Difference between race pistol and regular pistol

[canyon289]

What's benefits of paying thousands of dollars for a race pistol, vs a "regular" pistol?

FYI
I'm relatively new to guns and I'm trying to get a grasp of the sport and industry as whole. Thanks in advance!

[RugerNo1]

Are you speaking of the handguns used in competitions like USPSA/IPSC or Steel Challenge?


Those guns are designed with tighter tolerances while maintaining the reliability that the shooters need to get through a match. The craftmanship and features of their designs often bump the price up. However, even so-called "regular" guns can be used in these competitions as well and be competitive. If someone is interested in shooting the competition stuff, they can easily shoot what they have until they know what they really need/want.

[canyon289]

I think so, I'm referring to guns like the Razorcat.

[HighLander51]

about $4,000....without $100 magazines, $60 mag pouches, and a $300 race holster. A full on STI Open Gun versus an entry level 1911. But, a race gun will not make you a better shooter, it will only do the same thing easier. And keep in mind, most open guns run on very hot hand loaded ammo to make them cycle. You need to learn the fundamentals first, stance, grip, sight picture and trigger with any gun that has good sights and a manageable trigger.

[HighLander51]

I think so, I'm referring to guns like the Razorcat.

JJ Racaza is one of the best IPSC shooters on the planet. He started at age 9 and everyone knew he was a natural. They are only a handful of shooters like him.

[agent.5]

generally these 2011 are very well built double stack 1911, with a 2lbs trigger. You can get a regular (but well built) 1911 from Wilson or other builders for about the same price. Generally, you have a 3.5lbs or higher trigger pull for regular guns.

[dangerranger]

Race guns are focused at one thing. Winning at all cost! Their sights are tall and make you need a special holster, they only eat special ammo, and they look goofy for anything but serious competition. But mostly they are to make your competition think you have an edge. DR

[hkdad]

I think so, I'm referring to guns like the Razorcat.

Hmmm.... Razorcat...

[jcaoloveshine]

Raceguns are built for competition and wouldn't really be practical for self defense purposes.

[unusedusername]

Also, many raceguns use super-light springs so they won't even set off the harder primers used in self defense ammo. You'll get a "click" instead of a "bang".

Raceguns are great for competitions, not really useful for much more.

[HighLander51]

Race guns are focused at one thing. Winning at all cost! Their sights are tall and make you need a special holster, they only eat special ammo, and they look goofy for anything but serious competition. But mostly they are to make your competition think you have an edge. DR

Open guns run optics, not sights. And you do have the edge running an Open gun, assuming you can shoot an open gun well enough to beat all the rest of the Grand Masters.

[HighLander51]

Raceguns are built for competition and wouldn't really be practical for self defense purposes.

Would you like to face this guy in a gun fight???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzZ0m-jowlU

[HighLander51]

Also, many raceguns use super-light springs so they won't even set off the harder primers used in self defense ammo. You'll get a "click" instead of a "bang".

Raceguns are great for competitions, not really useful for much more.

Really? Try this if you think you are fast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdFaqb3c_JQ

[m98]

Race guns are fed custom loaded light loads and not hi power max loads to keep recoil at min thus thats why light recoil springs are used. Highlander got it backwards.

[bsim]

"Race Gun" is generally referring to "open" competition pistols. Optic sights (red dots), compensators, support hand thumb rests, giant magwells, etc. Super soft shooters.

Figure "Formula One" racecars, versus a production car. There are classes within each competition, so no, your production gun is not competing against these guns.