After watching countless youtube videos of IDPA events, in search of new exercises to try at the range, I've gotten the bug to try an actual IDPA event. Even though the rule book talks about the events being designed around real-world carry, a lot of what I see I doubt is actually everyday carry set up.
In any event, I'd prefer to test myself exactly as I carry. Is the P239 and it's 8 round mags workable? It's carried in IWB at ~5:00. Any have experience or tips?
I don't shoot approved/sanctioned IDPA but I recall that you can't have more than 18 rounds in a stage and there is a 2 spare magazine limitation plus the one in the gun.
If you are shooting a 9mm P239 you'll have 8 rounds in a mag, plus another 16 on the belt. This gives you 24 rounds vs the 18 you'll have to use. So you have 6 shots to make up misses with.
The only downside to using an 8 round mag in SSP is that your reloads might occur at unfavorable parts of the stage. But if you're doing it in the spirit of the game and don't try to "game" the match then it's not really a problem. You just have to realize if you expect to win then you'll have to work a tad harder than people who come and "game".
---------- Yes, as a matter of fact I do own a gun. Free Classic P-Series Sig Armorer services on Long Island and around the NYC area.
Posts: 1865 | Location: Long Island, New York | Registered: March 03, 2007
Thanks for all the replies. I'm really only interested in competing with myself, so these words are encouraging. (Let's see what I say if try it and get addicted.) I'll try to find some local matches and go watch and see if I still want to give it a go. :-)
How about this? Something I can actually talk about from experience!
I did IPSC with the 239 and the ten-round mags. The ten rounders are trickier to work with. Indexing is hard, due to the base of the mag--maybe not so much if you have long hands. It can be done, but I enjoy the IPSC much more with my SA XD.
I have done IDPA with the 239 as well, and it's a lot easier to work with the 8 rounders. Seriously, unless you practice, you won't be carrying the ten-rounders as part of your real world rig.
IDPA is meant for carry guns, and even though some carry guns hold more ammo, the 239 is a lot of fun to shoot. Yeah, you will have to change mags more often, but if you are competing only with yourself, it doesn't matter what the double stacks are doing.
I moved away from the 239 in competition only so I could use the knock-down power of the .45 (because I am an IPSC fan).
Different people get different things out of competition. The gadget types are convinced that their game will not be adequate unless they have the best and the latest. Just flip through a golfing magazine, and you'll see all sorts of stuff for that type.
Some of the same people are in USPSA and IDPA. If you are one of them, you'll soon have something all tuned up to maximize what you can use under the rules, and you will replace it frequently with something new. If you are not, if you like competition, you'll probably have what you like alot longer. To each his own.
A Sig 239 has worked just fine for me in the past-only mine was a .40 S&W. I had, and still have a good time with one.
A nation which can prefer disgrace to danger is prepared for a master-and deserves one. Ronald Reagan, 1964, quoted from Alexander Hamilton
No problemo. You will just have to reload when the .45 shooters do and see your scores posted with the 9mms.
I disagree with the "compete with myself" bit, though. IDPA match directors pride themselves on offering different stages every time out and there is no way to evaluate your score except in comparison with other shooters. A 99.95 might be a match winning score today and a total flop next week.
I find that a subjective feelgood stage with no procedural penalties, good hits, and smooth movement generally turns out to be rather slow. Unlike the Masters, I have to be really hustling to do well and still be executing and shooting as well as though I had taken my time.
Posts: 1707 | Location: Florence, Alabama, USA | Registered: July 05, 2001
I went to a new shooters clinic held by our local IPSC .They had a course that was designed for 28 rounds. I only had 3 magazines(40 sw ) equaling 22 8+7+7.I did it anyway but couldn't make all the shots.So just make sure you have enough magazines.Other than that they welcomed my 239.
Posts: 388 | Location: East Toadsuck Vermont | Registered: January 02, 2008
I shot a couple of matches with my 239 DAK in 9mm. True, it is not the idea gun for the gamer, but for practice and fun it is just fine. Besides, I would not have winning times regardless of my hardware.
Posts: 1569 | Location: Missouri | Registered: November 10, 2003
I won plenty of local matches with my little 239 I used to own. Don't be afraid to shoot something different. I have 1911s and Glocks for regular match guns but I love bringing something different every once in a while.
I love to bring out a Beretta and see the shock on peoples faces when a die-hard Glock guy brings a Pizza Pistol.. IDPA and USPSA are meant to get out and have fun. Go for it!
