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Shooting USA - IDPA Indoor Nationals
 It's the championship match that kicks off the season of competition, hosted in the Smith & Wesson ranges in Springfield, Massachusetts. For the top ranked competitors, the wins come with calls of "zero down" in very short times. But that's not what it sounds like when Jim, John, and Mike try the challenging stages of this championship match. Plus, Jerry teaches firearms transitions that can speed your times in 3-Gun competition.
 The International Defensive Pistol Association, or IDPA as its better known, has been a huge hit ever since it was created. It is good practice for concealed carry and Smith & Wesson has been a major supporter since the beginning, because nearly all of the company’s handguns are welcome in competition. The support includes making the company ranges available each year for the Indoor Nationals.
Across the country IDPA membership is soaring as one of the fastest growing shooting sports. Executive Director, Joyce Wilson, sees the growth as an extension of the interest in concealed carry.
 The tactics in shooting IDPA competition simulate defensive shooting. You can’t just run-and-gun an IDPA stage. You have to shoot using cover, and not exposing yourself to threat targets. It goes well beyond just gun handling skills, accuracy, speed of the draw; it’s how you can engage each scenario, and how your mind will work the solutions under pressure.
IDPA has five divisions for competition, defined by the choice of carry gun.
- Stock Service Pistol – Stock Double Action / Safe Action factory pistols such as Glock, Beretta, S&W M&P, Ruger, Browning and Sig.
- Enhanced Service Pistol – for Single Action 9mm / 38 Super / 40 S&W service pistols, such as the Browning HP, EAA Witness, and 1911 pattern pistols.
- Custom Defensive Pistol – 45 Auto single stack pistols and Hi Cap models in 45 such as Para, STI, SVI and Glock 20 / 21 models.
- Stock Service Revolver – for popular service revolvers loaded with speed loaders or one round at a time.
- Enhanced Service Revolver - revolvers loaded using moon clips.
- There will be a champion in each gun division with all competitors ranked according to their skill level: Novice, Marksman, Sharpshooter, Expert, and Master.
Related Links
IDPA National Website
The Smith & Wesson Range Kit
 We mentioned that Smith & Wesson has been supporting and promoting IDPA competition for years and here’s one way they’re doing it. This is a ready to compete kit with everything you need to step to the start line to compete, everything except a vest. This is the M&P9 version. There is also the .40 cal range kit. Start with the four and a quarter inch M&P with low profile white dot sights. The kit includes three magazines, the maximum you can use in IDPA. And you get a Bladetech IDPA legal holster and mag pouch. And for convenience, there’s even an UpLULA magazine loader to save your thumb.
Suggested Retail in 9mm or .40 S&W - $609
Web Link
Blackhawk! Diversion Bags
When people don’t need to know what you’re packing.
New choices from Blackhawk for those of you with nervous neighbors or let’s just say for people who don’t need to know when we’re moving firearms to and from the range.
Diversion Carry Racquet Pack $65
Diversion Carry Workout Bag $150
Diversion Carry Board Pack $145
Scholastic Pistol Program
 Some of America’s top shotgun shooters got their start in the Scholastic Clay Target Program – a tremendously successful youth shooting competition. And now, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is building on the SCTP’s success with an all-new program for young pistol shooters getting a start in steel competition. The ring of lead colliding with steel. It’s music to the ears of many shooters. And one of the most appealing parts of competing in a match like the Steel Challenge.
 This inaugural event is really a side match to a much bigger shooting competition, the Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships at the World Shooting and Recreation Complex in Sparta, Illinois. The SCTP is also sponsored by the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation and the clay target nationals bring 1500 young shotgun shooters to southern Illinois each summer. So what better place to present a new pistol program?
The Scholastic Pistol Program is supported by Smith & Wesson and Glock. Both not only give their financial support, but also donate the semi-autos like Smith’s 9mm M&Ps. The point is to build the future of America’s shooting sports.
Related Link
Scholastic Pistol Program
Shooting USA Olympic Profile – Vincent Hancock
 He got his start in shotgun competing at the SCTP. And by the time he was 16, Vincent Hancock was a world skeet champion and a world record holder. No wonder the Army signed him to shoot for the Army Marksmanship Unit. And that support would take him to Olympic gold… twice.
Related Links
Pro Tip – Jerry Miculek on Fast Transitions
 The Army calls it “matching your background”. To the rest of us, it’s camouflage. But there’s more to hiding than just dressing in camo. That’s what champion shooter and hunter, Sergeant Daniel Horner has in mind, with a Pro Tip on blending in.
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Get the Shooting USA 20 Year Challenge Coin and a personally autographed photo by Jim Scoutten.
Shipped together for $13.95, including postage.
 NRA Membership Offer: Jim Pays $10 when you join the NRA through the Shooting USA website.
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