Trying to figure out what USPSA division to shoot my .45 ACP 1911 in

[chbrow10]

I have a 45 ACP 1911 that I’d like to shoot in USPSA. I don’t really care (right now) on whether I shoot major or minor (I reload).

I do not want to shoot in Open Division, and my read on Production division is that “Handguns with external hammers must be fully decocked at the start signal.”, which means I cannot be cocked and locked. I assume that they will not let me put the hammer down with a round in the chamber in a Series 70 1911. My gun is a single stack, and Limited Division has no restriction on magazine capacity, so I’d be competing with the Para double stacks in 45, something I’d rather not do.

So that leaves Single Stack and Limited 10. I’d like to compete in the division that has the most competitors, and I believe that to be Limited-10 in my neck of the woods. Single stack doesn’t seem to have a lot of competitors.

I am right or wrong on the above?

 

[Mt Shooter]

Single stack or L-10 are your only choices. I cant speak for your area, but in this one single stack is becoming more popular then L-10.

 

[Jim Watson]

1. Load 'em up to make Major. Unless you have a lot of difficulty with recoil control, shooting Minor in anything but Production (requires DA gun) is discouraging.

2. Take your gun and gear to the match. See for yourself what is being shot the most at that range and join in. If L-10, you will soon want some 10 round magazines, but can get along without them to start with. If SS, you will need a good supply of 8 round mags.

 

[chbrow10]

I assume that the classifier I just shot will only count for L-10 (my division for that match).

Even though the classifier (Riverdale Standards) is pretty neutral between L-10 and SS, they probably only count it for the division I declared at match registration, right?

 

[Tarvis]

SS or L-10. You can shoot minor if you like, I can't think of a good reason though.

 

[Mt Shooter]

Even though the classifier (Riverdale Standards) is pretty neutral between L-10 and SS, they probably only count it for the division I declared at match registration, right?

correct it will only count for one, the one you registered for.

 

[71Commander]

SS was created for the 1911 plarform pistol and that is the only gun allowed in the div. Since everyone shoots the same gun, it comes down to the Indian and not the arrow.

 

[eflatminor]

Shoot major, no matter what! You don't want to get used to a wimpy load and then have to make major at your first big match.

I would shoot Single Stack so that you get lots of practice with reloads.

 

[1SOW]

SS You'd be at a disadvantage shooting minor. Use the advantage the 1911 gives you.

 

[zenner22]

SS was created for the 1911 plarform pistol and that is the only gun allowed in the div. Since everyone shoots the same gun, it comes down to the Indian and not the arrow -

Is this really true? If everyone had to shoot a 1911 in 45 acp with 230 grain harball that would be true. Or if they at least had to shoot in 45 acp. But when you introduce 40 caliber into it and wimpy loads that just barely make major, doesn't that take some of the original purpose out of the creation of the Single Stack division? Just asking.

 

[71Commander]

Is this really true? If everyone had to shoot a 1911 in 45 acp with 230 grain harball that would be true. Or if they at least had to shoot in 45 acp. But when you introduce 40 caliber into it and wimpy loads that just barely make major, doesn't that take some of the original purpose out of the creation of the Single Stack division? Just asking.

I wouldn't call a 40 wimpy. You stil have to make major power factor. A 45 W/ a 230 gr. bullet needs to go 725 fps to make major. A 180 gr 40 needs to go 915 fps to make major. To me, the 45 shoots softer.

 

[BerettaRacer]

There are a few differences between L-10 and SS.

L-10:
Modifications to gun allowed.
Magwell allowed
Race holster allowed
Wide body allowed
And a few other things, but you get the idea, you can shoot a full on race gun as long as you only use 10 rnds in the mag.

SS:
No major mods to gun.
No large magwells
Full conventional holster
SS only, no wide bodies.
8 rnd mags in 40 or 45, 10 rnds for 9mm minor
No pining of grip safety.
I'm sure there are a few more but thats off the top of my head.

 

[JoeSlomo]

Shoot single stack.

Enjoy putting the wood to the open and limited folks with yer "skinny" gun.

 

[MrOverlay]

Your list of prohibited modifications in Single Stack are a bit off.

You can have a mag well as big as you want as long as it fits in the box.

You can pin or otherwise disable the gripsafety as the thumb safety is the primary safety as far as USPSA is concerned.

You can checker the front strap, main spring housing, etc.

You can mill in sights, flat top the slide, etc.

Yes there are some restrictions to modifications, but all in all you can do quiet a bit.

Gary Stevens
Area 5 Director
USPSA

 

[rhyfl]

+1 on Single Stack in a major power factor. Since you reload, you may want to adjust your load to just make major - I currently shoot 3.9 grains of Clays, with a 230 gr montana gold jhp. I'd have to check the OAL. But this gives me a nice recoil and is great for matches.