International Defensive Pistol Association

International Defensive Pistol Association

Jurisdiction	International
Abbreviation	IDPA
Founded	1996 (1996)
Headquarters	Bogata, Texas, US
Director	Joyce Wilson
Official website
idpa.com
Founders: Bill Wilson, John Sayle, Ken Hackathorn, Dick Thomas, Walt Rauch, Larry Vickers, and Aaron Licourt

The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), founded in 1996, is an organization based in Bogata, Texas that governs a practical shooting sport (IDPA), which is based on defensive pistol tactics, everyday carry equipment, and full-charge service ammunition, to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios. Competitors (shooters) are required to use handguns and equipment (holsters, ammunition carriers) that are suitable for self-defense, and wear a concealment garment tha conceals the handgun and associated equipment from view of bystanders.

The sport came about as a response to the perceived shortcomings in competitions organized by the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and its migration away from the use of common, un-customized handguns. It was decided by the founders of IDPA (Bill Wilson, John Sayle, Ken Hackathorn, Dick Thomas, Walt Rauch and Larry Vickers), that USPSA competitions had become too far removed from the reality of defensive shooting situations, using extensively modified guns, handmade ammunition, and speed-draw holsters that were impractical for self-defense. The IDPA founders believed that USPSA matches had become "equipment races", which were heavily dependent on a shooter's gear rather than their ability.

In order to keep the sport in line with its founding principles, allowable alterations to the competition gear (including pistol or pistol caliber carbine) are carefully regulated in IDPA. Ammunition capacity is limited compared to some other action shooting sports in order to keep the playing field level for competitors from states that ban higher capacity magazines.

Scoring

An IDPA match consists of one or more stages. A stage presents a course of fire for the shooter to complete. Stages consist of one or more strings of fire. A string of fire is a timed segment in a course of fire. The time to complete a string of fire begins with a start signal (typical audible) and the last shot fired. Time is measured by a shot timer, which provides the start signal and records each shot fired.

IDPA uses "Time Plus" scoring. "Time Plus" means the time it takes to complete a stage plus time added for points down and penalties.

Unlimited Scoring

Most IDPA stages are scored using Unlimited Scoring (previously known as Vickers Count) which means that the shooter may fire as many rounds as they feel necessary to make the specified number of hits. The best hits on the target are the only ones that count for score. If a stage calls for two hits on each target, a shooter may fire as many rounds as desired and no penalty will be given. Only the best two hits will count.

Limited Scoring

On a standards stage (an exercise intended to test marksmanship and gun handling skill as opposed to being a scenario) it is common (but not required) for the course of fire to specify Limited scoring (previously known as Limited-Vickers). On a limited stage, the shooter may fire no more than the number of rounds specified.

Firing extra rounds on a limited stage will earn a procedural penalty. In addition to the penalty, for each extra shot fired at a target, the highest scoring hit will be removed (taped over) prior to scoring the target. For example: a Limited Scoring stage calls for two shots fired; the shooter fires one round into the -0 zone and one round into the -1 zone; if they fire again, hitting the -0 zone; when the target is scored, only the -0 and -1 zone hits will count. The "make up" -0 shot will be thrown out (not because it is the make up, but because is a higher score and the rationale is there should be no possible advantage accrued from failing to follow the stage procedure) and the shooter will be assessed a procedural penalty for firing more shots than the course of fire called for.

Points Down

The official IDPA target is made of cardboard and has a vaguely humanoid shape ("head" and "body"). Scoring zones are perforated onto its surface. A "neck" perforation delineates the "head" and "body." There are 5 distinct scoring zones on an IDPA target: -0 head, -0 body, -1 head, -1 body, -3 body.

The "head" is a 6" square with a 4" circle centered within it. The circle is marked "-0". The area outside of the circle is marked "-1". The "body" has an 8" circle in the high-center chest, which is marked "-0". A polygonal area surrounding the circle is marked "-1". The remainder of the body is marked "-3".

Hits in each zone are added to the total points down. For example, a target calling for two hits, with one hit in the "-1" zone and one hit in the "-3" zone would be scored as "-4" and called as "down-4" (or simply "4").

Only the required number of hits are scored. If there are more hits then required, the best of these hits are scored. If there are fewer hits than required, these are scored as misses, which are "-5".

One second per point down is added to the total time taken to shoot the stage.

Penalties

Hit on Non-Threat (HNT)

All targets identified with two open hands are considered to be a "non-threat". Shots that hit a non-threat in any scoring zone will result in a 5-second penalty being assessed for every hit.

Procedural Error (PE)

A procedural error is a 3-second penalty given for violating the rules of IDPA or failing to follow the stage procedure of a course of fire.

Procedural errors may be assessed by the Safety Officer for infractions such as:

• Faulting a cover line while engaging a target at a Point of Cover
• Not shooting targets in tactical priority
• Failing to follow the stage procedure
• Leaving loaded loading devices behind after performing a reload.

Flagrant Penalty (FP)

A flagrant penalty is a 10-second penalty given in place of a PE when the shooter gains a competitive advantage that outweighs the 3-second PE penalty by an infraction that would normally draw a PE.

Flagrant penalties may be assessed by the Safety Officer (with approval from the match director) for infractions such as:

• Shooting with two hands when the directions call for one-handed shooting
• Standing completely outside of cover when required to use cover
• Loading more rounds in magazines than allowed by the shooter's division

Failure to Do Right (FTDR)

A failure to do right is a 20-second penalty given for "gross unsportsmanlike conduct". This penalty can be highly subjective, and the Safety Officer (with approval from the match director) has to determine that the shooter engaged in the action with a "guilty mind"—that he knowingly failed to do right. Because of the subjectivity of the call, the penalty is seldom given. Receiving one all but guarantees the shooter will lose the match, or at least place low in his or her division.

FTDRs are specifically meant to address intentional violations of the rule book that allow a competitor to gain a competitive advantage greater than 10 seconds. If the competitive advantage from the rule violation can be negated with an FP or PE, than an FTDR shouldn't be used. One of the few known examples of an FTDR from a sanctioned match was for a competitor who, even after receiving multiple warnings, refused to help paste targets to reset stages.

Equipment

Firearms

IDPA currently recognizes nine divisions of competition, with each division having different limitations for the firearms. The Revolver (REV) and Back-Up Gun (BUG) divisions are further divided into two subcategories each.

In the following table, note that "Max Rounds Loaded" is a general maximum for all competitions. Instructions for a stage may require a lower round count for that stage. In the semi-automatic divisions, this refers to the maximum number of rounds allowed to be loaded in the magazine. Unless stage instructions state otherwise, shooters may start with an additional round in the chamber. Also note that "Other Firearm Restrictions" only lists the most significant firearm restrictions for a division. See IDPA rulebook for an exhaustive list of rules.

Division/Subcategory	Abbrev	Type	Caliber	Min Power Factor (kgr·ft/s)	Max Weight (oz)	Max Barrel (in)	Max Dimensions (in)	Division Capacity	Other Firearm Restrictions	Notes
Stock Service Pistol	SSP	Semi-automatic	≥ 9mm Parabellum	125	43.00	N/A	8.75 × 6 × 1.625	15 (+1)	DAO, DA/SA, or striker-fired At least 20,000 produced or 2,000 per year Minimal modifications from stock
Enhanced Service Pistol	ESP	Semi-automatic	≥ 9mm Parabellum	125	43.00	N/A	8.75 × 6 × 1.625	10 (+1)
Custom Defensive Pistol	CDP	Semi-automatic	.45 ACP	165	43.00	N/A	8.75 × 6 × 1.625	8 (+1)
Compact Carry Pistol	CCP	Semi-automatic	≥ 9mm Parabellum	105	38.00	4.375	7.75 × 5.375 × 1.375	10 (+1)
Carry Optics	CO	Semi-automatic	≥ 9mm Parabellum	125	45	N/A	8.75 × 6 × 1.625	10 (+1)	″Passive Optics (MRDS) must be attached directly to slide between rear of slide and ejection port, and may not be mounted to the frame in any way.″ Lasers can also be used as long as the firearm meets all other division criteria.
Revolver/Stock Revolver	REV-S	Revolver	≥ .38 Special	105	43.00	4.25	N/A	6	Rimmed cartridges only No moon clips Minimal modifications from stock
Revolver/Enhanced Revolver	REV-E	Revolver	≥ .357 Magnum	155	50.00	4.25	N/A	6	The maximum grip dimensions allowed are: F. 5.00” maximum height, measured from the bottom of the hammer opening in the frame to the bottom of the grip, 2 3/8” maximum depth, 1 5/8” maximum width.
Back-Up Gun/Semi Auto	BUG-S	Semi-automatic	≥ .380 ACP	95	26.00	3.5	6.5 × 4.625 × 1.375	6		BUG is a required division for Tier 1 matches and is an optional division for Tier 2 – Tier 5 Sanctioned matches
Back-Up Gun/Revolver	BUG-R	Revolver	≥ .38 Special	95	26.00	2.5	6.5 × 4.625 × 1.375	5
Pistol Caliber Carbine 10	PCC 10	Semi-automatic	9mm Parabellum .357 SIG .40 S&W 10mm Auto .45 ACP	135	N/A	N/A	N/A	10 (+1)	Designed to be fired from shoulder Shoulder stock installed	Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) is an optional Specialty Division for Tier 1 – Tier 5 matches.
Pistol Caliber Carbine	PCC	Semi-automatic	9mm Parabellum .357 SIG .40 S&W 10mm Auto .45 ACP	135	N/A	N/A	N/A	30 (+1)

Holsters

• Holster must be attached to a belt worn through belt loops. All but two belt loops must be used.
• Holster must hold the firearm with enough tension to allow the wearer to complete normal daily tasks without fear of losing the weapon
• Except for law enforcement officers competing using their duty equipment, the holster must be concealable
• Shoulder, ankle, and cross-draw holsters are not allowed due to safety concerns

See also

• List of shooting sports organizations
• Shooting sports
• International Practical Shooting Confederation
• United States Practical Shooting Association

External links

• International Defensive Pistol Association
• IDPA Forum

Finding IDPA matches

• Practiscore