't mean to lecture you on what you might already know so kindly accept my apology in advance if that is the situation.
Regardless, I find it hard to believe that in the Richmond VA area there are not umpteen opportunities to shoot some kind of match. IDPA isn't the only game and there should also be wildcat "clone" matches out there. Not to sound like a jerk but since this thread started on June 9, I have shot in 8 static steel matches.
An upcoming match search on practiscore.com lists matches 30 matches in VA, 27 in WV, 2 in Delaware, 1 in NC and 83 in PA. And that is only those listed on practiscore.
This isn't on practiscore and I know nothing about this facility but they have a steel challenge match on August 4 in northern VA http://www.iwla.us/ You will need to contact them if interested. Another internet forum that has a lot of serious competition shooters and associated information is the Brian Enos forum. Consider checking that out.
Regarding club membership in general, allow me to make an observation. I think it depends of the geographic area but there are different kinds of organizations. Around here there are 1. private clubs, 2. commercial ranges and 3. public ranges. There are of course exceptions but public ranges offer little to the individual interested in practicing/training for competitions, and commercial ranges may not be much better and generally are expensive. That leaves private clubs. My suggestion is find a private club that has an active handgun program. There you have the best chance of connecting with those that already compete and this is the best way to find out where there are matches, how to train and what to buy. Private doesn't automatically mean expensive or exclusive. I belong to arguably the premier private gun club in PA, the dues is $30.00/year, awesome facility, really. I don't mean to lecture you on what you might already know so kindly accept my apology in advance if that is the situation.
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