Hi Jules,
Yes you may go to the official IDPA website for complete rules at
www.idpa.com. To get started in IDPA at West End is relatively easy. The equipment required can be a stock, out of the box, self defense type handgun. Either an auto-pistol (3 to 5 inch bbl) or a revolver (3 or 4 inch bbl). A minimum of 3 magazines or 4 speed loaders/moon clips. A belt loop type holster in either kydex plastic or leather. For safety, you will have to be able to draw and reholster with one hand. A dual magazine holder or IDPA type holders for speed loaders/moon clips. West End IDPA matches usually have 8 stages, shot in 4 bays, each month. We recommend bringing 200 rounds of ammo even though you will probably not use it all.
More specific equipment rules are available on the IDPA website. Don't be scared off reading the rules for IDPA. They are easier to learn by doing than by reading. Bob Crume, the match director, welcomes new shooters. We shoot IDPA recreationally at West End for the fun of it. We don't take ourselves too seriously but we do take safety seriously. New shooters are paired with experienced IDPA shooters who will help them enjoy the IDPA experience in a safe shooting environment. Bob wants you to have a good time and come back. I have seen it scores of times, shooters brand new to competition, start their first couple of stages a little tentative and end the last couple of stages more confident in their own abilities and comfortable with the concept of IDPA as a shooting sport.
For more information about IDPA at West End call Bob Crume at 951-738-1695. I hope this is helpful to you.
Best regards, Bruce Strang
