Went to my first local USPSA shoot

Was able to have my first try at a USPSA pistol shoot this past Saturday at https://www.facebook.com/bootheelpistol . Found out a few things

1. get another mag so I don't run out of ammo before the end of a course. (production class)
2. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement and start point shooting instead of focusing on the front site.
3. Make a plan and stick to it (actually, just remembering the plan would help.. haha).
4. I'm going to have to figure out how I can go more often because this is TOO MUCH FUN!!!

I only ran 2 rounds short on the first course since 32 was needed and I only had 3 mags which had to be limmited to 10 rounds in the production class. I was told if I changeed to a different class I could have loaded more. I just chalked it up to being the new guy. :) To be honest I never paid any attention to my scores during the day as I wasn't a classifed shooter. I was just trying to keep in mind where I made my mistakes and how not to make the same ones again.

All in all I felt reallly good about how I did. I made some mistakes which costed me a little time, but it was my first time and a learning experience. Next time around I'll be more prepared. Everyone one was very helpful and eager to answer any questoins I had. Looks like I found another way to enjoy shooting!!

With only three mags you want to load them up (so you don't run out of ammo) and you will shoot "Limited minor" if you are shooting 9mm, or "limited major" for .40 or .45.

For Production, most people go with 5 mags on the belt and one in the gun. This gives you plenty of reload options with usually at least one "extra" just in case.

That's what the RO said as soon as I told him I was out of ammo at the end of the first course I shot. Live and learn :)

I'm shooting a CZ Phantom and will have a couple more mags before the next time I get to go.

Thanks!

Yep, live and learn. Truthfully though whoever did your intro should have realized you only had 3 mags and told you to start in Limited anyways.

A lot of times Production division gets touted as the "beginners" division, and its fine for that, but IMHO with the extra gear restrictions most brand new shooters would do better to start in Limited. Most brand new shooters won't be competitive regardless of where they are, and they're far less likely to break any rules in limited.

Also - I say this only because you said it was a 32-round course and you ran 2 rounds short - in Production division you're allowed to load 11 rounds in your first mag if its a loaded start. All magazines have to have have 10 rounds in them when the buzzer goes off. That means when you load from a mag with 11 in it there's one in the chamber and 10 left in the mag. So with 3 mags you can start with 31 rounds instead of 30 most of the time.

Also, you'll learn stage planning as you go, but having 5+ mags really helps. In Production you have to reload a lot - and you don't always shoot till the gun is empty. You want to time your reloads so that you're doing them as you move from one group of targets to another. So if you have 3 targets in one area, then 3 more a few steps away, you'll typically shoot 6 rounds at the first group, then drop the mag (even though its still got rounds left in it) and reload on the way to the next group so that you've got a full gun and can complete that array without a reload in the middle.

Other than that just stick with it. Things click into place after a while. My first 3 or 4 matches I think I had an FTE (failure to engage - aka skipped a target) one at least 1 stage per match. It was just hard to keep track of everything going on. After those first few though I haven't had one since.

Also, I know as a beginner its tempting to try and seek out a squad with a long of other new guys too so that you feel like you're shooting with your own skill level. I'd advise against that. After you show up to a few matches and get a feel for who the higher skilled shooters are, try to get on a squad with a few of them - particularly if they're shooting in the same division as you. Watch what they do and how they plan things out. Sometimes you'll see them come up with ideas on how to shoot a particular stage that many wouldn't think of.

Congrats! Sounds like it went pretty well considering.

For Production, most people go with 5 mags on the belt and one in the gun. This gives you plenty of reload options with usually at least one "extra" just in case.
What kind of mag carriers do people usually use? 5 mags on the belt seems like it would take an awful lot of space. I bet I'd be reaching all the way to 8 o'clock or so to grab the farthest one, and that's if I put the closest one at 11 o'clock.

At my first one, they tried to nudge my friends and I towards production also. We declined, as we spend enough time in IDPA with downloaded mags:p

What kind of mag carriers do people usually use? 5 mags on the belt seems like it would take an awful lot of space. I bet I'd be reaching all the way to 8 o'clock or so to grab the farthest one, and that's if I put the closest one at 11 o'clock.

I'm new to USPSA myself (have much more time in IDPA) but production is what I am going to shoot. From what I can see people use a variety of mag carriers. I've seen some high level guys using the fully adjustable CR speed pouches, and I've noticed that Stoeger uses the type that face the bullets outward, and have them spaced out slightly. I'm not even sure what brand this is...

So far I've been using 5 Ready-tac carriers pressed as close together as possible on a CR speed belt. I like them closer together because the motion to grab the first two mags is basically the same, and the third is barely different, and that covers you for 90% of the stages I've seen so far. But like anything else this may evolve over time. I don't want to be grabbing mags from the small of my back, and keep in mind that you can't put them any further forward than BARELY forward of 3 oclock for a right hander. I will try to add a pic of mine in a few minutes.

This is what 5 Ready-tacs look like. I am a lefty obviously.

Why can't you put them forward of 3 (or 9) o'clock? Rule?

Yep... Production specific.

Yep... Production specific.

Production and Single-stack.

Applies to the holster too. Has to be worn behind the hip. This is a big reason to look at a speed belt (inner/outer belt) as depending on the positioning of your belt loops the furthest forward available spot might have the holster or pouch cross a belt loop - meaning that you'd have to shift it back until it fit. With a speed/outer belt you can put things whereever you want - even if it crosses a loop.

I DO find the positioning requirement strange though. Production seems to be touted as a way to avoid a gear race - a way for the budget constricted shooter to shoot in a division where they can remain competitive. Restrictions on gun types, and holster types do that (heck even though I just advocated them I could even see restrictions on belt types), but restrictions on holster/pouch positioning seem to have no impact on the entry cost to the division.

For the amount of gear you have on in USPSA, regardless of division, you definitely want an inner/outer belt in my opinion... I don't consider it an optional piece of equipment.

This is a pretty old picture from a class, do they allow mag carriers like this one

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n79/9mmepiphany/P1030193.jpg

This is a pretty old picture from a class, do they allow mag carriers like this one

Nothing technically against that style, but pouches/holsters cannot protrude more than 2" out from the belt in Production or SS (and as stated in 5.2.5 this measurement is taking from the inner part of the belt).

General consensus seems to be that that style can work for single-stack magazines (which some single-stack guns like a SIG P225 or Walther P-1 can be shot in Production), but most double-stacks would exceed the 2" limit.

4 mag holders and one more mag for the load & make ready, will run 95+% of your stages in production. 5 mags total. Once in a great while, a sixth mag might be needed for "insurance", in case of a problem needing to drop a mag.
Save money. Buy CZ 16 rd mags from greg cote for 19.95:
http://www.gregcotellc.com/cart/index.php
Using pockets for mags is legal, but like holsters, have to be behind the hip bone. This works for a mag to use to load the 11th rd on the start.

Your CZ is a production gun, and a good one from what I've seen. A friend has one with CGW trigger work and it is really nice. I shoot the 75B.

1SOW, i have a Mec Gar 16 round but it will not drop free unless I get really lucky while working the mag release. The stock 18 rounders that came with the gun drop without a hitch everytime. I'm using it as my last mag so I don't have to worry about it sticking. I love Mec Gar mags as I use them in a number of other guns and I'm tempted to get the 19 round but would be really disapointed if it would stick as well. Really don't want to pay for the "CZ" mags when Mec Gar should be/are the same.

mgmorden, I'll take the balme on sticking with the production class. When we were talking I didn't have my gear on yet, but once he saw that I only had 3 he did mention that we should have put me in a different class. I figured that since we where about to begin I'd just stick with it. Then after the first course is when the RO said the same.

They let me know about the 11th round, but in my excitement it slipped my mind. The rest of the courses it wasn't needed. There was only one other course that took all 30 rounds as long as I didn't miss. I was feeling pretty confident by then as everything was at a fairly close range compared to 25yards that I normally practice at. Recently I've been doing a bit of shooting with a 22 pistol off hand at 50 yards so I'm sure that helped quite a bit too.

Using pockets for mags is legal, but like holsters, have to be behind the hip bone. This works for a mag to use to load the 11th rd on the start.
This line brought to mind this photo from the same class as the other photo

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n79/9mmepiphany/P1030434.jpg

...and someone spending a bit more money

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n79/9mmepiphany/P1030168.jpg

I saw a few guys with belt/mag holders just like those. What is the plastic clip at the small of the back used for?

It holds your hearing protectors (electronic muffs)...I personally just use a large metal D-ring through a belt loop

Order some kydex from knifekits.com and make your own mag holders. I make all of my mag holders. Mine are very similar to the ready tactical mag holders. I make them for about $2 a piece.

I use a CR Speed belt. Makes life easy.