Types of Matches at the AAFG IDPA Club
Regular Matches
Our most common type of match is the Regular Match. A regular match usually consists of four to six stages. Most stages are “scenario” stages. Occasionally, a regular match will include a “standards” stage,” used to build basic shooting skills. Scenario stages (Vickers scoring) allow makeup shots. Standards stages (Limited Vickers scoring) do not allow makeup shots. The minimum round count for a regular match is usually 48 to 66 rounds (if you don’t take any makeup shots). Bring at least 100 rounds to be safe. Ranges to targets may be anywhere from 3 to 75 feet. Generally, most targets are shot from 12-36 feet.
IDPA Classifier Matches
The Classifier Match is IDPA’s standard test, and it is used to classify shooters according to skill level. Classifications are Novice, Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Master. We run IDPA classifier matches at least once every two months. The classifier match requires 90 rounds, and is a Limited Vickers match (no make up shots allowed). But bring at least 150 rounds in case you have to have to re-shoot an entire stage because of a malfunction. See Appendix Eight of the IDPA Rulebook for a description of the classifier match.
Plate Rack Matches
A Plate Rack Match consists of multiple strings of fire on a rack of six steel plates at distances of ten yards or greater. These are not IDPA matches, but they are fun and emphasize transition skill! All guns and extra magazines usually are downloaded to six rounds (consequently, a miss will require at least one reload) to make the match more challenging.
Plate rack matches are especially suitable for days when the weather or ground conditions make a normal match inappropriate.
Second Shoots
If enough shooting time is available after a match, we may allow shooters to shoot the match a second time. This will happen more frequently at Friday matches (with shooting hours of 10AM-4PM) than at Saturday matches (with shooting hours of 10AM-1PM).
Side Matches
After finishing a match, time permitting, we sometimes have a Side match. One type of side match is called a Bill Drill match. In a Bill Drill match, each shooter lines up on a single target and shoots several strings at various ranges on the target. A typical Bill Drill match might have a string of 6 rounds at 30 feet, a string of 6 rounds at 15 feet, and a string of 6 rounds at 9 feet. Raw times are recorded as each string is fired, and the target is scored after all strings are finished. Plate Rack matches and back-up gun (BUG) matches may also be used as Side matches.
Matches for Mouse Guns
The handguns most frequently seen in IDPA matches are full size (for example, Glock 17s and 34s, and full size 1911s). Although it is possible to use one of these handguns for concealed carry, most people who are authorized to carry concealed handguns will do so with a smaller model (for example, a Glock 26/27, Glock 19/23, or Colt Commander). Nonetheless, shooters tend to participate in IDPA matches with their full size handguns, leaving their more carry-suitable handguns at home. This has generated interest in encouraging shooters to participate at least some of the time with handguns that are more suitable for everyday civilian carry.
The term “Mouse Gun” is sometimes used as a synonym for Back-Up Gun (BUG), although the rodent pictured here appears to be toting a full size Model 1911. Note the IDPA approved holster.
At AAFG IDPA, we have two types of matches from time to time that are suitable for less than full sized handguns. These are short-range course of fire matches and BUG matches.
Short-Range Course of Fire Matches
A short-range course of fire match has all targets at no more than 10 yards. Otherwise, it is a regular course of fire, with most stages requiring a reload. A short range course of fire match reduces the advantage of a full size handgun, making carry-suitable handguns more competitive.
A shooter may elect to shoot a short-range match with a handgun that meets the IDPA rulebook definition of a back-up gun. In this case, we permit the BUG to be loaded with up to 10 rounds in the magazine plus one round in the chamber, and reloads on the clock are permitted.
Back-Up Gun (BUG) Matches
A BUG match under IDPA rules is limited to 5 or fewer rounds per string. There may be multiple strings per stage, but there are no reloads on the clock. Under IDPA rules, a BUG must be of 32 caliber or greater, but there is no minimum power factor. If a semi-automatic, it must have a barrel of 3.8 inches or less; if a revolver, it must have a barrel of 3 inches or less.
Recognizing that not all shooters have BUG guns, we allow shooters in our BUG matches to use any IDPA suitable handgun (downloaded to not more than 5 rounds in the gun) with scores recorded in the division appropriate to that handgun.