| Q: What is IDPA? |
| A: IDPA
as a sport is quite simply the use of practical equipment including
full charge service ammunition to solve simulated “real world”
self-defense scenarios. Shooters competing in IDPA events are required
to use practical handguns and holsters that are truly suitable for
self-defense use. No “competition only” equipment is permitted in IDPA
matches since the main goal is to test the skill and ability of an
individual, not his equipment or gamesmanship. |
|
| Q: Why Do We Need Another Shooting Sport? |
| A: Prior
to the formation of IDPA, there was no place to compete and hone one’s
skill with equipment designed for and suitable for self-defense. Other
shooting sports are just that, sports that have no relevance to
self-defense. IDPA offers an exciting forum for practical shooters in
which truly practical equipment, techniques and courses of fire are
mandated. Prior to IDPA, there was no place at all to compete with
common service pistols such as the Beretta, Glock or Sig. Nor was there
a shooting sport where your concealed carry holster could also be your
match holster without handicap. When you come to an IDPA match, you can
not only use your duty/CCW equipment, you can be completely competitive
with it! Other shooting sports have become equipment “races”; IDPA will
not. If you’re interested in using truly practical pistols to solve
challenging and exciting defensive shooting problems, then IDPA is the
sport for you. |
|
| Q: What Are The Goals Of IDPA? |
A:
1: Promote safe and proficient use of guns and equipment suitable for self-defense use.
2: Provide a level playing field for all competitors to test the skill
and ability of the individual, not their equipment or gamesmanship.
3: Provide separate divisions for equipment and classifications for
shooters, such that guns with similar characteristics are grouped
together and people with similar skills compete only against each other.
4: Provide shooters with practical and realistic courses of fire that
simulate a potentially life-threatening encounter or that tests skills
that would be required to survive a life-threatening encounter.
5: Offer a practical shooting sport that is responsive to the shooters
and sponsors, with unprecedented stability of equipment rules.
6: Offer a practical shooting sport that allows the competitors to
concentrate on the development of their shooting skills and fellowship
with other likeminded shooters. |
|
| Q: What Type Of Equipment Do I Need To Compete In IDPA? |
| A: IDPA
matches typically require the use of a service type pistol or revolver
of 9mm/.38 special or lager caliber. If your handgun is suitable for
self-defense use, it will probably be competitive for IDPA matches.
Practical concealed carry type holsters are stipulated for IDPA use. A
common service pistol or revolver such as a Beretta 92F, Glock 17/22,
Sig 226, Colt 1911A1, S&W 686 or Ruger GP-100 carried in a common
pancake style holster is all that is needed to be competitive in IDPA
matches. |
| |
| Q: Does IDPA Offer A Place For Both Pistols & Revolvers? |
| A: Yes, as a matter of fact, IDPA competition is divided into five
divisions so all popular service type pistols and revolvers will have a place to
compete competitively. They are: Stock Service Pistol for DA, DAO, Safe Action
users; Enhanced Service Pistol for SA users; Custom Defensive Pistol for custom
.45 ACP pistol users; Enhanced Service Revolver for full moon clip revolver
users; and Stock Service Revolver for revolvers that don’t use full moon clips. |
| |
| Q: What Are The Advantages Of An IDPA Membership? |
A:
1: You will be a member of an international organization devoted
to promoting defensive pistol shooting as a sport and preserving your right to
own and use self-defense handguns.
2: You will receive an official IDPA rulebook.
3: You will be eligible to compete in shooting events at the local, national and international levels.
4: You will receive an official IDPA shooting cap.
5: You will receive an IDPA membership card certifying you as a member in good standing.
6: You will receive a copy of the IDPA Tactical Journal (the official publication of IDPA) every quarter. |
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