Few questions..

[Gephart]

I paid $660 for a new M&P CORE 5' in March 26, I did not think the trigger was near as good as they advertised. But none the less, put a few hundred rounds through it to try to get used to it. Shot my first ever Steel Challenge match April 11. Which I felt I did horrible, speed and accuracy very hard balance...lol

1 - My CORE was stock, nothing added, I was in LTD division I noticed later, thought I'd be in PROD with no modifications. As bad as I was it was irrelevant, just wanted to understand the divisions.
2 - If I put Apex trigger in what division will I be required to enter. Would also like to put different front sight on, and maybe some grip tape in few areas.

Gun, extra mags, mag holders, belt set up, ammo, etc I am approx $1300 into this and am now committed and addicted.
I am shooting another SC match on May 9 -

Any recommendations or comments will be appreciated -
THANKS guys.

[OKFC05]

My CORE was stock, nothing added, I was in LTD division I noticed later, thought I'd be in PROD with no modifications. As bad as I was it was irrelevant, just wanted to understand the divisions.

Production Division is determined by the approved USPSA list:
USPSA/NROI Production Gun List - USPSA - United States Practical Shooting Association

The CORE is on the list:
....................................
Core .40S&W 5 in barrel (26 oz.), M&P Core 9mm 4.25 Barrel (24 oz.), M&P Core 9mm 5 inch barrel (26 oz.), M&P Pro series 5 9mm (29.2 oz.), ..........

Was this an official USPSA Sanctioned Steel Challenge Club and Match?
If so, you should be able to declare "Production" and compete as such. No race holsters, no visible action mods, add-ons restricted.

2.1 Competition Divisions

: Competition Divisions are intended to provide

a vehicle for recognition within the match by

firearm characteristics


(

firearm types, sights, etc). It is the shooter’s responsibility

to properly declare their competition division(s) prior to the start of

the event.
http://uspsa.org/SCSARules%202013.pdf

If not, good luck on what rules will be used at an outlaw match.

[growr]

OKFCO5 already stated that which I was going to tell as well......and did so better than I .....
Randy

[Gephart]

Thanks guys.

Yes it was a Sanctioned match, I see by what you 2 are saying that I should have declared "Prod" and mistake probably would have been fixed. Not a big deal at all, but now I know.

The CORE stock trigger is not improved that I can tell.
Is the Apex a big improvement and worth the money ?
So once I have an Apex trigger installed, I must stay in PROD, correct ?

What front sight do you recommend ?
When I shot with white dot stock front sight, targets were white, and %80 of berm background was very light colored - bright front site would be wise I think...

[Gephart]

Nobody?...no suggestions...?

[Bkreutz]

Originally Posted by Gephart

Thanks guys.

Yes it was a Sanctioned match, I see by what you 2 are saying that I should have declared "Prod" and mistake probably would have been fixed. Not a big deal at all, but now I know.

The CORE stock trigger is not improved that I can tell.
Is the Apex a big improvement and worth the money ?
So once I have an Apex trigger installed, I must stay in PROD, correct ?

What front sight do you recommend ?
When I shot with white dot stock front sight, targets were white, and %80 of berm background was very light colored - bright front site would be wise I think...

It depends on which Apex kit you install. If you put in the kit with their trigger, that will bump you out of production (externally visible action parts) To me, the FSS trigger kit is a significant improvement (both the curved and the flat, I think the flat is the better of the two). Can't give you any advice on the sights or holster, I shoot open. Mag capacity in Steel challenge are a non issue since all reloads are off the clock.

[Gephart]

Thank you Bkreutz.
You helped me understand the trigger info, basically with the trigger what can't be seen will keep you in Production if you wish..
I already have all mags, holster, belt set up, etc - just needing better CORE trigger and front sight at this point.
-AND- learn to put speed with accuracy of course, lol
Thanks again.

[AGoyette]

Gephart,
We like fiber optic front sights. Dawson Precision makes them for the CORE. While we played around with putting a FO on our CORE, the darling husband opted to put an optic on it instead. We have FO sights on our 2 5" Pros and our 9c's. Find someone who has a fiber optic front sight and try their gun if you can.

[adams484]

Originally Posted by Gephart

Nobody?...no suggestions...?

Buy a different gun with a better trigger if you think the trigger was an issue. I would suggest more practice with a timer or something to provide a little stress. The really good shots can out shoot most of us with a piece of junk after shooting the junk for a few rounds.

I am OCD about triggers so the kit would appeal to me also but there are so many guns out there that come out of the box with excellent trigger travel and break it is hard to justify trying to make a gun better than the manufacturer did when it is easy to just buy one already good enough. And you don't have to get a Performance Center gun to get a good trigger.