Harvard Sportsmen's Club

New England Regional IDPA is an all-volunteer shooting sports organization based at Harvard Sportsmen's Club in Harvard, Massachusetts. The group organizes and runs competitive action pistol events under two formats: IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and GPA (Galactic Pistol Alliance).

New England Regional Championships for 2026 will be held October 2-3 in Galactic Pistol Alliance format with up to 14 stages. Match Director is Jason Lamprey and AMD is Matt Krause.

NER IDPA welcomes newcomers to the sport. First-time attendees should plan to arrive at 5:30 PM for new shooter orientation (5:30-6:30). Bring whatever pistol and gear you already have—the group works with shooters at all experience levels.

Minimum gear for continuing participation: - Pistol (practical firearm like Glock 17, M&P, Sig 226, Ruger SR9, Beretta 92FS, or 1911) - OWB (outside waistband) holster mounted on belt, behind center line, with trigger guard coverage - Minimum 3 magazines with pouches (double or two single mag pouches) - Concealment garment (shirt or vest covering holstered gun) - Hearing and eye protection (hat with brim strongly suggested)

• •For matches: 100-120 rounds of ammunition (lead, FMJ, plated, or hollow point acceptable; no tracers). Practices typically require about 100 rounds depending on attendance.

• •IDPA is the traditional International Defensive Pistol Association format with comprehensive rulebook and emphasis on defensive shooting skills.

• •GPA (Galactic Pistol Alliance) is a streamlined alternative with "half the rules." Key features include:
• •No concealment garment required
• •½ second scoring
• •Up to 24 required shots per stage
• •Ammo management shooter's responsibility
• •One mandatory reload per stage (shooter's choice when/where)
• •Dropped magazines with rounds legal—no penalties
• •Moving targets allowed
• •No tactical priority for targets
• •Unlimited steel targets and non-threats per stage
• •13-page rulebook (clear, concise, unambiguous)

"If you've ever thought about shooting a larger IDPA match, the New England Regional is the one you should attend. I've been shooting IDPA for 20 years, and this one never fails to be one of the best. The production value is second to none." — Phil Strader, USPSA Grandmaster

The group has earned recognition from elite shooters including: - Mason Lane (USPSA Limited National Champion, IDPA Distinguished Master) - Mark Redl ("King of New England" CDP Champion) - Mike Seeklander (IDPA World, National Champion, Distinguished Master) - Mandy Bachman (IDPA Master)

Stages are described as fun, creative, challenging, and accessible to shooters of all levels—with exceptional production value and interesting target activations.

• •Location: Harvard Sportsmen's Club, 250 Littleton County Rd., Harvard, MA 01451

The club maintains both indoor and outdoor ranges. Practices transition from indoor (winter) to outdoor as weather improves. All forms of ammunition are acceptable on the ranges except tracer rounds. As a courtesy during indoor practices, the group requests shooters avoid lead and hollow point ammunition to minimize backstop wear.

All events run as "cold" ranges. If you arrive with a loaded firearm, inform a Safety Officer and you'll be instructed on safe unloading procedures under supervision. Once cleared, you may only handle firearms in designated safety areas (no ammunition allowed in safety areas) or under Safety Officer direction on the line of fire.

The organization is staffed by dedicated volunteers including Match Directors, CSOs (Chief Safety Officers), SOs (Safety Officers), ASOs (Assistant Safety Officers), and helpers who run events and welcome new participants.

For beginners: Start with what you have. A compact gun will work fine, but firearms designed for competition (longer sight radius, heavier weight for recoil management) help shooters settle faster between shots. Choose a gun that fits your hands—proper grip directly impacts trigger control and sight picture.

Popular customizations include: - Sights: Black serrated sights favored for most conditions; fiber optic and night sights have specific use cases - Triggers: 3-5 pound smooth triggers with quick reset preferred over light, gritty triggers - Grips: Grip tape in key areas can help with hot weather; prevents gun movement without limiting correction ability - Holsters/Pouches: Kydex preferred over leather for consistency, durability, and smooth draws - Hearing Protection: Active electronic muffs recommended (auto-shutoff models prevent dead battery issues) - Eyewear: Rudy Project and similar shooting-focused brands provide wraparound protection from ricochets - Flashlights: SureFire G2 or similar compact, reliable models for low-light stage navigation - Shoes: Quality traction (Salomon SpeedCross recommended) for moving with loaded firearm in poor conditions - Belt & Concealment: Rigid belts (Wilderness brand suggested) keep gear stable; any jacket that clears gear without snagging works

"Before you go and spend money on 'the best' guns and gear, check out a practice and a match first." — Equipment guidance from NER IDPA

NER IDPA's core goal is welcoming shooters and building a supportive community. The group actively recruits volunteers willing to contribute as Safety Officers, Course Designers, Prop Designers, and laborers. The philosophy: we want you to be part of this community so much that you'll give back what you receive.