HK For IDPA...

[Autolycus]

I am interested in getting into Competition shooting. Mainly IDPA type of stuff. (I am a newer shooter). Anyways I only own 3 guns. A Mossberg 590, an HK P2000, and an HK P2000sk. Both of my HKs have the LEM trigger (variant 2) and have night sights. They are also both .40 SW caliber.

I see a lot of people seem to use 1911s and Glocks for these sports. Would my pistols be acceptable for them? I mean I know they will be allowed but I mean are they as competitive as a Glock or 1911 style gun?

Thanks.

 

[Joe D]

Most of the time it is the shooter not the gun. However, there is a reason that 1911s and Glocks rule IDPA. They are both easy to shoot fast and accurately. I know my next comment will bring howls of protest from Sig and HK owners.
Sigs and HKs are more difficult to shoot because of their high bore axis. The higher the bore the more muzzle flip you will get. Think of the lever principle. My wife and I shoot 4-5 IDPA matches a month. We almost never see a Sig or HK. Certainly none of the top shooters use them. Price is not an issue for serious shooters.
Your guns are certainly acceptable. There is no reason to purchase others unless you get real serious about winning. One thing you can do to help the muzzle flip issue is to reload your40 to a 130 or so PF. Use a 180 gr bullet as the heavy bullets shoot softer.

 

[HSMITH]

I agree with Joe, but around here you see a few Sigs and a few HKs. Not many though.

Your guns are fine to start.

 

[Jim Watson]

Joe is right, but let me emphasize, start out shooting what you have got.
You don't need to be learning the operation of a new gun at the same time you are learning the rules and procedures for competition. If at some time down the road, you feel you are being limited by your gun, you can always reequip then. A good excuse for buying a new gun.

(There were three H&Ks out of 300 shooters at the IDPA Nationals, and two of them had P7s, one USP.)

 

[OH25shooter]

Regarding Sigs and IDPA. I just read where Ernest Langdon, started with a Beretta 9mm, and in 2003 switched to the .45 Sig P220ST. He shot it in the CDP class and came in First Master at the mid-winter IDPA championships. So, I'd say if you can shoot your H&K well, you'll probably beat other poor Glock shooters. I agree most of the time it's the shooter, not the gun.

 

[Autolycus]

Cool. I was just curious about why I never seem to read about many non Glock or 1911 shooters. Thanks for all the information.

 

[HighVelocity]

I was thinking about giving my Hk USPc 45 a go at IDPA. It's a Variant 1 so it can be carried in condition one.
Since it's a single stack 8 round gun can it be used in CDP?

 

[Jim Watson]

High - Yes, you may shoot your USPc .45 in CDP. Although that is meant as the natural home of the 1911, ANY .45 ACP can shoot in CDP if the ammo makes PF 165.

I don't think Ernest Langdon is a good example of what Joe Sixpack can do with a Beretta or Sig-Sauer (or what he may be showing us with a S&W) or that Jerry Miculek is for revolvers. They are pro shooters with great talent, refined technique, and constant practice. I'm not and I need all the help I can get out of my equipment.

I know an IPSC Master who, when a hanger on wished for his natural talent, said, "Yep, ten years and a million rounds will bring out a lot of talent."

 

[faustulus]

I don't think Ernest Langdon is a good example of what Joe Sixpack can do with a Beretta or Sig-Sauer (or what he may be showing us with a S&W) or that Jerry Miculek is for revolvers. They are pro shooters with great talent, refined technique, and constant practice. I'm not and I need all the help I can get out of my equipment.

I always love that arguement. Let's think it through. Yes he is good. But is he not also competing agianst folks that are just as good? Skill is the determining factor here not equipment, we compete against others of our relative skill level, if we are more consistant than the next guy, chances are we win.
If I am a B shooter a tricked out SV with CR speed rig isn't going to make me an A shooter.
Sure some guns are better suited to competition than others, but that doesn't mean they are not competative. I will pretty much shoot the same score no matter what gun I shoot (and I shoot a lot of different models in competition).
Go out take your HK and have fun. our games are kind of like golf. you are competing more against the course than you are your fellow shooter. Watch what the good shooters do, ask questions and have fun. You will do fine.

 

[Jim Watson]

Equipment does count. Else why do all of the sanctioning organizations have gun divisions to "level the playing field?"

Ernest has the skill to beat shooters with guns of better ergonomics but that doesn't mean I can shoot a Beretta or Sig-Sauer as well as I can a Colt. I know, I've tried. I do NOT shoot a lot of different guns in competition. I went for some time shooting in a different Division each year. But I shot the same gun or at least the same action type all year; my transition from one to the other is just too long for me to do well with a different toy every weekend. I see people who can flip-flop guns and do well but I can't.

I still agree Tecumse shoud start with his H&K. Learning the ropes is more important than every little edge.

 

[faustulus]

Equipment does count.

Didn't say it didn't count, I said it wasn't the determining factor.

I see people who can flip-flop guns and do well but I can't.

When re-enforces my arguement that it is skill. If it were equipment they would not be able to do that.

I am not saying some people don't shoot some guns better than others. I seem to shoot Hi Powers better than anything else I own. But people seem to get hung up on the equipment not realizing that it is the skill which wins matches.
I've never been outshot by a gun, it was always the man driving the thing.

 

[Autolycus]

I will be using the HK. I just wish that I bought a 9mm so I could shoot more. I only have one last problem....

selecting a holster.

I have been looking at the IWB #3 from Kramer Leather.

I believe this is IDPA legal.

THanks to all who responded so far.

 

[HSMITH]

Look into a Kydex holster, OWB prefferably. IWB Kydex allows very easy and safe reholstering, most leather doesn't.

 

[robertbank]

I own several 1911's (9MM & .45acp) and love them but would like to branch out a bit (no reason to ). I am looking at a H&K Custom Sport in either 9MM or 40 cal. I have read the comments regarding the high bore axis, which I agree with, but given the two calibers, for IDPA firstly thence IPSC which of the two calibers would you choose and are the H&K triggers as smooth as some suggest. I understand the H&K is very reliable. The Glock grip and I just don't get along.

Stay Safe

 

[Jim Watson]

What is a H&K Custom Sport (a USP variant?), and what Division will you be shooting in, and do you handload?

Unless for IPSC Production where everything scores Minor, I just could not give up Major capability and would get the .40, even though I am not enamoured of the calibre. Especially for a handloader who could make up IDPA ammo at Minor or just sufficient to cycle the gun, and Major for IPSC Standard.

The plain vanilla USP I owned did not have a very fine trigger pull, but I am told the target models are pretty good.

 

[robertbank]

Hi

It is the HK USP Custom Sport Model. There are two for sale up here for $1,050 and $1,100 Cdn ($Cdn = $.87 US). One is in 9MM and the other .40Cal. I reload the 9MM and can certainly reload the .40Cal if I go that route. The triggers are adjustable but I have not shot one to know just how smooth or crisp they can be made. Like I said I enjoy my 1911's and to be fair there is nothing as smooth as a crisp 1911 4# trigger that I have found anyway. I shoot princably IDPA type shooting and will be shooting IPSC this year for the enjoyment (Hey I am 61 so the days of worrying about giving Leathan or Jarritt a run are long gone).

I have and can get lots of 9MM and .40 cal brass so cost is a wash.

The Glock platform is nice but I really don't care for the grips on the Glock.

Your opinion is valued and I appreciate any tidbits you can cast my way.

Stay Safe

 

[faustulus]

Like Jim said, if you are going to shoot IPSC and want to shoot major, you will need a .40 to make major in limited. If you go the hand load route, you may want to consider two different springs for the loads. Lighter one the IDPA loads and a stiffer one to handle major pf.
Good shooting.

P.S. Jim I didn't mean to sound combative. I have heard the 'oh they beat me because they've got better (more expensive) equipment line so much it gets my dander up. Sorry if I came across like an

 

[nomadboi]

If you want low bore axis, quick target acquisition, and a better trigger than stock Glocks, pick up a Steyr M series... there's still some original M9s and M40s floating around for extremely reasonable prices, and then there's the newer MA1 series, which just has a few mostly cosmetic changes...

 

[UWstudent]

i use a glock21 for ipda. nothing wrong with hk's.. i've seen 'em bein used