IDPA
www.idpa.com

Equipment and Competition Rules:
IDPA rulebook (PDF)

GTGC IDPA Safety Briefing (PDF)

Basic Equipment for IDPA

The following is a list of basic equipment needed for an IDPA match.  For more information see the Equipment section of the IDPA Equipment & Competition Rule Book (PDF document) and the documents cited below.

• Eye protection 
• Ear protection 
• Pistol or revolver meeting IDPA equipment requirements (Note 1)
• Strong-side hip holster meeting IDPA equipment requirements
• Magazines, speedloaders, or moonclips (See note 2)
• Double magazine pouch, single mag pouches, speedloader holders, or moonclip holders, as appropriate (Note 3)
• Sturdy gun belt fitting holster and magazine holder slots securely
• Cover garment: Vest, jacket, coat, long shirt, etc.
• Ammunition meeting the IDPA minimum power factor in the Rule Book.
• Range bag to carry the above items.

The following are highly recommended:

• Hat
• Sunscreen lotion (outdoor matches)
• Water
• Snack
• IDPA Rule Book

1) Practical concealed-carry or police patrol-type guns only - No highly-specialized competition-specific guns are allowed in IDPA.

2) You will need a sufficient number of magazines, speedloaders, or moonclips (generally, two or three at a minimum, depending on equipment division) to complete an 18-round-maximum course of fire using only these ammunition carriers (plus, for pistols, one additional round in the chamber at the start of the course of fire).

Be aware that IDPA limits the number of rounds in a magazine to ten in the ESP and SSP equipment divisions, and to eight in CDP and CCP divisions.  Revolvers in the Stock and Enhanced subdivisions of the REV division are limited to a maximum of six rounds in the cylinder.

3) You will need magazine/speedloader/moonclip holders to carry all but your first magazine, speedloader, or moonclip, which will be used to load the gun at the start of the course of fire.

4) Bring enough ammo.  If you do not know how many stages you will be shooting at a match, or what the total round count is expected to be, then bring at least 200 rounds.  While this may result in bringing too much ammo, this is certainly better than not bringing enough!  It is conceivable that an IDPA match might involve as few as 25 rounds or as many as 200 rounds.  There is no such thing as a "typical" IDPA match, so there is just no way to guess.

Please keep in mind the following quote from the IDPA rulebook when selecting IDPA equipment: "The main goal of IDPA is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship."  Your IDPA equipment must be suitable and practical for all-day concealed-carry use.  Commissioned law enforcement officers and active-duty military personnel may use their standard-issue duty gear.