All The Different Classes

[IanLock]

Hi all,

Would like to get into IDPA, just for a bit of a change. But what are all the classes/divisions? whats all this ESP and CDP what is that all about, and does each class have different holster rules.???Do you have to wear something that covers the gun the hole time.??

any help or links, greatfully received.

[Jane]

The best link is right to IDPA's website.

acronyms and abbreviations

basic info

full rulebook (4.5 megabyte download)

The rulebook has photographs showing what they want as far as holsters and magazine/speedloader carriers, and explains which guns (and possible modifications) are permitted in which divisions.

Classifications are determined by how well you do on a standardized shooting skills test with a particular type of gun.

HTH

[Jim Watson]

You could go to www.idpa.com and read the rule book, but for a quickie...

Divisions

CDP = .45 ACP, PERIOD. Home of the 1911, but any action type is ok. 8+1 max. Major PF.

ESP = Any caliber 9mm up. Home of the obsolete single stack .38 Super but any action type is ok, things like modified Glocks. 10+1 maximum. Minor PF.

SSP = Any caliber 9mm P up, double action or equivalent, near stock condition. Mostly Glocks, some Beretta, Sig-Sauer, etc. 10+1 maximum. Minor PF.

SSR = Any revolver, .38 Special up, speedloader reload, 6 maximum, 4" maximum barrel, near stock condition. Minor PF

ESR = Any revolver, .38 Special up, moonclip reload, 6 maximum, 4" maximum, few mods. Major PF.

No compensators, ports, optical sights, aperture sights any gun. Other limitations in the rule book.

Concealment garments are normally worn for "scenario" stages, not required for most standards or even for scenarios with off-body start. Point is, you must have a concealment garment for every match even if not for every stage.

Holsters must go on or in the pants belt behind the side centerline of the body with no daylight visible between holster and belt, and not over 3/4" between gun and torso.

Magazines likewise, only two reload magazines allowed; stages will not exceed 18 rounds on one time. Speedloader or moonclip carriers can be worn with two in front of the revolver holster, another elsewhere out of sight.

Edited September 13, 2006 by Jim Watson

[IanLock]

thanks guys, very informative.

Am i right in saying that a Glock 17 would not allowed to be used then because the mags take 15 as standard.

either ways its a good excusse to go buy a few more guns.

[Jane]

Sorry to destroy your excuse

Page 10, paragraph C15 of the rulebook:

Pistols must start from the mechanical condition of

readiness appropriate to their design and be loaded to division

capacity (See Appendix One – Equipment, Firearms for

division capacity explanation). High capacity magazines must

be loaded to full division capacity of the division the contestant

is shooting in.

In that SSP requires most guns to start a stage loaded with 11 rounds (10 in magazine and one in chamber), many matches allow you to load 11 rounds in a high cap for the first mag. All other magazines must be loaded to division capacity (10 rounds for SSP... or the gun's maximum if it's something like a SIG P239 which has lesser capacity.)

[richardschennberg]

You could buy a Glock 21 and shoot it for all divisions except the 2 revolver ones.

For CDP you load your mags to 8 (9 for the one you load initially for 8+1).

For SSP and ESP you load your mags to 10 (11 for the one you load initially for 10+1).

You only need 3 mags for IDPA.

If you are interested in other shooting sports that allow ported barrels, you could buy a Glock 21C and an extra unported barrel. You can shoot the C model Glocks in IDPA as long as you replace the ported barrel by an unported one. Then you can use the ported barrel for shooting sports that allow it, such as bowling pin shoots, IPSC/USPSA Open Division, Glock Competition and Unlimited/Master Categories.

I have this setup for 3 calibers of Glocks. I wrote down the sight changes for my Glock 17C and it only takes 2 clicks for a perfect zero after changing barrels.