Posted: 2/22/2012 8:34:42 PM EDT
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I really thought I had found it with the S&W M&P9. It fits my hands well, the low bore axis makes it easy to shoot fast, and the trigger is great with the Apex DCAEK. However, I think I'm having early unlocking issues and it's going back to S&W as soon as the shipping label gets to my house.
There are rumors on the internet the M&P is going to get redesigned because of this, and some other minor problems. This worries me, as I don't want to be stuck with an outdated gun left with all the design flaws. Though it is the most ergonomic pistol I have ever shot, none of that matters if the pistol can't hold a group and shoots over a foot high at 25 yards. Should I keep my faith in S&W after it gets repaired? I might be paranoid, but I'm leaning towards a new platform because of the lock time issue and the redesign. I really want to keep the M&P, but I'm starting to lose faith in it. The things I look in a pistol besides reliability are the ability to be shot fast, accuracy, and a light rail (I'm poor and can only afford one gun so I use it for everything). Glock 17/34 - seems like the top contender right now. I still hate the damn hump on the grip and I can't get rid of it due to production/SSP rules. A quick internet search shoes that 4th Gens are still having teething problems so I'll have to get a 3rd Gen. I really like the RTF with classic serrations but those seem to be hard to find for the 17. They don't even exist from what I know on the 34. Springfield XD - POS. Dad owns one and it'll be my temporary gun as my S&W is in the shop. I hate everything about it other than the grip fits in my hand. SIG P226 - had one in the past and it was a good gun. I doubt I could shoot it as fast as a striker fired gun due to the long reset and DA/SA. CZ 75 (SP-01) - popular amongst competition shooters. Fired one once and liked it, but I don't remember what the reset distance was like. Another DA/SA, which I'm not a fan of. It'd be the perfect 9mm if cocked and locked was allowed. Unfortunately the SP-01 doesn't make weight for IDPA. A favorite of the DA/SA guns. Angus Hobdell showed one on TNP that had a shortened dustcover/rail. That might make IDPA weight but I'm not sure if it's available. Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. FNP9 - Another handgun I refuse to own after shooting my friend's. Unreliable and poorly designed. FNS9 - If it's anything like the FNP, it'll probably suck too. Too new and I don't want to be a guinea pig again. I thought I had waited long enough with the M&P... apparently not. HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. HK P30 - don't know much about it. I also don't know how I feel about LEM vs the tradition DA/SA. Again, also not used much in the competition world. |
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Quoted: I really thought I had found it with the S&W M&P9. It fits my hands well, the low bore axis makes it easy to shoot fast, and the trigger is great with the Apex DCAEK. However, I think I'm having early unlocking issues and it's going back to S&W as soon as the shipping label gets to my house. There are rumors on the internet the M&P is going to get redesigned because of this, and some other minor problems. This worries me, as I don't want to be stuck with an outdated gun left with all the design flaws. Though it is the most ergonomic pistol I have ever shot, none of that matters if the pistol can't hold a group and shoots over a foot high at 25 yards. Should I keep my faith in S&W after it gets repaired? I might be paranoid, but I'm leaning towards a new platform because of the lock time issue and the redesign. I really want to keep the M&P, but I'm starting to lose faith in it. The things I look in a pistol besides reliability are the ability to be shot fast, accuracy, and a light rail (I'm poor and can only afford one gun so I use it for everything). Glock 17/34 - seems like the top contender right now. I still hate the damn hump on the grip and I can't get rid of it due to production/SSP rules. A quick internet search shoes that 4th Gens are still having teething problems so I'll have to get a 3rd Gen. I really like the RTF with classic serrations but those seem to be hard to find for the 17. They don't even exist from what I know on the 34. Springfield XD - POS. Dad owns one and it'll be my temporary gun as my S&W is in the shop. I hate everything about it other than the grip fits in my hand. SIG P226 - had one in the past and it was a good gun. I doubt I could shoot it as fast as a striker fired gun due to the long reset and DA/SA. CZ 75 (SP-01) - popular amongst competition shooters. Fired one once and liked it, but I don't remember what the reset distance was like. Another DA/SA, which I'm not a fan of. It'd be the perfect 9mm if cocked and locked was allowed. Unfortunately the SP-01 doesn't make weight for IDPA. A favorite of the DA/SA guns. Angus Hobdell showed one on TNP that had a shortened dustcover/rail. That might make IDPA weight but I'm not sure if it's available. Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. FNP9 - Another handgun I refuse to own after shooting my friend's. Unreliable and poorly designed. FNS9 - If it's anything like the FNP, it'll probably suck too. Too new and I don't want to be a guinea pig again. I thought I had waited long enough with the M&P... apparently not. HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. HK P30 - don't know much about it. I also don't know how I feel about LEM vs the tradition DA/SA. Again, also not used much in the competition world. link? |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun. |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. 
Competition shooters as a rule aren't awfully "budget minded" when it comes to gear. When it comes the USP, I hear a lot of complaints about the triggers, cost of mags, and bore axis. The proprietary USP rail would be a tick in the Cons column if you were going to make this your "do-everything" gun. I think the P30L with the LEM would address most of these issues, if you can live with the longer LEM reset. Nothing wrong with using one if you like it. That's why I shoot single stack and revolver from time to time, and I'm not trying for GM anytime soon. |
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... Springfield XD - POS. Dad owns one and it'll be my temporary gun as my S&W is in the shop. I hate everything about it other than the grip fits in my hand. Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. ... Here's an interesting list... 2011 USPSA Nationals - Top 15 in Production... 1. Ben Stoeger Beretta 2. Rob Leatham Springfield XDM 3. Dave Sevigny Glock 4. Matt Mink CZ 5. Phil Strader CZ 6. Rodney May Sig X5 7. Kale Garretson CZ 8. Brad Engmann S&W M&P 9. Angus Hobdell CZ 10. Lee Demaculangan Glock 11. Sonny Morton S&W M&P 12. Chad Reilly CZ 13. Michael Hollar Glock 14. Cody McKenna CZ 15. Mike Hughes S&W M&P |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun. 
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. |
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I really thought I had found it with the S&W M&P9. It fits my hands well, the low bore axis makes it easy to shoot fast, and the trigger is great with the Apex DCAEK. However, I think I'm having early unlocking issues and it's going back to S&W as soon as the shipping label gets to my house. There are rumors on the internet the M&P is going to get redesigned because of this, and some other minor problems. This worries me, as I don't want to be stuck with an outdated gun left with all the design flaws. Though it is the most ergonomic pistol I have ever shot, none of that matters if the pistol can't hold a group and shoots over a foot high at 25 yards. Should I keep my faith in S&W after it gets repaired? I might be paranoid, but I'm leaning towards a new platform because of the lock time issue and the redesign. I really want to keep the M&P, but I'm starting to lose faith in it. The things I look in a pistol besides reliability are the ability to be shot fast, accuracy, and a light rail (I'm poor and can only afford one gun so I use it for everything). Glock 17/34 - seems like the top contender right now. I still hate the damn hump on the grip and I can't get rid of it due to production/SSP rules. A quick internet search shoes that 4th Gens are still having teething problems so I'll have to get a 3rd Gen. I really like the RTF with classic serrations but those seem to be hard to find for the 17. They don't even exist from what I know on the 34. Springfield XD - POS. Dad owns one and it'll be my temporary gun as my S&W is in the shop. I hate everything about it other than the grip fits in my hand. SIG P226 - had one in the past and it was a good gun. I doubt I could shoot it as fast as a striker fired gun due to the long reset and DA/SA. CZ 75 (SP-01) - popular amongst competition shooters. Fired one once and liked it, but I don't remember what the reset distance was like. Another DA/SA, which I'm not a fan of. It'd be the perfect 9mm if cocked and locked was allowed. Unfortunately the SP-01 doesn't make weight for IDPA. A favorite of the DA/SA guns. Angus Hobdell showed one on TNP that had a shortened dustcover/rail. That might make IDPA weight but I'm not sure if it's available. Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. FNP9 - Another handgun I refuse to own after shooting my friend's. Unreliable and poorly designed. FNS9 - If it's anything like the FNP, it'll probably suck too. Too new and I don't want to be a guinea pig again. I thought I had waited long enough with the M&P... apparently not. HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. HK P30 - don't know much about it. I also don't know how I feel about LEM vs the tradition DA/SA. Again, also not used much in the competition world. I am not a fan of IDPA. For me, competition shooting and "tactical" shooting are two totally different things, and trying to mix the two is counterproductive. My take is if you are wanting to actually compete with a gun instead of play silly games, forget about making weight for IDPA and get an SP-01 Shadow and shoot USPSA production class. I like glocks and M&Ps and a lot of other pistols, but there is a reason myself and a large fraction of production shooters shoot a Shadow: the trigger and recoil characteristics are excellent. The DA/SA trigger is a non issue, from the draw you take the closest target and pre-load the trigger as you move the front sight to the target. After you train with it for a short while you will never notice the difference between DA and SA and it will add nothing to your stage times. |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun.
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. Those are in Houston or Dallas area. You going to pay for my gas. |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun. Hmm, I'm in North Dallas and go down to Austin area every once in a while. I'll PM you if I have free time when I'm down. |
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... Springfield XD - POS. Dad owns one and it'll be my temporary gun as my S&W is in the shop. I hate everything about it other than the grip fits in my hand. Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. ... Here's an interesting list... 2011 USPSA Nationals - Top 15 in Production... 1. Ben Stoeger Beretta 2. Rob Leatham Springfield XDM 3. Dave Sevigny Glock 4. Matt Mink CZ 5. Phil Strader CZ 6. Rodney May Sig X5 7. Kale Garretson CZ 8. Brad Engmann S&W M&P 9. Angus Hobdell CZ 10. Lee Demaculangan Glock 11. Sonny Morton S&W M&P 12. Chad Reilly CZ 13. Michael Hollar Glock 14. Cody McKenna CZ 15. Mike Hughes S&W M&P 19. Me, HK P30L Sorry, didn't add that to blow my own horn––just to add that the P30 can hang in there. I placed 19th because I let the gun down, not the other way around. Out of your list, I'd probably take the G34. I've tried the CZ Shadow, and I know it should be 'the one,' but I guess I've been shooting a plastic gun long enough that an all steel gun felt really heavy, and slow to transition––nothing that some practice wouldn't fix, though. Although the HK P30 isn't the competition gun that a G34 is, don't discount it. It is by far the most comfortable gun I have ever held, has a low(er) bore axis than the USP (if it matters to you), is plenty accurate, and new mags can be found for around $35 (still more than Glocks, though). The P30 uses a standard recoil guide rod, instead of the 'pogo-stick muzzle flip amplifying dual captive guide rod' system of the USP line. Its ability to completely change the grip with the panels really works, fixed competition sights are available from Dawson, and it's as reliable as, well, an HK. The trigger re-set is long, though, and not nearly as 'tactile' as a Glock. It's better than some other DA/SA guns, but you can't ride the sear / connector reset like you can on a Glock where you can really feel it. And, of course, it's only a 4.5" barrel, so you lose some sight radius to the G34, the CZ, the 92, well, just about everything. But, it makes a great all-around gun, though––Production, IDPA, carry gun, HD, plinking, etc. ETA I see my team mate has chimed in, and I just wanted to add that his USP .40 has the sickest trigger I've felt on a USP––very 1911ish. He shot the crap out of that gun at the Nationals last year, but was hampered by magazine problems (converted STI mag), otherwise he would have finished much better. |
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Sound like you already made up your mind. When you get the M&P back, sell it and wait for the redesign (if there is one, i don't know). In the mean time, pick up a gen3 Glock to hold you over till you can get another M&P.
Personally, I would pick up an FNX9 (the newer updated FNP), but that's just because it feels right to me. |
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The perfect SSP/production gun is a 40cal. You get bigger holes, less recoil, and hard hits on steel while easily making power factor. G35  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtxZgNxmK3s
It certainly is handy if you're already loading major .40 for Limited. |
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Beretta 92 - I will not get one of these. Too big for what it is. I've got one of these and shoot it in competition on a regular basis. Mine fits in the 'box' with a Mecgar 20 and puts the bullets where the barrel is pointed every time. I don't put in the trigger time that some do, but I've yet to see a match where the Beretta wouldn't work. Quoted:
HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. You must not shoot in the Austin area, there's a guy down there who's on the HK Factory team. He shoots a USP40 LEM. The same USP40 LEM that he used to carry as a patrol deputy. still carries on duty. Quoted:
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. You can see the above shooter's scores from the recent USPSA Nationals. And last years. And I think the year before that. ETA: or you can just look below my post... 
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun.
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. USPSA Nationals B class Champ, 2010. USPSA Nationals A class 3rd, 2011. TX Open A class Champ, 2011. I can go on, if you like ... Doc For the record: HK USP Fullsize .40. Only real mods are a trigger job and higher cap mags. Other than that the gun is stock. Sadly, it's drastically cheaper than most 2011's. And Razzman is a beast with that P30! |
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The perfect SSP/production gun is a 40cal. You get bigger holes, less recoil, and hard hits on steel while easily making power factor. G35 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtxZgNxmK3s
I agree. if you reload .40,you can make a .40 minor load that recoils less than a 9mm at the same PF. this is the reason I went with a Mp40 5" pro instead of the 9mm. If SW would get off their arse and submit it for USPSA production, I can use it in that also. A G35 or MP40 5" pro would be my suggestion. and there is lots of after market support for these 2 guns. |
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I don't know about perfect I just barely made B. I started out with a 75b, but switched to a G34 for abandonment ease in multigun. Also my baseplates were getting dented pretty bad on the gravel and would tear my hand up. Final issue was cleaning the extractor. If I didn't take it out and clean it at least every 1k rounds I would have issues. I am sure this was amplified by my choice of loading lead, but I didn't like taking it out and cleaning it and having it jam during a match is unacceptable. Last issue was one of RO's, many seemed very uncomfortable with me having to manually decock the 75.
I haven't had any major issues with the G34 other than a couple of light strikes that were probably high primers. The other is operator error. I had gotten used to a high grip with the CZ so now the slide won't lock back even though I changed the slide stop back to the standard. It is either my thumb of my right hand or the meat of the left hand holding the stop down. Funny thing is when I started 2 years ago the guys on the range said sell the CZ, mags are too expensive and gear is hard to find ect. Then when I started shooting the Glock those same people were asking why I switched, saying the CZ is a good gun. I don't think there is a perfect gun, any of the top could be competitive if you are. |
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Arguably the most bad assed SSP ever. http://s660.photobucket.com/albums/uu324/daclark1911/9mm/DSC02249.jpg Certainly works well for Ben Stoeger. |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun.
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. USPSA Nationals B class Champ, 2010. USPSA Nationals A class 3rd, 2011. TX Open A class Champ, 2011. I can go on, if you like ... Doc For the record: HK USP Fullsize .40. Only real mods are a trigger job and higher cap mags. Other than that the gun is stock. Sadly, it's drastically cheaper than most 2011's. And Razzman is a beast with that P30! A class champ puts you at 25th place overall in production at 2011 nationals. Not slighting your shooting by any means, because that is absolutely outstanding, I am just putting it in perspective. You have to expect at least one gun from almost any make to be represented somewhere in the ~140 production shooters at the 2011 nationals. A good enough shooter could place somewhere in there with a Hi-point if they really wanted to. I have shot with a lot of M and GM class shooters in Area 4, and I have NEVER seen any of them shooting an HK anything in production or any other class. Glocks, Tanfos, 2011s, and CZs by the hundreds, with M&Ps and other random makes being represented as well, but no HKs in the hands of seasoned competitors that I have seen. Obviously I have never had the pleasure of competing with you or razzman. The idea that competition shooters shy away from USPs because they are "too expensive" as previously claimed in this thread is beyond laughable. I have spent more than a USP costs just for transport/lodging/food to attend a match. My SP-01 Shadow was ~$800 and that was back in 2008. You can buy used USPs all day for $500. People don't compete with them because they aren't competitive, not because they are too expensive. Again, I am very impressed with your placement in the A and B classes at nationals and the 19th overall finish by razzman with a USP, that said, I am now very curious why you would even want to compete with a USP or a P30? Other than being sponsored by HK I see no reason to do so... |
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HK USP - Antiquated and big for what it is. To be fair, I never gave one a chance but I assume there's a reason you don't see it in the competition world. Where are you in TX??? I have a USP 9 and a USPC 40/357Sig you could try out. If I don't work Saturday I'll be at an IDPA match at Austin Rifle Club in Manor TX or on Sunday again at Cedar Ridge. The only reason you don't see them in competition is the cost of owning one. This "high bore axis" is complete BULLSHIT. I'm just as fast or even faster than someone who shoots a glock or M&P. It's all about the shooter, not the gun.
you are a funny guy. shoot a USPSA sectional level or above match with your USP and post your scores here. USPSA Nationals B class Champ, 2010. USPSA Nationals A class 3rd, 2011. TX Open A class Champ, 2011. I can go on, if you like ... Doc For the record: HK USP Fullsize .40. Only real mods are a trigger job and higher cap mags. Other than that the gun is stock. Sadly, it's drastically cheaper than most 2011's. And Razzman is a beast with that P30! A class champ puts you at 25th place overall in production at 2011 nationals. Not slighting your shooting by any means, because that is absolutely outstanding, I am just putting it in perspective. You have to expect at least one gun from almost any make to be represented somewhere in the ~140 production shooters at the 2011 nationals. A good enough shooter could place somewhere in there with a Hi-point if they really wanted to. I have shot with a lot of M and GM class shooters in Area 4, and I have NEVER seen any of them shooting an HK anything in production or any other class. Glocks, Tanfos, 2011s, and CZs by the hundreds, with M&Ps and other random makes being represented as well, but no HKs in the hands of seasoned competitors that I have seen. Obviously I have never had the pleasure of competing with you or razzman. The idea that competition shooters shy away from USPs because they are "too expensive" as previously claimed in this thread is beyond laughable. I have spent more than a USP costs just for transport/lodging/food to attend a match. My SP-01 Shadow was ~$800 and that was back in 2008. You can buy used USPs all day for $500. People don't compete with them because they aren't competitive, not because they are too expensive. Again, I am very impressed with your placement in the A and B classes at nationals and the 19th overall finish by razzman with a USP, that said, I am now very curious why you would even want to compete with a USP or a P30? Other than being sponsored by HK I see no reason to do so... I don't think too many people ever thought they'd see a fairly stock GLOCK 35 winning high overall in Limited Division or L-10 at the Nationals while competing against 3 thousand dollar 2011s, but both have happened. Look, I'm not going to sit here and try and convince anyone that the P30 is the greatest competition gun of all time––because it's not––but I do think it can be competitive. I guarantee you that I have not reached the limits of the gun yet, so I feel there is still room for improvement (score wise). In 2010 I shot a G34 at the Nationals, and finished at 84% of overall. Last year, with only a few months behind the P30, I shot 87% of overall. I'm confident that the gun isn't currently holding me back. As to why I'm shooting an HK––When I was approached by them, I had the same concerns everyone else mentioned––high bore axis, long, heavy trigger, few aftermarket accessories, etc. But I thought to myself, 'Dude, you're probably never going to win the Nationals, regardless what you shoot. You might as well have the fun of being on a factory team for however long it lasts.' And that's what I did. I like the other guys on the team, and it's fun being part of the team. The day I finish 2nd at the Nationals, and I didn't win because I was shooting an HK, I'll change guns. Until that day, I'm just going to have fun, and show people(without cramming it down their throats) that the HK is a good gun. Sorry for the thread drift, OP. |
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But I thought to myself, 'Dude, you're probably never going to win the Nationals, regardless what you shoot. Keep telling yourself that and you're right, you won't and I believe you won't shoot as well as you could. All I am saying is projecting yourself in a positive way with big goals, helps your shooting....... good luck! |
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A class champ puts you at 25th place overall in production at 2011 nationals. Not slighting your shooting by any means, because that is absolutely outstanding, I am just putting it in perspective. You have to expect at least one gun from almost any make to be represented somewhere in the ~140 production shooters at the 2011 nationals. A good enough shooter could place somewhere in there with a Hi-point if they really wanted to. I have shot with a lot of M and GM class shooters in Area 4, and I have NEVER seen any of them shooting an HK anything in production or any other class. Glocks, Tanfos, 2011s, and CZs by the hundreds, with M&Ps and other random makes being represented as well, but no HKs in the hands of seasoned competitors that I have seen. Obviously I have never had the pleasure of competing with you or razzman. The idea that competition shooters shy away from USPs because they are "too expensive" as previously claimed in this thread is beyond laughable. I have spent more than a USP costs just for transport/lodging/food to attend a match. My SP-01 Shadow was ~$800 and that was back in 2008. You can buy used USPs all day for $500. People don't compete with them because they aren't competitive, not because they are too expensive. Again, I am very impressed with your placement in the A and B classes at nationals and the 19th overall finish by razzman with a USP, that said, I am now very curious why you would even want to compete with a USP or a P30? Other than being sponsored by HK I see no reason to do so... I always shoot limited, actually. I've always been a proponent of "it's the indian, not the arrow", and I think that's true. Give me a gun that runs reliably 100% of the time and is accurate, and I think you can win with it. See: Ben Stoeger. I think people don't compete with them because they are just a small part of the market. Glock arguably has the lion's share of the market, and you see a lot of them for that reason. Just like CZ's are tiny except in the competition arena, because they tend to be more popular overseas. It's one of those chicken and egg deals, really. You need competition mags for the USP? There has to be enough demand for them ... and there aren't a lot of people who shoot them ... so it costs a lot for a business to put the time and research into them with little return. On the other hand, if they become more popular, you can make lots of cash. Hmm... I think the "expensive" reputation the HK's have is true for beginners in the handgun world - would you spend 500$ on a glock or $900 on a P30? Most would go with the glock. When you get into the competition arena it's a little weird, because we all live on that raw edge of speed. My goal this year is to hit M with the USP, and I'd really like to hit GM with it in another year or two. At this point I can shoot the gun fast enough to keep up with most of the local GM's, I'm really just having to focus on movement and stage planning to advance myself. The gun still outruns me most of the time. As for why I wanted to compete with it - originally it was because I carried the gun as my concealed piece as a civilian. I liked them aesthetically, reliability wise, and functionality. I carried it cocked and locked for many years. When I got hired on with my agency, I carried it on duty in the LEM setup. I got into competition about the same time I became LE, so I wanted to compete with the same gun I carried. The more I trained, the better I got with it. I started talking to the HK folks and eventually a team was put together and I was honored to be asked to be a part of it. I had many thousands of rounds through my guns before I became a 'team' guy. Honestly, I just love the USP system. It's super simple, it's reliable as hell, and I love to shoot it. I have gotten to the point where I can make quick hits on demand in very stressful situations, and I attribute that to all the time I have spent competing. I still carry it on duty as a SWAT officer, and I have the utmost confidence in it. I bet my life on it every day, so I expect nothing less! Doc |
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IMHO, the beauty of Production is that there really isn't a wrong choice.
In Production, pretty much any full-size service pistol is a competitive option. Each of them has a series of pros and cons. Trigger actions, weight, ergonomics, cost, availability of parts - it's up to the shooter to balance these out and select the best gun for them. The best bet is to try to rent or borrow as many as you can, and try them all. Hopefully, one of them calls out to you. The "easy" answer is to pick up a Glock 34 and shoot the hell out of it. But that's not necessarily the best answer for everyone. For example, I've tried time and again to shoot Glocks well - I've owned them, borrowed them, rented them. I just cannot shoot them well. I shoot the XD well enough. I can't hit anything with an M&P. Sigs are OK, but I'm inconsistent with them and end up riding the decocker with my strong hand thumb - bad plan. So for me, the CZ ended up being my choice. I shoot it better than the other options, and the DA first shot really does not bother me. The less seen options are not bad choices. I've had my butt kicked many times by guys sporting Sig 226's. The HK's, Steyrs, Caracals - they'd all work. You do run into the problem of harder-to-find or unavailable competition accessories such as mag pouches, holsters, or competition trigger parts. But if you like the pistol, there's nothing inherently wrong with any of them that would keep them from being a viable and competitive option. It's a pretty darned level playing field. |
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+1
and once you have the mags, holster, and mag pouches you really don't need to worry about anything else. I had to order in my holster for my glock, because all I could find was blackhawk in town. So even with a popular option you will still need to wait for some things. |
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I think for almost any competition parts or gear, you're going to end up ordering. Even with a local club shooting USPSA, IDPA, and Steel Challenge (probably a total of 180 entries per week), none of the gun shops carry any competition-type holsters or accessories, unless you're willing to go with an Uncle Mike's holster and pouches (only for the major plastic guns, Berettas, Sigs, and 1911s) and a Wilderness Tactical belt.
With two CZs as my Production and Limited guns, everything is mail order. |