IAPS Style competitions

[Coyote47]

I apologize in advance for my writing style I tend to write in a stream of consciousness manor which doesn't make for the easiest read. Just bear with me


I found some info regarding a IAPS (http://www.airsoft-shooting.org/) International Airsoft Practical Shooting Competition style. It seems to be very popular in Asia and I thought it would be cool to have one around here. The big advantage of this style of competition is it would allow people to use their nice gas guns that don't see much use during regular games due to being over shadowed by nicer electric guns. It also would allow people who want to learn about Airsoft to come out and see people shoot with out worrying about getting shot themselves. Perhaps this could even be combined into the Airsoft expo if the waukesha expo center doesn't mind. It could also be a interesting way to get younger kids into Airsoft as parents would have less issue if no-one was getting shot. it could also draw a different type of person (namely the type of person who doesn't appreciate running around in muddy field waiting to get shot) into Airsoft expanding the customer base for some of our local retailers. the possibilities are numerous. Let me know what you think.

EDIT: added the IAPS link

[Shinji]

XD this poll made me smile. im all for the idea s you asked me earlier about this. might be something interesting to try, but Im not sure about the whole expo thing or getting an event set up. sounds like allot of planning would be involved plus we'd need demonstrations.

[Forest Gump]

this sounds like a really good idea, and well explained by you, i would like to here more info about it.

[Backdraft]

I took part in one of these a couple years ago. There were a few competitions. One where you had to hit 3 targets from various distances ranging from 10ft to 100ft and another where you had to hit several cardboard targets along a trail through the woods in a certain amount of time. I can't quite remember the rest but I'd like to see some more competitions like this.

[Coyote47]

This one is the steel plate shooting competion shooter draws and shoots 5 10cm steel circles as fast as he can. ending with the marked stop target.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTThxQUUQzw

This one they have to run forward pick up their pistol shoot the 4 regular targets and then shoots the 2 marked targets from the corresponding cover and then shoots the stop plate.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecp9hgSAQ4A

here's a nice short one showing a more practical course (note i said more not actually practical)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1wqthGY2xA

Over all you shoot through different courses and the fastest adjusted time wins there are penalties for different errors as for timing it's done acoustically or with the stop plate either way your time starts at the buzzer you have to shoot the course and your time ends when you shoot the stop plate.

there are different divisions based on your armament we may have to modify them to suit our purposes maybe add a long gun class or maybe do a bolt sniper competition.

[Forest Gump]

this looks like a ton of fun, i would help organize it, but i cant drive so thats out of question, im lookin forward to seeing somthing like this happen in wisconsin

[Arius]

i like it.... kinda. I do this type of stuff in my little airsoft arena. set up cans on strings in trees and run through ASAP to shoot all of them. if they did something like that, running through woods and stuff, i'd totally be interested.

[applegonebad]

I would like to participate in one of these.

[Ghostbear]

This is USPSA/IPSC for airsoft.

Just so you know where it came from.

[Coyote47]

@ STV Tactical

As to your second post that's pretty much what this is it's competitive training but it's more than that with the Tournament style it allows people who wouldn't normally play Airsoft for (the reasons you listed in your first post). To be able to take a look at the equipment and have a reason for buying these things and then maybe move on to playing real games.

It also allows for a more gradual introduction to the sport for parents of younger children where they can start out with these competitions and then move in the real games when they are old enough or their parents relax enough. Also It allows for more exposure for the sport in general people can come just to spectate which is not really possible in full scale games or even smaller games. This in turn can get more people into the sport. It could also allow people with higher fps guns to show off their amazing mods without unnecessarily hurting anyone.

That might actually be a fun competition division.
High FPS Guns
Must use a specific gram of bb
All parts must fit inside a body within certain tolerances of the real steel counterpart
Guns Must Use the same technologies as other Airsoft guns (piston,electric or manual, or compressed or liquefied gas) so no explosives or rail guns etc.

@Ghostbear
Thank you I was aware. I should have put that up there first.

It came from the practical shooting organizations and was started, it appears, by people in countries where real weapons are forbidden. To practice for the real thing in international competitions. Then it became an entity unto it's own after spectators started local tournaments for people in such countries and grew from there because Airsoft can be cheaper than real steel ,especially in usage cost, and is considered safer.

[El_Phantasamo]

I used to attend these type of events on A small scal in Michigan.

Not only is this something I would like to participate in, but I am also willing to help host such an event.

I only hope to see events for pistol, sub-gun, longarm and perhaps shotgun.

I cant wait:D

[Backdraft]

i'm more then willing to win these competitions. so if you just want to save time and mail me the prizes go ahead i'll give you an address you can ship them to ;)

[applegonebad]

Steve just edit your post instead of dubble posting. :)

Anyway, back when me and my friends plinked in one of our backyards. Yea, we didnt know better back then, but one person would throw a can up and we would try to shoot it with the UTG master sniper. :) As soon as I saw this post i imidiately thought of the good old days...

[Shinji]

I would really love to compete in one of these events, maybe have a few weapons demonstration and accuracy tips from experienced speed airsoft shooters and such. I believe training for such an event would really help accuracy, timing, reflex, and quick decisions.

[Jestre]

so...um...I like the general idea of this, the general gist of what you are going for, if you will, but i do not necessarily feel that exposing a younger age group of kids to airsoft is for the better. More often than not, it is these children who go running around in suburban streets flailing a POS springer which someone else mistakes for a real pistol. Even more exasperating, at least for older players, is having these young children show up to games and/or operations. Mind you, I'm no idiot. I know that most games/ops have an age restriction, but with the proper people present and liability waivers signed, these tend to be more of a guideline.

And, when it comes to actually having to play a game with a child of such, for lack of a better word, immaturity, it is downright infuriating. They, as a generalization, all seem to think that they can up and rambo every situation they face. This is incredibly frustrating, albeit amusing at times when they do get lit up, potentially dangerous for all parties involved, and just ruins the general play experience. So, long story short, while I appreciate the idea and the novelty of it, I cannot condone, on any front, the argument of trying to introduce the sport to a younger age group of children. Introducing it to more people I'm all for, to younger people I am not. The End.

[Forest Gump]

when he meant younger, i dont think he meant as young as you are saying, if i where running it, i would make it 14 and up, i know some people at 10 you are more mature than people who are 14, but so be it, and i also know some people who are 25 who arent as mature as some 10 year olds, at 14 they should have enough maturity to take part in 100% safe airsoft i.e. field play
and not go runnning around the street with a springer

[Stv Tactical]

I've thought about it, and I do believe this would be pretty fun. Like Coyote said, this would be a good introduction to airsoft for younger teens who are looking to buy a nice gun or just get into the sport itself. Yeah, it would be pretty tight if they had this in Wisconsin.

[Arr0wana]

I can't see myself being very good at it, but I'd love to try this. And I guess it's motivation to get some more mags for my Hi-Capa.

[Backdraft]

14? i don't think i'd be interested then. that's why gary holds his beginner courses. this is supposed to be more of a shooting competition. i'm more interested in seeing a group of serious shooters get together to test their abilities rather then sitting around listening to what kind of "uber leet" sniper rifle some little kid is gonna ask mommy and daddy to buy.

[Forest Gump]

at 14, a person does not go and ask his mommy and daddy to buy stuff for them, they are plenty old to save up and buy stuff on their own. at 14 you are just as serious as anybody in this sport. and you have no right to go off and say anything about that. my vote stands, 14 age limit.

[Backdraft]

I actually thought that the age limit was 16 for events, mainly for insurance purposes. Regardless of "maturity level". However, I haven't been around for a couple of years so things may have changed. Personally I feel that anyone under the age of 16 is a severe liability issue.

Just my opinion, I'm not really interested in putting it up to a vote, that's why we have members.

Edit: re-read over the FAQ, and its 15 not 16.

[Forest Gump]

im sorry, when i read your first post i was quite offended, but as you will here and is pretty much the truth, age really has no influence on maturity, its the environment they are in. anyway, i never really read the FAQ's but for events, last time i checked the WGF is 12 and up(i personaly think 12 is too young) TFD hosted events are 16 and they have thought about switching to 18. i know there are 13 year olds who go to ABZ, and that is all i can think of right off hand, but yes i can see where you are going with your arguments.

[Coyote47]

Mostly when I was talking about younger people I was meaning about 14 like was stated. Though more like people between 14 and 18 who's parents are hesitant about letting their children play this dangerous sport. But that isn't really the main point of this event just one possible selling point. The Point of the event is to get people together to show off their amazing "l33t" skills or have fun trying. also as another kind of exposition which increases exposure of the sport. How many people have said "I play airsoft" and people wonder what that is and you explain "it's like paintball but cooler". (Please don't start a paintball vs. Airsoft discussion). Plus we could increase the general reputation of airsoft. Instead of kids who play with fake guns and cause trouble we could try and establish the reputation of responsible adults teaching younger people the proper handling of realistic replica firearms. And we could also have fun showing off new technology with demonstrations and technical competitions (highest fps). There are many things this competition could be a childcare center is not what I planned.

EDIT: Also it's all up to the insuring agency as to the age limit. With no-one getting shot at they may be more leniant.

[Forest Gump]

i think this would be best if they worked it into the wisconsin airsoft expo next year.

[Razor]

I like the idea and would probably try it, but it may be better to just get one set up at a local field as an event and see how it goes before putting it in the public spotlight or getting too caught up in what it can be, figure out what it is first. That way you can see what does/not work and the interest level; it will also bring out parts that need more consideration. It'd be up to the field owner if or how much is the fee, age limits (although you could probably work that out), and the available space (it wouldn't need an entire 40 acres to run it).

[Coyote47]

I was thinking of doing this in more of a indoor environment like a rented/donated warehouse. perhaps in late winter in a heated environment. as kind of a ramp up to the start of the 09 season. But before I can even begin plans like that I need to know what the interest level is hence the thread. As to age limits that would be up to the insuring agency or the landowner depending on how we acquired the usage of whatever location.