shoot with carry gear or dedicated gamer rig?

[J.P.]

I started out shooting IDPA with el-cheapo gear just to see if I would like it.
Guess what,I loved it!
After surveying the gear everyone used and contemplating the pros/cons I went out and bought the best and fastest Kydex gear available,IMO (Ready-Tactical)

Now I realize that IDPA is just a game and not like reality but I'm leaning toward using my everyday carry gear (the IDPA legal stuff) for matches.
I'm shooting high Sharpshooter(SSP) and I regularly end up scoring middle of the pack or a few better.Typically we have 35 shooters on average.
I'm not sure I would do much worse using my regular IWB carry gear and dressed in my normal attire rather than the obligatory 5-stitch riggers belt,kydex factory,5.11 pants/vest,and Jack boots. ;)

I'm turning over a new leaf and trying to take it to a more realistic level.I may even purposely take a few reloading proceedurals just for good measure. :)

Any thoughts?

[MarkP]

is always a good idea - keeping in the spirit of the P&P of the sport.



I may even purposely take a few reloading proceedurals just for good measure.

Freelancing has always been permitted , do not let anyone tell you different.

Have fun , shoot straight and safe - the stage is yours to do as you wish.

[Clyde]

Get what you want from the sport. Check out Threat Solutions (http://www.threatsolutions.com/) Nice IWB Kydex. Fits both venues for me.

[J.P.]

I've tried and like the UCR but the reports are that the customer service is way beyond non-satisfactory.

[Landric]

I shoot from my duty gear with my duty weapon at least half of the matches I shoot. I'm sure I could be faster using some other holster and a 9mm rather than a .40 for SSP. However, I figure if I am even in a shooting, it will probably be while wearing my duty gear and with my duty weapon. I know IDPA is not supposed to be training, but I try to treat it like it is. When I shoot using pistols other than my duty pistol, they are weapons that I actually carry off-duty or home defense pistols. I don't own a pistol I just use for matches.

[Joe D]

Well, like my wife says "It does not matter how well you shoot. All that matters is how good you look while shooting". Keep the 5.11 outfit, Wilderness belt and boots. You should always pay more than $100 for your shooting glasses. Don't wear cheap boots either - $200 minimum.

[TimP]

i'm a dedicated gamer, and I use a gamer rig. Thats when I shot IDPA that is.

[BFT]

IDPA is great for testing you and your carry gear. Everyone has a different opinion about what they get out of it. Some game it, some try to make it practice, and some play tactical.

The hipocracy is always there. Got a kick out of a shooter accusing another of gaming a stage for mentally going through the cof at the ready line. The accuser carried a custom 1911 double stack 9 with a magwell that looked like the loud end of a french horn.

Shoot it the way you want with what you want and let the critics be silent I say.

[J.P.]

I shot a match yesterday with my carry gear (IWB and street clothes)and it definitely slowed me down on the draw and reloading.
I think I'll keep shooting this way though.

[plumbum2]

ive got a g34 and comptac OWB rig. i never carry like this. but do carry a g19 iwb... so really besides the draw, TO ME it is the same gun. (not enough differance to throw me off that much in quick shooting)


i personally liked the idea of having a "game gun". that if i wanted to, i could do whatever i wanted to it. lighter springs, trigger, sights ect. that prob. arent very good or recomended for EDC but maybe better for comp.

yes you could do this stuff to your EDC gun and switch it around after every match. but i am to lazy for that! :) and it gave me an excuse to buy another gun..

[Carlitos]

Shoot both.

I believe in trigger time to improve skill. I shoot both IDPA and USPSA and I always shoot to win (whether its overall, in division or just personal best). Not saying I often win (I do not), but I always try to do my best with whatever gun I shoot. I also shoot ICORE and GSSF.

Do I use my carry rig? Sometimes I do use it.

However, beyond familairization & periodic practice with my carry rig, I think that it is the skills of speed, accuracy, and power that will save my life should I ever have to use my carry gun.

DVC,

C.

[boxingref_rick]

Hi.

Yep, I use my carry gear, with only the muffs and safety
glasses added on. It's a chance to learn, and practice.
When I was leaving the other day my wife mentioned out
loud...! "Are you sure your going shooting to that IDPA
thing'ee - you look like your going out, Is that the way
your supposed to look?"
"Yep, I sure am!"
"Now where was that Hooters waitress?"
Gloves up!
Rick.

[CarlosDJackal]

Most of the time I shoot using either my concealed carry gear or my duty gear in either SSP or ESP Divisions. In the other Divisions I shoot whatever gear I happen to own.

It's a great place to test if what you carry or how you carry and/or conceal it works while under the timer. Good luck!!

[gutamin]

I was with IPSC from it's conception and dropped out precisly for this reason. I felt it only fair that you should shoot with what you carry, be it concealed, office duty or full duty rig. I prefer to shoot with my full duty rig sans baton and maybe cuffs. Acceptable would be several sceanarios shot from CCW. A seperate form of compitition should be for the 'speed" gear and space guns. IMHO ;E

[Gary G23]

I wear 5.11 pants seven days a week. Probably the most important thing I've learned from IDPA shooting.

[MarkP]

Originally posted by gutamin
I was with IPSC from it's conception and dropped out precisly for this reason.... A seperate form of compitition should be for the 'speed" gear and space guns. IMHO ;E

It's still called IPSC (USPSA in the states).

[kewag]

Whether you go with gamer or street gear depends on one's personal objectives. Nothing against gaming. While supposedly encouraging practical defensive tactics we all recognize IDPA is sport competition. If you're looking to optimize your score and match standing its Kydex, minimal concealment, maybe even knee pads. If you regard IDPA as an opportunity to hone your street skills then dress accordingly.

As a mere average Marksman I've never worried much about the match standings since I'm essentially competing against myself. For me (and perhaps others) my personal consistency from match-to-match varies more than the relative advantage/disadvantage wearing Royal Robbins Tac attire and OWB Kydex rig versus a sport jacket, khakis, IWB leather and street shoes. I've shot club matches in both.

Shooting in street clothes under stress of the clock has the benefit of uncovering issues with your carry gear. You learn what shirt fabrics sweep clean versus hanging or tying up your grip access. I recall one afternoon wearing a hooded sweatshirt my presentation included bringing my hands together catching the draw string for the hood. Pushing out toward the target shooting I nearly strangled myself ...gasp ;g Not a bad lesson to learn to always tuck the string inside your sweatshirt. Good argument to shoot a match in street attire at least once-in-awhile.

[J.P.]

^6

I've discovered quite a few inadequacies of common street clothes over the years.
I guess we all have.