First Classifier and Sanctioned Matches

[okorpheus]

I shot my first IDPA match last month and will shoot my second in a couple of weeks. I accomplished my goal of doing everything safely and not getting disqualified. I'm just wondering if Rick, Steve or Caleb (or anyone else) have any opinions on how early someone should start thinking of trying to run the classifier and/or attend a sanctioned match. I'm considering doing the classifier after the next club match at US Shooting Academy in Tulsa and possibly trying to consider one of the sanctioned matches over in AR in the next few months. Just looking to enjoy things and get more comfortable with using my M&P, no delusions of being the unknown champion or anything like that.

[lokeuei]

From Caleb:

Thanks for watching! I say go for it as soon as possible. Challenge yourself early and often and you'll improve quicker as a shooter.

[Bob Mayne]

I agree, the sooner the better.  It will give you a baseline to work wtih.  It will let you know where you are now and where you need to improve.  I waited over a year before I shot my first classifier, and I'll admit, because I was chicken.  I immediately got Marksman and was surprised at myself.  Trouble is, now I can't get above Sharpshooter (SSP.)

Congratulations on getting involved.  Warning!  The (gun) Surgeon General has determined that IDPA shooting can be addictive to your firearms health!

[SteveZ]

I can't speak with regards to shooting the IDPA Classifier (I'm sure Rick will be by soon....he can comment on that) but with regard to shooting a sanctioned match....by all means do it soon!  I'd recommend maybe shooting at least 3 club matches (just to get the process down and know how things work) before jumping into the deep end..but the sooner you experience that higher level of competition, the sooner you'll become accustomed to it and it will seem like any other match (well, nearly like any other match).  Many people use the excuse "I'm not ready yet"...and never shoot major matches.  I think you'll really enjoy them as the quality of the stages is typically much higher than your regular club match.

[SteveZ]

Warning!  The (gun) Surgeon General has determined that IDPA shooting can be addictive to your firearms health!

...and shotguns even worse!  Did you know that Beretta makes a shotgun that costs $130,000!   

[RickB]

While I would say, "Jump right in!", I'd temper that with a caution that sanctioned matches often contain stages that are much more elaborate and complex than what you see at a local club match.  I'd been shooting USPSA for a couple of years before I shot IDPA, so the latter seemed very simple, even at its most complex.  But I've heard from more than a few inexperienced shooters that they felt overwhelmed at their first sanctioned match.
I'd recommend shooting at least a dozen club matches before competing in a sanctioned match. 
I've come to consider the classfier match a necessary evil; if I'm going to shoot sanctioned matches, I have to classify.  Think of it as an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, rather than some sort of challenge.  I always shoot better when I'm not trying to prove anything.

[Bob Mayne]

Warning!  The (gun) Surgeon General has determined that IDPA shooting can be addictive to your firearms health!

...and shotguns even worse!  Did you know that Beretta makes a shotgun that costs $130,000!   

Really?  Wow, I didn't know that.  That's insane.  A gun that costs more than most cars?  Does it really shoot that much better?

[SteveZ]

Really?  Wow, I didn't know that.  That's insane.  A gun that costs more than most cars?  Does it really shoot that much better?

I don't know...I've never shot one but I could only guess the answer is no...but YOU feel like it does.