IDPA and USPSA shooters

[tripp]

First I'll say I dont have a glock but this is one of the best places I've found to talk about IDPA and USPSA. How many of you shoot both ?
I shoot Limited in uspsa with a 226 and hicaps, and idpa ssp with the same gun and equipment. I think the go together well, Uspsa being kinda "Run and gun"and idpa being more like " think and shoot".
This is a great forum guys keep it up.

[mike from philly]

I've read most posts comparing the two sports and have done an USPSA match. I'm going to try an IPDA match soon. With that very limited experience, here's my take on the two sports:

USPSA = Offensive part of the equation

IPDA = Defensive part of the equation

To play the game to win, you need both!

USPSA is seek, engage, and shoot. Keep moving forward. Gain ground. Shoot ALOT!
After you're done shooting, shoot some more :)

IPDA is defend and hold position. Get to a secure location, identify threats, shoot for defense. Put yourself in position to fight another day (cover):). Make each shot count.

My goal is to do both sports. With the Production Division in USPSA, I can use the same rig as IPDA and compete with others using the same level of equipment (stock). Thus I get more experience with my stock equipment and climb the learning curve faster.

After seeing some of the impractical, expensive and silly pistols folks use in USPSA Open and Limited, I understand why some folks feel USPSA isn't useful or possible for the regular guy. I'm hoping the production division will mirror the IPDA equipment rules so that everyone can compete without engaging in an laser guided arms race.

I'm happy both organizations exist since it creates variety in shooting competitions and increases the numbers of people shooting for fun. We should support both organizations to the best of our abilities and budgets.

Regards

Mike


PS: Of course, I may be all wrong in which case, just ignore me.

[LoveGlocks]

Hello Tripp and Mike from Philly,

I started in USPSA shooting a Glock 19 in the "Stock" Division that is now the Limited Division. I have a couple of Para P16 that I use to shoot Limited. Recently, I have "IDPA" and now am back shooting my Glocks in SSP, CDP and ESP as well as Production, Limited 10. I use Glock 17, 20, 30 and 21. I use the Glock 17 and 30 in concealed carry matches here locally.

I went to two USPSA Nationals with a Glock 20 outfitted with hi-caps that had the Gramm's basepads. I ordered two Gramm's kits (basepads, spring and follower) from Bevin Gramm but got them the day before I was taking off for the first Nationals in Fredericksburg, VA. No time to test them, slapped them on and shot the entire match using both hi-caps on every stage... not one failure! Talk about great engineering. BTW, I'm not affiliated with Gramm's in anyway... just think highly of their products. If you do go with Gramm's, my suggestion is to order their full kit, not just the basepads.. the springs on mine are still strong after five years of use (not a single failure yet... but then again, it's in a Glock!) This is not to say that the other basepads out there are not as good! Dawson's, Taylor Freelances, Lightning Strike all make excellent basepads too.

My recommendation is to use a Glock 22/35/24 or 20 for Limited division because you can shoot major and you can get the extended basepads to get your hi-cap capacity to 19+1, perhaps 20+1... which makes you even with most Para or SV/STI 40 caliber guns that are the major players in that Division. The Glock 22/35/24 are nice because you will use .40s&w which offers you low cost, once-fired brass.

I will continue to shoot both sports (IDPA and USPSA) because they each offer different strengths (like you already commented on). I also shoot GSSF because #1, they are fun and #2, it also reinforces accuracy (like IDPA). Shooting 20 and 25 yard targets in practicing for GSSF matches helps me be a better IDPA and USPSA shooter.

Good luck and I hope to see you at the matches.

[tripp]

mike where do you shoot? I'm I atlanta myself and shoot Idpa and uspsa in conyers

[mike from philly]

I shot USPSA at South River in April. I'll be there next month and wearing my Glocktalk hat.

[tripp]

i'll look for you mike I shoot in squad 1 bunch of good guys

[Menehune]

I have shot South River quite a bit, but had to quit for a while for financing. But, my shooting buddy will be back stateside soon, and I guess I'll have to reoutfit. You guys should come on down to Cool Springs. Some of the best club matches I have seen have been at these two clubs, mainly 'cause a lot of the same people set up both matches.

[AKelly]

I've been shooting USPSA since Jan. '02. I love it. I haven't shot a Sanctioned IDPA match but we do have Defensive Pistol Matches at our club that are set up according to IDPA rules. Two totally different styles but both fun and useful. I think I prefer the USPSA shoots because you get to shoot more rounds. I'm glad that USPSA has started recognizing the need for the Production and Limited 10 Divisions. This is where the majority of the new shooters are going to start their USPSA Career, using gear that they already have or can get relatively cheaply. I know that I would not be shooting USPSA if they did not have these divisions. It is just too hard to compete against big money guns with stock stuff. I know that some people will argue that it's the shooter and not the guns or equipment but I personally want to be judged against other shooters using the same equipment that I do. I would like to see our club open a sanctioned IDPA group, the more the merrier.