Posted: 9/7/2011 7:19:07 PM EDT
| I want to start shooting in some IDPA matches later this year. I currently own several firearms to choose from and I'm most familiar with the Glock and 1911 setups. I carry a Glock (.40) for duty use and shoot 1911's quite a bit. My first question is, when I go to these matches, can I shoot in more than 1 class? I'm looking to puchase a 9mm since ammo is cheaper, and it doesn't have the snappy recoil in comparison with the .40. My first thought is a Glock 19 but I also like the idea of the DA/SA style of the FNX-9, SIG, HK, etc. So the Glock is the obvious choice I guess but I may want to move away from the Glock as a duty use firearm someday and I see shooting IDPA matches as a great way to learn on a DA/SA style firearm. I originally learned to shoot with these style of firearms many years ago but did a switch to Glock since this is what my agency provided to me. So my second question is for those who shoot these matches, am I putting myself at a disadvantage with a DA pull on the first shot or is training the answer? Believe I know the answer to the second part of the question. Bottom line is, I want a 9mm to shoot in these matches and not sure if I should stay safe with a Glock, or try something different with an FNX or HK USP, etc. Maybe I should just get both. |
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First off get a copy of the IDPA rule book, it is free to download from http://www.idpa.com/Documents/IDPARuleBook2005.pdf. in there you will learn a lot. Its all about your skill level,if you are law enforcement I would stick with your duty gun(more pratice for you).I just when threw the rule book and found the only rule saying about two guns is
C 12. In any single contest, a shooter must use the same pistolin all stages of the contest. If the pistol he started with becomesunserviceable during the contest, he may use another pistol ofthe same type, action, and caliber. Such a shooter may resume the contest at the next scheduled “start signal”, but previousstages may not be re-shot. For example if a shooter starts with a Glock 34 and the gun breaks, the shooter may finish with another Glock 34, a Glock 17, a Glock 19 or a Glock 26. (All of these are 9mm and of the same action and type.) This was taken right from the IDPA rule book. as for glock or 1911 for first time IDPA shooters I would go with the glock, in SSP and ESP (these are two of the classes) you start with 10 rounds in the mag and one in the chamber aka 10+1. as in CDP (another class) like the 1911 you have only 8 +1, so that meens you have to do one more reload in most stages. But the best thing to do is to go to a match and talk with the shooters. |
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Depends on the MD, and if they will allow you to shoot twice, once for score the second would be for fun and can be in a different class.
You already have a 1911 and a glock, try a few matches with ever is cheaper for you to shoot. Glock is proberly the most common sidearm in IDPA. |
| Thanks for the replies. Shooting with the Glock makes the most since. I'm not near as accurate with my current Glock as I would like to be. I can hit center mass, but it's kinda spread out. Practice is seldom which I hope to change with shooting IDPA. I believe the the G19 I could shoot more and with tighter groups. Also an excuse to buy a new firearm. Maybe I will put an HK, SIg or FN purchase off for awhile and see how I do with a G19. |
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At our local matches, you pay another entry fee to shoot with a 2nd gun. As mentioned above, the first gun shot is for score, the second gun for fun.
Understand that if the guns require different holsters, you will need to go to the safe area to swap holsters twice on each stage. At some ranges with only one safe area, this can be a PITA. We do have one guy who regularly shoots his Kimber 10mm right handed and his G22 left handed. Talk about a fully loaded belt. At sanctioned matches, you would not be allowed to shoot a second gun. Gringop |
| Had a chance to handle some guns today. FNX-9, H&k USP, M&P, and Sig 226. I really liked the FNX but the DA trigger was a stretch for me. The salesman didn't know which backstrap was on it but said they usually keep the large ones on. The grip texture is a little rough but not a big deal. Really liked the ergonomics of it. The single action on the FNX is very nice. Same with the 226, very nice single action. I had no problem with the DA trigger on the 226 although the grip seems a little fat. The H&K is out. I need to handle a P30 as the USP didn't fit my hand; way too big. I need to find a P30. The M&P is nice also. Really liked how it felt in my hand. I know it' striker fired and bit of a different beast than the others. Glock is still my obvious choice but looking is fun. Need to get to a range and rent some different guns. |
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Had a chance to handle some guns today. FNX-9, H&k USP, M&P, and Sig 226. I really liked the FNX but the DA trigger was a stretch for me. The salesman didn't know which backstrap was on it but said they usually keep the large ones on. The grip texture is a little rough but not a big deal. Really liked the ergonomics of it. The single action on the FNX is very nice. Same with the 226, very nice single action. I had no problem with the DA trigger on the 226 although the grip seems a little fat. The H&K is out. I need to handle a P30 as the USP didn't fit my hand; way too big. I need to find a P30. The M&P is nice also. Really liked how it felt in my hand. I know it' striker fired and bit of a different beast than the others. Glock is still my obvious choice but looking is fun. Need to get to a range and rent some different guns. I would go with the glock or the 226, remember with the 226 your first shot will be DA not SA.Since it does not have an thumb safety you have to start with the hammer down.like I said before use the gear that you have now and put that extra money into AMMO!!!!!! and range time. |
| Does anyone really CCW the Glock 34? I couldn't and I thought IDPA was based on CCW pistols? I can see the longer sight radius, lighter trigger pull, etc. being an advantage though. I wouldn't get much other use out of it. If trigger work is done to a Glock does that take it out of the SSP? |
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Does anyone really CCW the Glock 34? I couldn't and I thought IDPA was based on CCW pistols? I can see the longer sight radius, lighter trigger pull, etc. being an advantage though. I wouldn't get much other use out of it. If trigger work is done to a Glock does that take it out of the SSP? To answer your first question most people dont CCW a 34 or35,it was meant for shooting sports or for law enforcement. IDPA is a practical shooting sport not a run and gun sport like USPSA or some of the others, yes you start with your gun under concealment and the use of cover is more used in the stage set up,If you do trigger work you WIll still be in SSP. |
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Does anyone really CCW the Glock 34? I really do CCW a Glock 34 about half the time, as well as use one as my IDPA and USPSA competition gun. It is not much dimensionally larger than a 1911, and significantly lighter. The rest of the time I CCW a Glock 19. I wouldn't run out and buy one until you've shot several matches (maybe a year's worth) with your current equipment, so you have time to decide for yourself if you really want to optimize your gear to be competitive, or if you are just going to use the competitive environment to test your skills with what you already have. |
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I need to read up on the rules. Are there standard size targets? I'm not a pinpoint accurate shooter but can keep it in center mass. http://home.earthlink.net/~murph864/article/target.html |
| To me it depends on what your goals and intentions are with shooting the IDPA matches. I just shot my first IDPA match last month as I'm not as proficient with pistols as I am with rifles. I used my 15 year old Glock 17 that is my everyday carry gun. I have been kicking the idea around in my head about getting a G34 to use in the competitions, but for now I'm gonna use what I carry and what I already have so I can get the most out of the matches, basically using the IDPA as more training and for something different than just punching holes in paper at the range. I would definitely use something similar to what I carry, if you want to go with 9mm for the cheaper ammo, I'd get a 9mm Glock with the same frame size as your carry .40 and wait on the 34 til you get comfortable with the rules and how the matches run. I want a 34 BAD, but I don't need one. It's a weekly battle with myself to not buy a new toy. |