Match-only gun... what to buy?

[Nanotech9]

i'm comsidering getting a match-only gun as my CZ75 probably isnt the best choice for it...

my problem is i dont know what qualifies for/as what... how many rounds mags are best, caliber size, etc.

this is just a hobby, and i'm not going to get too serious in it and never expect to be any good, but ide like to be "on par" with the gun itself for production (?) class or something like that.

the other thing is, where can i read up on teh different classes, and whats allowed?

[olyeller]

http://www.uspsa.com/

pistols legal for production class
http://www.uspsa.org/rules/production_list.php

rulebook
http://www.uspsa.org/rules/Handgun_15th_2004.pdf

Go to www.brianenos.com , register, and look around; lots of answers to your questions and the new ones youll soon come up with.

Do you want to shoot production, limited 10, limited, revolver, or open??
See what looks like most fun to you. Available budget is a huge thing to consider too.

My picks are

G17, 34, XD9 (4" or 5"), CZ SP-01, for production

A quality single stack 1911 in .45acp with 10rd mags for Limited 10

Those two divisions seem to be the most popular starting point.
Each of those divisions are limited to loading your mags to 10 rounds max, and youll pretty much require 5 mags as a minimum.

[Nanotech9]

definitely not revolver... probably, based on my budget, is production.

all things considered, the glock or XD9 would be the best pick based on availability of mags, holsters, etc...

sounds like its my turn to start looking for a g17... seems to be a tough gun to get a hold of for a good price.

thanks for the links!

[Buzzdraw]

Another couple options to think about. A Glock 35 (40 S&W) fits in USPSA Limited, Limited 10, & Production. It will also work in IDPA SSP and ESP. You'll have to handload and maybe swap the barrel for one with conventional rifling maximally go to all five, but it works to shoot factory FMJ 180's too. Same holster and mags (get high-caps) can work for all five too.

If you're not going to consider handloading, then look at G34 (9mm). It will do all the above, except in Minor only for USPSA Limited and L10. Factory ammo costs are about half of factory 40 S&W.

Both can still be CCW or the "heck has hit the fan" guns, if you leave the trigger pull near stock.

[olyeller]

I was going to mention a 35; but IMO a 34 or 17 has so much more going for it than a glock in 40sw; reliability in my experience is at the pinnacle in the glock 9's. .40 is a tricky cartridge to load for , too.

[chicane]

Each of those divisions are limited to loading your mags to 10 rounds max

According to the rules on USPSA it sayes
|9.| |Maximum ammunition capacity| |NO|

I'm confused? On production class, Can you load magazine to capacity? Or 10rd max?
Limited 10 is the only one that sayes 10rds max after start signal. Tuan was shooting limited class, and he had 17rds in his gun for the 3rd stage, Because he didn't have to reload.

[olyeller]

Production division (not class, thats another thing)
10 rounds in the magazine, plus one in the chamber, thats how you must start out a stage. -then you reload mags with only 10 rounds (whether they are hi-caps or ban 10rounders doesnt matter)

US APPENDIX D9
US Production Division
9. Maximum ammunition capacity- Yes, 10 rounds loaded maximum any magazine after the start signal.

[olyeller]

AH, you must have been looking at appendix D4, which is the international IPSC rules for production class, not the USPSA rules, which we use on this side of the pond.

[chicane]

Well... That clears that up. I thought I had gone crazy.


What is the difference between limited, and limited 10?

[chicane]

I got that info from the link you posted. The USPSA.org rules.

http://www.uspsa.org/rules/Handgun_15th_2004.pdf

Appendix D4, Production division.

Is that the wrong rules to be looking through?

[JuniorDVC]

Difference between limited and L10 is simply magazine capacity.
Limited you may use 140mm mags and cram as many as you can get (20) into the mag. L-10 you may start with 10 +1 in chamber, but only reload 10 round mags. the point of this division was for single stack 1911s to compete in, though mostly 2011 double stack guns rule this division. But now they have the new single stack division to level the playing field for the guys that still like the ol' 1911s.

Also in L10 you have the option of shooting Major power factor whereas in Production you are Minor reguardless. This can be a very big deal too...

You can use a limited gun in L10, and you can use an L10 gun in limited. they are about the same, you just pick how much you wanna reload.

[chicane]

Hmm, So is there any benifit at all for shooting production over limited? I'll be shooting a stock G17 next match, and I think I would do better in limited if they have a stage that requires 16rds w/o a mandatory reload. (Like this last match did).

[olyeller]

Limited division has a BUNCH of top shooters, and they are dominated by the hi-cap 1911s (STI, SVI, Para) and these guns are full on race guns, only without comps and optical sights. They also have mags with 20+ capacity. They are shooting Major power factor, which gives those "c" hits 4 points, unlike a 9mm (minor power factor) which would score a "charlie" as 3. Huge difference in scores right there.
A Glock 17 without major modifications (magwell, triggerjob, extended mags) is at home and much more competitive in production division.
The only glocks youll really see in Limited are the 35 and 24 , the long slide 40's.

Congrats on being the OK state Junior Champ, Jay.

[Rod Snell]

A "semi-casual" USPSA shooter's perspective:
If you want to have equipment that is a match for the winners in Sectional or above USPSA matches in Limited or even Limited-10, an STI is typical in cost and capability: LINK:
http://www.dawsonprecision.com/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=3520000-1096495296
I shoot a Browning HP .40 in Limited-10, and I am definitely at a disadvantage, losing time on every reload. All else equal, I lose.
However, in Production, I consider my Paraord LDA 189 about as good as any. I prefer the 1911 grip (personal quirk), but the Glock 34 shooters are equally well armed. Since all Production is scored minor power, 9mm is fine.
My suggestion? Shoot what you have in USPSA and IDPA matches, and "shop around" the other shooters' guns. Most of us are glad to let you try our guns after the match. Then decide how broke you want to go....
See you at the range!

[Leadblooded]

Go to the CZ website and check out the CZ-75 TS