IPSC Questions

[boomerzz]

So, there is a local IPSC match around here. I think I'm going to start competing.

(PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong on any of this)

I want to use my current carry gun, an XD45 compact.

I looked up the different divisions and I think either going to be standard or production because I don't need to deal with a compensator.

Looking at production, it has no major, so shooting a .45 ACP round is probably a bit much, to make minor it looks like it's 125PF, that's a 200gr bullet going at 625FPS. I'd feel funny shooting a load that light, and I'd have to make some modifications to my gun to make it cycle, which umm, would put me out of production right?

So that puts me up to standard. This puts me up against people with fully customized everything, which I could still compete against but I would be at some sort of disadvantage using my actual carry gun (i.e. my trigger pull wont be 2 pounds with 0 reset, weighted front end, 5 inch barrel+, grip extensions to get max max capacity, etc).

On both of these, there's not really a point on me using my 10 round magazine (the compact) that I will actually carry with.

Is there other divisions where others guns could be closer to this? I remember hearing or reading something where the max was a 10 round magazine?

[Ben Stoeger]

I am guessing you are in the USA?

Your confusion stems from the difference between IPSC and USPSA.

Often people refer to matches in the US as IPSC, even though they are run under USPSA (the US branch of IPSC).

In the rules you are looking at, look at the US divisions. Limited, Limited 10, Production..etc.

It sounds like Limited 10 is what you want to shoot. I hope that clears things up.

[boomerzz]

That makes more sense... now... more reading!

[EKUJustice]

What most people refer to ipsc is actually USPSA here in the states. Your best bet would be limited 10 which the 45 will score Major in. Both production and limited 10 would be 10 round only per mag. Your going to be at a disadvantage no matter what division as the guns are typically more of a game gun than a carry gun. Such as the glock 34s in production with the triggers done to them and the STIs etc in limited 10 which are the same guns as limited with just less rounds in the mags.

IDPA is a little better for the carry gun situation as they don't allow the race holsters, mag pouch location in the front, you draw from concealment etc. They also have alot more restrictions on the guns and what can be done to them than uspsa.

If you are out to just have fun and get some practice with you carry gun then either will be fine and the uspsa will usually have a higher round count.

[RH45]

What most people refer to ipsc is actually USPSA here in the states. Your best bet would be limited 10 which the 45 will score minor in. Both production and limited 10 would be 10 round only per mag. Your going to be at a disadvantage no matter what division as the guns are typically more of a game gun than a carry gun. Such as the glock 34s in production with the triggers done to them and the STIs etc in limited 10 which are the same guns as limited with just less rounds in the mags.

IDPA is a little better for the carry gun situation as they don't allow the race holsters, mag pouch location in the front, you draw from concealment etc. They also have alot more restrictions on the guns and what can be done to them than uspsa.

If you are out to just have fun and get some practice with you carry gun then either will be fine and the uspsa will usually have a higher round count.

I think you meant Major.

[mpolans]

Here's some info from someone who has actually been shooting IPSC/USPSA for almost 20 years:
Your gun will qualify for USPSA Production, Limited 10, Limited, and Open Divisions.
It would be most competitive in Production or Limited 10.

Production Thoughts:
If you reload, this would probably be the best division for you. You can then download your ammo to meet the 125pf. Yes, you would probably have to go to a different recoil spring to get the gun to cycle, but that's allowed. Production has a specified list of permitted modifications including, "Exchange of minor components (springs, safeties, slide stops, guide rods).
Production shooters are limited to 10 rounds in a mag, and must use holsters that are a little more restrictive than the competition-only holsters used in the other divisions. Bladetech Dropped Offset Holsters are *very* popular in Production.
However, if you don't reload, and are stuck using factory .45 ammo, you might want to consider shooting Limited 10, since you'll have to deal with more recoil than the other Production shooters.

Limited 10 Thoughts:
Here, for maximum scoring, you'll need to make 165pf. If you don't reload and are buying factory .45 ammo, you might want to consider this division. Here, you'll be up against a lot of 1911s and 1911 based guns (STIs, SVIs), and maybe some Glock 35s or 24s. They'll have 1.5-2.5lb single-action triggers, and possibly 6" barrels for the longer sight radius and lightened slides, and huge mag funnels. They can also have competition-only holsters. However, they'll only have 10 rounds in a mag, just like you.
With the 10 round capacity limit, you can still be pretty competitive here, but realize there is a greater equipment gap.

Attempting to compete in Limited division would probably be discouraging unless your name is Dave Sevigny; Open would be foolish.

You can find the complete rules here. Pay attention to Appendices D3 and D4:
http://www.uspsa.org/rules/2008HandgunRulesindexed.pdf

[boomerzz]

Thanks for the run down!

So, it's either close to stock, or 6 inch barrels with mag funnels. I'm going to shoot for production.

I can also still have a trigger job it looks like, which is great.

I do reload. My target loads are around 165PF now, but I'll have to look into stepping down to 125PF. That's low for me.

[Duck of Death]

*QUOTE*
My target loads are around 165PF

Repeat after me--Recoil is not my friend, Recoil is..............etc. ;)

[Jim Watson]

I recommend you start out with your present gun and your present ammo.
You start dinking around with stuff and you might be presented with unfamiliarity and malfunctions at your first matches, which is not good for safety and accuracy.