IDPA Overview

The purpose of IDPA competition is to test the skill and ability of the individual in the use of practical equipment including full charge service ammunition to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios. The national organization was formed around the following main principles:

1. To promote safe and proficient use of guns and equipment suitable for self-defense use.
2. To create a level playing field for all competitors to test the skill and ability of the individual, not their equipment.
3. Provide separate divisions fro equipment and classifications for shooters, such that guns with similar characteristics are grouped together and people wit similar skills compete against each other.
4. To provide shooters with practical and realistic courses of fire that simulate potentially life threating encounters or that test skills required to survive life-threatening encounters.
5. Offer a practical shooting sport responsive to the shooters and sponsors with unprecedented stability of equipment rules.
6. Offer a practical shooting sport that allows competitors to concentrate on developing skills and fellowship with like-minded shooters.

These pages contain a summary of IDPA rules and guidelines. More information is available at the IDPA Website. (www.ipda.com)

EQUIPMENT (back to top)

Shooters competing in IDPA events are required to use practical handguns and holsters that are truly suitable for self-defense use. 

Divisions (back to top)

Stock Service Pistol (SSP)
Standard service pistols in DAO, traditional DA/SA and striker fired actions in 9mm and .40.  May use selective DA but must start with hammer down.  Must fit in IDPA standard box.  Limit 10 rounds.

Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP)
Single action or selective DA/SA pistols in 9mm and .40 that have been modified for carry (not competition).  Must fit standard IDPA box, maximum weight 43 oz. Limit 10 rounds.

Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP)
Model 1911-style single stack .45 pistols that have been modified for carry (not competition).  Must fit IDPA standard box, maximum weight 41 oz. Limit 8 rounds.

Enhanced Service Revolver (ESR)

Be any revolver of .38 caliber or larger. Have a barrel length of 4.2" or less (measured from the front of the cylinder. Have a maximum unloaded weight of 50 oz. Be loaded to division capacity of no more than (8) rounds. Seven (7) and eight (8) shot revolvers are permitted. Revolver may be reloaded via speedloader or full moon clip.

Stock Service Revolver (SSR)
Be any revolver of .38 caliber or larger that utilizes ammunition witha rimmed case and is not loaded with a full moon clip. Have a barrel length of 4" or less (measured from the front of the cylinder. Have a maximum unloaded weight of 42 oz. Be loaded to division capacity of no more than (6) rounds. Seven (7) and eight (8) shot revolvers are permitted but only load to six (6) rounds.

Power Factors (back to top)

Power factor = bullet weight x muzzle velocity.

• Stock Service Pistol: 125,000
• Enhanced Service Pistol: 125,000
• Custom Defensive Pistol: 165,000
• Enhanced Service Revoler: 165,000
• Stock Service Revolver: 125,000

Modifications (back to top)

Permitted Modifications

• External sights to another convention notch and post type, grips and custom finishes
• Internal accuracy and reliability as long as safety is maintained.
• Chamfer the rear of the chambers
• Shorting of factory barrels
• Conversion from rimmed to rimless ammunition

Excluded Modifications For All Divisions

• Compensators or ported barrels
• Add on weights
• Heavy and/or cone style barrels without barrel bushings
• Non-standard sights (ghost rings, optics, etc.)
• Disconnection or disabling of any safety deveice on any gun
• Lights mounted on guns

All equipment must be practical for self-defense use and suitable for continuous, all day concealed carry wear.  Match director will disqualify a competitor using equipment not meeting these guidelines.

          A. Must be designed for concealed carry and suitable for all day continuous wear.

B. Must be worn on a standard belt of no more than 1 ¾” width that must pass through the belt loops on the shooter’s pants.

C. Must fully cover the trigger of the firearm.

D. Must carry the firearm in a neutral (vertical) or muzzle rear cant, but have no adjustable cant backpieces.  Holster cant that is adjustable by removing bolts and repositioning the backpiece is allowed.  Exception: IWB style holsters do not have to meet this particular criterion.

E. Must hold the firearm with enough tension to allow the wearer to complete normal daily tasks without fear of losing the weapon.

F. Can have no offset backpieces and/or belt slots.  The holster may not offset away from the belt and/or body.  No gap is permitted in the following areas:

   1. From the body to the inside of the belt.

   2. From the outside of the belt to the inside of the backpiece and/or backside of the

       holster.

   3. From the outside of the backpiece to the inside of the holster.

If you look through the belt slot area of the holster with it on the belt/body, you should not be able to see any daylight.  If you can see through this belt tunnel area, the holster is not approved.

Holster/backpiece must be constructed of “normal thickness” common holster making materials, no filler is allowed to hide an offset.  In simple terms, the back of the holster must be held tightly against the outside of the belt for proper concealed carry (for questions, refer to #1 above and re-read the “Purpose” section in the front of this rulebook).¹

G. Must be constructed of normal thickness common holster making materials (leather, Kydex, plastic, nylon, etc.).

H. May not position the firearm where the breech face (autos) or rear of the cylinder (revolvers) is below the center of the belt.  NO drop loops are permitted.³   Holsters for females may position the breech face of a pistol or rear of the cylinder of a revolver up to 1 ½” below the center of the belt.

NOTE: IWB style holsters are exempt from this criterion.

I. Must hold the firearm positioned on the body so an object of ¾”width cannot pass between the shooter’s body and the inside of the firearm when the shooter is standing straight and upright.²

J. Must be positioned on the belt in a location that will keep the center of the trigger pad behind the centerline 4 of the body.

NOTE: Modification of current holsters and ammunition carriers to meet IDPA criteria is acceptable.

 

COMPETITION RULES (back to top)

This is a summary of the Competition Rules. Check the IDPA Website for more.

Approved Reloads (back to top)
No loaded ammunition carriers may be left behind if the shooter moves to another firing position.  Firearm is considered LOADED when the fresh magazine is seated or revolver cylinder is closed.  Retain magazine in pocket, waistband or magazine pouch before firing next shot. No speed reloads. 

• Tactical Reload - exchange magazines at gun, always acceptable.
• Retention Reload - exchange magazines at belt, if allowed at stage.
• Slide-Lock Reload - slide locked back on empty magazine, OK to drop.
• Tactical Reloads & Reloads with Retention are interchangeable.

Proper Use of Cover (back to top)

• At least 50% of the shooter's upper torso and 100% of the shooter's legs must be behind cover while engaging threat targets. Single warning issued. 
• All reloads must be executed behind cover if available.

Order of Engagement (back to top)

• Tactical Priority- near to far in the open, as visible (slicing the pie) from cover.
• Tactical Sequence - engage all with one round before engaging with additional rounds. 

Courses Of Fire (CoF) (back to top)

Courses of fire will simulate a potential real life self-defense scenario or test shooting and gun handling skills that would be necessary in a real life self-defense scenario.  

1. Maximum # or rounds required for a course of fire is 18.
2. The majority of shots will be less than 15 yards.
3. Maximum distance will be 20 yards.
4. Courses will be 6 shot neutral.
5. Maximum number of rounds in a magazine will be 10.
6. Maximum movement required will be 15 yards.
7. Tactics will be enforced by use of vision barriers, barricades, etc.

Targets & Scoring (back to top)

Targets (back to top)

• 18 x 30 inch cardboard with three scoring zones: 5, 4 and 2.
• Various steel including 8" plates and standard poppers.

Scoring (back to top)

Scoring is based on time with POINTS DOWN from the possible. Add penalties for procedural errors and .5 second penalty for each point down. The competitor with the LOWEST SCORE WINS. Always award any question on scoring to the contestant.  

• 5 Zone ­ down 0, no penalty
• 4 Zone ­ down 1 point, each shot counts 1 x.5 seconds
• 2 Zone ­ down 3 points, each shot counts 3 x.5 seconds
• Miss - down 5 points, each miss counts 5 x.5 seconds

Vickers Count (back to top)

For use when shooting speed shoots and scenarios. 

1. Fire as many shots as deemed necessary but only the highest scoring of the number specified will be scored.
2. Add .5 second for each point dropped for shots outside the 5 Zone.
3. Penalties:

• Procedural error: Add 3 seconds per infraction.
• Hits on non-threat target: Add 5 seconds per target, any number of hits.
• FTN - Failure to neutralize: This penalty applies to any target that does not have at least one (1) four zone (minus 1) or higher value hit.   Add 5 seconds.
• Failure to do right (circumventing the spirit of the sport for a competitive advantage): Add 20 seconds.

Limited Vickers Count (back to top)

For use when shooting standard exercises. 

1. Fire number of shots specified in course description only.
2. Add .5 second for each point dropped for shots outside the 5 Zone.
3. Penalties:

• Procedural error: + 3 seconds per infraction.
• Hits on non-threat target: + 5 seconds per target, any number of hits.
• Extra shots fired: +3 seconds and deduct highest scoring hit per extra shot.
• Failure to do right: +20 seconds.

Par Time (back to top)

For use in standards exercises.

1. Each string of fire has a fixed time limit.
2. Score will be in points, not time.
3. Penalties:

• Shots fired in "overtime": -5 points per shot.
• Procedural error: -5 points per infraction.
• Hits on non-threat target: -10 points per hit.
• Failure to do right: -200 points.

Procedural Penalties (back to top)

A procedural penalty is assessed when the competitor does not follow the procedures set forth in the course description.  

DNF (Did Not Finish) (back to top)

Use whichever method gives the shooter the lowest time (best score):

1. Score will be based actual time up to the point at which the shooter could not continue plus 5 points down for each shot not fired plus failure to neutralize penalties.
2. The minimum number of shots for the course is multiplied by 3 seconds for a stage score.

Classifications (back to top)

Competitors are classified according to their performance on a standardized course of fire. You must shoot a separate classification match for each division you wish to compete in. 

Classification match consists of three stages, 90 rounds total.  Stages may be run together or individually at club option.  Records are maintained at local club only, club official will mark classification card. Repeat as often as desired to improve rating.   

Range Commands (back to top)

The standard range commands are as follows:

Load and make ready: Shooters will load their handguns and assume the start position. Loading and gun handling will only be done on this command. Any gun handling before this command will be grounds for disqualification.

Shooter ready?: This is a question, not a command to be ready.  Shooters will signify readiness by not responding or if "not ready" will reply loudly "NOT READY". A reasonable amount of time will be given to achieve readiness (loading, mental preparation, adjustment of equipment, etc.).

Standby: This command signifies that in 3 to 5 seconds the start signal beeper or whistle will sound.

Start signal: By electronic timer or whistle. On the sound, shooters will commence the course of fire. Jumping the signal (starting to raise the gun or moving finger to the trigger before the signal results in procedural error).

Unload and show clear: Before leaving the firing line for any reason and after completion of a course of fire, all competitors will unload their guns on this command, let the chambered round drop to floor, keep the muzzle pointing down range and display to the range officer for inspection with cylinder out or slide locked back.   

Holster: Some safety officers may require the competitor to drop the hammer or striker before holstering.  Wait for SO to state gun is clear before holstering. Be sure not to cross yourself with the muzzle while holstering. 

Range is safe: The competitors and SO may proceed down range to score and tape targets. 

Safety Issues (back to top)

IDPA rules have as their fundamental purpose the safe conduct and enjoyment of defensive pistol matches.  

Safety Considerations (back to top)

1. Absolutely no gun handling behind the firing line.
2. Firearms must be unloaded and holstered, bagged, boxed or flagged until called to the line.
3. Unloaded firearms: Pistols ­ magazine out, hammer down, chamber empty. Revolvers ­ cylinder empty, hammer down.
4. Loading only on the line under direction of the SO.
5. Firing must be directed downrange only towards the backstop.
6. Trigger finger discipline must be observed, only access trigger when on target.
7. Disqualification will be incurred for any and all safety infractions plus failure to obey the commands of the SO.
8. Competitor briefings ­ each event will be explained by the SO prior to start.
9. Safe muzzle direction must be maintained at all times.

Disqualification Violations (back to top)

Entrants will be disqualified, without refund, for the following:

1. Handling a firearm except while on the firing line. Otherwise all firearms will remain in safe condition (holstered, magazine out, chamber empty, hammer down).
2. Unsportsman-like conduct.
3. Premature shots: In the holster or striking behind the firing line or within 6 feet of the shooter.
4. Breaking the 180-degree line.
5. Possessing a loaded pistol except under direction of a range official.
6. Crossing another person with the muzzle.
7. Use of artificial support.
8. Failure to obey commands of the SO.

Safety Procedurals (back to top)

Three second penalty, no Disqualification.

1. Loading, unloading, holstering, moving more than 1 step (except while engaging targets as specified), changing positions or clearing malfunctions with finger inside the trigger guard.
2. Sweeping (crossing your body with the muzzle at any time).

Safety Commands (back to top)

Safety Officer may yell commands for unsafe actions:

1. FINGER - for finger in trigger guard violations. 
2. MUZZLE - if the muzzle is getting near a safe point. 
3. STOP - if the shooter does something grossly unsafe.