Everything that Scott has said I totally support. From ranges supporting women in shooting, to competitions and caution against the know it all's. I would advise looking into your instructors train-ing locations and schools, and frequency of that training. I sincerely hope you can attend a firearms train-ing academy for a week. You will be pushed far beyond your expectations and perceived limits. It will be an experience you will NEVER forget, and will want to return to.
DVC,
Mary

My .02 cents? Glad you asked!

I only take quick kill or combat training. I have never shot any Saturday IDPA or USPC, just not my thing.

But once you find an instructor you think you like, do a thorough look/see at them anywhere you can find information. Most instructors have all kinds of people commenting about courses they have taken with that instructor, in forums or blogs. Look for what people liked, or shortfalls they have mentioned.
I do like weekend events, gives me some time for socializing with classmates as I am pretty quiet/concentrated while training.

I also like to keep notes during training so I can practice weeks after class is over. Notes help me remember little "tricks" mentioned by the instructor, or other students, as well as the techiques taught for the weekend as a whole.

I have noticed more and more outdoor ranges offering training from people advertised as "highly qualified" in some shape or form. Might be a place to find a good trainer.

I have done a bunch of real world "situations", spent many a dollar on training with very well know instructors that a few on this forum can vouch for.

"If you’re in a gunfight:

- If you’re not shooting, you should be loading.

- If you’re not loading, you should be moving.

- If you’re not moving, you’re dead."

Even if your reloading you should be moving!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So have I and the one thing I took out of it and stand by is that there are no absolutes.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the replies. Have plenty of time to keep looking and I plan to do some asking around at some of the gun shops here.

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk

Too bad many of you are too far because one of the things I offer to share are some of the things I learned through the years in all the different tactical schools I've attended. Free!

IDPA: shoot from cover or while retreating
USPSA: stand and shoot in the open

IDPA: Most stages are "Vickers Count" which means you shoot until the targets are neutralized, however many shots it takes. Only the hits are scored, or lack thereof.
USPSA: You are penalized for missed shots.

IDPA: Failure to neutralize any target is a 5 second penalty when on a Vickers Count stage.
USPSA: It can be advantageous to skip a target

IDPA: draw from concealment from a close fitting holster
USPSA: draw from a speed holster

IDPA: no lightened slides, no compensators, no optics allowed
USPSA: lightened slides, compensators, optics allowed.

Very much DISAGREE with your statement.

Why do you disagree? I've only started taking classes in the past six months but that's what I've learned and it makes sense. I'm not challenging you - just asking questions to learn.

Yes you should move but you really don't need to be moving with a unloaded gun. To many things to go wrong while moving, dropping a mag to be the biggest. Unless you are in a place you know very well you could be running to a one way in one way out situation.

My earlier post was not to compare IDPA to training, but to let the OP how IDPA works.


There are times to sit still and times to move, You just have to make the right choice.


But then again there are some here that know more then me.....or they think that anyway.

Most get training from someone who has never been in a gun fight, Can they train you for one? Not really.