Thinking about joining IDPA

[rtufixer]

Thinking about joining IDPA but since my ankle fusion running turning quickly kneeling and squatting is not in my wheel house anymore. Any of you gents or ladies have any info regarding handicapped individuals in IDPA?

 

[Jim Watson]

There is less kneeling and squatting than there used to be. I can no longer kneel, the last time it came up, the SO let me sit instead. Running, just get from point to point as fast as you can, it doesn't have to be FAST.
Go watch a match.

Other lively shooting competitions include Steel Challenge, very little movement; and GSSF, no movement on the clock.

 

[rbx]

I shoot USPSA all the time with many ailments, I basically walk as fast as I can, no one complains & USPSA has much more challenging shots and more of them. I used to shoot IDPA for years and got bored with it! I also shoot Steel Challenge , no movement below the waist LOL. Also, when using my PCC, I cannot shoot left handed, so I shoot right handed and take the penalties. At my age (63) and physical condition, I am there for the fun and compete against myself......IDPA stages...18 .rnds max, USPSA no max and 32 rnd. stages are common!

 

[Smokin Gator]

Just do what you can do within your limits without injuring yourself. Be safe and have fun.

 

[rabid wombat]

Find a club match near you. Tell them your needs…most will accommodate. You will have fun, and meet a great bunch of people. The club matches typically see two types….those who are playing the game, and those who want to shoot. Talk to them, generally good people.

 

[rtufixer]

Thanks for all the replys. Im going to go and catch a match or 2 do some talking. Way to many surgeries over the last four years. I need just to get out and try some stuff.

 

[Jim Watson]

That's the attitude. We have a one legged shooter and a one armed shooter. They manage.

 

[rabid wombat]

Talk to the clubs close to you…you may not need to be a member of IDPA to shoot the matches….Higher level matches, certainly! Club level worth checking…

 

[rtufixer]

You know what the hell with it. I'm just gonna go out there and shoot. To me its not about the game I'll take the penalties so be it. For me its about my skill set that matters.

 

[Jim Watson]

Don't "take the penalties."
Tell the Safety Officer when you come up against something you can't handle.
You may be penalized anyhow, but don't surprise him.

 

[rtufixer]

I would always inform the SO of my disability. I just meant that I would take the penalties if they so chose to issue or enforce those rules by all means I don't want any special treatment there are a lot of other folks that are way worse off then me.

 

[Jim Watson]

Right. I was concerned that you might mean it the way we saw a lot in the early years of IDPA:
"I'm going to shoot it the way my coach at Acme Gunfighting Academy said and take the procedurals."
Not a good idea to surprise the SO.

 

[shoobe01]

Yup, all that has been said. Several people in our club with movement disorders, injuries or just accumulations from old age. First times, until people know you, feel free to say what you are and are not able to do, but mostly no one cares. If you walk (hobble? limp? : ) through the COF the kids are running through, no one will tell you to hurry up.

Also, most kneeling and all (?) prone is prohibited, generally very little anymore. Even when common, club matches at least would generally not mind or have an alternative method to shoot without that, OR find a way to help; even in the old days you rarely got UP from low positions, so would unload kneeling etc. then could get help to get up.

Seated starts are a thing. If that's hard, think about how to do it safely, or tell them you can't. Most clubs are nice, won't penalize or anything but help.

 

[waktasz]

A guy with no arms just shot the USPSA Area 6 Championship using an ankle holster and his feet to hold the gun. Just go to whatever you can and if you can't they will either accomodate you or apply a small penalty.