Andy's IDPA shoot

[AndyC]

Went to do my first formal IDPA shoot in 4 years (I've only shot IDPA once before) last night - freezing wind and rain actually made it a lot of fun:

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/1803/andyidpa1.jpg

A bit slow, but I was a lot more accurate than most folks as you can see by the last column (Tot Pts Dn); still, I was faster than half the guys shooting 9mm guns (I had to deal with more recoil and more mag-reloads than they did, seeing as they can load 10+1 and I was limited to 8+1 by shooting a 1911).

8 penalty points (third-last column, Tot Pen Time) - I think those are procedural errors, not sure. Overall, I'm pretty pleased - next time I'll just have to go faster.

Edit: Forgot to mention - shot using my RIA Tactical, CMC Powermags and home-cast/home-loaded 200gr SWCs (4.1gr Clays) - not a single stutter of any kind.

[nightschneider]

well done, man

getting some adverse weather conditions is always a good thing...we had a range day last fall...rain/snow mix with temps in the 30's...just a miserable time to be outside, but I had just switched to Hogue aluminum grips on my P229 because my stock hard plastic grips were wearing smooth; so I got to see first hand how well the new grips worked; I was able to keep the gun rock solid...pistol never got slick at all...just nice to know...especially after throwing down 120 bucks for some grips.

[rowjimmy]

Well done Andy. IDPA is punitive in regard to accuracy, so shooting as few points down as possible is important. You will find your speed will increase with practice. While the draw and target transition speed is important, you can save a lot of time just doing the shit between shots quicker. Moving between shooting positions, reloads, etc... I don't know how many times I've been RO'ing and a shooter runs the gun dry and trys to drop the hammer another one or two times before they relaize the gun is empty. You should know by feel and sound as soon as the gun runs dry.

A proper IDPA stage is usually 6, 12 or 18 rounds, so everyone reloads once or twice regardless of which division they are shooting. It is meant to be revolver friendly, but you don't get the luxury of make-up shots with a wheel gun like you do with a semi.

EDIT: I'm not sure how they are scoring, but procedurals are 3 seconds and no-shoot hits and failures to neutralize are 5 seconds, and points down divided by two gives you penalty seconds for innacuracy. Basically, the 8 seconds makes no sense in official IDPA scoring for what is indicated. You had 4.5 seconds in penalties for points down, there is no way you could get an additional 3.5 seconds to give you 8. No multiple of other penalties will give you 8 seconds either.

EDIT EDIT: You must have got both a 5 and 3 second penalties. Makes sense now.

[DYNOMIKE]

Very Nice Andy, congrats on a fine showing.. :beer:

[AndyC]

Thank you kindly :)

Shooting empty - yup, I can feel it immediately when the slide locks back, I don't even have to look, so I won't waste time trying to shoot an empty pistol. I actually saw a lot of that, now that you mention it - good to know.

3+5 secs makes sense:

3 sec - I'd done one mag-change when there was still a round in the pipe (loaded 8+1 and had done 4 double-taps); I thought I was allowed to drop an empty mag regardless - but apparently you have to retain even an empty mag if there's a round in the chamber. That's a dumb-ass rule if I ever heard one.

5 secs - I grazed a no-shoot target (close enough that it took 2 SO's to decide). Fuggit - she deserved to take a bullet insteada dropping outta the way like a good hostage anyway :D

[rowjimmy]

Originally posted by AndyC
Thank you kindly :)

Shooting empty - yup, I can feel it immediately when the slide locks back, I don't even have to look, so I won't waste time trying to shoot an empty pistol. I actually saw a lot of that, now that you mention it - good to know.

3+5 secs makes sense:

3 sec - I'd done one mag-change when there was still a round in the pipe (loaded 8+1 and had done 4 double-taps); I thought I was allowed to drop an empty mag regardless - but apparently you have to retain even an empty mag if there's a round in the chamber. That's a dumb-ass rule if I ever heard one.

5 secs - I grazed a no-shoot target (close enough that it took 2 SO's to decide). Fuggit - she deserved to take a bullet insteada dropping outta the way like a good hostage anyway :D

I agree the empty mag rule is dumb, and I got dinged once for it as well.

If it took 2 RO's to decide, they should have just given you the benefit of the doubt and called it clean. That's the protocol in IDPA. In USPSA they would use a scoring overlay. Just an FYI, in case this happens to you, radial tears do not count from the bullet hole (for hits on shoot or no shoot targets.) At least the grease ring from the bullet must touch the perforation for it to count. Also, shoot throughs count as well. If you shoot a non-threat but nail a 0 down on a threat target behind it, you get the penalty and the hit.

It's a game, but I enjoy playing.