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Good morning everyone! A couple months ago my father gave me a Kimber Stainless II 1911 full size. I have shot it a couple times already and totally love this gun, and shoot it pretty well. I was kicking around the idea trying competition shooting after a few more months of practice, and I was wondering what the best classes for 1911 were. Also, is the Stainless II a reliable enough platform for (very) amateur competition? Is there any upgrades I can do to improve the accuracy, or would it be better to get a custom shop gun? Thank you.
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USPSA = L10 with 10 rd magazines and race rig holsters.. or Single stack with standard capacity magazines and a carry type holster.
Not sure about IDPA, am sure someone will chime in.. -
In IDPA you can shoot it in CDP = Custom Defensive Pistol (a.k.a. the 1911 division).
Rich"Speed is a tactic!" - R.W.
"Pressure is what you feel when you don't know what you're doing." - Chuck Knox
"The callus on my finger is from my trigger, not the keyboard!" - Rob LeathamComment
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Cool, thanks guys, I will look into those classes. Any thoughts on the Kimber?Comment
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It's never a bad idea to shoot what you got for a little while, so that you can better understand what modifications you might wish to make.
Your Kimber should be fine, if you start shooting USPSA as the round count climbs, you will soon know how reliable that gun is for you!
Believe your Kimber has fixed sights. Does POI = POA? Many folks have adjustable sights on their competition guns to be able to dial in an exact zero and desired sight picture. But many also have fixed sights so not a huge deal.
Also, many folks like fiber optic front sights as they are easier to pick up at speed... also a slightly larger rear sight notch can be helpful too. The tradeoff is a little less precision; some folks end up going back to pure black sights. I like a very thin front sight blade and relatively more space in the rear sight notch comparatively.
Trigger work is also something to consider down the line.
But if you also intend to use this gun for defensive purposes keep in mind you might make different decisions about things like your sights and trigger.
Depending on rules for your desired class you could also look at magwells and methods to increase traction on the grip.Comment
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where are you located OP?˙ǝuılƃıs ʎɯ uı ʇnd oʇ ɹǝʌǝlɔ ƃuıɥʇʎuɐ ɟo ʞuıɥʇ ʇ,uɐɔ I
"I see an empty magazine, I think it needs to be loaded." -hickok45Comment
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All good advice. I've got a friend with a Kimber Eclipse II that competes IDPA in CDP. After spending a week at Front Sight with him, he wants to change out to fiber optic front (after seeing mine from 20ft away). It really does help me with quicker acquisition. I like red better than green, but the little plastic fiber optics are easy to change out. I paid $30 for Dawson precision ones. I have a blacked out rear sight on my compact gun (because Brian Enos mentioned it helped him in a book I read), but I think I am leaning more to the white rears and red front like I run on my full size gun. You really have to try yourself and see what works best for you.It's never a bad idea to shoot what you got for a little while, so that you can better understand what modifications you might wish to make.
Your Kimber should be fine, if you start shooting USPSA as the round count climbs, you will soon know how reliable that gun is for you!
Believe your Kimber has fixed sights. Does POI = POA? Many folks have adjustable sights on their competition guns to be able to dial in an exact zero and desired sight picture. But many also have fixed sights so not a huge deal.
Also, many folks like fiber optic front sights as they are easier to pick up at speed... also a slightly larger rear sight notch can be helpful too. The tradeoff is a little less precision; some folks end up going back to pure black sights. I like a very thin front sight blade and relatively more space in the rear sight notch comparatively.
Trigger work is also something to consider down the line.
But if you also intend to use this gun for defensive purposes keep in mind you might make different decisions about things like your sights and trigger.
Depending on rules for your desired class you could also look at magwells and methods to increase traction on the grip.Comment
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I shot a pretty much stock Kimber TLE II with night sights for my first year or two in Single Stack division. The only thing I added was a set of Alumagrips with the integrated Techwear magwell.
The stock sights work just fine until you get used to the gun. I wouldn't get too mixed up changing out parts. For action pistol shooting if you can hit a 6" plate at 25 yards you're good to go. Most times stock guns will outshoot the shooter until you start to advance in the sport. Similarly I've used Uncle Mikes holster and mag carriers to great success as well as Chip McCormick magazines.
I'd look for an intro to USPSA/IPSC class or practice day at a local range that holds matches, come out and talk to people about the sport.Comment
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My humble opinion,
If you are new to action shooting (wish I know your location). DONT BUY ANYTHING. You have a gun, you have some ammo. Contact someone that run's an action pistol club in your area. They can help you with the rest. If you dont have holsters or extra magazines, again dont buy anything.
Once you come out and try action pistol you will be hooked. You probably wont shoot too many targets at a public range again.
I would also concentrate my original focus on IDPA.- It has a lower round count
- It forbids "competition only equipment"
- more or less uses "real life scenarios"
USPSA is awesome. I enjoy shooting that discipline also. (just shot the Golden Bullet). Your Kimber is USPSA ready, but to be competitive you will have to invest in more "race ready" equipment that has no other practical "real life" day to day use.
Some prefer USPSA, Some prefer IDPA, I love them both. I suggest if your new, IDPA is the direction I would point you first. If you find no local clubs in your area, then hunt down the president of a local USPSA club.
Borrow before you buy. Most club members have boxes of extra crap that they bought and later discarded as new and improved items hit the market. Get out have fun and learn what not to buy from the other members. I so often see an new shooter with a lousy holster of poorly constructed parts simply because it is what the local gun shop carried. After a couple of matches you will be calling up a shop that specializes in action pistol.
JM2C~
~Comment
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"When you get the (men) to the range, you just get the men. But when you bring the (women) to the range, you get the (whole family). And that's what's going to save our 2nd Amendment."--Dianna Liedorff
"Since self-preservation is the 1st law of nature, we assert the...right to self-defense. The Constitution...clearly affirms the right of every American...to bear arms. And as Americans, we will not give up a single right guaranteed under the Constitution." --Malcolm XComment
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Thanks for all the great info guys, pretty much answered all my questions. For those that asked where I am at, I am currently in San Diego. I am getting ready to move in 2 weeks back to Oregon though, so I guess I will have to find one of the leagues that has clubs up there.Comment
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Where do you live? ISI shootists in Piru, CA. is growing like gangbusters. The quality of the shooters (read that as safe and friendly) is very high. 2nd Saturday of the month is compact IDPA (you can shoot a full size there if you want and it is less crowded). 4th Saturday is IDPA full size (more people, but they have a shooters meeting and give out the awards).
Some people want to just come watch, which is fine if you are a little intimidated. But I recommend that you bring your gun and a holster and just give it a try. Best recommendation is to go slow and have fun. You most likely are not going to win anything your first time out. Tell them when you check in that it is your first time and they will take you over to a private place and give you tips on how to draw and explain all the rules. The first time I took my wife she told each RO at each station that she was a newbie (which you are asked to do) and you should see how the ROs shift - They love having new people and all of them are extremely friendly. IDPA is seriously one of my favorite escapes now - it's a ton of fun, you don't spend a ton on ammo (maybe 100-150 rounds), and the people there are great.
Things to bring:
-sunscreen
-water
-gun
-holster
-about 150 rounds of ammo (you can go through it a second time if you want for a discount price so you might want to bring extra)
-mag pouch (only really need 2, but a third holder is not a bad idea on an 8 shot 1911)
-a cover garment. A lightweight vest or light jacket. I don't recommend an oversized shirt because they are harder to manipulate and I have seen the shirt get caught in the holster (and have it tangle around a trigger is a not a good thing).
You don't have to wear a cover (they won't make you wear one), but your score will not be counted towards an award. They will still score you and post it on their website to see how you did. Of course that is a Piru club rule, and not to be taken to be true for all IDPA clubs.Comment
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Depending on location, OR has some really good clubs...Comment
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