We stayed up late and drank a few beers and enjoyed fondue, at home. That’s enough excitement for me, and it removes the irritation of being on the streets on New Year’s Eve. It’s now 2016 and I need to change the wall calendar, but otherwise life goes…

Even though I had dabbled in IDPA a few years ago, I’d switched to shooting USPSA matches almost exclusively for a few years. Regular readers may have noticed that my focus was on the IDPA game this year. At a match last Spring I was asked, “What bri…

Even though I had dabbled in IDPA a few years ago, I’d switched to shooting USPSA matches almost exclusively for a few years. Regular readers may have noticed that my focus was on the IDPA game this year. At a match last Spring I was asked, “What brings you over to the dark side?” My quick answer was it was simply a desire to shoot more. It so happens that local IDPA matches fit my schedule better than the local USPSA events. There are also multiple weekday and weekend options for IDPA matches locally.

After a couple of matches I decided to shoot IDPA exclusively this year in order to concentrate on one set of rules. As I thought about it more, and shot many more matches over the summer, I found a renewed enjoyment in competitive shooting. Even though both organizations promote very similar handgun shooting sports, their focus is quite different.

I took up shooting for self defense reasons, my interest in competitive shooting came later. The IDPA founders intended IDPA to be self defense oriented, but I recognize it is still a game, a way to test skills while having fun. There are rules, there’s a timer, there’s a score, and thankfully the “threats” don’t shoot back. The rules, however imperfect, are intended to apply some defensive fundamentals in a way that can be standardized for competition. It appears that USPSA might be feeling the pressure to attract defensive shooters to their sport as well as they’ve now added a provisional division for “Carry Optics”.

IDPA also updated their rulebook this past year, making some changes that helped attract me back to the sport. The rules on reloading your gun on the move became a bit more reasonable. The new Back Up Gun (BUG) and Compact Carry Pistol (CCP) divisions offer options to shoot different guns in the matches. (And provided an excuse to buy a new gun.) The equipment needs in general are much less intense than USPSA. If I have a new gun I want to shoot, three magazine and two mag carriers are just about all I need. I do like the option to be able to compete “as I carry.” I will admit, that I usually play IDPA with a full size gun in an OWB Kydex holster and a custom fit concealment vest, rather than my day-to-day carry gun, IWB holster and untucked shirt. However I do plan to shoot in both CCP and BUG divisions in the coming year.

I managed to get to twenty-two local IDPA matches this year. That included weekend matches at Cavalier and Rivanna, as well as weekday matches at Black Creek and Colonial Shooting Academy. I often didn’t feel like driving to the weekday matches after a day at work, or I probably would have shot even more.

After a few months, I’d gotten accustomed to the IDPA rules, and kept the cover and reload differences, and the rule against “air gunning” well in mind. It was a little longer before I stopped trying to “run ‘n gun” and concentrated on getting the hits. It wasn’t a bad season. Rivanna runs a year-long “Top 10” competition, and I managed three Top 10 finishes, ending up 12th overall at the end of the season. I never expected to make the cut, but still it was a bit of a motivator, even if it was a fluke.

I’ve already marked up my calendar with some regional IDPA matches in 2016 that I might try to attend in addition to local matches. I am still hoping my schedule will allow me to get to the local USPSA match from time to time. In the meantime, for my interests, and schedule, IDPA provides the game I am looking for. If that’s the “dark side” so be it.

Even though I had dabbled in IDPA a few years ago, I’d switched to shooting USPSA matches almost exclusively for a few years. Regular readers may have noticed that my focus was on the IDPA game this year. At a match last Spring I was asked, “What brings you over to the dark side?” My quick answer was it was simply a desire to shoot more. It so happens that local IDPA matches fit my schedule better than the local USPSA events. There are also multiple weekday and weekend options for IDPA matches locally.

After a couple of matches I decided to shoot IDPA exclusively this year in order to concentrate on one set of rules. As I thought about it more, and shot many more matches over the summer, I found a renewed enjoyment in competitive shooting. Even though both organizations promote very similar handgun shooting sports, their focus is quite different.

I took up shooting for self defense reasons, my interest in competitive shooting came later. The IDPA founders intended IDPA to be self defense oriented, but I recognize it is still a game, a way to test skills while having fun. There are rules, there’s a timer, there’s a score, and thankfully the “threats” don’t shoot back. The rules, however imperfect, are intended to apply some defensive fundamentals in a way that can be standardized for competition. It appears that USPSA might be feeling the pressure to attract defensive shooters to their sport as well as they’ve now added a provisional division for “Carry Optics”.

IDPA also updated their rulebook this past year, making some changes that helped attract me back to the sport. The rules on reloading your gun on the move became a bit more reasonable. The new Back Up Gun (BUG) and Compact Carry Pistol (CCP) divisions offer options to shoot different guns in the matches. (And provided an excuse to buy a new gun.) The equipment needs in general are much less intense than USPSA. If I have a new gun I want to shoot, three magazine and two mag carriers are just about all I need. I do like the option to be able to compete “as I carry.” I will admit, that I usually play IDPA with a full size gun in an OWB Kydex holster and a custom fit concealment vest, rather than my day-to-day carry gun, IWB holster and untucked shirt. However I do plan to shoot in both CCP and BUG divisions in the coming year.

I managed to get to twenty-two local IDPA matches this year. That included weekend matches at Cavalier and Rivanna, as well as weekday matches at Black Creek and Colonial Shooting Academy. I often didn’t feel like driving to the weekday matches after a day at work, or I probably would have shot even more.

After a few months, I’d gotten accustomed to the IDPA rules, and kept the cover and reload differences, and the rule against “air gunning” well in mind. It was a little longer before I stopped trying to “run ‘n gun” and concentrated on getting the hits. It wasn’t a bad season. Rivanna runs a year-long “Top 10” competition, and I managed three Top 10 finishes, ending up 12th overall at the end of the season. I never expected to make the cut, but still it was a bit of a motivator, even if it was a fluke.

I’ve already marked up my calendar with some regional IDPA matches in 2016 that I might try to attend in addition to local matches. I am still hoping my schedule will allow me to get to the local USPSA match from time to time. In the meantime, for my interests, and schedule, IDPA provides the game I am looking for. If that’s the “dark side” so be it.

A friend included this bottle of Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin as part of a Christmas goodie bag. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the chance to try it out. One of the benefits of a “staycation,” besides not shaving everyday, is having the chance to re…

A friend included this bottle of Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin as part of a Christmas goodie bag. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the chance to try it out. One of the benefits of a “staycation,” besides not shaving everyday, is having the chance to re…

A friend included this bottle of Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin as part of a Christmas goodie bag. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the chance to try it out. One of the benefits of a “staycation,” besides not shaving everyday, is having the chance to relax with some good beer. I grabbed the bottle to try out before dinner one evening.

Habanero Sculpin has an aroma of fruit and citrus, with only a faint note of habanero. I was concerned as I had been told the heat level is variable. Would this bottle live up to the name? I need not have worried. The initial flavor is that of a nice, citrusy IPA, and then it hits — Habanero alert! The pepper heat comes in strong and unmistakable. It’s exactly what one would experience from fresh habaneros. But it’s a tasty, not destructive flavor. Interestingly, the heat does not linger long. After a minute or two, the habanero heat diminishes leaving the palate is ready for another sip.

I’m a fan of spicy food. If the top of my head doesn’t sweat just a bit, I don’t consider the food to be spicy. While I didn’t break out in a sweat from the beer, I did get the impression of eating a habanero-laced dish. It was just a couple weeks ago I enjoyed another habanero-enhanced beer, Starr Hill Mango Genius. That beer had a more subtle heat, and was a perfect accompaniment to a spicy food dish. I enjoyed the Habanero Sculpin on it’s own, and I think I prefer it that way. It’s a novelty beer, and probably not one I’d drink several of in a sitting. That said, it’s quite flavorful and enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a six pack if I see it in the store in the future.

A friend included this bottle of Ballast Point Habanero Sculpin as part of a Christmas goodie bag. I’ve been anxiously waiting for the chance to try it out. One of the benefits of a “staycation,” besides not shaving everyday, is having the chance to relax with some good beer. I grabbed the bottle to try out before dinner one evening.

Habanero Sculpin has an aroma of fruit and citrus, with only a faint note of habanero. I was concerned as I had been told the heat level is variable. Would this bottle live up to the name? I need not have worried. The initial flavor is that of a nice, citrusy IPA, and then it hits — Habanero alert! The pepper heat comes in strong and unmistakable. It’s exactly what one would experience from fresh habaneros. But it’s a tasty, not destructive flavor. Interestingly, the heat does not linger long. After a minute or two, the habanero heat diminishes leaving the palate is ready for another sip.

I’m a fan of spicy food. If the top of my head doesn’t sweat just a bit, I don’t consider the food to be spicy. While I didn’t break out in a sweat from the beer, I did get the impression of eating a habanero-laced dish. It was just a couple weeks ago I enjoyed another habanero-enhanced beer, Starr Hill Mango Genius. That beer had a more subtle heat, and was a perfect accompaniment to a spicy food dish. I enjoyed the Habanero Sculpin on it’s own, and I think I prefer it that way. It’s a novelty beer, and probably not one I’d drink several of in a sitting. That said, it’s quite flavorful and enjoyable. I wouldn’t hesitate to pick up a six pack if I see it in the store in the future.

In what is now a holiday tradition, a bunch of us gathered at the range for the 2nd Annual St. Gabriel Possenti Shooters “Day After Christmas” celebration. The informal and wholly unorganized group of Catholic shooters paid homage to the Patr…

In what is now a holiday tradition, a bunch of us gathered at the range for the 2nd Annual St. Gabriel Possenti Shooters “Day After Christmas” celebration. The informal and wholly unorganized group of Catholic shooters paid homage to the Patr…