I've been shooting Bullseye for a few years, but have never shot USPSA or IDPA. My local club has USPSA matches and practices, but I have not attended one yet. I have a Sig 226 and a 229 w/o holsters (yet). I was also confused on the holster rules regarding "drop" or not? Any advice on what I should have for firearms and holsters/accessories would be appreciated. Thanks.
What do I need to start USPSA?
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Stony Lane
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Jim Watson
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For USPSA Production, which is where your P226 makes sense, a drop holster is not allowed.
Get a plain open top Kydex holster from Ready Tac, Comp Tac, Blade Tech, etc.
The more magazines the merrier, I'd want five for one in the gun and four on the belt.
Production is restricted to 10 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber to start.
Ah so, ny; a DOH is allowed so long as the heel of the butt is above the top edge of the belt.
No tackytickle thigh holsters for you.
Get a plain open top Kydex holster from Ready Tac, Comp Tac, Blade Tech, etc.
The more magazines the merrier, I'd want five for one in the gun and four on the belt.
Production is restricted to 10 rounds in the magazine plus one in the chamber to start.
Ah so, ny; a DOH is allowed so long as the heel of the butt is above the top edge of the belt.
No tackytickle thigh holsters for you.
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beeenbag
Member
A good belt holster, Atleast 4 may carriers (2 double or 4 single), and five mags for production. If you shoot limited or open you can get by with less mags per stage and your holster/mag carrier options open up.
ny32182
Member
Actually a dropped offset holster is allowed in Production. Personally I use the Ghost Stinger. The Bladetech DOH is also popular. But pretty much any belt holster that you might have already will be legal for some division.
What I recommend to people in your situation, is to go shoot a few matches before you decide to invest in gear that is really optimized for a particular division. If you have 3 mags and a double mag carrier, top off your mags and shoot in "Limited minor" division (if you have a 9mm) or Limited major (if your gun is .40). I find that a lot more people have that amount of gear already, than have enough stuff to start Production out of the gate.
Agree with the others that if you continue with the 226 you will want to move to Production eventually, where people typically run 5 mags on the belt, and division capacity is 10+1. After you shoot a couple matches you will have a better idea of whether production is your future desire, or you want to move in a totally different direction.
What I recommend to people in your situation, is to go shoot a few matches before you decide to invest in gear that is really optimized for a particular division. If you have 3 mags and a double mag carrier, top off your mags and shoot in "Limited minor" division (if you have a 9mm) or Limited major (if your gun is .40). I find that a lot more people have that amount of gear already, than have enough stuff to start Production out of the gate.
Agree with the others that if you continue with the 226 you will want to move to Production eventually, where people typically run 5 mags on the belt, and division capacity is 10+1. After you shoot a couple matches you will have a better idea of whether production is your future desire, or you want to move in a totally different direction.
Agreed with ny32182. Just plan to shoot limited minor for the first couple of matches. Production is challenging, requiring more mag changes. As you will quickly learn, deciding where to do your reloads is a big part of putting together a stage plan.
Mainly, though, just go and shoot. You aren't going to win no matter what you bring, so don't sweat it too much!
Mainly, though, just go and shoot. You aren't going to win no matter what you bring, so don't sweat it too much!
mgmorden
Member
Dropped-offset is legal for every division except single-stack (which is 1911's only, so you wouldn't be there).
For USPSA you need:
- A gun of 9mm Luger or larger caliber
- Enough magazines to hold at least 45 rounds of ammo. 55-60 is better. Certain divisions like Production only allow 10 rounds per mag so you'll want 5-6 magazines for that, but you can always do Limited which you can load up your mags to full.
- A holster for the gun. Needs to cover the trigger guard. Needs to be worn on the belt - no thigh holsters unless you're LE or military. No crossdraw holsters.
Also, not TECHNICALLY a requirement, but I'd highly recommend mag pouches. Everyone who is even wanting to be competitive will be using them but if you wanted to you can technically keep the mags in your pockets.
I personally started in Production and am currently dabbling around in Single Stack, but as a beginner I'd say most people are best suited to just try out the game in Limited division for a few matches. There's less restrictions and so you're you're far less likely to run into a "gotcha" that you might in something like Production which is more strict.
Like ny said though - try it out for a couple matches and then decide what you want to buy. Eventually after you compete long enough you'll find that you'll want accessories or modifications on your competition gun that you wouldn't have dreamed of before playing the game
.
For USPSA you need:
- A gun of 9mm Luger or larger caliber
- Enough magazines to hold at least 45 rounds of ammo. 55-60 is better. Certain divisions like Production only allow 10 rounds per mag so you'll want 5-6 magazines for that, but you can always do Limited which you can load up your mags to full.
- A holster for the gun. Needs to cover the trigger guard. Needs to be worn on the belt - no thigh holsters unless you're LE or military. No crossdraw holsters.
Also, not TECHNICALLY a requirement, but I'd highly recommend mag pouches. Everyone who is even wanting to be competitive will be using them but if you wanted to you can technically keep the mags in your pockets.
I personally started in Production and am currently dabbling around in Single Stack, but as a beginner I'd say most people are best suited to just try out the game in Limited division for a few matches. There's less restrictions and so you're you're far less likely to run into a "gotcha" that you might in something like Production which is more strict.
Like ny said though - try it out for a couple matches and then decide what you want to buy. Eventually after you compete long enough you'll find that you'll want accessories or modifications on your competition gun that you wouldn't have dreamed of before playing the game
.I highly recommend that you do not buy a very expensive holster for your first match. I recommend you buy something cheap or borrow a generic holster and mag pouches to shoot your first few matches. That way you try out the sport before you make a large cost commitment.
Lots of people change their gear/gun up after their first few matches.
Other than that, you need 150-200 rounds, eye and ear protection, and an open mind.
Lots of people change their gear/gun up after their first few matches.
Other than that, you need 150-200 rounds, eye and ear protection, and an open mind.
jakemartens
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