Competition Shooting - Gear Basics - a white paper for newbies

[boileralum]

I am thinking about trying a few events in 2014, probably USPSA, and will likely shoot my Springfield Range Officer in .45, which I just picked up and am mag shopping for. What magazines would you recommend for an otherwise stock gun? It came w/ 7 rounders - should I do 7, 8 or 10? Is there a class difference for 7 vs 8? Looking at CMC Power Mags or Power Mag + unless you can sway me towards something better for the money (Wilson? Kimber Pro? _______?)

 

[bwframe]

I am thinking about trying a few events in 2014, probably USPSA, and will likely shoot my Springfield Range Officer in .45, which I just picked up and am mag shopping for. What magazines would you recommend for an otherwise stock gun? It came w/ 7 rounders - should I do 7, 8 or 10? Is there a class difference for 7 vs 8? Looking at CMC Power Mags or Power Mag + unless you can sway me towards something better for the money (Wilson? Kimber Pro? _______?)

I use 8 round stainless CMC Shooting Stars. I try to buy a few more every time they go on sale at Midway.
Chip McCormick Shooting Star Mag Base Pad 1911 Government Commander 45

 

[BillD]

You definitely want 8 rounders. 10 rounders would put you in L10, competing against downloaded Limited guns. I use Wilson 47D's. They have a lifetime warranty, if it ever doesn't work, they will replace it.
Better for the money? I don't know about that, I've used them for many years and broken very few.

 

[rvb]

I'm no 1911 mag expert/snob, but I have willsons, both the 47ds and the new 'elite tactical' or whatever they are called. they've worked well in a couple different guns. The only CMC's I have are a couple of the 10 rounders... the follower drags fwd in those and keeps them from wanting to drop free. not sure if their 8 rounders are the same design?

-rvb

 

[rhino]

For a properly built 1911 in .45ACP, the following 8-round magazines will serve your needs with excellent reliability:

CMC (Chip McCormick): Shooting Star, Match Grade, PowerMag, PowerMag+
Wilson: 47D, ETM
Metalform (various models)

There are others, but I have experience with all of the above. If a gun won't function with either Wilson 47Ds or CMC PowerMags, then it's more likely a problem with the gun.

 

[boileralum]

Awesome, thanks guys!

 

[jdorp]

I am wanting to join a conservation club and start shooting competitively. I live in Fishers. Any suggestions on what club to join if I am wanting to compete? Does it matter? Are competitions usually open to any member of the association (IDPA, USPSA, etc) or do you need to be a member of the hosting club as well. Also would be interested in people's opinions on IDPA vs USPSA. Thanks!

 

[Coach]

I am wanting to join a conservation club and start shooting competitively. I live in Fishers. Any suggestions on what club to join if I am wanting to compete? Does it matter? Are competitions usually open to any member of the association (IDPA, USPSA, etc) or do you need to be a member of the hosting club as well. Also would be interested in people's opinions on IDPA vs USPSA. Thanks!

In USPSA you do not have to be a member of USPSA to shoot their local or club level matches, and you do not have to be a member of the range to shoot the match. IDPA requires that you are a member of IDPA after your first match.

 

[jakemartens]

You do not have to be a member of a club to compete in a match that they are hosting

You also do not have to be a member of USPSA to shoot in the level 1 club matches, but do have to be a member to get a classification

IDPA you can shoot one club match as a non member then you have to join

Close to you is the Atlanta Conservation Club and they will start up in March hosting USPSA Matches on the 4th Sunday

But within 2 hours of Fishers starting in March there will be a USPSA Match every Sunday at ranges and at Wildcat Valley outside of Lafayette they hold one on Saturdays

 

[jdorp]

Great, thank you both for the informtion. I am leaning towards joining the Atlanta CC but am also considering Fall Creek Valley CC. Thanks again for the info. Very helpful.

 

[Cameramonkey]

So anyone besides Bright offering "intro to uspsa" type courses? At first I was excited to see somebody offering such a course for a noob like me, but was immediately let down when I see their calendar shows a whopping ONE intro class in july. Seriously? ONE class a year? and why not in the spring to maximize the good weather potential?

Anyone else teaching an intro class for absoute noobs? Or do I just put on my big boy pants and go hang out and absorb while observing?

 

[jakemartens]

[video=youtube_share;5Vtlovqijjo]http://youtu.be/5Vtlovqijjo[/video]

 

[nad63]

So anyone besides Bright offering "intro to uspsa" type courses? At first I was excited to see somebody offering such a course for a noob like me, but was immediately let down when I see their calendar shows a whopping ONE intro class in july. Seriously? ONE class a year? and why not in the spring to maximize the good weather potential?

Anyone else teaching an intro class for absoute noobs? Or do I just put on my big boy pants and go hang out and absorb while observing?

BFT offer some "day of training events" where you can book 1 hour time blocks to learn skills of your choice. I believe the next one is March 8th at MCFG and I recall seeing at least another one set up at Warsaw.
There was another person offering "train with a grandmaster". Similar type arrangement I believe.
ACT also offer personal training but I am not sure if it is of the upsa variety.
There 's likely other opportunities listed too if you dig a little more.
While I can't vouch for the 'grandmaster' mentioned above, ACT and BFT are both great people to learn from. Their prices are very affordable and the people are very knowledgeable and approachable. Don't give up yet. Sunny day upsa training may only be a call/ click away and you can wear shorts as opposed to big boy pants! Good luck.

 

[Coach]

So anyone besides Bright offering "intro to uspsa" type courses? At first I was excited to see somebody offering such a course for a noob like me, but was immediately let down when I see their calendar shows a whopping ONE intro class in july. Seriously? ONE class a year? and why not in the spring to maximize the good weather potential?

Anyone else teaching an intro class for absoute noobs? Or do I just put on my big boy pants and go hang out and absorb while observing?

Private instruction is one way, Instructional League is another and it is held monthly but fills quickly.

 

[sv40sw45]

So anyone besides Bright offering "intro to uspsa" type courses? At first I was excited to see somebody offering such a course for a noob like me, but was immediately let down when I see their calendar shows a whopping ONE intro class in july. Seriously? ONE class a year? and why not in the spring to maximize the good weather potential?

Anyone else teaching an intro class for absoute noobs? Or do I just put on my big boy pants and go hang out and absorb while observing?

Training with a Grandmaster is a one on one class that I offer to anyone wanting to start USPSA type competition or anyone wanting to learn from a Grand Master how to improve their game. I can help new shooters and I have helped Master class shooters. I give class almost any
day of the week except Sundays. I keep the cost really low just to help shooters. $100 for a 4 hr. class at South Central Gun Club.

 

[VERT]

So anyone besides Bright offering "intro to uspsa" type courses? At first I was excited to see somebody offering such a course for a noob like me, but was immediately let down when I see their calendar shows a whopping ONE intro class in july. Seriously? ONE class a year? and why not in the spring to maximize the good weather potential?

Anyone else teaching an intro class for absoute noobs? Or do I just put on my big boy pants and go hang out and absorb while observing?

Setup a time to work one on one with sv40sw45!

 

[rvb]

For anyone near NE IN, the FtW club will be starting it's weekly [weakly?] Thurs night practice sessions soon. They aren't formal training, but there are experienced folks there who will give you as much or as little help as you want. A good way to get familiar with range commands, common safety practices (eg safe areas, etc) without match pressure. Usually start ~5:30 or as soon as folks can get there from work and go to ~7:00. $5.

-rvb

 

[Killion]

Great, thank you both for the informtion. I am leaning towards joining the Atlanta CC but am also considering Fall Creek Valley CC. Thanks again for the info. Very helpful.

If you want to shoot and practice for USPSA I would stick with AAC. Fall Creek CC is just a pistol and 100 yard rifle rang. Stand in shoot stuff. Not very good for practicing practical shooting. Everyone stands in a line and shoots then you have to ask/yell for a cold range to go jack with targets.

 

[eabarkley]

This helped a TON. Thank you, sir.

 

[shades171]

Agreed, this helps! Thank you.