Warning

 

Close

Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Confirm Cancel
BCM
User Panel

Site Notices
Posted: 3/7/2017 8:51:25 PM EDT
Got my first IDPA match coming up this Saturday, barring some kind of major crisis at work or home.  Looking for advice on preparing myself (outside of the obvious "more range time", "more dry fire", and "don't fuck up").  I'm planning to shoot my P320C from my usual IWB holster and I have a two-mag holster for the other side.  

I've read the rules but I imagine a lot of them will make more sense seeing them in person.  

Thanks!
Link Posted: 3/7/2017 9:03:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: TennJeep1618] [#1]
http://shootingsportscalendar.com/beginners-guide-to-action-pistol-shooting/

The main thing is to just be safe. Be hyper aware of your muzzle at all times. Keep your finger off the trigger anytime you're moving or reloading. Don't try to go too fast, just follow your sights.  Be careful when drawing from an IWB holster and don't sweep yourself at any time.

Don't worry about how well you shoot, just get through your first match safely and everyone will be happy.
Link Posted: 3/7/2017 9:35:34 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Everythingisawesome] [#2]
Best piece of advice I received was from the MD of my first USPSA match:

Go slow and exaggerate your safety.  Being your first time, you're nowhere near as fast the guys who've been here for years.  Even if you think you CAN kick everyone's tail here, slow down and prove your safe gun handling today, then come back next month and win it all.
Link Posted: 3/8/2017 9:00:12 AM EDT
[#3]
Don't move till the safety officer tells just listen to them. Finger way off the trigger up on the frame anytime your not shooting especially re loading and re holstering.  Watch your muzzle.
   Tell them your new and they will walk you through it all. It's a lot of fun!
Link Posted: 3/8/2017 9:07:50 AM EDT
[#4]
Don't try to go fast.  Just try to follow all the rules and make sure you do what they ask when they ask.
After shooting a couple of matches, and being familiar with everything, you can then start trying to speed it up.
Link Posted: 3/8/2017 10:00:58 PM EDT
[#5]
Thanks all for the advice.  Definitely not worried about speed this time; I want to focus on technique (safety) and accuracy at this point.  Speed will come later; asone of the lieutenants from my firefighting days put it, "slow is smooth, smooth is fast".

Truth told, I'm not really aiming for or expecting  really competitive times even after getting experience.  I'm looking at this more as a chance to practice more than just slow fire on paper targets while stationary. As long as I don't finish last...
Link Posted: 3/8/2017 10:07:52 PM EDT
[#6]
Have fun and don't shoot over the berm, or yourself, or someone else.
Link Posted: 3/8/2017 11:56:59 PM EDT
[#7]
One more tip:  establish perfect accuracy before you try to build higher speed.  Accuracy will be the yardstick your speed will be measured by, not the inverse.
Link Posted: 3/9/2017 12:17:02 AM EDT
[#8]
Good luck
Link Posted: 3/9/2017 6:51:11 PM EDT
[#9]
Just shot my first match last weekend.  It was a lot of fun. like everyone else said keep it slow making shot placement first priority, well after safety.  Watch others go first and always walk the course and ask questions!  I screwed up on my first course and lost 5 seconds because I wasnt clear on the rules. Either way just have fun and remember you are there to learn, nobody expects you to be a hot shot pro, besides you will most likely be with a beginner group so everyone will be inexperienced.

Good luck and get ready to come back!
Link Posted: 3/10/2017 8:45:02 PM EDT
[#10]
Shoot fast, don't miss.

Just that easy...
Link Posted: 3/12/2017 7:29:11 PM EDT
[#11]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Everythingisawesome:
One more tip:  establish perfect accuracy before you try to build higher speed.  Accuracy will be the yardstick your speed will be measured by, not the inverse.
View Quote
If you want to learn how to shoot fast, you have to shoot fast. 
Link Posted: 3/12/2017 11:37:28 PM EDT
[#12]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Daytona955i:
If you want to learn how to shoot fast, you have to shoot fast. 
View Quote

I agree, but fast misses are less valuable than slow hits.
Link Posted: 3/20/2017 7:34:24 PM EDT
[#13]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Everythingisawesome:

I agree, but fast misses are less valuable than slow hits.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Everythingisawesome:
Originally Posted By Daytona955i:
If you want to learn how to shoot fast, you have to shoot fast. 

I agree, but fast misses are less valuable than slow hits.
He never said to miss.
Link Posted: 3/20/2017 9:10:57 PM EDT
[#14]
Do about a million dry fires from your holster before you get there.
Link Posted: 3/24/2017 7:54:46 PM EDT
[#15]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Everythingisawesome:

I agree, but fast misses are less valuable than slow hits.
View Quote View All Quotes
View All Quotes
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Everythingisawesome:
Originally Posted By Daytona955i:
If you want to learn how to shoot fast, you have to shoot fast. 

I agree, but fast misses are less valuable than slow hits.
Push your limits in practice.  Let your sights dictate the pace in a match.
Link Posted: 4/7/2017 10:37:01 AM EDT
[#16]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By Scooter308:
Do about a million dry fires from your holster before you get there.
View Quote
much truth here.

When I get to the range, I am constantly standing in the safe area drawing and getting my site picture.

Thant helps a LOT.

Think of it as stretching before some sort of other sports.

Do the walk through as many times as you can. hands up as if you are holding a pistol (I use a mag), pretend to shoot the target, counting rounds as you go.
Notice where you can do a reload without being infront of a target.

I would say count steps, but that is pushing it.


BTW, everyone has a good plan until that beep goes off, then it goes to shit
Link Posted: 4/7/2017 11:20:04 AM EDT
[#17]
Discussion ForumsJump to Quoted PostQuote History
Originally Posted By TruckinAR:


much truth here.

When I get to the range, I am constantly standing in the safe area drawing and getting my site picture.

Thant helps a LOT.

Think of it as stretching before some sort of other sports.

Do the walk through as many times as you can. hands up as if you are holding a pistol (I use a mag), pretend to shoot the target, counting rounds as you go.
Notice where you can do a reload without being infront of a target.


I would say count steps, but that is pushing it.


BTW, everyone has a good plan until that beep goes off, then it goes to shit
View Quote
This is illegal in IDPA.
Link Posted: 4/7/2017 12:51:36 PM EDT
[#18]


I was thinking USPSA
Close Join Our Mail List to Stay Up To Date! Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.


By signing up you agree to our User Agreement. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win.
Top Top