Need Help!

[all357mag]

Help me out Fellas'. I've been shooting handguns since I was 7yrs old. I shoot pretty good, but want to take shooting to the next level. I want to compete, but need some suggestions on what discipline would be best. I'm 44yrs old this year, so running around like Spider-Man is out of the question. I have a 6" Python, 4" 27, and MP45c. I reload 38spl, 357mag, and 45acp. I belong to a local rifle/pistol club that does nothing with serious handgunning. Need help boys.

 

[ken158]

Seek out some matches and go watch and decide for yourself what dicipline best suits your desires... lots of shooting "games" out there and it will be hard for one of "us" to make that decision for you...

 

[growr]

Use the internet to see what other handgun sports are available in your area. USPSA, IDPA, ICORE, to name a few. You don't need to run around like Spiderman but you do have to shoot on the move.

I am 56 and not particularily speedy so I have decided to become VERY accurate instead and still have a blast! It is all about having fun isn't it?

Randy

 

[wantmoresmiths]

I certainly don't want to talk you out of trying you hand at competition shooting, but none of the guns mentioned, lend themselves particularly well to competition. They can be used in competition, but each has its drawbacks. Continual drawing from a holster, will certainly mar the fine finishes on your Python and model 27. Either are acceptable for ICORE, classic division, but if they were my guns, I would keep them for range use only. I don't believe the M&P has enough capacity to allow you to be competitive. You could use the M&P for IDPA and USPSA but you will need to reload more often than your competition, thereby slowing you down, and making you less competitive. I suggest you consider the purchase of a full size M&P in 9mm. That will allow you to compete in IDPA, USPSA (production division), as well as shooting steel. OH, and by the way this competition thing is highly addictive. I started out shooting steel, when that wasn't enough, I added USPSA, then I wanted still more so tried my hand at IDPA, and ICORE. I ended up selling both a 4" nickel model 27 and 4" nickel model 29-2 to help fund guns specifically geared toward each type of competition I was involved with. One gun you don't mention is a 22. A good .22 semi auto rifle or pistol is a great way to get into shooting steel. Plus I recommend static steel as a great way to start competing. There is no foot movement, but you get practice drawing from a holster, and transitioning from one target to another. Once you master those basics, moving into IDPA, USPSA, and ICORE is a little easier.

 

[ric_in_or]

From watching other sports on TV -- to minimize the running around look into: IDPA and Steel.
OR
Buy 4 new guns and shoot Cowboy!


New Guns!

 

[H Richard]

What is unfortunate is you need to find the type of competition that is available within your vicinity. How far will you be willing to travel to attend match's. Without running etc. brings Bullseye to mind. It can be the most demanding, but you have the wrong guns. You need semi-auto .22 and .45's. Perhaps you can speak to some others in your club and see if you can get a mutually agreeable "game" started at your local club.

 

[handgunner356]

I'd guess our medium age in the Bullseye club where I shoot is 56, the USPSA probably 50. It is just a number, find something you like and have fun, very few can make a living out of it. Plenty of guys still shoot Centerfire Bullseye with .38 revolvers, USPSA with the M&P and 10rd mags you can still shoot Production or Limited 10 classes. My idea is to compete without seeing how much money I can spend.

 

[VTXS]

I don't know if this is what your looking for, but I really enjoy shooting with the IDPA. I use my old Model 66 and that puts me in the SSR division, which only has 3 people in it currently. I am 10 years older than you, and my speed days are behind me, but I'm not ready for pasture either.

I shoot IDPA to challenge myself, not for the title or standings. I carry my 66 alot, so it was a practical decision to go for that division. It has kept me sharp, as well as challenged to do the various course's of fire, and it's alot of fun to just go out and shoot with the guys there. Go to a range that has a IDPA met one day and just watch. Talk to one of the Safety Officer's (SO) and tell them you're new and wanted to get a feel for what they offer and I'm sure they will be glad to help answer any questions you have and usually they will let you go to an area where the other shooters are standing by for their turn so you can get a better view.

Or, just bring a weapon and shoot the COF. They will know your new and most of the shooters there will be glad to help you out and answer questions. Check with the local club and read about what their range requirements are and all the rules associated with it, and have fun.

 

[ACP230]

Steel shoots would fit all of your guns, I think.

I've shot steel plates with revolvers and autos and done OK with each.
PPC type matches are harder to find now but they'd probably work too.
So would IDPA.

 

[m657]

Our club has about 25 or so disciplines, of which I am interested in most of them, but only compete in a few.

It's a hard call, but body parts limit what time factor I can expect on the line, and geezer eyes means I can bare see the bulls eye TARGET let alone the x-ring OR my hits.

While I'm slower than most and as inaccurate as any, at "close to" 70, nobody but ME is interested in what I shoot or how well I do.

They're all pretty much fun.

SASS will give you excuse to buy more guns, and enjoy a longish day shooting cowboy era.

Although I gotta tell you, shooting the steel challenge with a 10/22 averaging under 2 seconds a string is a new experience I've never managed with any pistol I've ever used. Somehow the carbine gives me a decent match score while costing less than a bowl of soup.

5 different targets 5 times per string, for 6 stages. Lottsa fund!!!! Take a look at that as a potential.

 

[BobR1]

If you shoot IDPA you can probably get by with the 27 to start with. It is handicapped with no really good speed loader choices. HKS or 5-Star will be about as good as it gets.

You might look into starting up a handgun match at your club. Our club put together a Defensive pistol match loosely based on IDPA. We shoot 4 stages, with 12 rounds per stage, so you can shoot one entry with a box of ammunition. If you keep all targets IDPA Cardboard with no steel you can also have a 22 Rimfire Class, which we do. We also shoot BUG on the same course by not counting the 6th shot not fired in a 5 shot revolver.
If you put a match together you might as well set it up in 6 shot Revolver Friendly increments. Shoot 6 and a reload of 6 or two runs with 6 shot in each per Stage. Or if you do an 18 round stage 2 reloads after each 6 shots fired. With your Moron Liberals in New York City limiting you to 7 rounds you might as well set it up Revolver Friendly to start with.

If you decide to get more serious a 6 shot 686 with safariland Comp III speed loaders is way more compedative for IDPA type matches.

Good Luck on finding a Club and also on the Law Suit to help save your Second Ammendment Rights form the Commie Liberals in New York City.

Bob

 

[CALREB]

I see a badge on your post, have you ever thought of PPC, I know there is a leaque in NY. You have a 6" python, which is plenty good enough. There is position shooting, but no running around, 3 yards to 50 yrds, nothing super fast. Easier than bullseye, you can use both hands.
I know alot of people knock PPC, not realistic, slow,under powered guns. But for pure fundamentals and learning to shoot accurately its hard to beat. Ive found that most good PPC shooters can more than hold their own in any other game.You can always change to a faster type shooting sport if you want to.
Im sure you can go online and find matches in your area.
Good luck, Bob