We were doing friendly action shooting matches and sanctioned NRA matches long before USPSA and IDPA. If the NRA really cared about the shooters that fund them, then hypothetically there would be no USPSA or IDPA but Action Pistol is as far as it got. Having said that, the hard work of both USPSA and IDPA brings us a venue to play in and if one does not like the rules or how the Association is run, playing or participating in the Admin is optional.As other have stated they are different but similar.
USPSA is a NON-profit org.
IDPA is a for profit company.
USPSA doesn't require membership(ever) to shoot level one matches. I know shooters that have been shooting over 20 years that never joined. BUT USPSA still gets money from the clubs for every match that shooter shoots. Clubs pay activity fees for every shooter at a match. Membership get a shooter access to level 2 matches and the classification system so you can track your improvements and ranking with other shooters, like your buddies.
IDPA I've only shot a few times and I'm far from a expert but I have built quite a few Revolvers for IDPA shooters and know the rules are strange(trying to be nice here).
IDPA requires you join the org. after a few matches but clubs have found work arounds as others have stated.
IDPA doesn't get any fees from the matches so if shooters don't join they(IDPA) don't make any money which is not good for a for profit company.
Just my opinion here but I don't really understand the thought process of clubs that hold IDPA matches and make profit from said matches that helps support that club but don't support the national organization by letting people shoot without joining the national org. as per the orgs rules.
Just my and again I'm not by any means a expert on IDPA.
I can find things about every shooting sport that I think should be different but that doesn't keep me from participating in everything I can. With all their supposed faults I would hate to loose Sanctioned USPSA and IDPA matches. I also understand that there is room for smaller local type matches. They are fun and are easy to get started in without spending a fortune in equipment, travel and fees. I wish I was younger and could go National with my StreetWise Defense Matches, but I do not have the time nor the money it would take.
While the round count and equipment race has evolved to the race playground in USPSA and IDPA, that does not make it bad, just expensive to shoot. Neither Association is PRACTICAL or DEFENSIVE shooting in my opinion.
Divide and Conquer is being used here to hurt the entire USPSA program. Kinda like today's civil unrest. See a pattern Social Media? USPSA may not be as pure as driven snow but the whining crybabies will ruin it for all if we let them.
Meanwhile, while the kids fight over the sandbox, I'll be out enjoying a day at the range.
See you on the range,
Trapper