Topic: What USPSA division, and what gun?

[ekuo]

This comes up a bunch, so may be fun to have people chime in on what division they like to shoot, why, and what gun they're using.  For me, I'm primarily an aficionado of the 1911/2011 platform, which pretty much dictates the divisions I shoot in.  

Limited division is a hoot.  20 rnds on tap means you can flow thru a stage without worrying about reloads as much and just concentrate on shooting the stage.  For me, the 2011 STI guns are ideal for this division if you worship at the church of John Moses Browning and his modern day disciples.  
 
At the opposite end of the spectrum I also enjoy shooting Single Stack division with a 1911.  Shooting an 8+1 gun is good practice for breaking down a stage and you definitely get plenty of practice reloading.  Maybe it's because I started in SSTK, but there is something about that division that I really like.  Yeah, is hard, but if it was easy EVERYBODY could do it!  

And since I can shoot Limited-10 with either gun (1911 or 2011), I shoot L10 every now and then to keep the skills sharp on breaking stages down in 10 rnd increments.  The 2011 is probably the better choice for L10 over the 1911 IMO because the tapered mags make reloading a tad easier, but definitely doable with a 1911 with extended mags.

Lastly since I own a Glock I figure I might as well attain some semblance of proficiency with one.  I've shot all the above divisions with the G35 except SSTK, but in my hands the G35 is pretty much relegated as my Production gun since I have the 1911/2011 guns for the other divisions.  I'll shoot Production periodically throughout the year to keep the Glock gods appeased.  

[Jaggy13]

I started out in Single Stack with a 9mm 1911.
apposed to .45, 9mm can load to 10 rounds in that division.
I opted for the extra ammo vs the power factor advantage or .45.
Not to mention the light recoil.

Later I wanted a double stack for 3 gun/multi gun and some limited shooting.
I started shooting a glock 34 in 9mm for Limited division.
The Glock 34 can run in Production, Limited 10, and Limited.

For me the Glock 34 was a great 1 gun that could use for most everything.
I shoot Limited USPSA, Steel Challenge and 3-gun with it.

In my opinion Limited is the best division to start in. Regardless of the destination division, Limited will allow a new shooter to focus on things that can really develop the skills to perform well in all divisions.

Some would suggest a .40 for major power factor, that's a decision you will have to make.

[tgibson]

For USPSA, I shoot limited division for big matches using my .40 SV, and my 9mm for club matches.  The .40 makes major so I get all the points.  Besides, that's where all the fast kids hang out.  I want to know how I'm doing against those guys.
Adios,
TG

[luvmy45]

I shot SS and still do for alot of matches because I really like the 1911 platform.

Now that I have a good limited gun, I am really enjoying the limited game with the 2011 and as TG says, that generally where the the fast kids play so it gives me a great reality slap in the face of my skill level.

[Nealio]

I like to shoot Limited, because it lets me focus on my shooting and overall strategy, yet you can get into it with not too much cost.  I feel SS, Production, and L10 put a lot more focus on reloading and strategy geared towards when to reload and I would rather focus more on just shooting.  But I also have a .45 Limited-10 gun that I want to shoot more to mix it up a little bit, and I may break out my production gun for fun here and there also.  Focusing on shooting is also why I run 9mm (minor PF).  I can reload for super cheap, which allows me to shoot more.  I can get 23+1 and it makes me focus on good hits, not just speed.  As I've mentioned before USPSA is scored on hit factor not points so you can either get more points slower, or less points faster. 

Like others, I found a platform I like a lot and have several models of the same design.  I shoot Tanfoglio (imported as EAA Witness) pistols which are similar to a CZ's but the Tanfoglios more focused on competition guns than military/police applications.  You can shoot all their calibers (.22 LR, 9mm, .38 Super, 10mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP) in the same frame, which is nice because my all my guns feel exactly the same.  The same can be said about the 1911 and 2011 platforms also, which is a nice side benefit.  That way you can change guns/calibers and still have the same familiar feel.

One thing to note to the new guys is there is a mid-point between a $500 polymer pistol and a $1500+ 2011.  The  CZ and Tanfoglio platforms are a good balance between those two.
Both companies make all steel guns that can be had for $800-1100 (depending on model).  There are a few companies making parts (triggers, sights, mag pads, etc), the magazines are inexpensive ($20-$25), and they shoot very accurate right out of the box.  The CZ's mostly come with DA/SA triggers, but they can be converted to SA easily.  CZ also makes a "Tactical Sport" model that is geared towards competition, but the magazines are different than the standard CZ ones, making them hard to find.  Tanfoglio makes many SA only pistols that you can shoot competition out of the box. For example, their "Match" pistol is all steel, SA only, has adjustable sights, and is only about $550.

[dwood4215]

I am just starting to shoot USPSA, as I have been shooting IDPA. I will be shooting limited with an XDM .45 with the 5.25 barrel. I will also be using this in the 3gun competitions.

I also like the Tangfolios, used  to have a BTA90 that I carried as a duty and off duty weapon, wish I had never sold it.

[Jr Evancic]

Look up the para P 16 as well great DUB stack pistol and not near as much as a 2011 STI..  With dawson base pads i was able to get 20 reloadable...   Great gun started with that shooter but needed bigger hands and the STI fits me better but cash wise a good buy...


Nealio good info buddy I like, maybe one day you will see me with a Tanfoglio:)....

[junkie]

I can barely count to 8 so it was simple SSTK

[motosapiens]

One thing to note to the new guys is there is a mid-point between a $500 polymer pistol and a $1500+ 2011.  The  CZ and Tanfoglio platforms are a good balance between those two.
Both companies make all steel guns that can be had for $800-1100 (depending on model). 

$500-ish will get you a 75b. With $100 for hammer and springs and an hour of gun mechanic work, you can have a pretty decent shooting CZ. Bout the same as what I spent on my $500 M&P + $100 of apex dcaek, but the cz is made of metal.

I don't know what division I shoot yet. The CZ in .40 only has a 14 round magazine without resorting to fancy semi-custom stuff, but I think I'm much more disadvantaged in lack of shooting skill than I am lack of magazine capacity. I shot limited (major) the first two matches. I'll probably shoot limited minor or production a few matches to see what I think, but part of my motivation of shooting limited major is just for something different than idpa and steel challenge, and an excuse to load and shoot and improve with hotter loads.

I reserve the right to switch divisions and/or guns if something else ends up being more fun.

[ekuo]

I reserve the right to switch divisions and/or guns if something else ends up being more fun.

And that is your-by-god given right!  I change it up periodically to suit my mood, or if I need to tune up for a particular match that requires a particular gun.  Changing it up is also a good way to get out of a rut and keep it fresh. 

There's some good feedback from everybody, and it goes to show that you don't need to spend a wad of cash to get started in this sport or only go with a certain brand.  Find a gun that fits you and that you like to shoot, and shoot the crap out of it.  But the statute of limitations for that statement only lasts until the addiction hits... 

I will add that if you plan to run it in competition, might be a good idea to get a gun that is well supported by the industry for after-market parts and mods.  For some guns: 1911's, STI 2011's, Para's, Glocks, XDMs, M&P's, CZ's etc... definitely have the support.  Others, not so much.  Nothing wrong with shooting one if that is what you have, but at some point you may need to replace something or want to mod it, and it helps to get one that you can easily find parts for.