Using my Glock 19 in IDPA Competition?

[The Sensei]

I just shot my first IDPA competition this afternoon. In one of the scenarios, they had us shooting at approximately 50 feet at three cardboard targets (two shots each) to start and then run up etc....

Last week I shot a similar match called DSM (very close to IDPA and I have shot a number of those over the past couple years) and they had us shoot another scenario that included a 45 to 50 foot distance at multiple targets.

In both instances I was using my stock Glock 19 with factory sights and Mag Tech 9mm factory ammo (I think 118 grain maybe?). The only alteration to the gun is one of those black condom type grips I recently put on the handle.

I did terrible at the longer distances...but my results were pretty decent when I shot up close. My question is... How can I improve the accuracy of my Glock?

I don't think it is my technique. I tend to go back and forth between the Glock and a Kimber 1911. I know I would have no problem hitting those 50 ft targets with the 1911 so am wondering if there are alterations (ie new barrel, different sights, trigger job, etc...) that I should consider. I like the Glock platform and would prefer to make it work for me somehow.

I know that IDPA is a game and chances are that I would probably never take a 50 ft shot in real life. But shouldn't this particular pistol be capable of making the longer shots?

I appreciate any feedback you guys can give me.
Thanks!

 

[Jim Watson]

50 FEET?
That ought to be a clout shot.

First, shoot your G19 off of sandbags to see if it has the mechanical accuracy to shoot Zeros to 20 yards, the long shot on the Classifier. It probably will, and your mind will be at ease on that.
Then compare it to other Glocks to see if it has a normal trigger pull as Glocks go. It will likely be no worse than the others.
Maybe get a regular Glock shooter or armorer to check it out.

Then quit flipping back and forth.
SHOOT the GLOCK.
Practice, study, and training on that one gun will do more than anything else.

 

[Ankeny]

I was kind of thinking along the same lines as Jim. Thousands of steel plates fall to stock G19s at GSSF matches every year. Get a really good Glockster to take the pistol for a test drive.

As for switching back and forth, pick one and practice is good advice. However, if you have the resources in terms of time, dedication and drive, it is a lot of fun to shoot multiple divisions. I think making Master in all divisions would be cool.

 

[Jim Watson]

Agree, to a point.
I shoot all divisions. I am classified in all divisions (Sharpshooter to Expert, Master is a distant hope.)

I shoot all divisions. A year at a time. Late each year I pick the division I will shoot the next season and start transition practice immediately after the last nearby state shoot in October. The most I will do is shoot ESP instead of CDP at my home range because I am MD and will not have the time to pick up my valuable .45s.

I must admit to some flip-flopping last year, though. I started out in SSR because the local magazine writer told me he was going to get some T&E guns suitable for IDPA. Wrong. When that was obvious I changed back to an auto and shot ESP. Except for a month in SSP to work up for the state IPSC match in Production. I did not progress much last year for some reason.

I am now shooting CDP and will stick with it for 2004 but will be doing the mechanics on a SSP that might get used next year.

 

[Ankeny]

Jim:

Yeah, I agree with you all the way. Floundering around with a bunch of different guns at the same time is the fast track to mediocrity with all of them.

 

[TonyB]

50 feet is pretty far for IDPA.......in the last stage of the classifier I always aim a little high and that seems to bring the shots where they need to be....practice long shots at the range...it's boring and frustrating but needed...

 

[Navy joe]

That is all trigger control. The 19 operating correctly should shoot to less than 2-3 inches at 25yds. If you can shoot freestyle groups approaching this size then you are doing good. Bag the gun, let somebody else try it and then go spend a new barrel's worth of money on ammo.

PS: The Mag-tech factory 115 has been very accurate out of my G17 an G34 at long 75+ yds. ranges. It makes pretty groups at 25. I greatly prefer its consistency as compared to Winchester white box value packs. Those things are inconsistent, double your group size crap.