What is IDPA?
(Please note this information is directly from the IDPA Website)
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| What is IDPA? |
| 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. top of page |
| Why do we need another shooting sport? |
| 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. top of page |
| What are the goals of IDPA? |
| 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. top of page |
| What types of people compete in IDPA matches? |
| IDPA membership and matches are open to all people who
can legally own a handgun, regardless of occupation, race,
sex or religion. IDPA shooters come from all walks of life
and include many women, too. top of page |
| What types of matches does IDPA hold? |
| Self-defense scenarios or Standard
exercises. The self-defense scenarios are simulations of
actual or possible “real world” confrontations. These
scenarios typically require shots from 3 - 20 yards and
often require the shooter to change firing points and shoot
from awkward positions. Standard exercises do not attempt to
simulate a potential threat situation but are designed to
test specific shooting and gun handling skills. IDPA matches
offer diversity and truly test both accuracy and speed.
Physical condition has very little to do with your
performance in an IDPA match. top of page |
| What type of equipment do I need to compete in IDPA matches? |
| 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. top of page |
| Does IDPA offer a place for both pistols and revolvers? |
| 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. top of page |
| What are the advantages of IDPA membership? |
| 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. top of page |