Competitive Handgun Shooting

[choprzrul]

I shot my first competitive match (USPSA) this past weekend. Ended up #25 out of 49 shooters including Open & Limited. I decided ahead of time to slow down, concentrate on shooting technique, and make sure that my rounds counted. I shot really well, but my times were slow. I figure that I can work on my speed a lot easier than trying to correct random shot placement. In the Production group, most stages I finished between 6th & 8th out of 20, so I am happy.

My question is this: I shot my 92fs but have been seriously thinking about an M&P in 9mm for some time now. Apex Tactical Specialties is just down the road from me, so I would have them work their magic.

Would an Apex tricked M&P work better for USPSA Production class than the Beretta?

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[InGrAM]

Well, I have never competed, So I can't help you there but out of the Beretta or Taurus 92, I chose the M&P9. Mind you, I have 10+ round magazines for the Beretta and Taurus. The M&P just felt better to me than the 92 design.

[JeremyS]

Just be careful on what sort of "tricking out" you intend to do if you want to remain legal within the bounds of Production Class...

[sti2011]

Just keep shooting your Beretta for now since your doing good with it. Save your money for ammo, it's going to get really expensive once you get into competive shooting.

[IPSICK]

You can keep shooting the Beretta but if you want faster times, why ice skate uphill? There are reasons why certain platforms do better than others. However, if you really enjoy your Beretta than keep on doing what you're doing.

[9mmepiphany]

Just tell you intend to shoot your M&P in Production and they'll set you up. Their newest development fits into Limited 10

[Voo]

There's really no "specific" reason to switch... Give an experienced shooter any 'reasonable' gun, 92fs, P226, XD, Glock..etc etc and they'll still do well.

Production Division really does remove a lot of the 'equipment' chasing you see in Open and Limited. I've owned and have used the P226, P226ST, G17, G34, XD Tactical and M&P in Production. Yes, there is a difference in feel, but in reality, the gear is not what's causing you to go slow or get B/C/D zone hits.

As a side note, I have a friend who does EXTREMELY well with his Beretta in Production. I would keep your gear for now and when you've decided that you really want to get into the sport, you'll have a much better idea of what you want from your equipment.

[HighLander51]

As a brand new shooter, the last thing you want to do is start playing equipment chase. You need to learn how to shoot better, so take competition shooting lessons from your local GrandMaster and stick with the platform you have for at several dozen matches. Most new shooters level out in about 2 years then it's time for more lessons. By then you will solidly classified and have figured out what exactly division you really want to be in.

[midvalleyshooter]

You are getting good advice. Run that Beretta platform. Ben Stoeger has run Berettas and done well: http://benstoeger.com/

As a side note if you do decide to switch platforms having Apex in your backyard is really great!

Keith

[mif_slim]

I rather buy reloading equipment then a new gun. Trust me, you'll start to want to reload if your planning to get serious with this sport. It eats up a lot of ammo!!

[zfields]

I rather buy reloading equipment then a new gun. Trust me, you'll start to want to reload if your planning to get serious with this sport. It eats up a lot of ammo!!

+1. Be surprised what the right load can do for your times : )

[Lancear15]

As a brand new shooter, the last thing you want to do is start playing equipment chase. You need to learn how to shoot better, so take competition shooting lessons from your local GrandMaster and stick with the platform you have for at least a dozen or so matches. By then you will be classified and have figured out what division you really want to be in.

Good advice. You might end up wasting a bunch of money on a gun to use in competition, just to find out it isn't what you wanted after all.

[Gary13]

I just recently started shooting USPSA practice matches and shoot my first real match this weekend. I shoot a SP01 and my friend shoots a 92. While I have considered upgrades and other options like getting a Glock 34 or using my XD, I am going to stick with what I have and work on skills first. I may also start reloading.

[JTROKS]

I just recently started shooting USPSA practice matches and shoot my first real match this weekend. I shoot a SP01 and my friend shoots a 92. While I have considered upgrades and other options like getting a Glock 34 or using my XD, I am going to stick with what I have and work on skills first. I may also start reloading.

That's the spirit! Don't get all bogged down with the race equipment. Production class was developed so that regular guns can come and enjoy action pistol shooting. Look at Sevigny and Abbate they just blast through the competition with their Glocks. As long as your production class pistol will hold 3" group at 25 yards you should be able to shoot and enjoy with no problem at all. When you're ready to dive into the race guns you're more than welcome to, but it is a big money pit. As long as your having fun then it doesn't matter.

I own 2 open class race guns, but decided to shoot limited to re acquaint myself with the iron sight. Now i shoot a Glock 35 in production class and also shoot my Springfield 9mm loaded model in single stack.

[choprzrul]

Based upon the responses above, can I get some focused analysis:

1. I've done the hammer spring, slide spring, and trigger spring conversion on the 92. Any thing else that I should do to help?

2. Reloading is covered via Hornady Lock & Load progressive. Load recommendation? Currently loading 124 Berry's round nose ahead of 4.6gr of Universal.

3. The main reason I asked about the M&P is the consistent trigger pull in comparison to the 92's double/single action. Is there anything to be gained there or is the single action of the 92 helpful?

4. I think that I had less than 10 rounds outside of the "A" zone all day. I understand that as I work to reduce my times, my precision will suffer. Where is the balance and how to I know when I should be speeding up or slowing down?

5. To date, USPSA is absolutely the best exercise program!

6. Should I spend the money to become a USPSA member?

7. Should I shoot IDPA also for the practice? Is it like USPSA?

Thanks to all for taking the time to offer advice and knowledge.

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**Edit**

I went in to the first stage of the day and calmed myself before the timer sounded. No problem, just went to work when the timer sounded. That is where something amazing to me happened. I had engaged the first set of targets and was moving to the second set. I knew that I had to do a mag change while moving, so I thumbed the mag release and then mentally thought to myself "grab another mag". At that point, I realized that the mag was already in my hand and nearly touching the mag well already. Time really slowed at that point as I marveled at how that had happened completely sub-consciously. More than anything, I believe that this experience convinced me that this type of training is very valuable (not to mention it is a real hoot!).

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