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Monthly IDPA matches at the Mid Carolina Rifle Club are a great opportunity for local shooters to hone their defensive handgun skills. This course serves as a basic introduction to IDPA, explaining a lot of the things that there just isn’t time to explain in detail during the actual matches. Every effort has been made to keep the threshold for this class as low as possible: the class size is small (2-4 students), the course duration is short (3-4 hours), and the cost is low ($45). After completing this course, new shooters should feel well prepared for shooting their first IDPA match, and more experienced IDPA shooters should feel confident they will improve their performance at their next IDPA match.

Here are the advantages to taking this course:

1. Handgun safety: course graduates will have a solid grounding in applied handgun safety
2. Equipment check: Ensure that your equipment is IDPA legal
3. Knowing the rules: You will not receive any penalties during your matches because you didn’t know the rules
4. Understanding IDPA terms: Common terms used in IDPA scenarios will be demonstrated and practiced
5. Practicing what you have learned: unlike at a match, exercises can be shot multiple times during this training course

Course Outline

• Welcome and introductions
• Safety Review
• Introduction to IDPA rules
• Student Equipment Check
• Marksmanship Fundamentals Review
• String Commands
• Loading and unloading commands
• The draw
• IDPA Reloads
• Use of cover in IDPA
• Tactical Sequence
• Tactical Order
• Shooting on the move in IDPA
• Expectations of the shooter
• IDPA Glossary Review

Optional sections

At the discretion of the instructor the following additional topics may be included if time allows:

• Weak hand and strong hand shooting
• Malfunction Drills
• Shooting from retention
• Point shooting
• Equipment selection criteria
• Reading a course of fire
• Any additional IDPA topics requested by the students

Student Equipment

IDPA is mostly a contest of skill rather than equipment. All IDPA equipment must be practical for self-defense use, concealable, and suitable for all day continuous wear. CWP holders will probably already own all of the gear required.

Students will need to bring the following to IDPA matches (and to this course):

• Willingness to have some fun with a gun.
• A handgun (semi-automatic or revolver; at least 9 mm or .38 Special)
• At least 2 magazines for semi-automatics (3 preferred)
• At least 2 speed loaders for revolvers (4 preferred)
• Recommended but not required: 2 magazine pouches or 3 speed loader carriers on your belt
• A strong side hip holster (i.e., the holster is on your right side if you are right handed). The holster should be designed for actual carry use. Competition-only holsters and appendix carry are not allowed.
• A belt suitable for use with your holster (i.e., the belt is as wide as the belt loops on your holster).
• At least 100 rounds of ammunition for your handgun.
• Eye and ear protection.
• Concealment garment (for example, a Hawaii shirt that fully covers the gun while it is in the holster)
• Recommended but not required: magazine carriers or speed loader carriers
• Water and some snacks
• Optional: A baseball type cap or a hat with a wide rim (to keep the sun and spent cases out of your face).
• Optional: folding chair, sun block, and bug spray.

If you do not yet have all of the equipment, contact the instructor before buying any equipment specifically for this class. The instructor is an experienced IDPA competitor and Safety Officer, and will be able to advise you on any purchases or may have loaner equipment available.

Enrollment

All students must already have undergone basic firearms training and be capable of safely handling their handguns. Check the schedule page for the next course date and contact the instructor to request an application form.