IDPA clsassifier is too long ranged,
too many targets, too many rounds fired, no LATERAL movement by the shooter, no moving targets, no night fire, etc. Far better to have the ranges, times, conditions, # of targets reflect REALITY. In other words, at least 1/4 of the firing at arm's length, at least 1/2 of the firing at 6 ft or less, at least3/4 of the firing at 10ft or less, no more than 10% of it beyond 20 ft, no more than 5% beyond 30 ft, and don't bother with beyond 15 yds at ALL. It can all be done at 10m or less, with head shots at 10 yds being just as difficult as torso hits at 30 yds.
While you should be able to switch to another target, there's no realism in firing upon more than 2 targets, on any one stage of fire, because that doesn't reflect the reality of either what CAN be done with a pistol (while being shot-at) nor what experience proves that the civilian has to do. So why complicate the range-conditions, unnecessarily, hmm?
At least half of the qualifier-shoot should be fired in poor light. That's not hard to achieve in daylight, with a double layer of black plastic sheeting being draped over 2x4 wood uprights and horizontals, which can also be used as "barricades" for use as cover, as target stands,as "hostages", etc. About half of the low light shooting should involve illuminating the target with a hand held flashlight, prior to firing.
Naturally, all this means you have to be VERY fast on the draw, but in reality, that's the truth of it, and why I favor a pocket gun. Hand ON gun, whenever you "smell a rat" (gun and hand still in your pocket) is a discrete, INTELLIGENT response to possible lethal threat. I would add same, whenever in an "iffy" environment, like a dark alley, parking lot, public restroom, etc, whehter or you DETECT anyone's presence. Ditto ANY time a stranger approaches you in the street.
So, cut the ranges in half, cut the number of rds fired in half, cut the total time of the classifier by 3/4, and you are getting a LOT closer to the sorts of skills that really matter with a pistol.
Less than 3% of handgun owners are cops or in the military, ad half of the time, at least, cops or troops will be carrying the pistol in the same manner as is the civilian, and for the same reason. That is, concealed and for personal protection against punks, not in any way connected to their official "duties". So the odds are about 50 to 1 that the sort of firing-attack, etc that are seen in the NRA mag's "The Armed Citizen", the DOJ's Annual Crime Survey, and the FBI'S Uniform Crime Report will be what you experience, and thus, what you should train for.
90 seconds, open wear, with a full size and wt 1911 is "master" class.
