Quite a few members asked that we follow up our intial thread with feedback and of course "pix or it didn't happen" experience running the local IDPA match in Atlanta.
In case you missed the initial thread here is the scenario. My son (12) and I had spent many rounds shooting paper at the Eagle Creek Pistol Range (a must visit). We felt comfortable enough with handling our pistols (thanks to the NRA pistol training we received from Indy Gun Safety) so decided to take our "show on the road" and participate in the local IDPA match at Atlanta Conservation Club.
Summary of our experience post-match:
===============================
1) Match was well run. From when we first walked in until the end it felt organized and was able to perform the entire match without wondering what was going on.
2) RSOs were excellent. No one was cocky or acted like a butt. They even offered up some advice along the way.
3) Learned a few times what a "Procedural" is
Though, none were safety driven but more so "common-sense" reasons. Example: I missed the part in the IDPA rules that hi-cap magazines should be limited to 10 (11 for the first). I wondered why shooters kept stopping to reload --- I blasted right through the first course of fire without a reload using my 19-round magazine! Lesson learned.
4) Learned the value of what a "no-shoot target" is and apologized to it... twice.
5) Learned that once that buzzer goes off you get an adrenaline rush! You can still feel the buzz after running the course of fire.
Main Takeaways from the experience:
1) Do make sure you have excellent safety skills handling your weapon.
2) Do observe an IDPA match, or two, to get a feel for what happens.
3) Do read up on and understand the IDPA rules.
4) Complete 1-3 and do go out and shoot. An excellent experience, indeed.
There are many more experiences I could share. However, I know there were several other new-shooters at the match and would love to hear your feedback as well.
Pics or it Didn't Happen:
Fortunately, the wife showed up to take a few pictures.
Me shooting the Springfield XDm 9mm
Not sure but it looks like I was using my thumbs to pull the trigger.
First time "slicing the pie".
A few of Zman (NOTE: He was shooting a GSG 1911 22LR - Not allowed in IDPA - but Atlanta was cool enough to let him shoot it.
In case you missed the initial thread here is the scenario. My son (12) and I had spent many rounds shooting paper at the Eagle Creek Pistol Range (a must visit). We felt comfortable enough with handling our pistols (thanks to the NRA pistol training we received from Indy Gun Safety) so decided to take our "show on the road" and participate in the local IDPA match at Atlanta Conservation Club.
Summary of our experience post-match:
===============================
1) Match was well run. From when we first walked in until the end it felt organized and was able to perform the entire match without wondering what was going on.
2) RSOs were excellent. No one was cocky or acted like a butt. They even offered up some advice along the way.
3) Learned a few times what a "Procedural" is
Though, none were safety driven but more so "common-sense" reasons. Example: I missed the part in the IDPA rules that hi-cap magazines should be limited to 10 (11 for the first). I wondered why shooters kept stopping to reload --- I blasted right through the first course of fire without a reload using my 19-round magazine! Lesson learned.4) Learned the value of what a "no-shoot target" is and apologized to it... twice.
5) Learned that once that buzzer goes off you get an adrenaline rush! You can still feel the buzz after running the course of fire.
Main Takeaways from the experience:
1) Do make sure you have excellent safety skills handling your weapon.
2) Do observe an IDPA match, or two, to get a feel for what happens.
3) Do read up on and understand the IDPA rules.
4) Complete 1-3 and do go out and shoot. An excellent experience, indeed.
There are many more experiences I could share. However, I know there were several other new-shooters at the match and would love to hear your feedback as well.
Pics or it Didn't Happen:
Fortunately, the wife showed up to take a few pictures.
Me shooting the Springfield XDm 9mm
Not sure but it looks like I was using my thumbs to pull the trigger.
First time "slicing the pie".
A few of Zman (NOTE: He was shooting a GSG 1911 22LR - Not allowed in IDPA - but Atlanta was cool enough to let him shoot it.
) Because of the nature of this particular game, good ROs make or break an experience. Mike and Larry really did a great job. 
