IDPA: Training or Just a Game?

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--> IDPA: Training or Just a Game?

It's Worth Your Time, Money and Effort

John Wills, one of my colleagues here at Officer.com, has once again hit the nail squarely on the head with his current column: Good Cops Know The Value of Training: Doing for yourself when your department can't. [...]
I'm going to try to build on John's premise and suggest a specific way for you to improve your firearms skills, even if your department doesn't have the time or the resources to do as much training as you, or they, would like. Check out IDPA, the International Defensive Pistol Association. [...]

Now, let me get this part out of the way right here. Any time you set something up as a competition, keeping time and keeping score, there will be people who try to find the slickest way to win. Sometimes you have to compromise for the sake of the game and some of the IDPA rules and practices reflect that. Not everything at a match will be strictly "real world." However, on the whole, IDPA does a pretty good job of encouraging the skills that are useful in a gunfight which is why I think it's worth your time, money and effort.

Participation in IDPA matches is an excellent way to work on improving the kind of shooting skills that you need on the street. The rules require that non law enforcement shooters use the kind of guns and gear that they can use for lawful concealed carry, including the use of an appropriate concealment garment. Police officers, on the other hand, may also use their duty gear, just as they wear it on the street. [...]

Each stage in an IDPA match is intended to be a representation of some real world use of force scenario. There are some limitations, of course. Concessions have to be made for range safety reasons, but still, there is always something to be learned. That's an important part of the IDPA experience. You have to think your way through the stages. In the course of a well designed match, you'll be shooting from a variety of positions, using cover appropriately, identifying appropriate targets, shooting and moving, shooting with one hand, shooting at moving targets and shooting with both speed and accuracy - all this while SAFELY handling your firearm. [...]

[rickr96]

Game or not, I think IDPA is good training.

Most of us don't have a place to shoot real world scenarios... IDPA presents the shooter with multiple targets, movement, weak hand shooting and a chance to draw from concealed carry. Most local ranges offer nothing like that.

There is a "game" within IDPA, but even with the game in the mix, IDPA will make most of us better shooters...

[WKC]

If you want to game it to be competitive, you can do that. If you want to shoot and do it tactically correct, you can do that to. It is what you want to make of it.

[Lone Wolf]

I love IDPA. I'll never win anything but I do it for fun, a hobby and practice, practice, practice. I got into it about 2 years ago while watching a group at my local outdoor shooting range. After watching two matches I bought my first semi-auto pistol and jumped into it cold feet.

Now I shoot IDPA about twice a month. Once in Fresno, CA and again at our local range near Winton, CA. I did the California State IDPA Match in Richmond last year and just last Saturday (7/12/08) I did the Regional State Match again in Richmond. The last 4 months I've done a few other ranges around the state for fun and even did Medford, Oregon last year while out riding the motorcycle up north on vacation. I've classifed on SSP, ESP and CDP as Sharp Shooter.

I'm always trying to get others interested into shooting and especially IDPA whether their a CCW hold or not. Is is classified as a game, but its the perfect way to practice for CCW holders I think.

I've since gotten into Glock Sport Shooting and have taken a couple of advanced handgun classes and did Front Sight on a special freebee deal a couple months ago. All this just because IDPA sparked an interest in shooting.

I just joined this forum and this is my first post. Hope I can find my way around as I am not used to the layout of this forum program.

Later.... Lone Wolf

[spc]

Welcome aboard Lone Wolf. The site will open up for you with plenty of good information. Enjoy

spc

[Spicy McHaggis]

Any training is good training if you know why you are there, whatyou hope to get out of it, and how it applies to whatever scenario you are training for.

If I could wake up early enough on Saturdays, I'd be up at Prado dam doing this.

Great article btw.

[hygyliac]

Welcome Lone Wolf, yes IDPA is a lot of fun. Glad to have you aboard.

[WKC]

Lone Wolf,

This year's state match is at Prado in October. I was hoping to shoot and SO in my first state match but I will be tied up with the Level III reserve academy. At this rate, it looks like I'll be hard press to make a match till late November.

[huna koa]

For me; it's better than going to range and shooting targets standing still-the way I see it, it's great training/practice for the real world. I went to the Nevada State Championship recently and surprised myself; I'll go to the California State event in October to put myself under pressure again; to learn more, to become more proficient with what I carry; to become one with my weapon of choice.

[Lone Wolf]

Well I see I had a few replies to my first post. I only found them by accident. Is there anyway to get email notification (this could be a big mistake) when I get a reply to any of my post?

Thanks.... Paul (aka Lone Wolf)

[tango-52]

Originally Posted by Lone Wolf

Well I see I had a few replies to my first post. I only found them by accident. Is there anyway to get email notification (this could be a big mistake) when I get a reply to any of my post?

Thanks.... Paul (aka Lone Wolf)

Yes. In the top left menu bar you will see UserCP. Click on that and it will bring up your various options. On the left there will be a menu. Click on Edit Options. You will find it there.