USPSA vs. IDPA - Which shooting sport is for you?

Craig Central ^ | unk | Scott Craig

[xsrdx]

There is a big debate among shooters about which is better, IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) or IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation). Actually it's a stupid question with a simple answer; Neither is better! Comparing these two formats is like comparing Chevrolet and Pontiac or Ford and Mercury.

They are closely related, and the one that is "Better" is simply the one that you prefer. The formats of the two are certainly different, and the equipment is certainly different, but they both have the goal of improving your shooting skills in a safe, competetive, enjoyable, environment.

I shoot both IPSC and IDPA (not very well in either case though), and I can tell you for a fact that if you enjoy shooting pistols you WILL enjoy either one. Which one you prefer most will depend on you and how you like to shoot. I have tried to compare the two below, and I urge everyone to give them a try. If you are an IPSC shooter, dust off your carry gun and give IDPA a try. If you are an IDPA shooter, there is an IPSC class you can fit into. If you haven't shot either format, PLEASE give them a try because you will be hooked.

Note: IPSC is the governing body for the International Practical Shooting Confederation, and is truly international in scope. The USPSA is the US Practical Shooting Association, and is the US affiliate of IPSC. The international rules are slightly different so for the purposes of this information I have shown USPSA instead of IPSC rules so be aware that the US versions and international versions may vary slightly.

In several places I use the term "Competition Related" when referring to USPSA, and that really isn't fair. These are both competitions and everything about both of them is "Competition Related".

IDPA is primarily oriented toward "Defensive" type handguns, and the underlying theme of IDPA is improving skills with these firearms. USPSA does not have an underlying theme other than shooting fast and accurately, and in that respect it is more "Competition Oriented" than IDPA so I simply used the term "Competition Related".

Also, keep in mind that if you think that either of these venues is going to turn you into some sort of Urban Commando then you need to find another game to play. We have shooters from virtually every walk of life and profession that you can imagine, however we are not a group of vigilantes or militants.

We are just people who enjoy shooting handguns and want to do it faster and more accurately than the next guy. If you come to a match looking or acting like some sort of Rambo I can pretty much guarantee that you won't have a good time.

[xsrdx]

I know we have a bunch of competitive shooters here on FR, this is a good treatment of a topic that often gets pretty heated....

[xsrdx]

Practical Shooting BANG!

[Bottom_Gun]

I found this post interesting, My wife and I have been thinking about getting involved in competitive shooting, Through this link, and another we've found that IPDA operates at a couple of clubs close to Grotton Conn, where we'll be stationed soon...gotta love it!

[HowardC]

I'm a member of USPSA. I'm right in the middle of Class C (50%) which means that I'm average for a USPSA shooter. (We are rated by percentage comparison against all members that shoot against "formal" target set ups.) I have also shot a couple of times in IPDA. They're both fun, but, as stated, they are apples and oranges. Since I have a Texas CHL, I would say that IPDA would be better "practice" since cover and concealment are used more realistically in IPDA. However, I shoot USPSA almost exclusively. I started in USPSA and I'm used to it. Bottom line, they're both great sport, loads of fun, and both develop rapid target identification and accurate placement.

BTW, the regular shooters at my club consist of 2 elementary school teachers, an electrical engineer, a professor of psychology, a gunsmith, a pest control company owner, and 2 lawyers. I'm a software developer. Just a bunch of Texas red necks...

[xsrdx]

For your ping list sir...

[BenLurkin]

Looks like this guy could use some lessons:

[xsrdx]

We are rated by percentage comparison against all members

I'm primarily a USPSA shooter also, one of my favorite aspects of USPSA is the classifier system.

USPSA classifiers are much more diverse than IDPA's, with about 100 different stages, each with a "par" 100% score set by top competitors.

Like a golf handicap, with USPSAs classification percentage, you always know how good you are relative to the best in the world. Conversely, you also always know just how much work you have left to get anywhere near that level...

A 100% score on a USPSA classifier is a good approximation of the highest level of performance attainable.

[progunner]

We are just people who enjoy shooting handguns and want to do it faster and more accurately than the next guy.

"An Armed Society Is A Polite Society"

In Liberty....

[Borderline]

[xsrdx]

A 100% score on a USPSA classifier is a good approximation of the highest level of performance attainable.

For clarification, the 100% score is figured by Division - so you are competing against similar equipment.

A 100% "hit factor" for Production division may be several seconds slower than the same "hit factor" for Open division, where the hit factor is your score in points divided by your ET to complete the course of fire.

[Shooter 2.5]

I love IDPA because of the great people there.

Now if I can persuade them to use cover garments more so they can use on the street what they're using in competition....

[Joe Brower]

race gun PING!

[ExSoldier]

IDPA ALL THE WAY!!!!!

[jdege]

Do IDPA folks really compete with their carry guns?

I mean, is there anyone really shooting with aa Guardian from a pocket holster, a Kel-Tec from ThunderWear, or a 2" Titanium S&W Snubby from a SuperBra?

I mean, when I shoot for points, I use my CZ85. It groups a lot tighter than my P11.

[glock rocks]

Do IDPA folks really compete with their carry guns?

IDPA folks compete with guns suitable for carry, as the rules are designed for that purpose. I am very comfortable carrying my competition (pert-near stock) G-30. I prefer to carry SIG, but it is not quite as competitive due to the double action first shot ... and I carry cross-draw, which IDPA doesn't allow. It requires more practice to stay sharp and safe with both disciplines... but dernit, I just have to spend some more time at the range :o)

[PatrioticAmerican]

Good point. IDPA is probably the most real competition, but it would be more fun to have a Compact Concealable Class.

I shoot my conpacts quit a bit and love them and feel I would be very competitive shooting them. I've met othes that feel the same way.

[Shooter 2.5]

I do, but I'm a little disheartened by the amount of people that lock their guns in the trunk when they leave.

I'm working on them little by little. There's too many people in every sport that think the goal is to get the plaque on the wall or the classification. I'm getting too old to worry what the next guy does.

My carry pistol is a Springfield Armory V-10 .45 in a Galco Royal Guard. It's easily hid under a patterned shirt. It's illegal in IDPA because of the ports.

[Eaker]

How much do these courses / competitions cost?

[Shooter 2.5]

"but it would be more fun to have a Compact Concealable Class.

Do what I do. Ignore them. As long as you have a holster that doesn't sweep the crowd, alert the scorers and shoot whatever you brought. We did have a hide-out day where everyone brought their mouse guns. They thought they would finally compete against my "illegal"BUG[the V-10] but I brought a little PPK in .380. It was fun.

[Shooter 2.5]

They cost around 15 dollars but IDPA insists that after the first competition, you have to join. That's where it becomes a pain in the rear. It's 35 dollars a year to join.

The fun thing about these competitions is you do meet wonderful people and you get to shoot at some great gunranges for the cost of the entrance fee. I met some people that shoot every weekend through the circuit. They travel to three or four gun clubs every month.

For IDPA, other than the gun, you need a good holster, three magazines and a double mag pouch. That's the whole idea with this, you should have all of this while you're leaving the house anyway. There shouldn't be a need to buy one single item.

Since I'm a range officer, I think I should buy a good set of electronic muffs. I don't want to yell at anyone anymore. It bad for them and tiring for me.