I went to the range today to start practicing for the upcoming IDPA match. This will be my first match and I am both excited and scared. Since IDPA is all about simulating real time scenarios, standing behind a bench and slowly shooting at a stationary target is not going to get me prepared. This is why today I set up two target stands, 20 feet apart. First one consisted of two separate high visibility targets (bellow) and the other one had just one target. I used the two smaller targets to practice rapid fire and the larger one was used for shooting on the move and from cover. I had a lot of fun practicing and I am happy that most of my rounds ended up on paper. Still, if these were IDPA scored targets I would be in big trouble.
IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) is a shooting sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real life encounters.
Today I had the pleasure of taking part in an introductory IDPA class conducted by the Gun Owners Action League (GOAL). I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in getting involved with IDPA to take this class. During the lecture part of the class all the IDPA rules were explained as are some of the techniques for properly drawing a firearm. The theory was then put to the test at the range.
I did OK during all the firing drills but as the day progressed I started to feel fatigued. When we finally got to running a couple of actual IDPA stages the combination of being tired and nervous caused me to make some mistakes, both mental and physical. Needless to say my score was really bad. Still, I had a lot of fun and plan on attending the next local IDPA match.
Prior to this weekend I had not been to the range in almost 10 weeks. The lack of trigger time became quite obvious when the first dozen rounds all went high and to the left. Once I re-familiarized myself with the two 1911-style pistols I brought to the range things got better.
I went to the range today to start practicing for the upcoming IDPA match. This will be my first match and I am both excited and scared. Since IDPA is all about simulating real time scenarios, standing behind a bench and slowly shooting at a stationary target is not going to get me prepared. This is why today I set up two target stands, 20 feet apart. First one consisted of two separate high visibility targets (bellow) and the other one had just one target. I used the two smaller targets to practice rapid fire and the larger one was used for shooting on the move and from cover. I had a lot of fun practicing and I am happy that most of my rounds ended up on paper. Still, if these were IDPA scored targets I would be in big trouble.
