USPSA Production - beginner

USPSA - the first shooter

  • CZ

    Votes: 11 23.4%

  • Sprigfield XDM

    Votes: 10 21.3%

  • S&W M&P Pro

    Votes: 14 29.8%

  • Other

    Votes: 10 21.3%

  • Sig X5

    Votes: 2 4.3%
  • Total voters
    47
  • Poll closed .
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tackleberry45

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Mar 5, 2007
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So there are a LOT of choices for this. I am not a Glock guy. Price really is not an issue given the right gun. So whick is the choice for accuracy and ergonomincs out of the box? I am leaning toward a CZ Shadow right now (9mm).
 
IF you're not a Glock guy, and money isn't too tight, then I'll agree on the CZ-75 SP-01 Shadow Target.

Depending on how things go this could be an even better choice. As it stands the USPSA Board of Directors just voted in a 3# minimum trigger pull weight for the first shot that will take effect January 2013. I've been nearly assured that this rule will likely be rescinded at the next meeting, but you never know. If it does take effect then I'd expect DA/SA guns like CZ to quickly eclipse the striker fired guns in popularity.

That said, if you're on a bit of a budget, I shoot a S&W M&P 9L which you can't go wrong with either. $500 for the gun, $80 for the APEX Competition action kit, $25 for the Apex Reset-assist-mechanism, and $75 for some upgraded sights, and you have one of the best production rigs you could ask for.
 
If it does take effect then I'd expect DA/SA guns like CZ to quickly eclipse the striker fired guns in popularity.
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Why? A 3lb trigger isn't that much. Hell my competition guns use a 5lb trigger.
 
Why? A 3lb trigger isn't that much. Hell my competition guns use a 5lb trigger.
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Which is fine. I'm sure everybody wouldn't switch. However there are a LOT (a whole lot) of people who do run a sub-3lb trigger and would prefer to keep doing so, even if it required their first pull to be double-action. IPSC already had a 5lb trigger rule, and over there the CZ's have basically dominated like the Glocks have over here.
 
Or? Become a GLOCK guy. The G34 absolutely dominates Production. M&P wouldn't be bad either, especially with Apex parts installed. The Shadow may have extractor issues (3 had them in our group, out of 3).

One guy in our group bought an X5 and wound up selling it to shoot a GLOCK. He went from D to B in 4 weeks. No kidding.
 
I started USPSA this spring, and amidst a field of Glocks, I run an XDm 9mm, and love it. Put in a PRP trigger kit, and love it even more. I also own an XD45 tactical, but I have never ran it. That being said, I did just buy myself a G23 for my birthday. I am sortof excited to shoot it in a GSSF match or two, but I think my XDm will still be my go-to comp pistol.
 
That being said, I did just buy myself a G23 for my birthday. I am sortof excited to shoot it in a GSSF match or two, but I think my XDm will still be my go-to comp pistol.
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I did almost the same thing. I normally shoot my M&P and generally love it - I specifically didn't want to shoot in Glock in production because that's what everyone does, and I try to be different :).

About 2 months ago though a local club hosted a GSSF match and I really wanted to go, but being Glock-less, it wasn't an option. Just recently I went ahead and bought a Glock 17 pretty much exclusively to shoot GSSF with :) (and on the odd chance that I want to shoot a traditional IPSC match where the modifications I've made to my M&P aren't Production legal).

The only thing I plan on doing with that gun is swapping to a set of Defoor sights. Beyond that - completely stock. I can say though that though I've only had the Glock out to the range once so far, I'm definately still confident on my decision to go with the M&P as my main gun. Just picking the two up the M&P fits my hands MUCH better.
 
I voted other, I was never going to buy a Glock, until I shot a G17 in 2008 at a USPSA seminar. By the end of that month I had a G34 Glock. This is why I added the G34, (besides how it shoots, which is unbelievable), just 2 reasons, Cost and Availability. How much and how obtainable are magazines, holsters, production legal upgrades, like triggers and sights. And finally how easy are these parts to install, complete trigger job/replacement including a striker spring on my G34 took less than 10 minutes. Sight change less than 5, and magazines which you will need at least 6, preferably 8-10 can be found for under $20. The only pistol I would recommend for a beginner on your list is the M&P Pro. .
 
OK, so lets throw a wrench into this, and thanks for all the replies. Does the new Gen4 G34 qualify as "ergonomic"? In other words is it really worth looking into it?
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Depends on how it feels to you. To me, it feels great and shoots great. Others describe it as a brick in their hands. To me, the gen4 with no back-straps installed just feels right.
 
tackleberry45 said:
Does the new Gen4 G34 qualify as "ergonomic"? In other words is it really worth looking into it?
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Gen3 Glock 22 has been my match pistol but for me, I consider it not ergonomic for the following reasons:

1. Mag release. I have glove size 10 shooting hand and must shift my grip to depress the mag release to drop the magazine. I can reach the mag release, but cannot depress deep enough. I have tried extended mag release but found it stuck out too far out. I can accomplish this on M&P40/45 without shifting my grip. I suggest you try releasing the magazines in both pistols and see which is more ergonomic for your hand.

2. Grip/Sights. I can grip both M&P40/M&P45 with one or two hands and point to any light switch or dime sized spot at typical match stage distances (7-25 yards) and the sights will always be "right on" point. Although I have "accommodated/assimilated" Glock pistol grip angle over the years and can point accurately, it requires a "Glock grip shift" in my brain. I also suggest you point both pistols at small aim points and see how the sights line up.

3. Slide locks on M&P pistols are much more substantial and even shooters not familiar with the pistol can operate them easily. Many new shooters to Glocks have difficulty with slide locks as it requires a "swiping" motion rather than "push" motion to release the slide. Once again, I suggest you operate both pistols and see how easy it is to release the slide.

4. M&P pistols have full ambi controls for mag/slide lock release and safety (if so equipped) for both right and left handed shooters. Gen4 Glocks still only have controls on left side of the pistol.

5. This is more subjective and personal observation but the M&P grip evokes a "Ooooooohhhhhh, nice grip" response from my hand when I pick it up and I can operate the safety, slide lock and mag release more "naturally" with my shooting thumb without making any adjustment to the grip. Once again, I suggest you operate all the controls on both pistols to see how they feel in your hands.
 
The Gen 4 mag release is much easier to reach than previous generations.

Go handle one before ruling it out.

While I made GM with a 5" XD, I'd suggest either the M&P (preferably the Pro) or the G-34

If you reload and/or want the most versatility, then get either of those in the .40 version.
 
:DI checked to see if my pistol is on the allowed guns list for steel challenge and discovered that mine is a USPSA edition of the P226. I was glad to find a picture finally; I tried and tried to find a pic of one with the two-tone with the black slide.
 
Duh.

Okay, obviously not a USPSA edition, after further research :eek: but it IS two tone with a Nitron finished slide and stainless frame. Here is a link to the USPSA gun that it looks like, except for the engraving on the slide. Did they make the regular 226 with different finishes? The only other two-tones are opposite; with a black frame and gray slide. Thanks!

http://sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p226-uspsa-two-tone.aspx
 
If you're looking for the most accurate, the Sig X5 is the ticket!:D

Even though I still own 3 Glocks, they don't even get out of the safe anymore, since I've gone to M&P 9mm Pros for USPSA production.

Due to CZ's lack of customer service, and useless warranty, I will never buy another CZ.:eek:
 
re Production class: I just favor steel guns right or wrong. The Shadow is (with a little tweeking) a good pistol.

Second choice would be the M&P Pro for the reasons cited above. I've shot it with a trigger job and it shoots well for me.

My CZ has a better trigger FOR ME, but DOES have a small transition to learn from DA to SA, 6+# to 2# pulls. The SA is comparable to a good 45.

Both of these statements illustrate the obvious. It's "shooter's preference" that matters. The pistol is only the start of learning to shoot.
 
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