Beginner USPSA - what to shoot?

[tlim7193]

Hi folks,

I'm trying to get into USPSA shooting soon. I would like to know what you guys shoot for it and what it is that you recommend. Of course, I would like to use firearms that I'm familiar with so I'm not going to jump on a new gun just for uSPSA just yet.

Currently, I'd probably shoot my SA XD Service 9mm or my SA 1911 in 9mm as well. Thoughts? Thank you!

[dwalker]

Use whatever you have. If you get 10rnd mags for the 1911 Single stack is very competitive and fun.

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

Use whatever you have. If you get 10rnd mags for the 1911 Single stack is very competitive and fun.

I agree. I'd go with the 9mm 1911 over the XD as well. Then all you need to do is find a club and go have fun!

[tlim7193]

Use whatever you have. If you get 10rnd mags for the 1911 Single stack is very competitive and fun.

I just bought the 1911. She's one of my favorite guns! So much fun to shoot and very accurate. But she does need to be broken in.

[tlim7193]

Btw, here's my 1911:

[Gryff]

I'm trying to get into USPSA shooting soon. I would like to know what you guys shoot for it and what it is that you recommend. Of course, I would like to use firearms that I'm familiar with so I'm not going to jump on a new gun just for uSPSA just yet.

Currently, I'd probably shoot my SA XD Service 9mm or my SA 1911 in 9mm as well. Thoughts? Thank you!

It's always the best idea to shoot the gun with which you are most familiar. You are going to be slightly overwhelmed with the rules, procedures, and safety issues of the sport, so you should be using the gun that you know the most instinctively.

[Gryff]

I agree. I'd go with the 9mm 1911 over the XD as well.

From a game perspective, though, you are stuck shooting Minor in either Single Stack or Limited-10 while others shooting .40 or .45 are begin scored Major. That's not an issue with the XD in Production.

But again, that is game theory. As a new competitor, shoot what you are most familiar with (as I mentioned above).

[IVC]

From a game perspective, though, you are stuck shooting Minor in either Single Stack or Limited-10 while others shooting .40 or .45 are begin scored Major. That's not an issue with the XD in Production.

There is one important caveat in SS: the allowed capacity for minor is 10, while it's only 8 for major.

This can change calculation, at least in principle. For example, a mostly-steel match might favor SS minor, particularly for less experienced shooters who are likely to miss.

[IVC]

Both of your guns have "constant pull" trigger, so that's a draw. You don't want to shoot SA/DA trigger unless you are very comfortable and practice "first DA shot."

Your XD doesn't have manual safety which is a plus if you're not used to disengaging a safety during the draw. If you have the reflex to "ride the safety" on your 1911 and are consistent with doing it as you present gun forward, it's a draw.

Your 1911 has a much better trigger, which is a plus for steel and longer shots, but you have to make sure you don't get an ND because of poor trigger finger control (much easier to happen with 1911). Depending on how much you trust yourself to be disciplined, the advantage can go to either gun.

Shooting "minor" is generally a disadvantage in "single stack," while there is no "major" scoring in "production" regardless of which caliber you shoot, so your XD has an advantage here.

With all of this said, I'd choose "production" over "single stack" unless you are very familiar with the 1911. You can always switch after first few matches.

[tlim7193]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for the tips. I also want to know what the basics are between minor vs major? SS vs Limited 10?

I know that Production, as far as I'm aware, is out-of-the-box with hardly any mods. That's what I have going on right now with my guns.

The XD is actually my first gun and I know its ins and outs well. I'm a lefty too so the ambi mag release is helpful. On my 1911, I'm practicing every night how to smoothly disengage the safety. Once the holster for it arrives, I'm going to pactice draws.

Eventually, I'd like to be able to be profficient with both guns since one will be the back up to the other in case one fails.

[tanks]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for the tips. I also want to know what the basics are between minor vs major? SS vs Limited 10?

Here are the rules that can explain it in more detail and better than I can on a forum post:

https://www.uspsa.org/document_library/rules/2014/Feb%202014%20Handgun%20Rules.pdf

https://www.uspsa.org/document_library/rules/2014/2014%20Rules%20Changes.pdf

I know that Production, as far as I'm aware, is out-of-the-box with hardly any mods. That's what I have going on right now with my guns.

The XD is actually my first gun and I know its ins and outs well. I'm a lefty too so the ambi mag release is helpful. On my 1911, I'm practicing every night how to smoothly disengage the safety. Once the holster for it arrives, I'm going to pactice draws.

Eventually, I'd like to be able to be profficient with both guns since one will be the back up to the other in case one fails.

If you choose to shoot production with the XD or Single Stack with the 1911 then neither can be a backup for the other due to the firearms being different types.

You can shoot Limited 10 with either, but then you will have a scoring disadvantage due to shooting minor.

[IVC]

Hey guys! Thank you so much for the tips. I also want to know what the basics are between minor vs major?

Tanks provided the links above, so I'll just give you a short version.

Major vs. minor in how you get points. "A" zone is 5 points always, but then "B"/"C" is 4 major vs. 3 minor and "D" is 2 major vs. 1 minor. The joke is to "shoot all A's so there is no difference." In reality, you have to speed up and as you speed up you will hit C's. A minor "C" counts as two major "C's" - you loose 2 points, which is equivalent to hitting "C" (missing "A") twice in major.

To understand the math, if you shoot minor half A's and half C's you have the same points as a major shooter who hit *all* C's (read: you have the same points as someone who shot significantly faster than you).

[IVC]

SS vs Limited 10?

Here is a brief summary.

Consider "Production" the most restrictive. Holster and magazine pouches have to be behind the hip bones, some additional rules about holster position, no SA guns, minor scoring only, 10 rounds limit, magwell size limits, etc.

Relax "Production" to allow SA guns (in this case only 1911 are allowed), introduce major scoring for qualifying calibers and change capacity limits to match 1911s (8 for major, 10 for minor) and you have "Single Stack." The restrictive belt rules still apply.

Relax "Single Stack" to remove capacity limit, allow extra wide magwells, allow any gear position (there are few rules, but not much), allow "gas pedals," allow pretty much everything that goes in "Open" *except* ported barrels, compensators, optic sights and very long magazines, and you get "Limited." "Limited 10" just has a universal maximum capacity of 10, mostly used only in states such as CA.

[mjmagee67]

Just shoot the gun you are most comfortable with. For your first few matches. You have a lot of new stuff to pay attention to, like 180, range commands, procedures, foot faults, and what not. It really is all basic common sense, but it's a new setting. As far as the whole major/minor scoring thing don't worry about it. As far as all the divisions I would shoot production if your equipment works, production is kinda restrictive, but it's my preferred division. If your equipment won't fit in Production go Limited. 9mm will give you Limited minor, 40 will get you Limited Major. Single Stack is fun too but you have to worry about the safety, holster without the safety on, you get a trip to Dairy Queen. Shoot safely, shoot accurately and shoot fast in that order.

[Trgt]

If you have equipment for both, shoot the one that is most reliable and least likely to get jammed up given you are dropping all the mags into dirt/gravel each stage. Something unreliable will mess up your match much worse than working about major/minor scoring, etc.