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Summary on IPSC / USPSA / IDPA & More
4/11/2011 10:49:17 PM
Looking for a summary of what each are about...not looking for details just a few line on each.
IPSC
USPSA
IDPA
Rich, that was a great summary of IPSC, USPSA, IDPA. After doing some more research I want to expand this post. I want to try to keep this post based on pistol competitions and national(that include US) or regional(3 or more states) shoot associations as there are hundreds of local shooting associations that have there own style and rules for pistol competitons.
NRA Pistol Competition
EIC Pistol
CMP
I have even more work for you Rich. I'm sure most of you have notice that airsoft has become not only for fun and war games, but competition as well. I haven't done much research in this subject yet. I do know that IPSC has a Action Pistol Competition Rules. From the research I have done Action Pistol is real popular in Japan and the UK, it seems to run off of IPSC rules mainly. So lets do a summary on it as well till we add more.
IPSC (Action Pistol)
IPSC
USPSA
IDPA
Rich, that was a great summary of IPSC, USPSA, IDPA. After doing some more research I want to expand this post. I want to try to keep this post based on pistol competitions and national(that include US) or regional(3 or more states) shoot associations as there are hundreds of local shooting associations that have there own style and rules for pistol competitons.
NRA Pistol Competition
EIC Pistol
CMP
I have even more work for you Rich. I'm sure most of you have notice that airsoft has become not only for fun and war games, but competition as well. I haven't done much research in this subject yet. I do know that IPSC has a Action Pistol Competition Rules. From the research I have done Action Pistol is real popular in Japan and the UK, it seems to run off of IPSC rules mainly. So lets do a summary on it as well till we add more.
IPSC (Action Pistol)
4/11/2011 11:39:49 PM
USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) is the US body of IPSC (International Practical Shooting Confederation). The over-arching principle is speed, power and accuracy or Diligentia, Vis, Celeritas (seen as DVC on a lot of USPSA goodies). It's a game, plain and simple. There are six divisions that accommodate every firearm that's used around the world (with very few exceptions) and the use of either race or concealment gear. These divisions are Open, Limited, Limited-10, Singlestack, Production & Revolver. See brief outline and popular firearms choices below with very brief gear description. The biggest misunderstanding of USPSA is that you have to have a $4k race gun in order to be competitive. Never has been true but that was the perception.
Open: optics and compensators are allowed. The only restriction is the minimum caliber (9mm) and the magazine length ~170mm. "Race" holsters/mag pouches are allowed. Most popular firearms are STI/SV framed custom built guns. Some modified Glocks and EAA/CZ/Tangfolio
Limited: No optics, compensators allowed. Minimum power factor for scoring major (higher point value) is 40. Maximum magazine length is 140mm for double stack mags/170mm for single stack. Same gear allowed as open. Popular firearms = Same as open but more Glocks.
Limited-10: Same as Limited except with the restriction of 10 rounds in the mag...only.
Singlestack: 1911's in "stock" configuration with maximum weight and the use of concealment gear mandatory. Shooter has the choice of either 10 rounds in minor calibers (9mm) or 8 rounds in major (40 or 45). While a lot of folks think that additional rounds are more advantageous, depending on the style of the match, major calibers rule the roost.
Production: Any double action pistol in relatively stock configuration is good to go. Everyone is scored under minor power factor scoring and minimum caliber is 9mm. Use of concealment gear is common and Glocks, XD's, CZ SP-01's et. al. with the G34 likely the most popular.
Revolver: 6 rounders only. Gear = whatever you want. 357 is the minimum caliber with 40 S&W in a S&W 610 being the most popular. Use of moon clips is basically mandatory but not required.
IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) was founded by an off-shoot of USPSA that felt that the sport had deviated from its roots. Regardless of how anyone feels about that, it is exceedingly popular for its use of cover, concealment and only allowing the use of concealment gear. That said, that does not mean that the firearms are stock. Scoring is done as a time plus penalties (greatly simplifying scoring over the Hit Factor scoring done in USPSA; purposely not described for simplicity). Made up of 5 divisions (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this). No division allows the use of optics, compensators or extended magazines.
CDP: Custom Defensive Pistol. 1911 in 45 and that's pretty much it. It's for this gun but can't remember if the singlestack Glock is allowed.
ESP: Enhanced Service Pistol. This is the "tinkerer's" division. Just about anything goes so long as you make weight and it fits in "the box". Popular pistols range from modified DA/SA pistols to small caliber 1911 (9mm/40).
SSP: Stock Service Pistol: Very restrictive on allowed modifications. Basically, sights, trigger & springs. Done.
ESR: Enhanced Service Revolver. Revo w/ moon clips
SSR: Stock Service Revolver. Revo w/ no mods and use of speedloaders.
* There are barrel length restrictions in the revolver divisions, but don't know them off the top of my head.
The biggest differences between USPSA vs. IDPA. USPSA is "freestyle" in that it is up to the shooter to solve the problem given the parameters established by the stage designers limitations and the rules of the game. IDPA is much more regimented in order of engagement. IDPA draws from concealment, incorporates use of cover and other defensive minded techniques, has a lower round count and the maximum rounds per stage and distance of shots taken are shorter. As previously mentioned, the scoring methods are also different. Beyond that, they are VERY similar.
In the end, they're both fun. Try them both and enjoy them both.
Rich
(Hope that wasn't too wordy)
Open: optics and compensators are allowed. The only restriction is the minimum caliber (9mm) and the magazine length ~170mm. "Race" holsters/mag pouches are allowed. Most popular firearms are STI/SV framed custom built guns. Some modified Glocks and EAA/CZ/Tangfolio
Limited: No optics, compensators allowed. Minimum power factor for scoring major (higher point value) is 40. Maximum magazine length is 140mm for double stack mags/170mm for single stack. Same gear allowed as open. Popular firearms = Same as open but more Glocks.
Limited-10: Same as Limited except with the restriction of 10 rounds in the mag...only.
Singlestack: 1911's in "stock" configuration with maximum weight and the use of concealment gear mandatory. Shooter has the choice of either 10 rounds in minor calibers (9mm) or 8 rounds in major (40 or 45). While a lot of folks think that additional rounds are more advantageous, depending on the style of the match, major calibers rule the roost.
Production: Any double action pistol in relatively stock configuration is good to go. Everyone is scored under minor power factor scoring and minimum caliber is 9mm. Use of concealment gear is common and Glocks, XD's, CZ SP-01's et. al. with the G34 likely the most popular.
Revolver: 6 rounders only. Gear = whatever you want. 357 is the minimum caliber with 40 S&W in a S&W 610 being the most popular. Use of moon clips is basically mandatory but not required.
IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) was founded by an off-shoot of USPSA that felt that the sport had deviated from its roots. Regardless of how anyone feels about that, it is exceedingly popular for its use of cover, concealment and only allowing the use of concealment gear. That said, that does not mean that the firearms are stock. Scoring is done as a time plus penalties (greatly simplifying scoring over the Hit Factor scoring done in USPSA; purposely not described for simplicity). Made up of 5 divisions (someone correct me if I'm wrong on this). No division allows the use of optics, compensators or extended magazines.
CDP: Custom Defensive Pistol. 1911 in 45 and that's pretty much it. It's for this gun but can't remember if the singlestack Glock is allowed.
ESP: Enhanced Service Pistol. This is the "tinkerer's" division. Just about anything goes so long as you make weight and it fits in "the box". Popular pistols range from modified DA/SA pistols to small caliber 1911 (9mm/40).
SSP: Stock Service Pistol: Very restrictive on allowed modifications. Basically, sights, trigger & springs. Done.
ESR: Enhanced Service Revolver. Revo w/ moon clips
SSR: Stock Service Revolver. Revo w/ no mods and use of speedloaders.
* There are barrel length restrictions in the revolver divisions, but don't know them off the top of my head.
The biggest differences between USPSA vs. IDPA. USPSA is "freestyle" in that it is up to the shooter to solve the problem given the parameters established by the stage designers limitations and the rules of the game. IDPA is much more regimented in order of engagement. IDPA draws from concealment, incorporates use of cover and other defensive minded techniques, has a lower round count and the maximum rounds per stage and distance of shots taken are shorter. As previously mentioned, the scoring methods are also different. Beyond that, they are VERY similar.
In the end, they're both fun. Try them both and enjoy them both.
Rich
(Hope that wasn't too wordy)
4/11/2011 11:59:27 PM
Well said.
+1
Originally Posted By uscbigdawg1:
In the end, they're both fun. Try them both and enjoy them both.
In the end, they're both fun. Try them both and enjoy them both.
+1
4/12/2011 12:32:19 AM
Thank you for that.
4/12/2011 10:40:48 AM
Great summary, Rich.
And to the OP, definitely try them both out to see what you like and enjoy.
And to the OP, definitely try them both out to see what you like and enjoy.
4/18/2011 10:03:04 AM
Great job Rich!
4/19/2011 1:00:09 PM
Well summarized uscbigdawg1
Revolver comments
USPSA about 80% of the revolvers are some variation on S&W 625 or 25 in 45ACP. The big cylinder holes make this the fastest easiest to reload. Another~15% of them are S&W 610 revolves (40S&W/10mm Auto). The last 5% is mostly 38/357 revolvers.
IDPA has a 4 inch limit on revolvers.
Nothing's better than out shooting the bottom feeders with the round gun!
mcb
Revolver comments
USPSA about 80% of the revolvers are some variation on S&W 625 or 25 in 45ACP. The big cylinder holes make this the fastest easiest to reload. Another~15% of them are S&W 610 revolves (40S&W/10mm Auto). The last 5% is mostly 38/357 revolvers.
IDPA has a 4 inch limit on revolvers.
Nothing's better than out shooting the bottom feeders with the round gun!
mcb
5/6/2011 11:02:41 PM
NRA Action Pistol Competition - I can most appropriately speak on NRA Action pistol as opposed to the PPC and such that they do. NRA Action Pistol was developed as a means to test the best law enforcement shooters in the country. Centralized by John Bianchi, it became the Bianchi Cup (he's the holster guy). Only the last couple of decades has it been open to civilians. It's a 4 stage match with 3 divisions. Open, Production and Revolver (I think). Gear is gear and all have to meet a fairly extensive list of requirements better found on the NRA's Competition website. The four events are The Practical, The Barricade, The Plates and The Mover. Googling video and/or going on Youtube is a great source for these events. It's an accuracy driven sport with the times being easy to manage the shots in. The match is won with a perfect score every year (except I think 1 in like the last 15 years) where it comes down to the number of X's fired. Sorry I'm not being as descriptive with this one. Combination of there's a lot of information on the net and I'm in the middle of finals and finishing med school applications.
CMP - There was actually a great piece on American Rifleman Television on this recently. Formerly the Department of Civilian Marksmanship, it exists to improve marksmanship of the average person. Again, there are volumes of info on their website.
Japan and other countries heavily involved with IPSC Airsoft are so for one reason. They can't own firearms. The Japanese in particular are fabulous shooters and a large contingent comes over every year for the Steel Challenge held in Piru, California. Without going too much into politics, necessity became the mother of invention and so many shooters in other countries have developed and improved IPSC Airsoft. Again, YouTube is a great resource for this. For pistols and metal targets, contact BAM Airsoft and tell them I sent you.
Rich
CMP - There was actually a great piece on American Rifleman Television on this recently. Formerly the Department of Civilian Marksmanship, it exists to improve marksmanship of the average person. Again, there are volumes of info on their website.
Japan and other countries heavily involved with IPSC Airsoft are so for one reason. They can't own firearms. The Japanese in particular are fabulous shooters and a large contingent comes over every year for the Steel Challenge held in Piru, California. Without going too much into politics, necessity became the mother of invention and so many shooters in other countries have developed and improved IPSC Airsoft. Again, YouTube is a great resource for this. For pistols and metal targets, contact BAM Airsoft and tell them I sent you.
Rich
