IPSC at Harvard.. compared to IPDA?

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Lugnut

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I've been going to Riverside when I can for IDPA. I love action shooting but want more. I've heard a bunch of people do IPSC at Harvard (practice once a week on Wed)... anyone have any comments? What are the major differences? I'll read up on this later for more details... just wanted a quick overview.
 
Each can be as good or as bad as the people involved. Harvard has a first rate crew, and I've heard good things about Chris and the crew at Riverside.

Some differences -

USPSA/IPSC offers divisions ranging from "production" to "full race" - IDPA is limited to defensively oriented guns (that being said, I would not want to be shot with a race gun :) )

USPSA uses "hit factor" scoring (points/tie, weighted by the rounds in a stage). IDPA uses "time plus."

USPSA allows its members to vote for the organization's directors and president, and is incorporated as a 501(c)(3). IDPA is incorporated as a for-profit, and does not permit anyone not holding a seat on the board to vote.

USPSA offers more services to clubs than IDPA (on-site RO courses, full time staff dedicated to USPSA only, etc.) , but USPSA clubs pay a per-shooter fee for each match to USPSA.

IDPA requires persons shooting matches to join after one event. USPSA does not.

USPSA runs a national classification system, with on-line access to classifier scores. IDPA members are self-classified using a simpler process.

USPSA is part of IPSC (the world organization, www.ipsc.org, which has afifliates in over 60 countries - meaning that matches are available in most of the free world, plus Massachusetts, New Jersey and California.

USPSA is making a push into Three Gun and Multi Gun matches (multi-gun is similar to three gun, however, you use more than one gun in a single stage). I am not aware of any IDPA matches with a rifle or shotgun component.

IDPA uses Microsoft ASP for their web site http://www.idpa.com. USPSA uses Linux and PHP http://www.uspsa.org. Both sites are worth a visit.

Rob Boudrie
USPSA Area 7 Director
 
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Lugnut said:
I've been going to Riverside when I can for IDPA. I love action shooting but want more. I've heard a bunch of people do IPSC at Harvard (practice once a week on Wed)... anyone have any comments? What are the major differences? I'll read up on this later for more details... just wanted a quick overview.
Click to expand...

Basic differences:

No cover garment
Faster sport
Higher round count'
Faster Sport
No Tactical reloads
Faster Sport
more movement between positions
Did I say it was a faster sport???


All kidding aside, if you like IDPA, you will like USPSA. Make sure you bring enough ammo and have the necessary reloads on your belt. Some field courses go as high as 32 rounds in a stage.

One caution: Do not come to a USPSA match to watch. COME TO SHOOT. You will not regret it. Even if you join us in revolver Division [grin]
 
What he said....

Plus, it all comes down to trigger time. IDPA has more rules regarding reloads and shooting behind cover. IPSC is more freestyle and prob. not as tactical oriented. Both are a game and some people get carried away in the "combat" aspect of the game.

Def. come down to Harvard to check things out. I guarantee you'll have a blast. All the guys here are great and will be MORE than happy to help you with any and all questions or concerns you may have. Whatever gun and equip. you use for IDPA will work perfect for IPSC in one or more classes.

Pete
 
One more thing - USPSA/IPSC does not have the concept of a "Tactical Reload". You are not penalized for doing a hot reload (loading with a round in the chamber), or for leaving a partially loaded magazine on the ground. This contributes to the "faster sport" aspect.

IPSC shooting is about performance. What matters is how well you score within the rules, not a subjective feeling about how well you did from a tactical perspective.

I am still waiting for someone to tell me of ANY major law enforcement agency which teaches this "tactical reload."
 
I go to Harvard most Wed nights. Great bunch of guys, zero pressure and everyone is very willing to help you out, give tips and suggestions

Its alot of fun, being ammo. I usually go through 150-200 round when I'm there


I've never shot IDPA, but can tell you USPSA is a blast
 
Rob Boudrie said:
One more thing - USPSA/IPSC does not have the concept of a "Tactical Reload". You are not penalized for doing a hot reload (loading with a round in the chamber), or for leaving a partially loaded magazine on the ground. This contributes to the "faster sport" aspect.

IPSC shooting is about performance. What matters is how well you score within the rules, not a subjective feeling about how well you did from a tactical perspective.

I am still waiting for someone to tell me of ANY major law enforcement agency which teaches this "tactical reload."
Click to expand...

Tactical reload is when you have a partially full mag and replace it with a full one when the "threat" has gone away right? What is the difference between this and a "hot reload"?

I'm also familiar with emergency reload, administrative reload, tatical reload with retention. Maybe I'm confused.

Either way Rob- I'll be swinging by one of these weeks... sounds like fun.
 
I'm mixing metaphors a bit - a "tactical" reload is when you retain a partially loaded magazine. A "hot reload" is when you replace the magazine while you still have a round in the chamber (as opposed to shooting the gun dry first).

It is my understanding that IDPA requires that you shoot the gun dry unless you are doing a reload behind cover, and that there is a penalty for leaving magazines on the ground with rounds in them. USPSA/IPSC allows you to reload at any time, and imposes no penalty for leaving a partially loaded magazine on the gorupd.
 
Rob Boudrie said:
It is my understanding that IDPA requires that you shoot the gun dry unless you are doing a reload behind cover, and that there is a penalty for leaving magazines on the ground with rounds in them.
Click to expand...

Thanks Rob. From my limited experience with IDPA I believe the above is correct as well.
 
Rob Boudrie said:
It is my understanding that IDPA requires that you shoot the gun dry unless you are doing a reload behind cover, and that there is a penalty for leaving magazines on the ground with rounds in them. USPSA/IPSC allows you to reload at any time, and imposes no penalty for leaving a partially loaded magazine on the gorupd.
Click to expand...

IDPA requires retaining a mag if the firearm is not empty. (loaded round in chamber empty mag, you retain the mag) All reloads behind cover.

USPSA allows what IDPA calls the "Speed reload" AKA Dump and run. Either way, both are great sports. If you enjoy IDPA, you will enjoy USPSA.

Remember one thing, the sports are similar but different. Because you can or can not do something in one does not carry over to the other. Procedural penalties in USPSA can be greater than IDPA. One PE per infraction per stage in IDPA, One PE per shot fired where an advantage is gained in USPSA is a broad example.

Again, come to play and you will be hooked.

As for major PDs using Tac reloads???? Used to be NYPD with putting spent and partially spent revolver rounds in the pockets until they realized the training was severely flawed. Now it is carry more than you need kind of like the USPSA way [grin]

regards,
 
Aside from the other points, the way that IPSC is scored is differently that IDPA. It is hit factor based, in which points divided by your time or points per second. I like it just because you scoresheets give you more feedback on your performance.

I'm an IPSC shooter that has tried some IDPA. IPSC is more freestyle, less scripted than IDPA, but they are both a blast and a challenge. I shot IPSC in NY yesterday, and if my wife would let me, I'd be shooting IDPA in New Bedford today.
 
Really good guys at both clubs!

The difference to me:

Many of the shooters at Riverside kick my butt, all most all of the shooters at Harvard would kick my butt.:(


Respectfully,

jkelly
 
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