Riverside Gun Club IDPA



Riverside Gun Club is a member of the International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) and holds regularly scheduled sanctioned matches. The Riverside Calendar lists the IDPA schedule.

What is IDPA?

IDPA is an action shooting program where one shooter engages multiple targets in a set Course of Fire (COF). Each COF requires problem solving, safe handling, speed, and accuracy. Shooters are timed and any penalties are added as time. The shooter with the lowest time at the end of the day wins in their classification. See IDPA promo video here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cBkz7uZEzYs

There are enough classifications and categories so that shooters always compete with people of equal equipment and skill. Speaking of equipment, while this is a game, no 'game' style equipment is allowed. If you would not carry it to defend yourself, you can't use it here. The idea is that shooter skill, not pocketbook should determine the winner in a classification.

New shooters are ALWAYS welcome. Any center-fire handgun in a holster with two or three magazines or speedloaders and 150 rounds of ammunition will work for practice nights and matches. We recommend that you practice the game before you spend money on new equipment.

All practices are designed to hone the skills needed for the matches. All matches will be run under IDPA rules. See the IDPA web site for details. Everyone must be classified under IDPA rules at least once per year per competition category. See http://www.ccidpa.org/clastips.html for hints on shooting a better classifier.

Where and When?

Practices every second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 5 PM until 20 minutes before sundown at the 25 and 50 yard outdoor pistol ranges through October.

All are welcome. Cost: $5 members, $10 others.

2008 Calendar announced.

IDPA Classifiers, registration 8:30 AM, 9 AM start. All are welcome. Cost: $15 members, $20 others. See the Riverside Calendar for latests dates of matches and classifiers.

For more information, up-to-date notices, and e-mail reminders, please join our e-mail list at riversideactionshoots-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

It is moderated and is very low traffic. Just the IDPA news you can use.

Safety at IDPA Practices and Matches

See the IDPA Rule Book, page 6, for detailed IDPA safety rules (http://www.idpa.com) that are summarized below:

• Universal Laws

  • The gun is always loaded.
  • Never point a gun at anything you are not prepared to destroy.
  • Always be sure of your target and what is behind it. o Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.
  • S1. Unsafe gun handling will result in immediate disqualification from the entire match. There are ONLY 3 instances in which the gun may be removed from the holster: (1) While engaging targets in a course of fire under the supervision of a Safety Officer (SO), (2) With a verbal instruction from a SO, and (3) When in a designated “safe” area.
  • S2. Dropping an unloaded firearm may incur penalties at the discretion of the SO or Match Director (MD).
  • S3. Pistols will be loaded only when directed by a SO.
  • S4. Shock resistant eye protection and ear protection are required to be used by ANYONE at the range facility.
  • S5. After shooting any course of fire, the shooter must unload, show clear and re-holster before turning up-range or leaving the firing line.
  • S6. Pistols used in [practice and] competition will be serviceable and safe.
  • S7. Fingers must be outside the trigger guard during loading, unloading, drawing, re-holstering, while moving (unless engaging targets) or during remedial action.
  • S8. The normal condition of pistols not actually engaged [in a course of fire on the firing line] is holstered and unloaded, with the hammer down and magazine removed.
  • S9. All courses of fire will be started with the pistol holstered and safe, hands clear of equipment as directed by the SO unless other positions for the pistol are stipulated (table top, drawer, pack, purse, or in the firing hand).