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.
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.
