Editor's Note: This piece was written by Tactical Wire editor Rich Grassi. We thought you'd appreciate the IDPA background as well.

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People who carry guns never seem to practice enough. When we do, it seems to be the wrong kind of practice. This includes people who are burdened by the badge as well as permit-holders and folks in states with "Constitutional Carry."

What kind of practice is the wrong kind? Being out by yourself with no witnesses, no pressure and not using the timer all count towards "wrong."

Back in the day, I listened to a guy who seemed to make a lot of sense. He said that to get your skills locked in, you needed to perform them under pressure. I knew that, while shooting games are nerve-wracking, the pressure in competition is nowhere near the pressure of battle.

Jim Cirillo was once heard to say that he was as nervous as he'd ever been in his life - and his multiple gunfights - when he stood on that range in Missouri and the next stage determined whether he'd walk away with $10,000.

The match at the local club won't win $10,000 for you. No big media there. But everyone watches you perform. Everyone there watching is either a friend or a stranger. Who would you prefer to look stupid in front of? Neither?

Ken Hackathorn, Bill Wilson and Larry Vickers, among others, considered a form of competition where concealed carry was required, use of cover and tactical engagement of threats from behind cover was required and keeping partly depleted magazines was required. They looked for a match that was decided by skill, not by the most extensively converted gun.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2048139.jpg> World SSP Champion Robert Vogel hammers through the heat and humidity with his Glock 34 at the World Championship 2011. Photo by Yamil Sued, courtesy of IDPA.

We call their creation the International Defensive Pistol Association - IDPA.

I once heard someone say, "IDPA isn't perfect." No? What's better when you consider you're involved in defensive shooting with street-appropriate gear?

Nothing's better.

Sometimes you have to shoot one-handed. Other times you shoot one-handed, with the wrong hand. Often the barricade placement forces you to shoot around the "wrong" corner - will you switch hands and shoot with the less-dominant hand? Sometimes you have to shoot as you move.

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/image_archive/2048141.jpg> Yes, revolvers have their own divisions in IDPA. Jerry Miculek is shown on his way to winning Enhanced Service Revolver Champion. Photo by Yamil Sued, courtesy of IDPA.

If you go to compete, in what shooting game can you use non-"space" guns? In IDPA, you can shoot the Glock 19 you carry. Or the S&W revolver. Or a SIG or Beretta. As long as it meets the requirements of the classification, you're good to go. "Competition-only" gear is a no-go.

Holsters are carefully scrutinized. IDPA works hard to keep it real.

Back in my working days, we'd have range training scheduled and we'd end up in the rain. We often heard cops say, "If it ain't rainin', it ain't trainin'!" IDPA held their World Championship in Florida week before last. How was the weather?

Heavy rain. Wet ranges. High humidity that so wonderfully enhanced those high temperatures. In all that misery, some of the finest shooting in IDPA history was done.

Back to practice. If you want to try this, take an old jacket or vest, have an IDPA-legal holster and get appropriate range ammo, head to the range, go check in and shoot the match. They'll want to show you around IDPA, give you an idea of the rules, do a safety briefing, and maybe schedule you for the Classifier - a grand course of fire a colleague one identified as a great training course of its own!

To ensure your gear is right and see what you have to do to join, go to the website www.idpa.com .

Who knows? You may be gearing up to become a champion in competition . . . or just a winner on the street.

--- Rich Grassi