Modification and Dev Class for IDPA & USPSA

[BeanTown74]

Calguns friends, I would love to get some help and recommendations please.

Today I shot 100 rounds with my first handgun, M&P 9mm 4.25" barrel. I really like the gun so far (100 rounds, I know) but I did notice a few things, front sights and trigger. I actually think that I got a good trigger as it feels pretty smooth to me, but I do notice a lot of take up before the break and a lot of side to side play. I know that everyone loves the Apex FSS as well as the RAM and I believe installing those will put me into different category. I also can see how having some sort of a high viz front sight could help especially out in the open shooting a match. I don't really have money burning a hole in my pocket as I just spent it on guns/ears/mags/ammo etc... Maybe I should just run what I have now?

I don't think that modifying the trigger will put me into an open class but it will move me up I believe? I don't really care about my score but will look at my own personal improvement.

Will adding a new front sight and possibly blacking out the rear sights change my class?

I will never carry this gun. I won't use this gun for home defense.

I plan on shooting it more, taking the ISI Shootists Clinic and shooting at least a USPSA match (Run and Gun SoCal) before modifying the gun.

I welcome any suggestions on modifying or not and front sight recommendations.

Thanks in advance.

[KahrGuy9]

Your gun is fine for IDPA, but not optimal for USPSA. Best thing you can do is get to a match and shoot, doesn't matter if it's IDPA or USPSA. You wont understand the rules for the at least a dozen matches, but it doesn't mean anything because you are unclassified anyway. Don't change anything, and if you can take the ISI shooters clinic, do. Run and Gun is just an acyonym for USPSA action pistol, which club are you refering to?

[BeanTown74]

Thanks for the advice KahrGuy9.

Norco Run and Gun. I watched a match and meet the fine friendly folks there. It seems like a great place to start shooting. Most people had 1911s that were tricked out.

[USPSA GM]

A fiber optic front sight and a decent trigger job will take you a long way on a M&P.

[KahrGuy9]

Most people had 1911s that were tricked out.

It can appear to a new shooter that USPSA is all about Open Division 1911's, however the latest percentages for Norco were 38% Production, 25% Open and Limited and 10% between Single Stack and Limited 10. This changes depending on what major match is coming up next. For example before the Western States Single Stack Classic, SS can be over 30%.

So you still need a couple of things, at least 5 mag pouches for USPSA (IDPA only lets you wear 2), singles are better than doubles. A good belt, like a Wilderness Tactical Instructers belt, good holster, like a Blade Tech Revolution or ICE. Electric ears are a plus, Peltor Tac 6's ar about $50. Then master the fundamentals of stance, grip, sight picture, trigger control. Check Brianenos.com for competition info and surf you tube for Miculek, Leatham, Butler, Vogel, Sevigny, Voigt shooting videos.

Their next USPSA intro class is October 24.

https://www.facebook.com/NorcoRunningGun?fref=photo

http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?eventid=2139058366&dateid=2138840483

[reckoner]

I think you can install an APEX kit and a fiber optic type front sight and still be able to shoot in SSP in IDPA.

[BeanTown74]

It can appear to a new shooter that USPSA is all about Open Division 1911's, however the latest percentages for Norco were 38% Production, 25% Open and Limited and 10% between Single Stack and Limited 10. This changes depending on what major match is coming up next. For example before the Western States Single Stack Classic, SS can be over 30%.

So you still need a couple of things, at least 5 mag pouches for USPSA (IDPA only lets you wear 2), singles are better than doubles. A good belt, like a Wilderness Tactical Instructers belt, good holster, like a Blade Tech Revolution or ICE. Electric ears are a plus, Peltor Tac 6's ar about $50. Then master the fundamentals of stance, grip, sight picture, trigger control. Check Brianenos.com for competition info and surf you tube for Miculek, Leatham, Butler, Vogel, Sevigny, Voigt shooting videos.

Their next USPSA intro class is October 24.

https://www.facebook.com/NorcoRunningGun?fref=photo

http://www.eventzilla.net/web/event?...eid=2138840483

Great info, THANKS!

I have been youtube surfing (there's a lot of garbage out there). I did fine the series of 3 posts very helpful. http://canadianshooter.wordpress.com...ng-the-pistol/

[mixicus]

"Run what ya brung" (version of "dance with who you brought") is the best advice I was given back in the 80's and it's what I pass along to all new shooters.

You've got a solid basic platform. Learn the game with it...then make changes as fits your needs. You will get much more development with another $500 in ammo and match fees than with new sights, mag well,...whatever.