Episode-911- Ben Branam on IDPA Shooting
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Ben Branam served 10 years in the Marine Corps Reserve along with 2 years on active duty, during his active duty service he was as part of an anti-terrorism unit in California after which he served during the invasion of Iraq.
He also has been through 2 separate police academies and has a law enforcement degree yet today is not serving in law enforcement because in his words he discovered, “I determined it was not for me”. He also worked for an Armored Car company for 7 years
In 2008 he returned to Iraq this time as a Private Security Contractor. Ben has been shooting IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) style competitions for almost 10 years now and loves it. He has also been listening to TSP for about 3 years, started his first garden last year. And has begun working on building his own business at ModernSelfProtection.com
Ben Joins Us Today to Discuss…
- Exactly what IDPA is
- How IDPA can help you in real life self defense or a social breakdown
- The limitations of what IDPA or any training can do
- The types of shooting scenarios IDPA entails
- How IDPA directly helped Ben in a real combat scenario
- How are matches set up
- The low cost of participating in IDPA matches
- How to find a club in your area
- How to get started and common gear used
- How IDPA clubs insure safety of all participants and spectators
- Things you can learn shooting IDPA, that you can’t learn elsewhere
- How IDPA relates to TSP
- The opportunity IDPA presents to find other like minded people near you
Additional Resources for Today’s Show
- Members Support Brigade
- TSP Copper
- Join Our Forum
- Ready Made Resources – (sponsor of the day)
- Bulk Ammo – (sponsor of the day)
- ModernSelfProtection.com
- IDPA.com
Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.
Very cool Jack. I look forward to this episode! I have been shooting IDPA for years now and love it.
Thanks to you and your guest. Motivated me to send in an IDPA application for membership.
Glad you are sending in your membership. I just wanted everyone to know that you don’t have to be a member to shoot a local match, just show up. If you want to shoot a State, National, or International match you will need to be a member.
Thanks again to Jack and everyone out there for letting me be on the show!
He I made a thank you page for you guys on my site. Thank you guys for all the community. I love being a part of TSP.
http://modernselfprotection.com/welcome-tsp-listeners/
Thanks everyone, and especially thanks to Jack for giving me the opportunity to talk to everyone.
I’m inspired to join a club. Ben is there video of some of the matches anywhere? Thanks for the great interview, I really enjoyed this podcast.
You don’t have to join a club to shoot. Almost all will let you shoot for the entrance fee. One of my shooting buddies, Bob posts his stuff all the time. Check out his youtube channel. Sooner or later I’ll get my stuff up. Thanks for listening!
Great interview! I really enjoyed hearing what Ben had to say, I hadn’t really thought of shooting competitively before. I love the concept of shooting the gun you carry from the holster you carry, not some tricked out speed gun. My wife, son, and I are definitely going to find an IDPA in our area.
Do women compete in these events?
Yes. I have shot IDPA for about 12 years. There are not a lot, but its certainly not uncommon to see wives, girlfriends, and even individual women shooters on their own participate.
Also want to add to Ben’s assertion of how beginner friendly IDPA is. Beginner friendlyness is embedded in the DNA of IDPA. If you are at All interested in it, do it.
Ben,
I am listening to the ep. You said you use a Fobus holster in matches. Send me an email and I will make you something better. No charge.
Devin@WhiteDogHolsters.com
thanks Devin! I just sent you an email.