A Post-Christmas IDPA Match

I’m not getting to the range nearly as often as I’d like. Even so, deciding to shoot the Cavalier IDPA match just two days after Christmas wasn’t an easy call. With family visiting for the holidays, it would have been easy to stay home — but instead I headed out early Saturday morning to spend the day shooting with friends.

Realizing I hadn’t fired a single live round since October’s IDPA match gave me some pause. A sore back, creaky knees, and “old man eyes” don’t help either. Still, the point is really the fun of the sport and the camaraderie — not the score. That was the mantra I repeated to myself during the morning drive.

Our squad was on the large side, and the match staff clearly set out to increase the round count. Four of the five stages featured multiple strings, which naturally extended the time required to complete each course of fire.

The first stage we shot was a straightforward “stand and shoot” skills test. Eight paper targets and four steel were arranged symmetrically. One string had us engage four paper and two steel on one side, followed by a second, separately timed string on the opposite side. As a twist, starting magazines for each string were downloaded to just five rounds.

The next challenge was the dreaded two-string, one-handed shooting stage. Standing in a shooting box, we completed the first string shooting strong-hand only (SHO), engaging four targets. The second string required weak-hand-only (WHO) shooting. One of the four targets was hung upside down, which caught more than a few shooters — myself included — sending rounds a bit too high for the -0 circle.

A not-quite-traditional IDPA stage followed. Six targets were positioned around barrel stacks — two on each side and two in the center — with three tables placed across the stage. All magazines were downloaded to just four rounds, with a maximum of four magazines allowed. One magazine was placed on each table, with the final table allowing an optional fourth. The firearm started empty and holstered.

This stage was also shot in two strings and felt distinctly USPSA-inspired. Starting a few feet behind the first table, we loaded at the table, engaged the associated target array, then moved to the center table to reload and engage the center targets, repeating the process at the final table. The second string reversed the direction of travel. The unconventional format brought plenty of smiles, laughter, and good-natured ribbing — especially as shooters hurriedly reloaded magazines off the clock between strings.

The next-to-last stage was a “sit and shoot” course. The loaded firearm and all magazines were placed on a table and all shots were from a seated position. A tall table and low chair made for some awkward positioning. Again shot in two strings, the first required engaging four targets with two body shots each. The second string required one head shot on each of five targets. A couple of overlaid non-threats added an extra layer of difficulty.

My final stage of the day was a full movement course. Fourteen targets were arranged along a curving path behind a mix of low and upright walls. All targets were oriented sideways, representing a pack of attacking animals. They presented varying amounts of exposed head and body, with occasional non-threats mixed in. Unfortunately, I neglected to grab a photo of the setup.

The stage brief required each target to be neutralized with either one head shot or two body shots — shooter’s choice. I opted for the body-shot option, reasoning that more rounds but faster shooting would benefit in the end, though a fair number of shooters chose the 14-shot head-only route. I really enjoyed this stage, particularly the opportunity to shoot on the move.

Overall, I was pleased with how I shot. Though I no longer consider myself competitive, I still enjoy the activity. I had a few misses, but I’ll gladly take the small victories: no non-threat hits and no procedural errors. Best of all, I got to reconnect with some old friends, including a few I hadn’t seen or chatted with in many years.

Normally, this is where I’d say I’m already looking forward to the next match. Unfortunately, the host club announced that the monthly match is moving to a different weekend, one that conflicts with another long-standing commitment. As a result, opportunities to shoot this particular match will likely be few and far between.

Though longer-than-expected, the day was thoroughly enjoyable. Despite a late-afternoon return home, there was still time for dinner, a couple of football games on the TV, and the continuation of holiday time with family. All in all, it was a good way to spend a winter Saturday.

Cheers!