School Me on Single Stack pistol competition

IDPA, in the Enhanced Service Pistol Division

You'll be at a slight disadvantage with a 9mm 1911, as the guns you'll be competing against have an extra round (10-round max per mag in IDPA). 9mm will not be a disadvantage.

As for customization, etc. -- wait until you've shot for a while. Get some extra mags, and check the rule book about what holsters are allowed, etc.

Before you jump on those 10-rounders, be sure that when they are in the gun, the gun still "fits in the box" -- which is required of guns used in IDPA. The rule book will probably have the "box" dimensions, and it's available on line.

I think those mags are a bit longer than standard mags -- and I don't know if they'll be legal. (You can probably get a quick answer from someone at Wilson Combat, as BILL WILSON is one of the founders of IDPA and still very active there.)

USPSA Single Stack. Most shooters in SS use .45s, which gives them a scoring advantage, but they're only allowed 8 in the mag. With your 9mm, you'd be down in points, (with comparable accuracy) but up in capacity. (10 vs 8)

Accuracy? You can show up and shoot as long as you aren't sending rounds over the berm. You aren't going to get "competitive," by practicing on your own, so go and find out. You'll have a blast and learn a lot. There are guys who do this for a living, or a big chunk of one, and they are FAST and ACCURATE. They do things with guns that non-competitors would swear are impossible. Go shoot with them, though, and before long, you'll be doing them too.

What you need: a reliable gun that hits where you point it. A holster. Six or seven mags with pouches.

Not essential but darned nice: a mag well (look for ones advertised as USPSA/IDPA legal, they should fit the boxes) and a CR Speed type double belt.

Competition ammo?

I dont see how anybody is shooting ANY shooting competitions with ammo and ammo aupply shortages like they are. I am not a competition shooter but i was wondering how you guys will do it this year.

[Not sure where the technical questions come in that keep this out of the Comp. forum, but I'll give it a few more posts before moving it.]

IDPA "ESP" division is where the 9mm 1911s play. They do just fine.

I don't know what features your particular 1911 might have come with, but there are NO "most have" modifications. Go shoot. Then you'll find out what tweaks might possibly help your times. (Most 1911s these days come with a beavertail safety, high-grip cut at the front strap, opened ejection port, and flared mag well. That and a bright f.o. front sight are all I can imagine you REALLY needing. Maybe ditch the full-length guide rod if yours came with that, but that's really pushing "necessity.")

Accuracy? Not really the question. Safety is the issue. You must be PERFECTLY proficient at working with a holster, moving with the gun, reloading, using cover, etc. all while being completely mindful of muzzle safety and trigger finger discipline. Most anyone can shoot well enough to put scoring hits on 99% of the targets you'll see in IDPA or USPSA. The real question of placing well is how quickly you can see your sights and make clean shots without letting bad habits creep into your grip and trigger control. But that all comes in time. Right now, get shooting!

I dont see how anybody is shooting ANY shooting competitions with ammo and ammo aupply shortages like they are. I am not a competition shooter but i was wondering how you guys will do it this year.

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If you're not in the habit (and haven't been in the habit for a while now) of buying reloading components in fairly large quantities when you find deals, this might be a rough time to be getting into the shooting sports. I'm still shooting stocks of components I picked up before the recent unpleasantness, and have a fairly sizable group of shooting pals who keep their eyes open for stuff in stock and good prices, and we help keep each other in enough ammo to shoot matches.

If we were hitting up WalMart for three or four boxes of factory stuff the week before each match? Well, we'd all be broke at the very least -- but we sure wouldn't be shooting much these days.

+1 on ESP Division in IDPA. I shoot a 9mm STI Trojan in ESP. IDPA is a lot of fun with some really good people. When I started everyone was very friendly and helpful. Fellow shooters were patient and informative. I've also shot USPSA Single Stack a couple of times with both a .45 and a 9mm. (major vs minor power factor) If you just want to become a better shooter, improve your gun handling skills, and aren't obsessed with winning then the power factor difference doesn't matter. Both are good organizations made up of nice folks.

One difference may be which organization has a club near you. For me there are a many more IDPA clubs closer to where I live to choose from than USPSA clubs. Check out the websites for both to find a club near you. Most of all have fun and be safe!

WARNING: It's addictive! You'll never be happy standing in a bay at an indoor range shooting at a stationary paper target again.

WARNING: It's addictive! You'll never be happy standing in a bay at an indoor range shooting at a stationary paper target again.

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^^ What he said ! ^^

2,600 pounds of alloy, 10,000 primers and powder to support the primers. And I'm a little short in alloy compared to the really dedicated casters.

Check out post #17. And I thought I had a good supply. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?194462-how-much-is-too-much-of-lead-stash

+1 for IDPA ESP. I used to shoot a S&W 9mm 1911 Pro Series and that thing was smokin' fast. It came with Wilson ETM 10rd mags and fit in the box just fine, the plastic base pad only sticks out like 1/8".

Agree with the guys.
You would be just right for IDPA ESP. All you need is the gun, at least three magazines (and yes, the 10 shot Wilson ETM, Tripp Cobramag, and Metalform Elite all fit The Box), a strong side holster, and carriers for two magazines. You will also need a concealment garment of some sort and dryfire practice in drawing from it without getting tangled up.

You would be equally prepared for USPSA Single Stack. Swap the concealment garment for more magazines and carriers so you can get through the typically longer USPA stages.

People will get into the holier than thou stuff about their game is "better" but what really counts is which is shot the most near you so you can be active at it. One match a month is not enough unless you are a very casual shooter. I shoot every weekend that health and weather permit plus a practice day which still does not make me a red hot competitor.

www.gadpa.com has a good New Shooter's Briefing that covers most of what you need to know about IDPA without struggling through the rather messy rule book. Which is being revised anyhow. I don't know of anything similar for USPSA but the stages are less choreographed anyhow. Just watch the other shooters and go after it, bearing in mind that you will not be as fast as people who have been doing it for a while.