I have never done IDPA or anything like that but im pretty eager to try. I have a Beretta M9 and a Colt 1991. Are there any advantages or disadvantages to either of these? Does it really matter?

 

Thanks

Use the gun you would (or do) use for home defense.

Both are fine but they're in different classes. You could shoot one in one match and the other the next time if you wanted to (if you had a holster for both).

 

9mm ammo might be cheaper than .45

They put you in different shooter "classes". Your SA/DA Beretta could be used in Stock Service Pistol, which you would probably be more competitive in. The SA 1911 puts you in a different, and higher, class.

Best advice I can give is to bring both and USE the one that you're more familiar with shooting, if there is THAT gun. Familiarity develops "muscle memory" as well as aiding you in a host of other areas. Grip, trigger squeeze, sight alignment, changing magazines under the pressure of a running clock, etc. all come into play. So the gun that you're the most familiar with shooting-wise is the right gun to bring to your first match. The "pretty one" that you just bought and haven't yet fired is NOT the gun to bring to a match. You don't want to have an A-D into the floor or ceiling because you never fired a 1911 single-action after releasing the thumb safety while drawing it from a strong-side holster! So go with what you KNOW and be safe & have FUN! Plenty of nice folks to help guide you and/or loan you an extra mag or mag pouch.

 

Somerset's Match Director Tom R. is a friend of mine and a great guy. His contact info is up at the Range. He'll be glad to here from you so that he can fill you in. Be safe & have FUN!

 

Dave

Both will be good. M9 is in the SSP (Stock Service Pistol) division, while the 1911 is in CDP (Combat Defensive Pistol) class. There are a lot more shooters in CDP and it is more competitive, but you really only do compete against those who you are in the same classification as (Novice, Marksman, etc.)

Both will be good. M9 is in the SSP (Stock Service Pistol) division, while the 1911 is in CDP (Combat Defensive Pistol) class. There are a lot more shooters in CDP and it is more competitive, but you really only do compete against those who you are in the same classification as (Novice, Marksman, etc.)

 

Who gives out the classifications (of the shooter not weapon) I honestly will just be doing it for fun more than serious competition at first, so im not really worried at how many other people are competing.

These divisions don't have the silly looking(to me) tricked out 1911's with compensators and optics etc right?

 

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

No "race guns" in IDPA. This sport was founded to get away from the equioment race. There are very few modifications allowed and all guns used would be suitable for defensive purposes in the real world.

 

There are only two divisions that require major power factor ammunition and those are CDP (which is really built around 1911 platform, .45 ACP guns) and ESR (Enhanced Service Revolver), which is built around S&W model 625's. In SSP, ESP & SSR you shoot minor power factor ammo (PF = bullet weight x velocity / 1000 - Major = minimum 165 / Minor = minimum 125 except for SSR which is minimum 105).

 

Stick with what you shoot best. If all other factors are equal, 9mm is certainly less expensive and lower recoiling. I think Krdshrk had that backwards - generally more participants is SSP than in CDP. Have fun. See you Feb 19. Remember to pre-register (limited to 32 IIRC). You will have to go through the safety briefing if this is your first time.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Yeah sorry - there are more participants usually in SSP. You start as unclassified. When IDPA has their classifiers, it's a whole other thing - you do shooting while moving, one handed, off handed, etc.

gotcha....sounds like i'll be starting with the 1911 . ill keep practicing with my m9 and hopefully i can do both in time.

 

thank you for your help

You will need a holster that covers the trigger guard - no "dropped" or "offset" holsters - needs to hold it high and tight. At least three mags (preferrably 8-round if you are shooting a .45 ACP 1911, and four mags makes loading at the line much easier) and two single or one dual mag pouch. A good gun belt that (must) fits through your pant's belt loops is a good thing to have also.

 

If you are going to use the 1911 and are short on equipment, PM me and I can loan you stuff to use for your first match.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Thanks bob. I just recently purchased a serpa holster. I assume that fits the bill. I will have too pick up the mag pouches

Be careful with the serpa holster...don't do like that idiot on Youtube did....put a .45 ACP round right through his leg and then posted it as a warning to others. It's ONLY a game, so keep your finger AWAY from the trigger as you draw!

 

Have fun & be safe!

 

Dave

Thanks bob. I just recently purchased a serpa holster. I assume that fits the bill. I will have too pick up the mag pouches

 

You have plenty of time, but if you can't get them, let me know and I'll bring some to the match.

Yes - Practice holster draw. Make sure you finger is indexed on the frame, not the trigger. I have no issues with my SERPA holsters at all - I own several.

Be careful with the serpa holster...don't do like that idiot on Youtube did....put a .45 ACP round right through his leg and then posted it as a warning to others. It's ONLY a game, so keep your finger AWAY from the trigger as you draw!

 

Have fun & be safe!

 

Dave

 

How the hell did he do that. Isn't that the point of this holster. 1 keep others from grabbing you're gun 2. Keep your finger along the frame.

That was because he was practicing with a thumbdrive holster, and he was drawing improperly - sticking his finger directly onto the button and into the trigger guard while drawing. He chose speed over safety.

Just watched the video. That must have sucked lol. I chose this holster cause I thought it would be safer. Hopefully that was just him

I wouldn't worry about it too much. One of the strong points of either USPSA or IDPA is their strong committment to safety. In no other shooting sport do you have a 1:1 ratio of range officer to shooter. You learn very quickly to be cognizant of whether your trigger finger is where it is supposed to be at any given point in time.

 

Adios,

 

PIzza Bob

I think ill be fine. If he was depressing the button with his finger he defeated the purpose of the holster. I liked the fact im supposed to keep my finger even to the slide.

You'll be fine. Like I said - just practice (unloaded or with snap caps).

Just watched the video. That must have sucked lol. I chose this holster cause I thought it would be safer. Hopefully that was just him

 

After I watched that video my draw slowed down by at least 2 seconds. Only now am I getting faster and comfortable again with my draw.

After I watched that video my draw slowed down by at least 2 seconds. Only now am I getting faster and comfortable again with my draw.

 

Dont think about it.

 

Tell you a little story. Someone I know got a new shiny race gun. Was worrying too much about finger/reloads, that he put one into the berm (dq) while reloading. The next match he shot.... he was soooo worried to not let it happen again... that he did it again.

 

Just practice being comfortable. The number one priority for a match is to stay safe. number two is to have fun.

 

End of the day, the draw, being a second slower, for a new shooter is not going to make a difference in the standings.

I'd start with the M9. Less recoil, so less chance for bad habits, as well as fewer reloads for a relative beginner. Some will caution against this as you DO have to master two different trigger pulls. If you have an issue with the two trigger pulls during competition, what were you planning to do in a DGU? I use a DA/SA Sig p226 that I love dearly. I practiced the DA shot so much that I don't notice it much anymore. Plus after the first shot, the SA is very nicely tuned and fairly light which makes it a joy to shoot one handed, or weak handed (which IDPA courses of fire occasionally stipulate).

 

Even if you don't bring the gun you shoot the best to the match, it means you'll develop shooting skills with the other! Being familiar with the gun doesn't just apply to the mechanics of where the mag release and such is. In a competitive setting being used to the movement of your front sight, and how to track it is much more important. Anyone who thinks their front sight naturally falls back between the rear posts is incorrect, your brain is telling your hand and wrist muscles to correct the movement of the front sight so that it travels relatively straight.

Shoot what you are comfortable with and know how to clear malfunctions on.

 

 

Just watched the video. That must have sucked lol. I chose this holster cause I thought it would be safer. Hopefully that was just him

His weapon was proven to be defective / overly worn too which aided in the accident plus it was "borrowed" and one of the first times using it.

Thats not a good recipe for a competition.

If you're a member of SCFGPA like your profile says, come on out to the practice the wednesday before matches. Low key and very helpful.

 

BTW I see lots of Serpas at the matches. I don't have one myself but I think it does the job just fine.

I'd start with the M9. Less recoil, so less chance for bad habits, as well as fewer reloads for a relative beginner. Some will caution against this as you DO have to master two different trigger pulls. If you have an issue with the two trigger pulls during competition, what were you planning to do in a DGU? I use a DA/SA Sig p226 that I love dearly. I practiced the DA shot so much that I don't notice it much anymore. Plus after the first shot, the SA is very nicely tuned and fairly light which makes it a joy to shoot one handed, or weak handed (which IDPA courses of fire occasionally stipulate).

 

Even if you don't bring the gun you shoot the best to the match, it means you'll develop shooting skills with the other! Being familiar with the gun doesn't just apply to the mechanics of where the mag release and such is. In a competitive setting being used to the movement of your front sight, and how to track it is much more important. Anyone who thinks their front sight naturally falls back between the rear posts is incorrect, your brain is telling your hand and wrist muscles to correct the movement of the front sight so that it travels relatively straight.

 

I learned shooting on the 1911 platform so im pretty comfortable with the recoil. As for the M9 I have used the snap caps with DA a lot while just sitting around and watching tv etc. I just have more equipment for the 1911 right now lol.

 

Shoot what you are comfortable with and know how to clear malfunctions on.

 

I've actually never really had any malfunctions with my guns. So thats about even haha. But I have had some basic NRA training.

 

If you're a member of SCFGPA like your profile says, come on out to the practice the wednesday before matches. Low key and very helpful.

 

BTW I see lots of Serpas at the matches. I don't have one myself but I think it does the job just fine.

 

Im hoping to come out soon...spoke to Bob K about it last tuesday night. He had a paper plate set up like a steel match and I gave it a try. Problem is I work at Lowe's and my schedule is all kinds of wacky.

His weapon was proven to be defective / overly worn too which aided in the accident plus it was "borrowed" and one of the first times using it.

Thats not a good recipe for a competition.

 

Did the glock fire by itself? No. The guy is a moron for having his finger in the trigger guard and on the trigger before being ready to shoot. End of story.

 

The weapon being unsafe (I am assuming a very very very light trigger, worn out sear) is a secondary issue.

Did the glock fire by itself? No. The guy is a moron for having his finger in the trigger guard and on the trigger before being ready to shoot. End of story.

 

The weapon being unsafe (I am assuming a very very very light trigger, worn out sear) is a secondary issue.

 

It was a 1911 methinks.