I decided to try out the Colt Concealed Carry Officer pistol in a match for the first time, and it worked fine. I was a little bit confused since the Officer magazines hold fewer rounds than the regular size 1911 magazines, and I'm still confused. Today I had one MecGar, two Colt, and one Wilson magazine for the CCO. All worked ok. There were several times when we had to load a specific number of rounds so I had to switch from my usual habit of reloading all magazines as soon as possible after a stage, but instead wait to hear what was needed. Unlike IPSC, IDPA stages are not published in advance. The element of surprise adds to the value of the training. I used a Blade-Tech holster designed for the Colt Commander. The CCO has a Commander slide, and an Officer frame. Ammunition was Winchester 230 grain FMJ, nothing special, but it worked every time.
It was between 95 and 100 degrees outside, but the Volunteer Pistol Club had lots of ice water and an awning, and even plenty of chairs. In keeping with the spirit of IDPA, I wore a vest for concealment. Most people had sense enough not to wear a vest, but it's important to practice drawing from a realistic situation so I toughed it out. As soon as I got home, the IDPA outfit was exchanged for an Hawaiian shirt and shorts.
There were four stages. The first stage was very complicated. We started from a standing position with a 6 round magazine, fired two shots at two targets while moving back to cover behind a barrel. A reload was required there, more rounds then a tactical retreat to a barricade where three more targets had to be engaged. The first magazine had to be used again and the gun was fired to "slide lock" (empty) and I'm still confused, but it was fun.
The second stage required us to knock down a popper, then draw and engage three targets at different distances. Two of the targets were covered with t-shirts to hide the "-0" zone on the IDPA targets. This had to be done three times, and the last time was strong hand only.
The third stage required six shots on three targets starting at seven yards, then moving back to intermediate ranges until the last six were fired from 20 yards. I noticed that my times got longer as I moved back, because it took longer to aim. "You can't miss fast enough to win." You have to get good hits.
The last stage was fun and instructive. We fired one shot, then moved one step to the right and fired another shot, and repeated this several times, then started over and moved a step to the left each time. This wasn't square dancing, but a way of keeping from staying in the same position when shooting in low light. If you fire and stay put, someone may fire back at the location of your muzzle flash. If you move, they'll be shooting where you used to be and not where you are. Good training.
I don't know how many people were at the match, but everyone treated newcomers like part of their family and I appreciated that very much. It turns out the match was held on the property of a local gunsmith. I checked out his .45 and several of the others there, assuming he might have worked on those guns as well. My impression was positive enough so that the "loaded Springfield" will be shipped to Brush Creek, Tennessee next week for a magazine well installation with Wilson parts.
There aren't many pictures on this page, but there are a lot of good memories associated with today's IDPA match. IDPA is complicated sometimes. IPSC seems looser...sometimes. In the long run, the habits developed in IDPA shooting are going to be more valuable in a survival situation than habits picked up in IPSC. I made one mental mistake today, and learn from mistakes each time I make one.