Posted: 12/6/2009 12:46:58 PM EDT
| I have been thinking about the competition shooting for a while since I began building my AR rifle. I am begining to think about tryin out the pistol comp side with a 1911. Its a stock Springfield 1911A1, the only thing I changed is the grips. Rosewood to houge rubber. Is there anything I need to know and/or do with my 1911 before I can really think about gettin into the competition world? |
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No mods are strictly necessary - most of what people do is to get the gun in a state that works better for them (e.g., people prefer different sight types).
Know how to run your gun - full manual of arms, immediate action drills, loading/reloading, making it safe (and safe handling all around), etc. If you shoot IDPA, you will need 3 mags (1 in the gun, 2 on your belt), a good belt, holster, and mag pouches (again, for 2 on the belt). You will be competing in CDP division against other .45 autos; although CDP isn't strictly limited to 1911s, I haven't personally seen anyone run anything else. If you shoot USPSA, you need at least four mags, a good belt, holster, and mag pouches. You will be competing in Single-Stack divsion against other 1911s. No restrictions on the number of mags; most of us shooting SS run between four and six spares on our belt. |
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What Walkure said, excpet add one magazine for IDPA (barny mag) and 2 for USPSA. Nothing sucks more than runing out of ammo before the stage ends due to a dropped full magazine during a reload that you did not know about.
I ran factory ball for years in 40 and 45, it a little stronger than most people reload for in USPSA and IDPA. As long as you have the money rfactory ammo is fine. You not wining a stage will not be because the other guy was runing 170 pf ammo while you had 180 pf ammo. |
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Quoted:
Ok so find a set up that works for me and practice it. Now do I have to use reloaded ammo or is factory also used and how would I go about signing up even if just to shoot for the hell of it? Easy you need to find matches in your area and get in contact with the match directors. They will have you come early and give you a little one on one saftey brefing. www.idpa.com or www.uspsa.com will have links to clubs in your area. |
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Quoted:
What Walkure said, excpet add one magazine for IDPA (barny mag) and 2 for USPSA. Nothing sucks more than runing out of ammo before the stage ends due to a dropped full magazine during a reload that you did not know about. Yep, I was just quoting him the bare minimums to get started. 
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Being that I shoot mainly in SS division I'll tell you what I use.
Gun: Springfield Trophy match in .40 for USPSA and Springfield 9mm for IDPA Holster: Comp-tac belt holster Mag pouches: Comp-tac single pouches Doubles are hard to get around and don't want to get close enough to each other plus they are IDPA legal if you want to go in both sports Belt: CR speed for USPSA and Wilderness tactical for IDPA Mags: Tripp Research for the .40 and Wilson for the 9mm (tripp will work for the 9mm as well just already had them) I have 10 or so of each caliber and will be getting more. In USPSA I run 6 mags on my belt. I don't always use them but sometimes I fire only a couple shots and reload. In IDPA your only allowed 2 on the belt. If your shooting factory .45 ammo I think WWB will be in the 185PF range which isn't to bad but don't buy defensive loads or it will beat you up and cost you a bunch. My gun is pretty well tricked out for a 1911 but they don't have to be. Shoot your gun for a while then have a SMITH do to it what you like when you know what you like. Try others guns to find out what you like. Also, just because some parts say drop in doesn't mean that they are 100% drop in. Good mags and round nose ammo will cure a lot of 1911 woes. Most decent .45s will run with fine out of the box with good ball ammo and good mags. .40s and 9mms are another story. Hope that helps. |