So you want to get into.....

So you want to get into IDPA style competitions? If you lived in San Diego you could shoot/compete 6 times a month! That is a lot of action if you ask me.

Well having just tripped into it and then really getting into it I have some advice from one not-as-beginner to another beginner about what it costs to get into this....

A minimum
IDPA membership $40
Condor pistol belt $30 solid color, $40 multicam
Itac magazine holder $25
5.11 vest or BDU style jacket $75
500 rounds ammo $180
holster $35
eye protection $10
foam ear plugs $5
2 spare magazines $60
----------
$460

You like it
All of the above but..
500 more rounds for a total of 1,000 $180
IDPA practice paper targets $35
target stand for above $25
3 more magazines $100
electronic hearing protection $50
----------
$460 + $390 = $840

You want to win SSP at Marksman or Sharpshooter
all of the above plus.....
Glock 19 or even a 34 $650
year of range membership $350 (American Shooting Center)
professional instruction $550 (Aegis Academy)
-----------
$840 + $1,550 = $2,390

If you jumped into the deep end and had to totally start from scratch you'd be into it for about $2,400 to have zero excuses. You'd have all the best equipment, professional instruction, all the practice you'd need and then you'd be competing from 1 to 6 times per month.

You wanted to win right? Think that's expensive? Let's say you wanted to race mountain bikes, let me rough that out for you... It's about $3,100 and you've gotten ZERO professional instruction.
Bike=$2,500 (my last mnt bike was $4,400 and have sold lots of $6,000 bikes to racers)
Helmet, shoes, shorts, jersey, gloves= $400
Bike rack $250 (double that for roof rack)

Food, gasoline, entry fees and such are all fairly close consumables so just comparing hard parts to get into it the shooting comp isn't too bad. And if you were already a shooter and had some of this stuff it would be even cheaper.

(the bike will make you a lot healthier though...)