Posted: 7/12/2005 12:13:16 PM EDT
| I'm about to enter my first IDPA match in about two weeks and just wondering since it's my first, what should I expect? I'm hoping it's fun and enjoyable and worth while. I'm a littel hesitant and nervous cause I've never entered any kind of shooting matches before. |
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The biggest step - the hardest thing for most people is just going to one match - so congrats and good job on that front. After the first one, the hook is set and you're screwed - this sport can own a person. Just make sure that you tell the nice people at check-in that you're new. They'll either take you aside before hand and go over the basics with you or assign you to a squad with an experienced shooter to help you out. If you have a question like "Where can I take my gun out?" - ASK. "Muzzle" and "Finger" are the most common things that'll be said to a new shooter. So ask the SO what you can do to help him not have to say that (like, "Is it OK that my revolver's barrel is pointing straight up in the air if the cylinder is open and I'm ejecting the brass?"). Holstering is not a timed event, and it can be done with one hand if you bother to look at your gun holder. It's nice when a new shooter shows up with a non-collapsible holster instead of the $9 nylon gun show special - new shooters tend to sweep their fingers when they re-holster and that's teh ghey. Watch how the other shooters conduct themselves and when it's your turn GO SLOW. You're not going to win the match so just concentrate on being safe and having fun. |
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I have yet to go to an IDPA or IPSC match where people where not friendly and supportive. Whatever you do, do not hesitate to ask questions, take it SLOW (screw your score for your first tries, and just do it right and SAFE). Do not be afraid of "screwing up" (missing, fumbling reloads, etc), that happens to EVERYBODY, as long as it is not a safety violation, you should be fine. (watch your 180 degree rule, do not swing your pistol more than 180 degress from the line of fire, watch out for your trigger on the finger). |
| Excellent advice so far as far as safety, so I'll throw one more thing about the match itself out. I shot my first IPSC last month, and learned one thing immediately: Accuracy. Shoot at a speed that is safe and good for you, but make your shots count. If you rush yourself, both your accuracy AND time will suffer. |
Ditto. Learning to play action shooting is just like playing a guitar. Start slow, concentrate on hitting the right notes. Speed will come on its own. |
That's the best advice. There is no shame in being new, so let everyone know up front and I guarantee they'll all do their best to make it an enjoyable experience for you. There's nothing to it. |