Week 414: IDPA 5x5 Classifier (Abbreviated Method)

Week 414: IDPA 5x5 Classifier (Abbreviated Method)

Results may be posted until April 5th, 2021.

Designed by: Bill Wilson
Range: 10 yards
Target: IDPA - include 4" circle in the head box
Start Position: Hands at sides, facing the target
Rounds Fired: 25

This test was previously posted in the DotW as "5x5 Skills Test". It is now designated as an Abbreviated Classification method in IDPA.

Equipment: Service pistol of 9mm caliber or larger, concealed carry suitable holster and ammunition with a power factor of 125,000 or more – note that concealment is not required.

Purpose: Create a measurable quick to run and low round count skill drill that tests rapid fire pistol control.

Scoring: IDPA Limited Vickers – note that no extra shots or make up shots are allowed – your score is your time plus penalties – add one second penalty time for each point down on target – i.e. a shot in the -1 zone adds 1 second to your time, a shot in the -3 zone adds 3 seconds to your time, and a miss adds 5 seconds to your time.

Procedure:

String 1: Draw and fire 5 shots freestyle

String 2: Draw and fire 5 shots strong hand only

String 3: Draw and fire 5 shots freestyle, reload from slidelock and fire 5 more shots freestyle

String 4: Draw and fire 4 shots to the body and 1 shot to the head freestyle

Skill rankings for Enhanced Service Pistol division in IDPA:

Master: 20 seconds or less
Expert: 25 seconds or less
Sharpshooter: 32 seconds or less
Marksman: 41 seconds or less
Novice: Over 41 seconds

(Enhanced Service Pistol division will allow for many of the handguns shot by PF members, and has nice round-number cutoffs. You can review the full breakdowns for other guns/divisions here: http://www.idpa.com/compete/rules )

Please report the following when you post your results in this thread:

Equipment used (pistol, holster, optional concealment garment if one was used)
Time for each string
Total raw time
Total points down
Total score (raw time + one second for each point down)
IDPA Classification reached (unofficial)
Anything you noticed

Training with firearms is an inherently dangerous activity. Be sure to follow all safety protocols when using firearms or practicing these drills. These drills are provided for information purposes only. Use at your own risk.

Actually, the classifier times are here. :)

Shadow 2 with SRO from AIWB
18.38s. Raw 15.38s with three points down (I’m used to USPSA A zone so was a little high on the IDPA circle).
Just squeaked in under the MA for CO.

JCN
WAG-I suspect your "index draw" at 10 yrds is dialed in on an A zone as well. Ergo you hit a bit high on an IDPA circle. Sounds spot on to me based on watching a few old school, regional/national class IPSC guys shoot IDPA on a whim a few times.

I would bet a 9.99 taco plate lunch that if you took an extra .33 (max) of a second on those shots where you were a bit high, you would drop them right in and be down zero and a net 2ish seconds faster.

With that data point, do you think you would shoot MA with a similarly sized irons only gun? I suspect you would.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by vcdgrips

JCN
WAG-I suspect your "index draw" at 10 yrds is dialed in on an A zone as well. Ergo you hit a bit high on an IDPA circle. Sounds spot on to me based on watching a few old school, regional/national class IPSC guys shoot IDPA on a whim a few times.

I would bet a 9.99 taco plate lunch that if you took an extra .33 (max) of a second on those shots where you were a bit high, you would drop them right in and be down zero and a net 2ish seconds faster.

With that data point, do you think you would shoot MA with a similarly sized irons only gun? I suspect you would.

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It was at the dark end of an indoor range and I couldn't see any of the scoring zones.

I hit where I wanted to hit, I just didn't know where the -0 circle was located on the silhouette. :D

https://youtu.be/l6lmhvz3cdg


I have the same issue with the IPSC classic targets. I haven't ingrained where the A-zone is located on the context of the outside geometry.

I could have done it (probably) in the same raw time and been down zero if I had a paper target with black scoring ring outlines or if I were shooting to a standalone 8" visible circle.

I think the MA level for irons lets you have a little more time than for CO. That being said, I dunno if I could do it with irons cold without practice as I'm a much better dot shooter that I just embraced it and pretty much gave up regular iron shooting.

I think I could probably do it with irons with some practice, but not cold on demand.

This is my first Drill of the Week submission; perhaps aided by the fact that I classified yesterday. ;)


With a 3" Model 65 from a Ready Tactical holster and a Comp-III speedloader, I shot a 23.46 (one point down) for an EX ranking in revolver. That was with one point down meaning that I have to shave 2.31 off raw to make the jump to MA. Quite frankly, I don't know where I will find that 2.31.


With a CZ P10C topped with an SRO from a Safariland GLS, I shot a 19.98 (one point down) for an EX ranking in CO. I'm still very much a newbie with RDOs; so, I'm pleased with that. I've got an RDO class coming up in May; so, with some additional dry work and that class, I'm confident I can get there. It's just a .23 raw difference.

I don't have the string times. I do know that my revolver reload was a 4.05 or so with a slight bobble.

Stock Glock 17 Gen.4
S&B factory ammo
Concealed carry, under a T-shirt
IWB kydex holster

Score: 17.83+1.00 = 18.83 total time

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rs90Q9oO2w

Quote:

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Originally Posted by zlatnia_bg

Stock Glock 17 Gen.4
S&B factory ammo
Concealed carry, under a T-shirt
IWB kydex holster

Score: 17.83+1.00 = 18.83 total time

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rs90Q9oO2w

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That video says from 2 years ago?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JCN

That video says from 2 years ago?

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Yes, once I started consistently making it under 20 seconds – I moved on. Anyways, if sharing an old video on the topic is a problem, I apologize.

No need to apologize! Good shooting!

G19 gen4
Concealed, fleece top and untucked shirt
JMCK AIWB

Score: 26.98

3.28, 4.60, 8.60, 4.50, with -6 on hits

First string started out great, 3.28!
Attachment 69681

Attachment 69680

One of my rounds before string 4 hit the head circle, albeit unintentionally, but hell, that's a good -0 hit. So good? Yes.

I've always thought it's a great skills assessment. Have shot it before, my records indicate I scored 31.3 last time I shot it, that may have been a year ago, or more.

Smack dab in the middle, which I'll take over dead last any day of the week!

ETA: Sharpshooter, for stock service pistol category. And yes, my head circles are 3", and my 8" center are a little higher than IDPA standard.

Shot cold with a Glock 19 with Big Dots shot from concealment AIWB.
Total time 17.96 with 1 round in -1, so corrected time is 18.96.

I like this, it's simple and has a low round count. I may try this again with a revolver and see how I do.

Equipment: G34 MOS + RMR, AIWB holster, cover fleece tucked behind pistol
Time for each string: 3.38, 5.48, 7.77, 3.58
Total raw time: 20.21
Total points down: 1
Total score: 21.21
IDPA Classification reached (unofficial): Expert
Anything you noticed: I had a wild one on the first string and then was pretty careful. I could likely go a bit faster if I crank down on my support hand a bit more.

Attachment 71234

Equipment: G19 MOS + RMR, AIWB holster, cover fleece tucked behind pistol
Time for each string: 3.36, 4.99, 7.50, 3.61
Total raw time: 19.46
Total points down: 1
Total score: 20.46
IDPA Classification reached (unofficial): Expert
Anything you noticed: Shot the 19 on this round. Down 1 on the second string.

Attachment 71235