Quoted from the ERGC Website:
The most up to date info regarding upcoming matches can be found here: http://escambiarivergunclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10
Welcome to your first IDPA match at ERGC
IDPA competition is a game based on defensive use of the handgun. While not training,
per se, it employs scenarios which exercise the equipment, clothing, techniques, and
mindset appropriate to carrying a concealed weapon. Scoring emphasizes a balance of
speed and accuracy. Your score is simply the elapsed time plus penalties for inaccuracy
and procedural errors (which are converted to time). Lowest time wins.
Safety is of paramount importance. Some of the rules may seem arbitrary or unrealistic,
but many are the result of experience, and exist in the interest of ensuring a safe,
enjoyable sport for all participants.
Equipment requirements are minimal. The rules encourage commonly used guns and
equipment in order to keep the sport affordable and accessible to nearly anyone. Eye
and hearing protection are mandatory. A cap with a brim or bill is highly recommended.
A cover garment is required for most courses of fire. For most shooters a suitable gun
(9mm or larger caliber) and three magazines or speed loaders are sufficient. The final
required items are pouches or carriers for magazines or speed loaders, and a sturdy
belt. Specific equipment requirements are described in detail in the rule book, which is
available for download from the IDPA web site (http://www.idpa.com/Documents/
IDPARuleBook2005.pdf). Youʼll also receive a printed copy with your IDPA membership.
Match staff at ERGC consists of the Match Director (MD), Safety Officers (SO), and
Scorekeepers. While engaging a course of fire the shooter will be accompanied and
supervised by the SO and Scorekeeper.
At ERGC we operate a “cold range.” That is, during the match no one other than a
shooter under the supervision of a SO is permitted to have a loaded weapon. When not
engaged in a course of fire, all participants are required to have their guns unloaded
and in their holster - no gun handling is allowed. The only exception is the “Safe Area.”
Thus, if it is necessary to check something on the gun or, for instance, practice the
presentation (draw from the holster) or trigger press, it may be done in the “Safe Area.”
It is best for competitors to arrive at the range with their gun unloaded and cased.
There should be no ammunition or magazines in the case with the gun. When ready to
“gun up” the competitor proceeds to the “Safe Area.” There he/she will uncase the gun
and ensure it is unloaded by 1) checking for an empty magazine well (or cylinder for
revolvers), 2) locking back the slide and visually/physically checking for an empty
chamber, 3) releasing the slide (closing the cylinder for revolvers), and 4) pulling the
trigger or decocking. It is then safe to holster the gun. When ready to depart the range
at the end of the match competitors must again use the “Safe Area” to ensure the gun is
clear before placing it back in its case. These checks do NOT require a witness.
However, if you are carrying a concealed firearm and arrive at the range with a loaded
weapon youʼll need to seek out a SO to supervise clearing and holstering the weapon.
[Rule #1 - The gun is always loaded.]Unlike the gun, ammunition and magazines (speed loaders for revolvers) may be
handled at any time before, during, or after the match. At ERGC you can expect to
shoot approximately 50 rounds in a typical match, so itʼs best to arrive with about double
that to be safe. The classifier is a special match which is run a couple of times each
year and requires exactly 90 rounds. Itʼs best to have extra in case of a re-shoot.
Shooters must always be aware of where their muzzle is pointing. For the safety of
officials and other competitors at ERGC it is not permitted to point the muzzle of the gun
more than 90 degrees left or right of the downrange direction at any time. This is called
the “180 rule,” and violation will lead to disqualification. Disqualification will also result
from “sweeping” oneself or another with the muzzle. Additionally, shooters must ensure
that they do not point the muzzle behind themselves when drawing their weapon or
returning it to the holster. This is of particular concern when moving from standing to
kneeling or prone. One of the most common situations in which this rule may be
violated is when attempting to clear a malfunction. [Rule #2 - Never point a gun at
something you are not prepared to destroy.]
At ERGC, due to range restrictions, all firing must be oriented to the north. Additionally,
we are required to ensure that all rounds fired remain within the confines of the range.
Thus, they must impact a berm. Each shooter is responsible for every round he/she
fires. [Rule #3 - Always be sure of your target and what is behind it.]
After signing-in the shooters will be assigned to squads and will remain with that squad
throughout the match. At present, due to the arrangement of the available range, only
one stage may be active at any time (it is planned that eventually the range will be
subdivided such that simultaneous stages may be active).
Each shooter will be escorted by the SO and scorekeeper to engage his/her course of
fire in turn. At the starting position the SO will call for the shooter to “load and make
ready” Wait for the command from the SO. The SO will then confirm that the shooter
understands the course of fire and will ask for confirmation that the shooter is ready.
The SO will command “Standby.” This will be followed shortly by the beep from the
timer.
During the course of fire you may receive safety or procedural calls from the SO. In
order of importance these include: Stop, Trigger, Muzzle, and Cover. It is recommended
that you become familiar with these terms by reading the rule book. It is also very
important to know the types of reload which are permissible and to master the
technique, since this is an integral part of nearly every course of fire. This is covered in
detail in the rule book. During the course of fire, unless you are actively engaging a
target your finger must be outside the trigger guard, preferably indexed along the frame
of the gun. [Rule #4 - Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target.]
When the last shot has been fired the SO will command, “If the shooter is finished,
unload and show clear.” The SO will need to see that the gun is completely unloaded.
Again, follow the SOʼs commands one step at at time. Once the gun has been cleared the SO will instruct you to holster the gun. Many people, now full of adrenaline, are
nervous and clumsy at this point. There is no rush. Take your time and ensure you
donʼt sweep yourself or anyone else with the muzzle as you holster the gun.
When the shooters from each squad have finished, and the last shooter has cleared
and holstered his/her weapon, the range will be called safe and the officials will go
forward to score the targets. Additionally, at this time all other shooters are requested to
go forward to paste hits and reset moving or falling targets in preparation for the next
shooter. When all shooters in a squad have had their turn, the squads will rotate to the
next course of fire.
Set-up and tear-down of the courses of fire require some manpower. If you can arrive
early or remain after the match your help will be greatly appreciated. Exact change is
also appreciated when signing-in. Thatʼs it! We hope your introduction to IDPA will be
safe and enjoyable and that youʼll come back often.
The most up to date info regarding upcoming matches can be found here: http://escambiarivergunclub.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=10