addicting it is (now with a question about sights)

After watching a number of competitions on TV, I finally went to a local IPSC/USPSA match at the range I belong to. It wasn't a sanctioned event, but it's a sanctioned range and they follow all the rules to the letter. It was cold and rainy, but it was a lot of fun.

This was my first "competition," but I've done some tactical / handgun training over the past 11 years. I used my duty G17 and some regular duty/concealment gear and signed up in the production class. Overall I finished 7th out of 17, with most of the shooters shooting limited and open class. I was one of three shooting production and the only one with prior training, so I was really competing against the limited guys. I got a 3rd in one stage, 12th in another (fucked up a mag change and missed a steel plate), two 7th and two 8th place stage finishes. A fair amount of retired age guys with their full blown STI race guns too. The people were super friendly and the stages were a blast.

Of course, I'm addicted now. I want to stay with production class due to costs, so I'm trying to find the funds for a dedicated race gun and the accompanying gear. I'm debating buying a G34 or saving $100 for a G17, or even buying a used G17. Now I want to shoot steel all the time! The problem is I don't know where I can practice steel. The range has steel but it's locked up most of the time. There's no substitute for practice, so I'm in a quandry.

ETA: I will get a dedicated race gun, and I know it will be a Glock. I really dislike my Trijicon three-dot sights. I don't think they work well for quick target acquisition, so I'm researching true combat sights. I really like what XS has to offer, but I'd like to hear what the competition hive thinks. I will get the 24/7 big dot for my carry and off-duty guns, but is the XS system good for this type of competition? If so, should I spend the money for the 24/7 (tritium bar in the rear notch sight) or not? Will the tritium be wasted in competition? I've always used three-dot sights, but I want something different.

No serious competitors use XS sights. While they may seem fast at close targets, they are not precise enough at far or small targets. You actually have to slow down to make precision shots with them compared to patridge sights.

Most top iron sight shooters use something like Warren/Sevigny sights (here) or fiber optic fronts (here)

For a pure competition gun, tritium is a waste of money.

Gringop

Thanks for the links. I'm on my way to get a G34 in an hour or so and I'll look at the Warren sights.

ETA: and a plus is the Warren/Sevigny sights cost a lot less than the XS. Excellent!

Stick with standard post and notch (black front black rear). XS sights are not ipsc or idpa.

OK, I just brought home my new G34 for $490 OTD and I just ordered the Warren Tactical Sevigny sights and two Safariland competition mag pouches. I already have the holster and belt, so I'm GTG! Now I just need some practice time......

Need more than 2 magazines on the belt. For production I would go with at least 4.

Well, baby steps. Currently, the range I belong to has these shoots once a month. Eventually, two more mags (the gun came with 3), two more mag pouches and a dedicated gun belt and dedicated competition holster will be my setup. For now, however, this will do. Fortunately the bulk of the cost is out of the way. Now it's just going to nickel and dime me.

What you can do is shoot ltd minor and load those G34 mags up to max. That will give you more than enough ammo to finish any legal stage.
Holster and Belt options.
Belt CR Speed.
Holster Blade-tech ICE DOH

3 mags will not allow you to finish many stages shooting production. That allows you only 31 rounds to shoot a stage. A 32 round stage, you are screwed. A dropped reload, you are screwed. Plus there are many times it behooves you to reload on the move even after only firing 6-8 rounds.

Most people shooting production have at least four on the belt, (5-6 is not uncommon).

Sigh... I remember thinking this when I got started.




When I shoot Production I have 5 on the belt plus one in the gun. There have been a few stages that I've been on my last mag. Usually it was because of a jam or knocking one out of the pouch during a reload.

ya, ya, ya.... I should have known better.

I put 100 rounds through it today in order to feel it out and see how it did. I was surprised how accurate it is compared to the medium and regular sized Glocks. I'm debating getting the 3.5 trigger because the trigger on this 34 feels pretty stout. Maybe it'll feel better after a few hundred more rounds.

My Warren/Sevigny sights will be here on Wednesday and I'll keep putting rounds downrange. I'm hoping, however, that I didn't make a mistake in getting the 34 instead of the 17. I mistakenly though the 34 was legal in USPSA and IPSC, but just read the IPSC rulebook that specifically stated the 34 is not allowed. Oh well, maybe I'll keep my eyes open for a used Gen2 17 to play with.

Don't worry 99.9% of the US matches follow USPSA rules. You got the right gun for production.

Since you said duty gun I would assume you are lawenforcement. If so the 34 can be had for a very reasonable price with the non adj sights and the 5.5 connector. I know mine was under 500 bucks and that includes the 3rd mag. Since your upgrading sights, the std sights dont matter and there are much better connectors than glock factory. I would check with the LEO dealers around and see what they have in stock. The 17s go for close to what used ones go for especially when you get the 3rd mag

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people say that they are shooting "IPSC" here in the states. There are IPSC matches conducted in the US, but they are very few and far between.

While they are sister organizations for sister sports, they are still distinct, as they each utilize their own rulebooks.

The largest difference is in the specification of Production division between USPSA and IPSC. IPSC restricts the placement of holsters and mag pouches, but not the type; USPSA requires a "normal" non-race-holster in addition to the placement requirements. IPSC is much more stringent on gun modifications than USPSA. IPSC requires a first-shot trigger pull of 5#, USPSA has no such limitations.

Saying that you are running an "IPSC" match while not using actual IPSC rules is just wrong. It's just as bad as those matches that bill themselves as USPSA, IPSC, or IDPA but use their own made-up rulebooks with their own scoring system instead of the proper rules for their stated match type.


And FYI - I would bet that the G34 is the predominant USPSA Production pistol. I know Glocks still maintain the majority "market share", and G34s are very common.

Ya, the 34 was under $500 as you noted. I think the 17 with fixed sights and extra mag are right around $400. My hope was to find a halfway decent generation 2 because I prefer the straight grip and I don't need a light rail. I can replace any internal part needed for very little money, which is why I was thinking about that route. I know local pawn shops pay $150-$200 depending on the model, so I was going to start seeing how much they sell for.

I talked with a sgt here who has been shooting competetively for over 10 years and he said to definitely replace the heavy trigger connector, and that's about an easy mod as there is.

Since your range steel is locked up this here it's the way to go. It meets several of your needs with the first being affordable and the next completely portable. It's static so you won't be waisting a lot of time resetting it either.

I'd pay for the rifle face as well, buy once cry once. It will stink if your at the range with it and some tool shoots it thinking it would be cool, think of it as insurance.

That's exactly what I was looking for: some kind of steel swinger or static plate. $125/ea is plenty though. I confirmed that the club's steel is not accessible for use outside of competition, so I'll need my own. Probably what I'll do is draw up some simple designs and fab them locally. One of my close friends welds as a hobby, so If I can get the steel, he can weld it. Since my wife is beginning to find out about how much I've spent on gear (fortunately I was able to buy the gun with some 'invisible money' and she doesn't know I have it yet), spending money on targets is going to be impossible. The only item I don't have right now is a holster, but I'll have one before the next match.

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