IDPA VS USPSA
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Check out their rulebooks
So as not to insert my bias in a response, go to their websites, read their rules and make your own decision. Furthermore, I'd suggest you go to a match of each.
www.uspsa.org
www.idpa.com
So as not to insert my bias in a response, go to their websites, read their rules and make your own decision. Furthermore, I'd suggest you go to a match of each.
www.uspsa.org
www.idpa.com
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Neither of them is real world. Both are a game.
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crazypilot said:
Both sports are excellent and will be as enjoyable as you make it. A beginner should contact a local club of either or both disciplines and go to a match. Meet some of the people running the match and ask how they handle new shooters.
USPSA is the United States practical Shooters Association, which is the United States chapter of a worldwide organization. USPSA is an action packed discipline for shooters of all skill levels from novice to master who participate with common ever day hand guns ranging from six shot revolvers to 8 shot 45 semi automatic pistols to 10 shot semi auto pistols to those that compete with custom firearms. Calibers used vary from 9MM to 38 Super to 45ACP and more.
IDPA is a scenario based action pistol sport using basic hand guns commonly used for self defense. Many of the handguns used in IDPA are also useable in USPSA. Round count for IDPA is 18 per stage by rule and requires the use of common concealed carry type equipment.
Both of these sports require shooting from various positions. They both challenge shooters of all skill levels and allow you to compete against yourself or against others. With both sports, the emphasis is on shooter safety and competing on a course of fire within the rules of the organization.
Many clubs offer training for new shooters either on match day or at another time to allow you to gain a comfort level. For both sports, many clubs run an Intro to IDPA or USPSA course.
Many shooters are intimidated by the "competition" aspect of IDPA and USPSA. Don't be. Some of the best people I have met are the shooters at either venues. Some folks I see once a year some I see once a month and some in between.
Don't be shy, jump right in, you won't regret it.
Regards,
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Nemo said:
Great response RGS![/quote]
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dakotaman said:
I too suggest doing both. I have a bit of a preference for IDPA -but that is what I started with. I shoot both because range time is range time to me. I've shot IDPA for nearly 10 years and just started dabbling in USPSA last year. Be interesting this year because the M&P will be my production gun. I was shooting my Glock 34 in Limited 10 last year cause I didn't want to go to the trouble of taking out the plug for the few USPSA local matches I shot.
This website has a good explanation IMHO of the two sports. http://www.craigcentral.com/idpaipsc.asp
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Dakotaman - what part of Ohio are you from?
Just asking cause I'm from Pittsburgh area of SW PA. I shoot a couple of IDPA matches in the panhandle of WV and just across the river in OH. I know there are a lot of good clubs in Ohio area shooting IDPA and/or USPSA
Just asking cause I'm from Pittsburgh area of SW PA. I shoot a couple of IDPA matches in the panhandle of WV and just across the river in OH. I know there are a lot of good clubs in Ohio area shooting IDPA and/or USPSA
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Some clubs in SW PA and SE Ohio Area USPSA and IDPA
Figure I'd post since I know there are some members here from Western PA and Eastern OH. Make sure you contact clubs first to make sure they are running this year and dates.
I went up to Beallsville, OH in January - they are on 1st Sunday of the month and run year-round when weather is decent. IDPA . http://www.beallsvillesportsmansclub.blogspot.com/
Pitcairn Monroeville in North Versailles PA will have their first USPSA match of season 1st Sunday in March. Our first match is March 4th. at 9:00am. Registration is at our indoor range before you drive up to the pistol ranges. While you register you may want to take advantage of the $3 all you can eat breakfast. We have five stages with a 106 round minimum. http://www.pmsconline.com/
Only other USPSA I shoot is at East Huntingdon Sportsmen's in East Huntingdon, PA. They used to run an IDPA match which is where I got to know them. Their match is usually 4th weekend of month - I believe on Sunday but check with them. They should be starting in March. Check their website in a couple of weeks. http://www.geocities.com/ehpsa/main2.htm
Added Clairton Sportsmen's Club which has USPSA on third Sunday of the month Mar-Oct. I haven't shot there, but I may give it a run in March if weather decent. http://members.libcom.com/actionpistol/
Most of the other matches will start in April or May (because of Easter Sunday).
I also hear Castlewood has some good USPSA matches in New Castle, PA. I meant to get up there last year but I got lazy about shooting. I think with the new M&P I'll have some motivation to get my lazy butt out of bed. http://www.castlewoodpistol.com/ I believe they are 2nd Saturday.
All IDPA.
1st Saturday of month Morgantown, WV. Mason Dixon Rifle Club. http://www.mdrc-inc.com/
2nd Sunday. S.T.A.R.T. down by Mingo Junction, OH. http://strt.us/ They are also holding a cash prize steel shoot I think towards end of May. Larry also runs some 3 gun shoots (not USPSA affiliated).
Normally 3rd Saturday if you want to make a nice trip to Altoona and meet Dan Burwell, Hollidaysburg always has a good shoot and a very nice range. http://www.hollidaysburgsportsmensclub.com/ After you have time to see Horseshoe Curve and/or PA Railroad Museum or if in town take in a ballgame of the Altoona Curve at a neat little minor league park.
3rd Sunday Hancock County in Weirton, WV. http://hcp.idpa.home.comcast.net/ Hancock sometimes has a side shotgun and/or rifle side match.
I've heard that there is a good match 4th Sunday at Fort Harmar in OH. http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/ftharicl/
And there are some other clubs I haven't gotten to yet. As you can see April-Oct most weekends I have somewhere I can shoot Sat and/or Sun.
Most clubs should be posting their schedules in March. If club website doesn't have contact, USPSA or IDPA sites will have email and/or phone #'s. http://www.uspsa.org/
http://www.idpa.com/clubs.asp
dakotaman said:
Figure I'd post since I know there are some members here from Western PA and Eastern OH. Make sure you contact clubs first to make sure they are running this year and dates.
I went up to Beallsville, OH in January - they are on 1st Sunday of the month and run year-round when weather is decent. IDPA . http://www.beallsvillesportsmansclub.blogspot.com/
Pitcairn Monroeville in North Versailles PA will have their first USPSA match of season 1st Sunday in March. Our first match is March 4th. at 9:00am. Registration is at our indoor range before you drive up to the pistol ranges. While you register you may want to take advantage of the $3 all you can eat breakfast. We have five stages with a 106 round minimum. http://www.pmsconline.com/
Only other USPSA I shoot is at East Huntingdon Sportsmen's in East Huntingdon, PA. They used to run an IDPA match which is where I got to know them. Their match is usually 4th weekend of month - I believe on Sunday but check with them. They should be starting in March. Check their website in a couple of weeks. http://www.geocities.com/ehpsa/main2.htm
Added Clairton Sportsmen's Club which has USPSA on third Sunday of the month Mar-Oct. I haven't shot there, but I may give it a run in March if weather decent. http://members.libcom.com/actionpistol/
Most of the other matches will start in April or May (because of Easter Sunday).
I also hear Castlewood has some good USPSA matches in New Castle, PA. I meant to get up there last year but I got lazy about shooting. I think with the new M&P I'll have some motivation to get my lazy butt out of bed. http://www.castlewoodpistol.com/ I believe they are 2nd Saturday.
All IDPA.
1st Saturday of month Morgantown, WV. Mason Dixon Rifle Club. http://www.mdrc-inc.com/
2nd Sunday. S.T.A.R.T. down by Mingo Junction, OH. http://strt.us/ They are also holding a cash prize steel shoot I think towards end of May. Larry also runs some 3 gun shoots (not USPSA affiliated).
Normally 3rd Saturday if you want to make a nice trip to Altoona and meet Dan Burwell, Hollidaysburg always has a good shoot and a very nice range. http://www.hollidaysburgsportsmensclub.com/ After you have time to see Horseshoe Curve and/or PA Railroad Museum or if in town take in a ballgame of the Altoona Curve at a neat little minor league park.
3rd Sunday Hancock County in Weirton, WV. http://hcp.idpa.home.comcast.net/ Hancock sometimes has a side shotgun and/or rifle side match.
I've heard that there is a good match 4th Sunday at Fort Harmar in OH. http://www.angelfire.com/oh5/ftharicl/
And there are some other clubs I haven't gotten to yet. As you can see April-Oct most weekends I have somewhere I can shoot Sat and/or Sun.
Most clubs should be posting their schedules in March. If club website doesn't have contact, USPSA or IDPA sites will have email and/or phone #'s. http://www.uspsa.org/
http://www.idpa.com/clubs.asp
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Contact a club you are interested in and go
Tell them you are a beginner and they will be glad to help you through the course. Make sure to tell each RO/SO at stage. Don't worry about your equipment for first match of either sport at the club level. They will let you shoot and will be glad to explain what you'll be needing to get in the future.
For both you will need a strong side belt holster that covers the trigger guard, a mag pouch and a couple of magazines. For IDPA best is 2-3 mags and a mag pouch, for USPSA you'll eventually want at least 4-5 magazines and mag pouches to hold 4 mags.
IDPA you'll probably need at least 100 rounds, for USPSA usually 200+, but always better to take more. Hey, you might want to go around a 2nd time it is so much fun.
First couple of times go slow and stay safe and remember everyone had a first time. Don't compare yourself to the other shooters, just try to improve yourself each match for at least the first year and probably more.
And after you've had your first matches under you belt you will need to join the organization, USPSA or IDPA that you are shooting under.
If you want some good videos that will help you, check out Brian Eno's DVDs. http://www.brianenos.com/
crazypilot said:
Tell them you are a beginner and they will be glad to help you through the course. Make sure to tell each RO/SO at stage. Don't worry about your equipment for first match of either sport at the club level. They will let you shoot and will be glad to explain what you'll be needing to get in the future.
For both you will need a strong side belt holster that covers the trigger guard, a mag pouch and a couple of magazines. For IDPA best is 2-3 mags and a mag pouch, for USPSA you'll eventually want at least 4-5 magazines and mag pouches to hold 4 mags.
IDPA you'll probably need at least 100 rounds, for USPSA usually 200+, but always better to take more. Hey, you might want to go around a 2nd time it is so much fun.
First couple of times go slow and stay safe and remember everyone had a first time. Don't compare yourself to the other shooters, just try to improve yourself each match for at least the first year and probably more.
And after you've had your first matches under you belt you will need to join the organization, USPSA or IDPA that you are shooting under.
If you want some good videos that will help you, check out Brian Eno's DVDs. http://www.brianenos.com/
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dakotaman said:
One difference IDPA - bring a cover garment - doesn't need to be a vest like a lot of us wear, just something you can sweep back and draw. Shirt or jacket. Usually best not to try a shirt you have to pick up hem like a sweatshirt. Some stages will require a cover garment since it is defense oriented and you're supposed to be drawing from concealment.
I appreciate all of the information. I did find one club here ($150 membership fee) that host IDPA competition. I'll have to contact them and get more info. It there a good website that I can order IDPA approved items (such as the mag pouches and holsters)?
crazypilot said:
I have always been bad about heeding this small piece of advice but here it is for you to do with as you see fit.
Don't buy anything until you go to a match or three.
The reasoning is this. I shoot both IDPA and IPSC in multiple classes. There are a lot of equipment similarities and a lot of differences between the two disciplines. It's very easy to spend money that gets you IDPA AND IPSC approved gear instead of forcing yourself to double buy stuff because it's illegal in one sport or the other. PLUS, it's a great place to ask a zillion questions and takes notes. Us IDPA and IPSC guys love to talk gear and what works for us. Ask a bunch of guys what they like.
Take your gun and your mags and go shoot. The guys there will try to make things simple for you your first time. You may start out your stages from low ready or with a mag stuffed in your pocket the first time so you can get a feel of what the idea is or that club may not allow you to shoot that day, but walk through and watch and learn. It's an introduction and no one is expecting you to be a grand master. You shouldn't either! Go have fun and be prepared to learn a ton! Go out to eat with the guys afterwards and share a frosty adult beverage while you pick their brains even further. You will find some of the nicest and most enjoyable people at IDPA and IPSC matches. I know I have!
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BTW you don't need to be a club member to shoot matches
Just wanted to make sure you know you don't have to be a member of a club to shoot USPSA or IDPA matches at the club.
Also on equipment, like I and others said, best to wait till you check out the matches before buying. That said, places like Speed Shooter Specialties, Bladetech, Comp-Tac, etc., know which of their holsters/mag pouches are legal in both USPSA and IDPA and be glad to help you out.
crazypilot said:
Just wanted to make sure you know you don't have to be a member of a club to shoot USPSA or IDPA matches at the club.
Also on equipment, like I and others said, best to wait till you check out the matches before buying. That said, places like Speed Shooter Specialties, Bladetech, Comp-Tac, etc., know which of their holsters/mag pouches are legal in both USPSA and IDPA and be glad to help you out.
Re: BTW you don't need to be a club member to shoot matches
Well the only place in Las Vegas that hosts the IDPA matches is through the local club. I don't want to pay for it either but that may be the only way to get my foot in the door. I'll have to call them and see what they say. I'd rather spend the money on buying more mags and accessories for my pistol.
Well the only place in Las Vegas that hosts the IDPA matches is through the local club. I don't want to pay for it either but that may be the only way to get my foot in the door. I'll have to call them and see what they say. I'd rather spend the money on buying more mags and accessories for my pistol.
YukonGlocker said:
Ditto!!
I have shot both, I have shot IPSC/USPSA for 14 years and I've shot IDPA since the first match here in Columbia 1996
They are both a Game, There's not a Timer in the Real world, there's not Failure to do Right in the Real World, There's not Tactical Reload in the Real Wold.
In IDPA, the targets never shoot back or stab you!!
Since the inception of IDPA there has never been a documented case of a tactical Reload in a Real World Firefight, for me a Tactical Reload is when your slide locks back, you look intothe Ejection port and you see a follower and you yell *&#@,a then you reload.
Both are great games and great Trigger time, they are by no means of the imagination REAL LIFE TRAINING!!!
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