Desertrat357, if you find yourself hooked on USPSA (as it sounds like you do or soon will), the cost of a basic/entry-level gamer gun like a Glock 35 is going to be trivial overall. Ammo costs, match fees, getting your belt and mag holders, etc., are all going to chew up money. Add that stuff together and a sub-$1k gun really doesn't make all that much difference. May as well get one you like and that you think is well-suited to your game.
First Time USPSA Shooter
- Thread starter Desertrat357
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Here are some of the guns Ive used/use. I am not a fan of glock at all.. But I shoot them good and I can make lots of changes fairly cheap/easy and still be legal in Production/CO. My G35 however has been relegated to backup status.
You can say that again..
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ny32182
Member
I'm not a limited guy, but you might want to hold off a couple more matches before buying a gun. G35 would definitely be much better than a 19 for Limited, but, they are not super popular there. Only one guy near the top of the division nationally uses one, and it has a LOT of extra weight added to the rail and grip.
So it can be done, but, there won't be any harm in waiting a couple more matches to see if that is really what you want.
So it can be done, but, there won't be any harm in waiting a couple more matches to see if that is really what you want.
Desertrat357
Member
That is probably some seriously good advice. I am not in this professionally, so there really isn't any harm shooting the 19 a couple more rounds.
I am tempted to shoot the next match in Single Stack. I would have to do a lot more reloads during each stage, but short of purchasing mag pouches, I could shoot my Kimber Tactical Custom II in that class. It's accurate as all get out. I think I will do it. As far as being competitive, I don't think it would be all that bad. Maybe just a little slower times.
thomas15
Member
I'm responding here late but someone in the same position as the OP might be reading this so I'm tossing out my 2 cents. All of the advice already given is excellent so I'm just posting some random thoughts, hope it is helpful.
I've shot maybe 10 IDPA matches including a state championship where I managed to get DQed. Then I sat out competition for about 15 months and then shot my first USPSA match about a month ago. I would say that for me USPSA is a bit more competitive (compared to IDPA) in the sense that you can score all alphas and still not score well if you are slow. So USPSA you need to be fast and hit the target. But the USPSA crowd in my area is a fun loving group and so for me at this point it's less stressful than IDPA.
Ammo: take a lot of ammo to the match. And I mean a lot. If you are not a handloader and plan to shoot USPSA often, factor in handloading gear to the cost of this activity.
Gear: as long as your gear is legal use what you have until you figure out what you need.
Score: you will finish very close to last so just have fun and shoot clean.
Local matches: shoot as many $20.00 local matches as possible. Sanctioned matches cost a lot of money. Don't be in a hurry to shoot in them.
Division: It seems like at least around here that the big boys shoot open but a whole bunch of very good shooters shoot limited, SS and production. I happened to have three double mag pouches and 10 mags for my G17 plus a CompTac holster legal for production so that is where I shot. My Glock 17 has most if not all of the mods allowed in IDPA SSP (Fiber optic front sight and a worked trigger to name a few). Still I can do a few more things to my G17 and still be production legal and probably will. But given that production is scored minor the only Glock that would make sense in production if you are buying new is a G34. 9mm is cheaper to shoot and this gun is legal in IDPA SSP if you want to try that. on edit I will concede that others might disagree with me on that point. I love my Glocks but there are probably better choices for USPSA.
BUT to the OP, production class using a G19 is not as bad as it might sound, shop around for a some extra Glock Magazines which should be around $25.00 each and get a few Uncle Mikes double Magazine holders also around $25.00 each and your good for production.
Since USPSA production allows a rigid competition belt I'm probably going to get one and probably 4 or 5 DAA Racer mag holders. So this is going to cost me several hundred dollars just for that. Costs can add up fast in this game.
Again on score, when you are at the bottom you have no where to go but up. This is what keeps me going.
I've shot maybe 10 IDPA matches including a state championship where I managed to get DQed. Then I sat out competition for about 15 months and then shot my first USPSA match about a month ago. I would say that for me USPSA is a bit more competitive (compared to IDPA) in the sense that you can score all alphas and still not score well if you are slow. So USPSA you need to be fast and hit the target. But the USPSA crowd in my area is a fun loving group and so for me at this point it's less stressful than IDPA.
Ammo: take a lot of ammo to the match. And I mean a lot. If you are not a handloader and plan to shoot USPSA often, factor in handloading gear to the cost of this activity.
Gear: as long as your gear is legal use what you have until you figure out what you need.
Score: you will finish very close to last so just have fun and shoot clean.
Local matches: shoot as many $20.00 local matches as possible. Sanctioned matches cost a lot of money. Don't be in a hurry to shoot in them.
Division: It seems like at least around here that the big boys shoot open but a whole bunch of very good shooters shoot limited, SS and production. I happened to have three double mag pouches and 10 mags for my G17 plus a CompTac holster legal for production so that is where I shot. My Glock 17 has most if not all of the mods allowed in IDPA SSP (Fiber optic front sight and a worked trigger to name a few). Still I can do a few more things to my G17 and still be production legal and probably will. But given that production is scored minor the only Glock that would make sense in production if you are buying new is a G34. 9mm is cheaper to shoot and this gun is legal in IDPA SSP if you want to try that. on edit I will concede that others might disagree with me on that point. I love my Glocks but there are probably better choices for USPSA.
BUT to the OP, production class using a G19 is not as bad as it might sound, shop around for a some extra Glock Magazines which should be around $25.00 each and get a few Uncle Mikes double Magazine holders also around $25.00 each and your good for production.
Since USPSA production allows a rigid competition belt I'm probably going to get one and probably 4 or 5 DAA Racer mag holders. So this is going to cost me several hundred dollars just for that. Costs can add up fast in this game.
Again on score, when you are at the bottom you have no where to go but up. This is what keeps me going.
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