SO im thinking about doing some IDPA with my XDM .40 and was wondering if anyone shot competitively with that or just in general what people use in the way of ammo for IDPA events. I was just thinking about showing up with my crossbreed holster and some bulk practice ammo.
thoughts
The XDM is a reasonably competitive IDPA gun. The crossbreed holster will slow you down some compared to most of the straight drop kydex OWB holsters you’ll see in use, but it’s still a good place to start. Regular bulk practice ammo will work ok, but most of the competitbve guys shooting .40 will have handloads that run about 135 pf. Your average bulk .40 will be running closer to 160-170pf, so you’ll have more recoil than then to contend with.
If you’re wanting more trigger time for CCW or HD practice, using what you have is recommended and encouraged.
The most important thing is getting out there and doing it. Just by showing up to your first match you’ll be light years ahead of the vast majority of gunowners.
Since IDPA requires shooters to draw from concealment, and since the original idea behind this was to get people shooting with their carry gun/gear, your Supertuck will be PERFECT to get started. and in terms of ammo just get out there and shoot with whatever you can find that will run the gun the cheapest.
You’re not going to be competitive right out of the gate, so worrying about things like more recoil and slower drawstroke is pointless. When starting out in any of the action shooting sports, the shooting is frankly inconsequential at first. What matters is that you’re there, getting the feel of things, being safe, learning the ropes, and helping paste target and reset the stages.
The gear you have is fine, and whatever ammo you have is fine. Get yourself a double mag pouch, or two singles, if you don’t have them already.
Thats one nice thing about the xdm it comes with an OWB holster and a double mag pouch so realistically i could use either holster. and i reload as well with the .40s&w dies sitting on the shelf and have yet to been used. loading them up myself could be cheaper, more competitive and give me an excuse to finally use them.
i am doing IDPA for the simple training value of it. Unfortunately i am also very competitive and am imagining this turning into more of a sport than a training exercise lol.
I shoot out of my my MTAC about 75% of the time at local matches. Yeah the slower draw spread over 6 stages adds up, but not enough to really make a big difference in my placement(varied skill levels), which isnt too much of a concearn. I also run factory ammo. I don’t think I’ll buy a G34/MPpro with fibers and powder puff ammo until I make master.
When I use my comp tac, I’m usually trying to run too fast and find my current breaking point of speedvs accuracy.
Idpa is a good time and will give you more practice at shooting with a different mentality then just your average day at the range. But remember it is a game, if your looking for true self defense/weapons training then seek out a professional trainer and class.
Once you start shooting Idpa, you will be hooked…its a blast!!!
As for holsters I use Galcos combat master and there leather double mag pouch. Then for ammo i generaly shoot winchester (white box) bulk ammo.
Bulk practice ammo is what most people who don’t reload shoot in IDPA matches.
Any holster that is safe and IDPA legal is fine. I completely agree with everyone else who said that it’s more imortant to go to your first match than to think about it any more.
I was unlucky enough to shoot the classifier at my first match. Avoid that if you can, but it’s not a big deal if it happens.
My advice is that you attend a local match and just watch so that you get a feel for the process, rules and such. Make some friends and see what folks are using. Makes your first shooting match a whole lot easier and fun.
Just my $.02
At our local matches I’m starting to see a lot more people using the leather/kydex type IWB holsters, you’ll be good-to-go with something similar. Walmart usually has Winchester 100 round boxes and that will fine to start with.
At your first matches don’t be worried about a Raylan Givens quick draw, safety is your first concern. Let the match director and SOs know you’ve never shot IDPA before and they’ll most likely give you a new shooter orientation.
Have fun and be warned, it can be addictive!
Grab your safety glasses, and ear muff’s (Electronic) get there early, go to watch! Don’t get in the way, tag along with a squad, help patch targets, only after the range has been declared SAFE, and all targets have been scored.
Your first impression might be WOW MIND BOGGLING! Thats OK too, there are some rally nice people shoot this sport.
Good luck.