The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA), founded in 1996, is an organization based in Bogata, Texas that governs a practical shooting sport which is based on defensive pistol tactics, everyday carry equipment, and full-charge service ammunition, to solve simulated "real world" self-defense scenarios. Competitors (shooters) are required to use handguns and equipment (holsters, ammunition carriers) that are suitable for self-defense, and wear a concealment garment that conceals the handgun and associated equipment from view of bystanders.

The sport came about as a response to the perceived shortcomings in competitions organized by the United States Practical Shooting Association (USPSA) and its migration away from the use of common, un-customized handguns.

In order to keep the sport in line with its founding principles, allowable alterations to the competition gear (including pistol or pistol caliber carbine) are carefully regulated in IDPA. Ammunition capacity is limited compared to some other action shooting sports in order to keep the playing field level for competitors from states that ban higher capacity magazines.

Competition

An IDPA match consists of one or more stages. A stage presents a course of fire for the shooter to complete. A course of fire consists of one or more strings of fire. A string of fire is a timed segment in a course of fire. The time to complete a string of fire begins with a start signal (typically audible) and ends with the last shot fired. Time is measured by a shot timer, which provides the start signal and records each shot fired.

Since a stage presents a course of fire, the term "stage" is often used interchangeably with "course of fire." This is evidenced by section 6 of the rules, "Stage Design Rules." The 1997 rulebook increased the time added to 0.5 seconds per point down. On 9/29/2015, IDPA announced they would change the time added to 1.0 seconds per point down. This change became effective in the 2017 rulebook.

Scoring methods

There are two methods of scoring: Unlimited and Limited. Scenario stages must use Unlimited scoring. Standards stages may use either method, although Limited scoring is commonly used on Standards stages.

In the following table, note that "Max Rounds Loaded" is a general maximum for all competitions. Instructions for a stage may require a lower round count for that stage. In the semi-automatic divisions, this refers to the maximum number of rounds allowed to be loaded in the magazine. Unless stage instructions state otherwise, shooters may start with an additional round in the chamber. Also note that "Other Firearm Restrictions" only lists the most significant firearm restrictions for a division.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|-

| Division/Subcategory

| Abbrev

| Type

| Caliber

| Min Power Factor (kgr·ft/s)

| Max Weight (oz)

| Max Barrel (in)

| Max Dimensions (in)

| Division Capacity

| Other Firearm Restrictions

|Notes

|-

| Stock Service Pistol

| SSP

| Semi-automatic

| ≥ 9mm Parabellum

| 125

| 43.00

| N/A

| 8.75 × 6 × 1.625

| 15 (+1)

| DAO, DA/SA, or striker-fired<br />At least 20,000 produced or 2,000 per year<br />Minimal modifications from stock

|

|-

| Enhanced Service Pistol

| ESP

| Semi-automatic

| ≥ 9mm Parabellum

| 125

| 43.00

| N/A

| 8.75 × 6 × 1.625

| 10 (+1)

|

|

|-

| Custom Defensive Pistol

| CDP

| Semi-automatic

| .45 ACP

| 165

| 43.00

| N/A

| 8.75 × 6 × 1.625

| 8 (+1)

|

|

|-

| Compact Carry Pistol

| CCP

| Semi-automatic

| ≥ 9mm Parabellum

| 105

| 38.00

| 4.375

| 7.75 × 5.375 × 1.375

| 10 (+1)

|

|

|-

| Carry Optics

| CO

| Semi-automatic

| ≥ 9mm Parabellum

| 125

| 45

| N/A

| 8.75 × 6 × 1.625

| 10 (+1)

| "Passive Optics (MRDS) must be attached directly to slide between rear of slide and ejection port, and may not be mounted to the frame in any way." Lasers can also be used as long as the firearm meets all other division criteria.

|

|-

| Revolver/Stock Revolver

| REV-S

| Revolver

| ≥ .38 Special

| 105

| 43.00

| 4.25

| N/A

| 6

| Rimmed cartridges only<br />No moon clips<br />Minimal modifications from stock

| rowspan="2" | Revolver is an optional Specialty Division for Tier 1 – Tier 5 matches.

|-

| Revolver/Enhanced Revolver

| REV-E

| Revolver

| ≥ .357 Magnum

| 155

| 50.00

| 4.25

| N/A

| 6

|The maximum grip dimensions allowed are:

F. 5.00” maximum height, measured from the bottom of the hammer opening in the frame to the bottom of the

grip, 2 3/8” maximum depth, 1 5/8” maximum width.

|-

| Back-Up Gun/Semi Auto

| BUG-S

| Semi-automatic

| ≥ .380 ACP

| 95

| 26.00

| 3.5

| 6.5 × 4.625 × 1.375

| 6

|

| rowspan="2" |BUG is an optional Specialty Division for Tier 1 – Tier 5 matches.

|-

| Back-Up Gun/Revolver

| BUG-R

| Revolver

| ≥ .38 Special

| 95

| 26.00

| 2.5

| 6.5 × 4.625 × 1.375

| 5

|

|-

|Pistol Caliber Carbine 10

|PCC 10

|Semi-automatic

|9mm Parabellum<br />.357 SIG<br />.40 S&W<br />10mm Auto<br />.45 ACP

|135

|N/A

|N/A

|N/A

|10 (+1)

| rowspan="2" |Designed to be fired from shoulder<br />Shoulder stock installed

| rowspan="2" |Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) is an optional Specialty Division for Tier 1 – Tier 5 matches.

|-

| Pistol Caliber Carbine

| PCC

| Semi-automatic

| 9mm Parabellum<br />.357 SIG<br />.40 S&W<br />10mm Auto<br />.45 ACP

| 135

| N/A

| N/A

| N/A

| 30 (+1)

|}

Holsters

  • Holster must be attached to a belt worn through belt loops. All but two belt loops must be used
  • Holster must hold the firearm with enough tension to allow the wearer to complete normal daily tasks without fear of losing the weapon
  • Except for law enforcement officers competing using their duty equipment, the holster must be concealable
  • Shoulder, ankle, and cross-draw holsters are not allowed due to safety concerns

See also

  • List of shooting sports organizations
  • Shooting sports
  • International Practical Shooting Confederation
  • United States Practical Shooting Association

Notes and references

  • International Defensive Pistol Association