Getting into shooting competetions

[Jolly Buccaneer]

While I do not consider myself great and would not do that well.  I am interested in trying my hand at some of these different shooting competetions that I keep hearing about.  What are the different pistol competitions?  What would be the best way to prepare for them? 

I currently only own a Springfield 1911 and plan on carrying it when I get my concealed permit in a few months.  I wouldn't be opposed to using it in a competition but I don't want to do anything fancy to it, I still want to use it as a defense gun.

Basically I'm just looking for general exposure to the competition, I feel there is a lot I could learn even by just attending some of them to watch if not partake.

Any help would be appreciated.  I am located in south Mississippi so preferably something within a days drive for starts would be preferred.  That leaves western Florida, most if not all of Alabama and Louisiana, parts of Eastern Texas and anywhere in between.

Thanks a ton

JollyB

[Chris]

Jolly B,
There is nothing wrong with your Springfied 1911 as a competition gun. It fits into the IDPA Custom Defensive Pistol division, and in the USPSA Single Stack division. There are no modifications that you need to make to the gun to shoot it with those two organizations.
Link to IDPA.com... go to "find a club"... and find one in your area. My guess is there will be one within a couple hours drive.
Contact the Match Director, and he'll give you all the info you need. You'll want a strong side belt holster that allows you to reholster the gun with only one hand, you'll need three magazines and mag puches to carry two of them, eye & ear protection, and some type of outer garmet to conceal the gun.
Go, enjoy, and consider your first couple of matches to be learning experiences. Have fun.
Chris Christian

[Jolly Buccaneer]

Jolly B,
There is nothing wrong with your Springfied 1911 as a competition gun. It fits into the IDPA Custom Defensive Pistol division, and in the USPSA Single Stack division. There are no modifications that you need to make to the gun to shoot it with those two organizations.
Link to IDPA.com... go to "find a club"... and find one in your area. My guess is there will be one within a couple hours drive.
Contact the Match Director, and he'll give you all the info you need. You'll want a strong side belt holster that allows you to reholster the gun with only one hand, you'll need three magazines and mag puches to carry two of them, eye & ear protection, and some type of outer garmet to conceal the gun.
Go, enjoy, and consider your first couple of matches to be learning experiences. Have fun.
Chris Christian

Yeah I had gone to the IDPA site and found some in North Mississippi, but there are some closer in a different state, is it against the rules to compete in a state you are not a resident or is it just if you can make it?

The magazines, does it matter what size they are?  I know Springfield makes 7 and 8 capacity magazines because I accidentally purchased an 8 cap one from a vendor at a gun show. 

By outer garment, would just an un-tucked button down shirt do for summer and perhaps a jacket for cooler times?  Short sleeve of course not long sleeve dress.

Also would I need to join the IDPA to participate in the matches or just show up and pay entrance fee?  I suppose I could find out this info from the Match Directors. 

Thanks for all your help Chris.

JollyB

*Edit*
And your fast response

[Chris]

Jolly B
Your first IDPA match does not require you be a member. Subsequent matches do. 7 or 8 round mags are fine at club matches. At a sanctioned match you'd need to have all the same... either 7 or 8 rounds, both are legal. You can shoot in any state you want. An untucked shirt is just fine for concealment rules.... some guys even shoot in an untucked tee shirt. Jackets are fine in cooler weather.
There is a lot to talk about on the subject of IDPA. But, you'll be better off to just go to a match, do what the Safety Officer tells you, and gain some experience. Then... the subtlties can come onto play... and you'll know what questions to ask.
Chris Christian

[Kevin]

Jolly B,
Take Chris' advice and just go to an IDPA match. Trust me, you'll love it. You can read the rule book online at IDPA.com if you want. But Chris is right. Go to the match, follow instructions, and you'll have a blast. Don't let being a newbie intimidate you. You'll find people all across the shooting spectrum at the match. I shoot a stone stock Springfield 1911 in CDP (Custom Defensive Pistol) and am taking a S&W model 13 .357 to the next match. Will be my first time shooting revolver, looking forward to it. Best of luck at your first match. Let us know how you do.
-Kevin

[Jolly Buccaneer]

I have found some of the USPSA clubs closer than the IDPA clubs.  Is there any major difference in the two clubs and if so what are they?  I hear a lot of people speak about IDPA but the mention of USPSA by Chris was the first I have heard of it.

[Chris]

Jolly B
Both games use similar targets. IDPA has shorter strings of fire (seldom more than 18 tounds per string) while USPSA may run 40 rounds, or more. IDPA Courses Of Fire dictate which targets are shot in which order, while USPSA pretty much lets you shoot them in the order you want, although they will sometimes dictate a target order. IDPA requires the use of cover while engaging targets and requires a covering garment to conceal the gun. USPSA doesn't. The scoring systems are slightly different, but not enough to make a difference for a newbie... shoot 'em all as fast as you can hit them.
The Production class in USPSA is identical to SSP in IDPA, as is Single Stack and CDP. Same equipment, except you need to carry more magazines in USPSA.
Go shoot a match, follow the Range Officer's directions, have fun, and then you'll have questions to ask.
Chris Christian

[Jerome from California]

I'f I use a Sig P6/225 9mm (8 rnd mags), how many mags should I bring? Do they allow the use of 10 round extended magazine?

Jerome Deomano

[Chris]

Jerome,
I'm not familiar with that gun, but if it's a DA type trigger it's good to go in IDPA SSP or ESP division (with 10 round mags) and good to go in USPSA Production.. at least with the 8 round mags, and maybe with the 10. I don't remember. For IDPA a minimum of three mags... for USPSA I would suggest a minimum of seven. Some USPSA strings get ridiculous on the round count.
Chris Christian

[Jolly Buccaneer]

Thanks again Chris, going to look into shooting one of these as soon as I can.  Will get back to you with more questions after that.