New to Competitive Shooting

[njsportsman]

Ok first I am green to any type of competitive shooting so, where to start?
I guess maybe choose your firearm of choice here are my choices Glock 19, Sig P250 compact in .40 S&W and lastly Para Ordnance P13. I shoot all adequately but, I need to know what to look for in a competition gun. I can’t afford a $3000 gun and probably never will and I am sure there are better guns than what I have for a more reasonable price but, for now I just want to out there and get started weather I compete or get laughed at which is probably the more likely since I have never shot competitive. Ok now after I choose one of the guns I have listed above what is next. Again I am completely green so I am starting from the ground. As a beginner what would be your first move and so on? O sorry almost forgot I want to get involved with IPSC. Thanks

 

[Hk Dan]

For USPSA--the American branch of IPSC--any of the three guns you have are great choices. Para had a larger share of the market 5 years ago, but they've not stood up to hard use like the others.

A G17 would be better,but your G19 will serve you well in Production, as would your Sig. I don't have a lot of experience with the P250, but several friends started with 226s and 228s. Now, they moved on since then, but for a starter gun, they work. The gun will outshoot you in the beginning, but you'll quickly outgrow the Sig.

A G34 would be "State of the Art" in Production Do a little trigger work, and that gun will outshoot you for YEARS.

 

[mgmorden]

I wouldn't go with the SIG personally. For one it's DA/SA. Getting used to two trigger pulls as the start of your run can be a bit daunting. More pointedly though, as a polymer gun of this type it would really be best suited to Production division, and in production you really want to shoot 9mm over .40. It recoils less and follow-up shots are quicker.

So, with that one out of the way, you're left between the Glock 19 and the Para. For those, I'd honestly put it down to which division you want to shoot. The Glock 19 will work fine for Production. The magazine capacity won't be an issue (10 rounds is all you load in USPSA - if you happen to ever shoot International/IPSC rules it still is only 15), the trigger pull is consistent (and all aftermarket Glock goodies will work for in it), and it's 9mm. Your only main handicap will be the short barrel/sight radius. If you really got into the game you'd probably want to upgrade later to a Glock 34 or at least a 17 later on. To start though, a Glock 19 is more than fine.

The Para Ordinance would be more appropriate for Limited-10. It'll make major power factor there, and it's legal for the division, but the barrel is still a bit short since it's a smaller model. There's also the caveat that not a lot of people actually shoot Limited-10. Also, a lot more modifications are allowed in Limited-10 vs Production, so while your stock Glock 19 isn't THAT different than a Glock a veteran shooter is shooting, a stock gun is almost unheard of in either Limited division.

Personally, between them, I'd suggest starting with the Glock 19 in Production division. That's plenty enough to let you know if you like the sport. If you do, then you probably do want to get a more competition oriented gun later on, but it needn't be $3000 . If you shoot production Glock 34's run less than $600. I shoot an M&P 9L that was $479. Basically, if you get into it you'll probably just want to get away from the compact/smaller model guns and get something full-sized.

PS One thing to keep in mind is magazines: You'll want an absolute minimum of 4 magazines for whichever gun you choose. I've seen stages with mandatory reloads that require 4 mags as a minimum so regardless of capacity you need that many. If you can though 5 magazines is even better. I normally carry 5 and if I happen to see a texas star on a stage I slip a 6th one into my back pocket. Never needed it yet, but having it there is a comfort .

 

[Jim Watson]

Of the guns you list, plan on shooting the Glock. It is simple and reliable, 9mm ammo costs less, and if you want a bigger gun for competition, there are several other Glock models to choose from and they all operate the same way that you will be familiar with.

What to do first?
Show up.
Look on the club finder at www.uspsa.org and just GO.
If you are safe and follow directions, you won't be laughed at, you will get nothing but help from the experienced shooters. There is nothing to gain by delay, you aren't going to get good by shooting a keyboard.

 

[njsportsman]

Thanks and keep them coming. I am thinking I am going to use the SIG P250 it's not a DA/SA it's a DAO. It's the bigger than the Glock and I don't think I am going to use the .45. The P250 I can also change the frame to the full size as an option if I decide to go further with it or get the Glock 35. So now to find an instructor.

 

[mgmorden]

Ew. Your choice, but I would NEVER run a DAO trigger in competition (excepting revolvers). Just too heavy IMHO. Rather than getting used to two trigger pulls of DA/SA - one crappy and the rest good, you're moving to just having them ALL be crappy trigger pulls . Also, not sure what you mean about "changing the frame to full size", but if you're talking about swapping the slide onto a different sized frame then that's likely not production legal, which puts you into Limited or Limited-10 (where a DAO trigger will hurt you even MORE).

Completely your choice, but I still think out of the 3 guns you listed - for USPSA - the Glock is the best choice, and the SIG the worst.

 

[waktasz]

The p250 is a modular frame so swapping grips would be fine. I wouldn't want to shoot the DAO either but if you like it go for it.