USPSA vs IDPA

[thomas15]

I'd add ...go watch a match THEN try one the next time.
I just found a local monthly match and will do this as I'd like to know what to expect.

Don't do that. Bring your gear and do it.

I totally agree. But keep this at the front of your mind, in particular with IDPA go very slow and make sure you always have the muzzle pointed downrange, your finger off the trigger when not actually shooting and make sure you do not sweep any part of your body. Around here, the stage designers in IDPA love to put targets at about 178 degrees to the backstop so you really have to go slow when moving to these targets. But yes take your tackle box and have fun. There is a point where you just simply have to jump in so just do it.

 

[Hokie_PhD]

Don't do that. Bring your gear and do it.

I'd like to see what's going on first. Meet a few folks and then do it next month. Plus I don't have the right holster and won't until next month. Sure I've heard folks will lend stuff but I'd rather get what I need first.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

I'd like to see what's going on first. Meet a few folks and then do it next month. Plus I don't have the right holster and won't until next month. Sure I've heard folks will lend stuff but I'd rather get what I need first.

That's a good approach. I've often attended matches in person at least once before participating. Once in a while I find some youtube videos that give me enough info to try a new match on the first visit.

 

[waktasz]

How many different match formats are there out there that you'd have to attend each one once to watch before participating? Life is short man, go do it.

As for not having the right holster, if it's not appendix, cross draw, pocket carry or shoulder mounted, it's probably fine.

 

[Creaky_Old_Cop]

IDPA versus USPSA is a dick fight on the order of 9mm versus 45 that really doesn't need to be had.

Yes, I know because I have shot both for YEARS...along with 3 Gun, PPC, and Police Combat.

IDPA is rule heavy, and some of them are pretty arbitrary. The AWB 10-round magazine capacity rule went away for non LE nearly 13 years ago, yet IDPA clings to it like a Rosary. Yes, some states have magazine capacity limits, but we aren't in most of those states. I can see not allowing full race guns with Arredondo or Taran base plates. I don't use them myself...but "mechanical limit" should be fine. You can argue pro/con "tactical reload" all day...personally I think it's stupid for a whole list of reasons...but again...Ford-Chevy-Dodge. Drive what you want, your opinion on what I drive means exactly diddly to me, and mine should mean diddly doo da to you.

USPSA is a "solve the problem" match, and it forces you to execute quickly and accurately. There is no room for, shall we say, "penalties to shooters who are faster and more accurate than my buddies" as there is in many club level IDPA matches. You are scored on speed and accuracy. In IDPA, you are often scored on speed, accuracy, popularity, and whether or not the RO likes your choice of gun and clothing (Yes, that is sarcasm, but it's pretty close to the mark sometimes).

I will continue to shoot both, but IDPA is what I shoot when there is no USPSA match going on.

 

[waktasz]

I don't have a problem with the 10 round limit. It forces you to do reloads, which are a skill to be tested. USPSA Production has it also. I agree with your last sentence though, although most of the time I'd rather just practice

 

[Creaky_Old_Cop]

I don't have a problem with the 10 round limit. It forces you to do reloads, which are a skill to be tested. USPSA Production has it also. I agree with your last sentence though, although most of the time I'd rather just practice

Yeah, but I shoot LIMITED or Single Stack in USPSA...sometimes Revolver because "eff you that's why" (LOL) to the youngsters who have no idea whow a speedloader works.

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Shooting something is better practice for self-defense than staying at home and reading about it on THR.

Get out there and shoot.