what comp pistol?
- Thread starter Josh11
- Start date
Josh,
My advice is to visit several competitions like you want to try. Observe the equipment; talk to the competitors; if they let you, try their equipment (many competitors will set you up with their stuff, ammo and all, with coaching). Oftentimes, competitors will have older equipment that they will sell (still competitive but not their current choice). Buying used equipment is a good way to start. Once you know what you want, you can then go for new, or newer, equipment. I shoot bullseye pistol - are you close to Dallas? Do you want to try bullseye?
Cort
My advice is to visit several competitions like you want to try. Observe the equipment; talk to the competitors; if they let you, try their equipment (many competitors will set you up with their stuff, ammo and all, with coaching). Oftentimes, competitors will have older equipment that they will sell (still competitive but not their current choice). Buying used equipment is a good way to start. Once you know what you want, you can then go for new, or newer, equipment. I shoot bullseye pistol - are you close to Dallas? Do you want to try bullseye?
Cort
Josh11,
As with any purchase, lots of homework helps make a good decision. I saw on PASA's website, they are hosting the 1911 Single Stack Classic and the USPSA Single Stack Nationals.
I shot USPSA for several years a while back. Started w/ a Kimber, then moved to a S&W 686+ (7 shot). Had a lot of fun running and gunning.
If you want to shoot single stack (a class developed so shooters could compete w/out buying a hi cap custom pistols), a Kimber 1911 is tough to beat. From what I read on USPSA's web site, their Single Stack division is limited to 1911s.
Checkout these forums
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
http://forums.1911forum.com/
If you have a gun that fits one of their divisions, shoot that for a season. Look at what others have, and see if you want to get more toys to be competitive in the other divisions like Limited and Open. You can shoot a gun from a lower class in a higher class (Production in Open) but not vice versa.
Its great shooting. There's quite a few rules (to keep pistols safe, and keep scoring fair), but overall, its a great time.
Have fun
As with any purchase, lots of homework helps make a good decision. I saw on PASA's website, they are hosting the 1911 Single Stack Classic and the USPSA Single Stack Nationals.
I shot USPSA for several years a while back. Started w/ a Kimber, then moved to a S&W 686+ (7 shot). Had a lot of fun running and gunning.
If you want to shoot single stack (a class developed so shooters could compete w/out buying a hi cap custom pistols), a Kimber 1911 is tough to beat. From what I read on USPSA's web site, their Single Stack division is limited to 1911s.
Checkout these forums
http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?act=idx
http://forums.1911forum.com/
If you have a gun that fits one of their divisions, shoot that for a season. Look at what others have, and see if you want to get more toys to be competitive in the other divisions like Limited and Open. You can shoot a gun from a lower class in a higher class (Production in Open) but not vice versa.
Its great shooting. There's quite a few rules (to keep pistols safe, and keep scoring fair), but overall, its a great time.
Have fun
Josh, for USPSA, Open division (red dot sights, compensators--full "race guns"), 38 Super is the only caliber to consider. The 38 Super works well with a compensator, and the small case diameter allows you to stuff more rounds in those huge double stack mags--I've seen 29 rounds in a mag.
Limited division - no red dots or compensator, but still the big mags, are dominated by 40 S&W.
The PESA match is Single Stack, which must be a 1911 with an 8 round mag for Major Power Factor, or 10 round for Minor Power Factor (Power Factor is bullet weight times velocity divided by 1000, and Major is 165+, Minor is 125 to 164.9). Scoring is different for off-center hits Major to Minor.
Production is another division.
Click on the first link, Handgun Rules
http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-rules.php
So if you plan to shoot PESA you need a gun that meets Single Stack division's rules (a 1911). In 1911's, a Kimber Target or Stainless Target is a great deal. I'm sure Springfield and a few other 1911 makers have contenders also.
Major Power Factor is the only way to go. You get less points shooting Minor for off-center hits, but that could be made up for w/ speed. I shot Minor with a 38 Special, and could hold my own with people shooting 20+ round mags of 40 S&W--I could shoot faster w/ low recoil and the longer sight radius of the 6" barrel helped shot placement, and full moon clips made faster reloads then their fumble fingered big mags.
So figure out what Division you want to shoot, then the right caliber/gun/holster setup will flesh out. Shoot what you currently have if you can, then upgrade as you learn more.
Limited division - no red dots or compensator, but still the big mags, are dominated by 40 S&W.
The PESA match is Single Stack, which must be a 1911 with an 8 round mag for Major Power Factor, or 10 round for Minor Power Factor (Power Factor is bullet weight times velocity divided by 1000, and Major is 165+, Minor is 125 to 164.9). Scoring is different for off-center hits Major to Minor.
Production is another division.
Click on the first link, Handgun Rules
http://www.uspsa.org/uspsa-rules.php
So if you plan to shoot PESA you need a gun that meets Single Stack division's rules (a 1911). In 1911's, a Kimber Target or Stainless Target is a great deal. I'm sure Springfield and a few other 1911 makers have contenders also.
Major Power Factor is the only way to go. You get less points shooting Minor for off-center hits, but that could be made up for w/ speed. I shot Minor with a 38 Special, and could hold my own with people shooting 20+ round mags of 40 S&W--I could shoot faster w/ low recoil and the longer sight radius of the 6" barrel helped shot placement, and full moon clips made faster reloads then their fumble fingered big mags.
So figure out what Division you want to shoot, then the right caliber/gun/holster setup will flesh out. Shoot what you currently have if you can, then upgrade as you learn more.
Hey Josh......If you want to shoot USPSA you should get a rule book and figure out what would work in your price range in each division........the taurus 38super 1911 could only be used in Open class and you would be shooting it against guns with 27-29 round mag capacity..... Might be a great gun but it doesn't fit for uspsa.
I use 1911's style guns for uspsa. I have a lesbaer gun in 45 that I use for single stack class and limited 10 class with 10 round mags Rules state that you gun must be at least 40 cal to get the advantage of major power factor scoreing if your shooting limited or limited 10. I have a Hi cap Sv for open with all the bells and whistles for open class this is 38 super and it has a comp, red dot site and 28 round mags, My Limited gun is a hi-cap STI in 40 cal. about the same as a standard 1911 except it holds 20 rounds in the mags.
I am not a glock fan but I do believe that glock is a good option for a beginner just trying this sport out if you get a full sized glock in 40 S&W you can shoot it in Limited, production,and limited 10 classes and be quite competitive I think the model you are looking for is the 35??? I'm sure that someone here can stear you in the right direction.
Go to a match and find out what the top shooters are useing ask lots of questions about what they are useing and why. They have all gone through equipment growing pains.
I use 1911's style guns for uspsa. I have a lesbaer gun in 45 that I use for single stack class and limited 10 class with 10 round mags Rules state that you gun must be at least 40 cal to get the advantage of major power factor scoreing if your shooting limited or limited 10. I have a Hi cap Sv for open with all the bells and whistles for open class this is 38 super and it has a comp, red dot site and 28 round mags, My Limited gun is a hi-cap STI in 40 cal. about the same as a standard 1911 except it holds 20 rounds in the mags.
I am not a glock fan but I do believe that glock is a good option for a beginner just trying this sport out if you get a full sized glock in 40 S&W you can shoot it in Limited, production,and limited 10 classes and be quite competitive I think the model you are looking for is the 35??? I'm sure that someone here can stear you in the right direction.
Go to a match and find out what the top shooters are useing ask lots of questions about what they are useing and why. They have all gone through equipment growing pains.
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Administrator
Taran Butler tells us that, in the 3-Gun game and some other action pistol comps, the .38 Super is being replaced by a hot-loaded 9mm, usually called the 9mm Super. The main reason is: cheap brass, and cheap(er) magazines.
Josh,
I'd shy away from the Taurus .38 Super. USPSA Open division is dominated by .38 Supers, but the guns are made by STI, SV, Caspian, and other high end niche market manufacturers. I know the 9mm loaded hot was getting going when I stopped shooting, but Major power factor in a 9mm is a very high pressure load, and its pushing the brass to its limits--I'd never load something that hot in range-pickup brass.
The Glock most likely fits in Limited, Limited 10 (put no more than 10 shells in the mag even if it holds more), and Production divisions.
I agree with Joe, check out IDPA also. Its similar to USPSA, but different. IDPA focuses on real world defensive shooting (have to shoot from behind cover, can't leave a partially loaded mag on the ground during a mag change, etc). Its fun, but different from USPSA,
Suggest you find a local club that shoots the types of matches you're interested in, then decide what division you'd like to shoot in, then buy their used equipment if able to minimize startup costs. Action pistol folks are a friendly group, so they'll be more than willing to guide you through the process, and even let you borrow their stuff.
I'd shy away from the Taurus .38 Super. USPSA Open division is dominated by .38 Supers, but the guns are made by STI, SV, Caspian, and other high end niche market manufacturers. I know the 9mm loaded hot was getting going when I stopped shooting, but Major power factor in a 9mm is a very high pressure load, and its pushing the brass to its limits--I'd never load something that hot in range-pickup brass.
The Glock most likely fits in Limited, Limited 10 (put no more than 10 shells in the mag even if it holds more), and Production divisions.
I agree with Joe, check out IDPA also. Its similar to USPSA, but different. IDPA focuses on real world defensive shooting (have to shoot from behind cover, can't leave a partially loaded mag on the ground during a mag change, etc). Its fun, but different from USPSA,
Suggest you find a local club that shoots the types of matches you're interested in, then decide what division you'd like to shoot in, then buy their used equipment if able to minimize startup costs. Action pistol folks are a friendly group, so they'll be more than willing to guide you through the process, and even let you borrow their stuff.
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