I win! Master Class in IDPA

[esheato]

Finally...

Going from zero competitive shooting to Master Class in IDPA in 19 matches. I started shooting IDPA in Aug 2001.

Out of 47 shooters, I had a total time of 62 seconds with 11 pounts down over 4 stages. Closest competitor was 73 seconds.

The club president told me afterward that I was being moved to Master class.

And the best part? It was with a pistol that I call "Mutt." A bunch of mixed up parts. The ammo? Reloaded by me.

It's such a good feeling.

esheato...

 

[OF]

Congrats! What's your time in the classifier, if you don't mind me asking...

- Gabe

 

[esheato]

I've never even shot the classifier.

esheato...

 

[OF]

So you've been bumped up classifications via winning matches all the way to master? That's alot of state-level matches to win. Good shooting!

- Gabe

 

[esheato]

So you've been bumped up classifications via winning state-level matches all the way to master?

Not state-level matches. Just the local club matches. I'm hoping to shoot a regional match in the next few months. After the matches, the club leaders get together and review the scores. When you consistently win your classification, they move you up to the next classification.

Eventually I'll end up shooting the classifier. People don't run the classifier to often up here.

esheato...

 

[OF]

Esheato,

Not to rain on your parade, but something you said made me want to ask some more questions...not to be a pain in the arse, but just FYI. According to the rules, you can't get bumped in classification just by winning matches and having the club officers decide to bump you up. There is a system that must be adhered to. Here's the relevant part of the LGB ("Little Green Book") that addresses this:

A shooter’s performance in state and national matches may also be used to re-evaluate their classification. If total participation in a specific classification within a division is 10 – 19 shooters, the winner of this class will automatically be promoted up to the next higher classification. If 20 – 29 shooters compete in this division/classification, both 1st and 2nd place competitors will be promoted, etc. Shooters must be classified in the division in which they compete in state and national championships.

According to the rules, say you were shooting as a SharpShooter (SS) in CDP in a State or National sanctioned match with no less than 10 other SharpShooters shooting CDP and you win. You would be automatically bumped up to Expert. But if there are less than 10 other shooters SS in CDP (they have to be your specific classification and shooting in your division) or the match was not a State or National sanctioned match, then you do not qualify to get bumped up.

Since, I believe, there is only one State match per state per year, your club officers may be in error in awarding classifications based on their own decisions. Winning at your local club does not qualify you to get bumped up in classification, as far as I understand it. Then again, I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the way it is.

The classification system is a national ranking, designed to place you against all other shooters in the country, not just those at your local club.

Sorry.

- Gabe

PS: Again, if I am mistaken, I apologize for complicating this...but I'm pretty sure this is correct.

 

[OF]

PPS: If you are really creaming everyone at the local match, get your club to put on a classifier - you only need a certified SO to run you through it - and get ranked that way. The 'getting bumped up' thing is really there to prevent sandbagging (people purposefully avoiding getting classfied up so they can continue to win their divisions).

 

[esheato]

Not to rain on your parade, but something you said made me want to ask some more questions...not to be a pain in the arse, but just FYI. According to the rules, you can't get bumped in classification just by winning matches and having the club officers decide to bump you up. There is a system that must be adhered to.

I was aware and I understand this, but our club doesn't adhere to it. Bass ackwards I suppose.

Either way, I've been working towards Master class AT OUR CLUB for the past two years. It has been a big goal of mine.

I probably should have explained that in the beginning, but I was so excited, I had to share it with someone into guns.

Don't worry, the sun is still shining on my parade.

esheato...

 

[OF]

I understand. Well, congratulations!

- Gabe

 

[Beorn]

Congratulations!

When you do shoot the qualifier, concentrate on the 3rd stage and smack the Master's level around. You will leave the others in your wake.

[As the masters I shoot with always leave me! ;-) ]

 

[Ankeny]

Way to go, I am glad you realized your goal. To add to what GRD is saying, getting bumped at state level or higher matches prevents sandbagging but it operates on the assumption that the shooters you beat are properly classified and will shoot up to the appropriate level of performance. That's why there is a minimum number of shooters required.

Getting bumped up at the local level is not allowed because it can have the opposite effect of sandbagging. If you have a Master card and the guys you are thumping on locally aren't Master or at least Expert shooters, you might find yourself in the wrong classification at a big match. If you go to the IDPA nationals you will be shooting against Rob Leatham, Erie Langdon, Matt Burkett, etc.

Anyhow, congrats and I hope you continue to lead the pack. It is a good feeling.

 

[TonyB]

If you're beating guys in higher classes,chances are you'd beat them in the classifier too......in my case I was consistantly beating the SS guys,and sunday I made SS...so you'd probably make Master in a classifier....way to go.....hope fully I'll be up there soon too.......congrats

 

[Correia]

Congrats, but I have to second what GRD and Ankeny have already said.

The problem with your local club bumping you up is that you are only comparing yourself to everybody else in the club. That could be very realistic, or not very realistic at all, depending on the local skill level. Now when you go to a sanctioned match you are going to have to go head to head against the very best.

 

[esheato]

There is a regional match coming up in a few months. I would like to attend it.

My local club is also putting on a classifier in the next month or two. I'm hoping to shoot both of them. Then I'll see where I really stand.

We had another IDPA match last night. I took first overall in that one too. Hopefully, I can shoot as well in the classifier.

esheato...

 

[Correia]

Or you can be like me, and do really really well in local matches and tank the classifier because you mentally can't handle limited Vickers.

 

[Sludge]

Congrats on the improvement!

Like some others here.. I dont want to rain on your parade either, but the classifier will tell the tale. From what I have read you probably werent moved up the right way. Esp if these other masters you were shooting against were also bumped up this way. BTW, I think its a requirement to be classified prior to a big sanctioned match. If I didnt qual a master on the classifier, I wouldnt take the designation.

I would hate to show up with that masters tag at a state match and go up against some properly classified masters if I really wasnt in their league.

Let us know how ya do. Im crossing my fingers for ya on that classifier..

I would wish ya good luck but luck is a fickle bitch... so I will wish ya Good Skillz!

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Sludge is right, you have to have classified to enter a state match, so do your local one and good luck!
If the regional match you're referring to is the one in August in San Luis Obispo, I'll see you there!

 

[rock jock]

Classifications aside, it is obvious you have made dramatic improvment in your abilities and should be congratulated.

I will shoot my first classifcation after 3 years of IDPA next month.

 

[Joe D]

I think IDPA should modify one of their rules. I lot of State Matches do not have enough shooters in some of the classes to have 10 shooters. I would like to see IDPA add to the rules if say the winner of Expert in ESP beats 50% of the Masters in ESP then he should be moved up to Master.
As we all know there are a lot of sandbaggers out there.
I would also like to see IDPA change their whole classification system to one like USPSA has. Having Classifier stages in local matches would go a long way toward eliminating sandbaggers. I do not think there is a need to have as many as USPSA has. Maybe 10-20 Classifier stages would be enough.
I also think IDPA needs a class higher than Master for the "professional shooters".

 

[Ankeny]

...or do what Steel Challenge does. No classification system at all. Everyone shoots heads up...dog eat dog.

 

[dpsychs]

Good going!

Just to insert my 2 cents - I understand what other folks are saying about being bumped up locally rather than at the state level - that can certainly put you in a world of hurt when you go up against the big boys! But for some perspective, the other master class shooters at this club DO tend to come in near the top at the state match, anyway, so I suspect that esheato will find himself in good company at that level. (National can certainly be another story...)

Anyway, good going, Ed!

Deanna.