Posted: 11/23/2007 2:42:52 AM EDT
| Anybody from NE FL shot in the IDPA? Thinking about checking it out. Any comments , recommendations, etc. I have read the rants about Gateway and just looking for info. Thanks |
| It's been awhile since I've shot it, but it was a good time. While the guys that run Gateway can be asses sometimes, the guys who run IDPA are pretty cool. The stages are usually quick to shoot, but the match can get kind of crowded. Get there early. Oh, BTW, Massad Ayoob has a habit of showing up from time to time to shoot. Have fun! |
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Come on out. While we would like to get started at 9:00 AM, the fact is 10:00AM in more the norm (although they are working on this, so get out there at 9:00AM at the latest). If you are a member of Gateway, it is $10.00, if not it is $15.00. The gang has been growing lately, and I think in January we are going to have a bug gun only shoot, but Saturday December 1st is the next regular shoot. Everybody associated with IDPA that I have met (been shooting it at Gateway for about two years now) is great, and the SOs are all good folks. We have fun, first and foremost (after safety, of course). There is a new shooters squad (new to IDPA), that takes a bit more time with the shooters and it usually has 10-15 folks in it. By all means, if you have a holster, a magazine holder (or speed loader) and a couple of magazines/speed loaders, come on out this Saturday and have some fun. It usually takes us until about 1:00 to 2:00PM to finish up. First Coast IDPA No I don't work there (although I do help set-up sometimes), I'm just an a fan. |
While I no longer enjoy going out to Gateway, I do have a few positive comments to offer. The facility is very nice, it's a great range and close to all of us here in Jax. The events out there are well organized and administrated. I've shot bullseye out there. They actually enforce their safety rules. I enjoyed shooting pistol on the 50 yard line two or three times a week for years. The IDPA matches are held "around in the back" where you can move & shoot, and shoot at a target other than a round bullseye paper target. You'll find that most of our "rants" follow an attempt to shoot, unharassed, a scary looking rifle on the 100 yard line. If you want to check out an IDPA match, there's no reason not to do it at Gateway. |
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I to have been quite harsh on Gateway. Their range is nice, it's just some of the folks that are working there. That said, the matches, both IDPA and SEPSA are very well run. If you've never had the chance to shoot a police type setting where you can run, shoot, problem solve, reload and shoot some more, you've got to give it a try! Best advice I can give you is GO SLOW. With smoothness comes speed. Taking your time and hitting targets will help you much more than trying to go fast and missing (plus at first, you WILL score better going slower). There are some "gamers" that show up. You'll recognize them straight up. Most of the participants though are plain old "Joe's" who are there for the fun and experience. Don't be shy, head on out. I guarantee you will have a great time. |