r/canadaguns • u/Final_Birthday2205 • Aug 19 '26
Competitions/matches IPSC - Getting Started
Hey guys!
I have been looking to get started in IPSC. I contacted an instructor at my club, however I am unsure what the next steps are to get my Black Badge, or if the instructors at my range even offer the ability to conduct that course.
I plan on borrowing a friend’s Glock 44, however I am aware I need a range belt, magazine pouches, and a holster. On the candidate page it mentions the holster cannot have a index finger release, does this mean retention holsters are not allowed? Even if they utilize a thumb flip system instead of an index finger button?
What other equipment is required besides the basic range garb (ear defenders, eye protection, etc).
Also, if you have any recommendations on what equipment to buy i’d greatly appreciate it! I am trying to do this on a budget as a university student, so I don’t wanna break the bank, some OWN holsters i’ve seen from big names like Safariland are upwards of $190…
Cheers (:
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u/Scott-YYC Aug 19 '26
Another item to consider adding to your list is a range cart to haul your gear (chair, shooting bag, ammo, cooler etc.) around between stages. While there is a lot of gear makers to choose from, I started with a Double Alpha Academy gear (inner / outer belt, mag pouches (4), magazine magnets (2), and a Solely Canadian holster for production division. All my original gear has held up and I haven't had to replace any of it.
Be prepared for weather.... from being baked in the sun, to getting rained on all day.
What province are you in?
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u/hectop20 Aug 19 '26
Minimum caliber is 9mm.
I don't see it posted now, but when I was looking into IPSC some sites said you should have fired at least 1,000 rounds out of your handgun so you were very familiar with it.
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u/Final_Birthday2205 Aug 19 '26
I figured .22LR was enough for the Black Badge Course, I can borrow a 19X worst case. 9mm isn’t as cheap anymore though ):
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u/edyuster Aug 19 '26
If the price of ammo is a concern, target shooting and IPSC is the wrong sport for you.
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u/Specialist_Chard5231 Aug 19 '26
IPSC has multiple disciplines. 22LR is allowed in mini-rifle and 22 handgun. Most matches in Canada are IPSC handgun. 22LR is not allowed in IPSC handgun.
Black Badge courses are typically done with the gear you plan to shoot with.
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u/edyuster Aug 19 '26
Is this instructor just a club level instructor? or are they a qualified Black Badge instructor? Normally anyone who is qualified to run a Black Badge course would provide you with all the information you need including when and where the course is being taught.
Firstly, you should check if the Glock 44 is even allowed. I'm not aware of any Black Badge courses that allow for anything that's not part of the handgun division (in Ontario at least). I've also not seen any matches that run handgun .22LR division.
Your standard eyes and ears are required.
For holster, a thumb switch one like the Double Alpha ones would be allowed but they are not recommended for the course. The cheap option is to get something from either Blade Tech or Black Scorpion.
For magazine pouches, you need 4-5. Blade tech has decent options as well, but anything will do for this.
For belt, you just need something that's sturdy. Normally people just go for the inner + outer belt that attaches by velcro.
I hope you at have a lot of practice with handguns and specifically with the handgun you're taking to the course. It's not an easy course and you don't have time to be working on your fundamentals or analyzing your shots.
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u/Spydude84 29d ago
Index finger releases are just holsters that release by use of the index finger. The Serpa holster is a prime example. The mechanism is unsafe because it enables you to shoot yourself in the leg with it when drawing under pressure. Other retention mechanisms are fine.
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u/lordoffire on Aug 19 '26
To get started, you’ll need to take a Black Badge course - check with your club, clubs around you or the Black Badge coordinator (https://www.ipsc-ont.org/wordpress/?page_id=410). You cannot participate in IPSC matches without passing a proper Black Badge course.
For the course, you’ll need equipment that actually works for one of the IPSC divisions (AFAIK a .22LR handgun is not one of them). Minimum handgun caliber is 9mm, I’m not sure if a Black Badge course will let you use a .22 semi auto rifle (which is allowed in the mini-rifle division).
Gear wise, I’d say start out simple - something like a Blade Tech holster, an inner/outer belt and open mag pouches (I’ve been using the belt and pouches from Krydex). Ear/eye protection.
Everything else you’ll figure out as you see other folks participate (for instance I just got myself a stroller to lug around my gear after 6 months of just carrying everything in my range backpack).
I just started my IPSC journey at the end of last year, after 2-3 years of looking for a BB course that would work for me, happy to help with any questions based on my newbie experience!
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u/texasjohn50 29d ago
Lots of good information in the comments so far. But seeing as you are in Ontario, I’ll provide some additional info about the BB course process there. Right now the only approved BB course in Ontario is the handgun course. The course will have to be done with gear that follows the IPSC handgun rulebook. So no 22 pistol, it must be centerfire. If you complete the handgun BB course, this will allow you to compete in any ipsc match (handgun, shotgun, rifle, mini-rifle, etc). There’s been talks of a shotgun BB course for those that don’t own a handgun, and will allow them to complete in IPSC shotgun matches. That’s still in the works.
Whereabouts are you located? Depending on the region your in, there’s specific instructors for each area. The easiest way to get into a course is also to ask your club to see if they’ll host a course. So if you can band together a bunch of fellow club members, it’ll be easier to secure a course date.
In terms of gear, if you’re just dabbling into IPSC, you can always start off cheap with stuff you find on Amazon/Ali Express . There’s lots of Chinese copy of the real competition branded gear. Fine for starting out, but long term not the best option. But if you plan on taking IPSC more seriously, spend the money now and get quality gear. There a small number of stores in Ontario that cater to competition. I’m an ambassador for Range Junkie (https://www.rangejunkie.ca) and have a discount code to help cut the cost down. Feel free to reach out to me by DM if you have any questions.
Also, come out to Taccom in September. Lots of industry people involved with IPSC will be attending as both vendors and patrons.
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u/canscom Aug 19 '26
Blade tech belt,holster and mag pouches no need for active retention on the holster . For hearing protection I prefer electronic ear pro so I can hear the range commands easily however foam will also work I believe my ear pro are walkers. Now for the gun IPSC has power factor and 22LR isn't going to make minimum.For black badge they may allow you to take the course with it but on a actual March it's a no go. And if you are in Alberta we have the new lending program so you would be able to get a proper handgun and IPSC alberta next season is starting IPSC shotgun
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