Glock 19 for competition?

[cjimen31]

So competition shooting has sparked my interest but as a totally newbie I don't wanna spend money on a new gun if i don't have to. I currently own a Glock 19 and a SA XD 9mm, I feel more comfortable with the Glock to be honest. My question is as a total newbie should I enjoy the sport with the Glock 19 and will it suffice for some time or should I just sell off the SA XD and purchase a Glock 34 or CZ?

[tanks]

Which competition, IDPA, USPSA? Regardless, G19 is fine to start until you decide you wish to sink $$$$ into competing.

[BigBamBoo]

Where are you located?

Most clubs hold some kind of pistol shoots weekly or monthly. And most encourage "run what ya brung" for new shooters.

What I would recommend just to make things a bit easier for you is a decent shooting belt, non FBI cant holster....a Kydex holster like a Bladetech or even Uncle Mikes will work good...4+ magazines and magazine pouches.

That will get you started and you will be able to see what other folks are using as far as pistols and gear.

If you like it....then you might want to look into a pistol that will serve you better for a "gammer gun".
It will also depend on what type of shooting you get into. Your G19 would be perfect for IDPA type shoots.

For USPSA, steel challenge, etc., then a G34 would work a bit better.

Good luck and just go shoot.

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[Mazdaspeed Jon]

The G19 will be fine to get you started in the sport. It is more important to be comfortable with the gun that you shoot when you first start out than it is to have a gun that is "competitive." Just make sure you have a good belt, holster, and mag pouches and you'll be good to go.

[cjimen31]

Which competition, IDPA, USPSA? Regardless, G19 is fine to start until you decide you wish to sink $$$$ into competing.

To be quite honest I don't know the difference between the two.

[cjimen31]

Where are you located?

Most clubs hold some kind of pistol shoots weekly or monthly. And most encourage "run what ya brung" for new shooters.

What I would recommend just to make things a bit easier for you is a decent shooting belt, non FBI cant holster....a Kydex holster like a Bladetech or even Uncle Mikes will work good...4+ magazines and magazine pouches.

That will get you started and you will be able to see what other folks are using as far as pistols and gear.

If you like it....then you might want to look into a pistol that will serve you better for a "gammer gun".
It will also depend on what type of shooting you get into. Your G19 would be perfect for IDPA type shoots.

For USPSA, steel challenge, etc., then a G34 would work a bit better.

Good luck and just go shoot.

.

San Fernando Valley, is there a website that maybe offers these items as a "package". I don't mind buy once, cry once price so long as it's been proven by real world people if you know what I mean

[cjimen31]

The G19 will be fine to get you started in the sport. It is more important to be comfortable with the gun that you shoot when you first start out than it is to have a gun that is "competitive." Just make sure you have a good belt, holster, and mag pouches and you'll be good to go.

Your club is the closest to me (San Fernando Valley), do you guys offer beginner/intro classes. When I say I'm a total newbie I've literally never shot anything but paper targets at a range. I'd like to take a class that will teach a little bit of basics (how to hold a gun, trigger discipline) but also some competition stuff

[cal3gunner]

Yes you should use the 19. Shoot and learn the sport. You don't need a new gun until the 19 is holding you back. Learn the fundamentals and spend your money on match fees, ammo and training. If you get really good with a 19, you will just be that much better when you get a 34 or 2011.

[OCEquestrian]

Yes you should use the 19. Shoot and learn the sport. You don't need a new gun until the 19 is holding you back. Learn the fundamentals and spend your money on match fees, ammo and training. If you get really good with a 19, you will just be that much better when you get a 34 or 2011.

^^^^^ Excellent advice! Dont be foolish and try to buy more expensive equipment to makeup for a lack of fundamentals / skill set / muscle memory. Spend you money now on professional training, practice ammo and match fees. Once your learning curve flattens out, then look to equipment to get the incremental gains...

[BigBamBoo]

San Fernando Valley, is there a website that maybe offers these items as a "package". I don't mind buy once, cry once price so long as it's been proven by real world people if you know what I mean

Lots of places to buy gear. Here are a few that I use:

https://www.shootersconnectionstore.com

https://www.speedshooter.com

http://benstoegerproshop.com

For finding matches and clubs around you:

https://www.uspsa.org

https://practiscore.com/clubs

Have fun!


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[hermosabeach]

I would learn to shoot IDPA until you can shoot as good as the G19 is capable of being shot....

As you learn more, it is way easier to buy new guns and new gear later....

I like bad examples....
Could you imagine buying all your scuba gear before you ever took a scuba course?

Could you imagine buying all of your gold gear before every playing a hole?

Could you imagine buying gear to rock climb Half Dome.....



Anywho... shoot and learn at the expense of others what gear might work better for you, what techniques would better for you.....


I would rather you spend $120 on a pact club timer and worked on 15 min of dry practice and 15 min of push ups each than to buy a new pistol.....

If you have not taken classes to learn how to draw and shoot from the holster, start there.....

[cjimen31]

Anywho... shoot and learn at the expense of others what gear might work better for you, what techniques would better for you.....


I would rather you spend $120 on a pact club timer and worked on 15 min of dry practice and 15 min of push ups each than to buy a new pistol.....

If you have not taken classes to learn how to draw and shoot from the holster, start there.....

excellent points, any classes you would recommend to learn how to draw and shoot from holster ?

[BigBamBoo]

Not sure about classes. But you buy a book or two and a timer and dry fire practice at home.

Here are a couple:

http://brianenos.com/shop/shopshoprefinement-repetition/

http://brianenos.com/shop/dry-fire-training-ben-stoeger/

.

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

Your club is the closest to me (San Fernando Valley), do you guys offer beginner/intro classes. When I say I'm a total newbie I've literally never shot anything but paper targets at a range. I'd like to take a class that will teach a little bit of basics (how to hold a gun, trigger discipline) but also some competition stuff

Our club isn't doing basic classes yet, but I would check out some of the classes offered by or at the range we are at http://www.californiatacticalacademy.com. The most important thing for competition is learning to safely draw from a holster, move downrange safely, and reload safely while moving (especially laterally).

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

excellent points, any classes you would recommend to learn how to draw and shoot from holster ?

Really any intro pistol course is going to give you the basic skills you need. I would check out the Training subsection of this forum for upcoming classes to see what's around. There are plenty that are taught at Angeles that are a short drive away.