New and very confused

[wbwanzer]

I'm very new to competitive shooting. I've done one steel challenge at the club I belong to and loved it. I should stick with that for a while but am curious about some of the other organized shooting sports. The three possible pistols that I would like to use are a SIG P229SCT, an XDm and a Witness Match, all in 9mm. The Witness is my first choice.

When I looked at the rules for IDPA, it looked like post sights are legal. Does that mean that fiber optic front sights are not? My SIG 229SCT comes stock with FO. I had FO installed on my XDm and Witness. I love FO but am I out of luck with them?

When I looked at the USPCA list of guns, I did not see the SIG or the Witness Elite Match. I'm guessing because the SIG had FO and the Match is SA only?

When I looked at IPSC, it appears that these guns may be acceptable. But when I looked for a region near me, the link site took me to the USPSA site. So are IPSC and USPSA related?

I love my new Witness and would prefer to use that in competition if I go on beyond my local Steel Challenge. Considering it has a FO front sight and is single action, can my Witness be used in any formal organized competitive shooting?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Jim Watson]

Fibre optic sights are fine in IDPA and USPSA, I use them and so do many other shooters.
There is NO rule against fibre optic sights in either organization.

USPSA is the United States Region of IPSC. USPSA has its own rule book. Most of the differences are minor but they can trip you up in some cases, like IPSC Standard vs USPSA Limited. Go by what you see at USPSA.org if you live in the USA.

The only "list of guns" is for USPSA Production Division. If your gun is not on that list, you may still shoot it in one of the other Divisions. Your Witness Match would be a decent Limited or Limited-10 gun, although it would be at some disadvantage due to minor caliber scoring. Your XDm is approved for Production. Although your P229SCT is not on the Prduction list, it is close enough to a standard model that you would probably be ok with it in a local shoot, although it would not be allowed in that Division at a championship.

The best application for your Witness Match would be in IDPA ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol) versus other single action 9mms like my Colt.

 

[Sam1911]

You're good to go!

In IDPA, shoot the Witness or xDM in Enhanced Service Pistol. Both could be plenty competitive, but shoot whichever you shoot best.

The SIG lands you in Stock Service Pistol, where there are lots of SIG fans. The DA/SA trigger might not be perfect for the sport, considering the consistent triggers on Glocks and M&Ps you'll be competing against, but lots of SIG lovers bring them out every month so you won't feel lonely!

-Sam

 

[wbwanzer]

Thanks so much Jim and Sam.