gobabygo Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 I recently bought my first handgun... the Springfield TRP Operator. I bought it as an all around do everything gun (home defense and target) and I have a M6 light/laser that goes on the rail while in my safe next to my bed. In reading about the different shooting sports, IDPA piqued my interest the most... so I bought a belt and holster so I could try my hand at IDPA. However, after an in depth review of the rules I've just found out that my pistol is "illegal" because it has a full length dust cover/light rail, bull barrel and it weighs 42 oz. So, basically I can't compete in IDPA with this gun even though this is exactly how it came from Springfield. I'm very disappointed and it's ironic that I bought this as a defensive pistol and yet it's not allowed in International Defensive Pistol shooting. So I have no choice and will go and shoot IPSC, and will have to buy a different holster for that. Sorry for the rant, but I was wondering if by any chance there will be any possible rule changes that might allow me to use this pistol. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhino Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 So I have no choice and will go and shoot IPSC, and will have to buy a different holster for that. Congratulation on your new pistol! I'm sure it's a nice gun. First of all, why do you think you need to buy a different holster for IPSC? Anything you use in IDPA is perfectly acceptable in USPSA/IPSC or IPSC. I use the same gun and gear for both games. Another thing to consider is that club level matches won't always force you to obey all of the rules all of the time. In fact, you could ask your local match director if you could shoot your gun. At the very least, they will probably let you shoot, but it will be for "no score" or awards if any are given. So you'd get to shoot and you'd be able to compare your performance to others with similar if not identical guns ("no score" doesn't mean they won't score your shooting!). Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 I'll bet your local IDPA match director would let you get your feet wet, at least. And, as Rhino stated, no need to buy a new holster for USPSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lynn jones Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 the gun is legal in USPSA, come on over to the light side of the force, luke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobabygo Posted August 19, 2003 Author Share Posted August 19, 2003 Yeah, I'm going to go to my first USPSA match in 2 weeks. I don't want to bother going to an IDPA match with a gun I can't compete normally with, since if I liked it, then I'd have to buy another gun! USPSA is fine I'm sure. IDPA, being less equipment oriented, just appealed to me to initally. But I guess it's for the better as there are far fewer IDPA events around here compared to USPSA events. I can shoot a USPSA event every weekend around here! As for the holster, I know that I can shoot USPSA with it, but I've already ordered a Blade-tech anyway . I've shot a few Steel Challenge practice matches over the last month and this last weekend the guy timing me said that I was shooting my first shot in about 1.75 sec out of my High Noon holster. He said that unless I shot IDPA a lot that I should get a new holster and that could probably shave .5 sec off my draw. Of course he didn't say anything about me shooting a .45 at Steel Challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loves2Shoot Posted August 19, 2003 Share Posted August 19, 2003 Race holsters are overated. The draw time and guns aren't as important as leaning to shoot until you get to the top levels in competition shooting, and by that time you will have spent enough time practicing that you will be able to draw well with whatever your gun sits in. Ie. over a course of fire for a newbie your time will be generally between 20-30 seconds and even if your draw is 2-3 seconds, that extra second on the draw isn't going to be what holds you back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EricW Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 You should sell me your SA cheap and buy a gun that's more Tactically Correct. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 gobabygo, This miconception just hurts me to hear... IDPA, being less equipment oriented, just appealed to me to initally. That is a falsehood that just isn't really true. (not your fault...it is preached waaay to much by some) Every USPSA match has 5 divisions...all scored seperately. So, it is like shooting 5 seperate matches...just using the same stages and setup. Your gun will fit perfectly well into the Limited 10 division. (sorry about getting on the soapbox. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayonaise Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Flexmoney is right. Your local IDPA MD will probably let you shoot. You just won't be able to use it in a sanctioned major match. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flexmoney Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Yeah...shoot them both...shoot everything. (That steel is fun too. NRA Action Pistol is a learning experience.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsrdx Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 and will have to buy a different holster for that. I compete just fine in B Class USPSA Limited with a Glock, a Blade Tech and IDPA legal Galco magazine carriers. As stated before, there may be a point in Limited/L10 where you "need" a race rig to be competitive, but it's probably deep into A or Master. Don't let the gear fool you, it's 99.99999% the operator; a GM would shoot well using a PPK from an ankle rig. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 As for your Operator, my cynical and snarky reply to "when" is: when Bill Wilson offers a model with a light rail. And you have fallen in with an eyes wide open crowd. Where else will someone tell you (truely) that .5 seconds on your draw matters not a whit when you've finished a 20 second field course. As for a .45 not "working" in a Steel Challenge match, don't tell that to all those shooting .45's at the real deal in Piru. Develop a soft, quiet, accurate load and practice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vincent Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 Actually Wilson Combat does sell a pistol with a light rail and it is not IDPA legal because it takes the gun over the weight limit. Wilson Combat also makes a full size bull barrel gun that is not IDPA legal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xsrdx Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 when Bill Wilson offers a model with a light rail. Actually, there is a light rail equipped CQB - but it's not a full length dustcover. Wilson Combat CQB Tactical w/ light rail Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Sweeney Posted August 20, 2003 Share Posted August 20, 2003 That'll teach me not to have the catalogs memorized! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blkbrd Posted August 24, 2003 Share Posted August 24, 2003 Wilson Combat tactical Elite- Its a Wilson single stack that is not IDPA legal and they advertize it as "The ultimate in defensive handguns that we offer". they also want $2950 for the thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moneypenny Posted August 27, 2003 Share Posted August 27, 2003 wilson also makes a pistol with a bull barrel, actually a few, and they aren't IDPA legal either. more of a Tactical gun for SWAT or LEO's that like heavy 1911's ... hey a carbine is tactical but its NOT idpa legal. i agree the opperator should eb legal, but who knows it may be some day. Play any sport you can. as for shaving .5 from your draw.. try taking a class from a good/ experienced instructor. it will take more than that off with practice. good luck in your indeavors. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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