Hi, Im thinkin about joining a gun club which holds tournaments and things like that I was wondering what cal. or mm is most often used in tournaments and if M&P (i have two m&p's) would be competition level guns. I would love to make this my new hobby i just dont know anything about marksman competitions when it comes to pistols.


Do they have to meet certain qualifications? Are the top shooters always using 9mm (That would be my guess). Are there certain things you CANT have on the gun.

I realize most of this would depend on the place and tournament itself, I just dont want to show up there looking like an idiot. I will let them know im a beginner and not act like im "hot stuff", but i couldnt find a spot on the forum about competition shooting.

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S&W=Judge And Jury

google brian enos, great comp forum....

You will be fine with an m&p, especially if you have a pro.

9mm is fine, some classes require a 40, but nothing to worry about for sure.

Go shoot, comp guys are great and will help you get going.

The calibers, types of pistol or revolver and features are very much dependent upon (1) the rules of the particular competition and (2) the individual desires of the shooter.

I suggest that you ask the club for their match rules for each different type of match.

There are certain things you will need for all matches, such as a shooter's range bag, cleaning equipment (dependent upon caliber), eye and ear protection, a hat (to prevent empties from flying down between your glasses and eyes, etc.) and perhaps other items.

The actual guns, magazines or speed loaders, holster and spare ammo carriers, belt designed for carrying a gun and related equipment, etc., will depend upon the match.

Just to paint with a real broad brush, cowboy matches will generally require period shotgun, rifle and two single action revolvers.

The various "action" type matches will generally call for some type of semi-auto pistol with spare magazines. Some matches are geared to high end crazy "race guns" that would never be practical for use as a carry weapon, some matches are designed to allow the shooter to use his or her duty or carry weapon, such as the M&P or similar, and some matches are geared toward the 1911.

Three gun is just that: handgun, rifle and shotgun.

Bullseye can be shot with a revolver, but for the most part everyone uses autos these days, and fewer and fewer people are shooting bullseye, which is unfortunate as it is a great way to learn trigger control, sight picture, competition and stress control.

There are many other types of matches requiring many other types of equipment and match rules play a significant part in determining what is "legal" and what is not for a given match.

Ammunition for matches is just as specialized. Bullseye and Cowboy matches generally call for very light loads, while self-defense or practical matches call for more robust ammo to "make major" power factor as that helps in scoring.

Go to web sites for IDPA, IPSC, Cowboy Action Shooting and the NRA to find out more information.

Here's the competition forum:

Smith & Wesson Competitive Shooting

wow thanks man, i had no idea what to expect. Im gonna do my homework and find out all spots near me and what they have to offer.

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S&W=Judge And Jury

Log on to the respective websites and see which one is available in your area and which ones appeal to YOU. they are each different in what they offer and what gear requirements will be.
USPSA, IDPA, ICORE etc.

Your M&P as is, will be an excellent choice in eithr USPSA or IDPA.

Holster selection...should cover the trigger guard and have good retention. You will need a minimum of 3 magazines/speedloaders
( most will have at least 4-6) and pouches to carry them in, a range bag, eye and ear protection and proper clothing for the weather. at least 200 rounds of ammo.

Essentially, start with what you have before making any other purchases....your M&P will serve you VERY well!

Randy

A sturdy belt to carry your stuff on your waist and have a blast!!

i picked up a 5" 9mm Pro, a few extra mags and a Blackhawk Serpa holster for competeing in my local range matches.

these competitions are very informal, but follow IDPA rules. they're not official IDPA, just a lot of fun.

the Pro model was made for this type of use, but any M&P auto would do well i suppose.

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NRA life member

I got a FS 9 range kit for the IDPA style informal matches held at an indoor range in a LGS. Came with a holster and 3 mags. Agree, lots of fun. I also use my Shield occasionally.

One of the master shooter down here in Texas got one of the first M&P9s and has used it competition since. Him and his wife has put over 70,000 rounds through their M&P9.

good info guys, im glad the m&p is competition level, cause i already invested in them.

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S&W=Judge And Jury

So much depends on the type of competition...

My club has a summer PPC league. The top shooter uses a MP9, but most of the top guys use 686 6". For this light loads, most handload and shoot lead. 5 mags or speedloaders are needed, plus a holster.

We have monthly IDPA shoots also. Here there are different classes depending on your gun. My XDm5.25 is, for whatever strange reason, in the same class with 45s. Here you have a min power factor to meet. This and PPC are 'carry gun' type competitions.

USPSA (if I got that right) is similar to IDPA, but there are multiple classes, 'race gun' (unlimited) classes too.

Steel Shooting (ISSA I think) looks like a ton of fun but I haven't found anyone here that has competitions. There is a 22LR class, a centerfire, and one where you shoot both. Few shoot revolvers here.

There is Silhouette - where you shoot at metal animals at 25, 50, 75 and 100 yards/meters. Specialy guns like T/C contenders, big scopes, etc are common.

Fast Draw is a recreation of the old west using SA 6 guns and wax bullets.

Competition, especially leagues, are TONS of fun. They give you a reason to go shoot, a way to check your skills and give you a goal (score) to work toward.

This past summer was my first shooting PPC. My first match (600 is perfect) was a wonderful 387 LOL. My last (20 matches later) was 544/23X. I can hardly wait for next year!

you said your top shooter uses an m&p9, im geussing thats standard, not compact or pro, would that be the ideal gun of choice for a semi auto competition in you opinion. ALSO does he have optic sites on his m&p

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S&W=Judge And Jury

I don't know if he got a pro to replace the original one he was shooting with. He also has the firearm pretty much stock on the outside. It is what he has in the inside. He also uses the M&P as his carry firearm. Also he does; IDPA, USPSA, and LSSA.

This guy shoots a M&P 5" Pro in 9mm. Shoot what you can afford to train the most with.

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