One of the competitive principles of IDPA is that shooters only compete against other shooters who are at similar skill level and who use similar equipment. Members of IDPA are classified as to skill level and placed in a division according to the kind of gun they shoot. When you shoot a match, your performance will be judged only against those in the same division who hold the same classification.
IDPA groups firearms into eight divisions, as follows
Double-action, double-action/single action, and “safe action” (e.g., striker fired) semi-autos chambered for 9mm or larger caliber with few modifications allowed. Guns in this division must be in general production, with a minimum annual production of 2,000 units.
Semi-autos, including single-action only, chambered for 9mm or larger, with some modifications allowed. Guns with mag wells and compensators fall into this division. Guns produced at a rate less than 2,000 units per year also fall in this category.
ESP guns with barrels no longer than 4 3/8".
ESP guns with optical sight systems, including red dots and lasers.
Semi-autos chambered in .45 ACP only.
Double-action, double-action/single action, and “safe action” (e.g., striker fired) semi-autos chambered for .380 or larger caliber with barrels no longer than 3.5" and few other modifications allowed.
.38 caliber or larger double action revolvers with moon clips allowed.
Pistol Caliber Carbines must be semi-automatic and fire pistol caliber, (i.e., 9 mm, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, 10mm, or .45 ACP) cartridges. The must be designed to be fired from the shoulder and have a shoulder stock installed.
For tier-1 (club level) events, IDPA includes two additional divisions.
Rimfire pistol is a popular division to start in because of its affordability. Not only can you buy cheap .22LR ammo, but there are many affordable rimfire pistols as well.
This division is for any .22LR rifle. Any semi-auto .22LR rifle will do, but you’ll commonly see Ruger 10-22’s and Smith and Wesson M&P 15-22’s.
You’ll need a chamber flag and some type of closed case or bag for transporting your rifle between stages.
At a match, you'll hear the term “division capacity,” which refers to the maximum number of rounds in each magazine allowable for your division. Most stages require that you begin with your gun loaded to division capacity.
Don’t worry about what division your gun falls into or what your division capacity is—we can answer all of your questions at match check-in.
IDPA members are classified by skill level ranging from Novice (NV), to Marksman (MM), to Sharpshooter (SS), to Expert (EX), and, finally, to Master (MA). Classifications are based either on the shooter’s performance shooting a special "classifier" stage, or by his or her performance in a major, IDPA sanctioned match. As a new shooter, you will start out unclassified (UN). In the final results for your first match, you’ll be grouped with other unclassified shooters in your division (CDP, SSP, etc.).
If you decide that IDPA matches are fun and you want to continue to participate (and why wouldn’t you?), you'll need to shoot a classifier to establish your initial classification. At Brock's Gap, we try to include a classifier stage as part of our regular match at least four times a year. We’ll announce an upcoming classifier by e-mail and also on this Web site. The classifier consists of one stage and requires 24 rounds. It will test all of your shooting skills, including one-handed shooting and reloading. It’s a good test of overall shooting skills. Your results in the classifier (raw time plus points down—just like in a regular match) will determine your classification.
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