Average Round Count in USPSA Production Division

[Life During Wartime]

Thank you everyone for the information and offers of equipment. I live in southern California, yep behind the curtain. The other pistol is a CZ97B which is very accurate and consistent. In my heart I know that it is the better gun for the job, but the money issue is what is keeping me, but as you have pointed out, it might be less money in the long run. Hmm...lots to think about. I think going to watch is a very good idea. I think I'll have to do that when I get a chance in my schedule.

 

[waktasz]

CZ 97 mags are $25.
http://gregcotellc.com/cart/cz-fact...nfoglio-10-rd-45-acp-mgwit45lfafc-p-1093.html

 

[ddc]

CZ 97 mags are $25.
http://gregcotellc.com/cart/cz-fact...nfoglio-10-rd-45-acp-mgwit45lfafc-p-1093.html

The CZ would be a far superior option. And as you can see the mag price is not all that bad.

Edited to add: How many mags do you currently have for it?

 

[Jim Watson]

the money issue is what is keeping me

This is worrisome.
The match fees and ammo costs will exceed the price of holster, mag carriers, and magazines in very short order.
Shooting Production is not expensive as skill sports go, but it isn't free, either.

 

[ATLDave]

The CZ would make sense in Limited-10. Since the OP is in CA, I assume L-10 is a more worthwhile division than it is where I live. That would be a gun one could wear out in L-10 at really no disadvantage.

 

[Life During Wartime]

Wow, I had not seen that website with the more inexpensive magazines before. Thank you very much; definitely helps the issue. I have 2 mags for the CZ. To Jim Watson, yes I know that the ammo and the fee will be an expense as well, but I figure it as sort of the same if I had gone to the range a couple of times. So, my thought is, I could go 2 less times a year and go once instead to compete, but perhaps the fee is more than I anticipate?

 

[Detritus]

I was a case of "run what you brung" and I recommend that for anyone.

As ATL pointed out Ive seen many people show up with inadequate guns/equipment. Yet they eventually get better equipment so they are not competing with one arm tied behind their back. Course Ive also seen the same person show up with his single stack Beretta (less than 10rds) and give it a whirl week after week after week

Last match I shot in Texas, guy showed up with a Tariq (Iraqi Beretta M1951 clone) and 2 maybe 3 mags, he seemed to have fun. but since that was not only my last match there, but my last visit to that gun club. I have no idea if the bug bit him or not.
we told him that if he liked what he saw, that the best thing to do was to hit up the shops around Houston for a police trade-in Glock or M&P since they make decent entry level production guns. as well as many times coming with additional mags beyond the 2 of a new gun.

The CZ would make sense in Limited-10. Since the OP is in CA, I assume L-10 is a more worthwhile division than it is where I live. That would be a gun one could wear out in L-10 at really no disadvantage.

Exactly! CA is one of the few places that Limited-10 makes any damn sense at all, to the point that i'm pretty sure that if not for CA gun laws L-10 would be a dead Division, and everyone having 10rd mags and access to major scoring makes much better sense than minor scoring and only having 7-8rds while everyone else has 10.

anyway my input is: Get out and shoot!
Use whichever of your two pistols you are most comfortable doing so with.
I would say Enough mags to start with for one in the gun, and 40rds on your belt.
shop around for mag pouches (with adjustable tension) as cheap as you can, same for a holster keep an eye out for a sale. When I started gathering spares, I lucked into finding a bunch of blade-tech stuff for like $10 per pouch, and $20 for a holster.

If you choose to forge ahead for the time being with the Walther, do so with the full understanding that you're there for the fun, not the standings (this is from a Single Stack shooter who has yet to finish better than 2of4 in his division).
The CZ97 is frankly the gun that will give you less of an up-hill climb. Be it in L10 or production (it is on the list, but you'd be shooting .45 and scoring minor). like others have said if you find you actually like shooting USPSA you'll spend more on match fees and ammo* than anything else.

When I started I muddled along with a cheap injection molded holster and cloth mag pouch(es) laced onto my, admittedly heavy duty, everyday wear belt. as time went on I bought a purpose made 2-part belt, improved holster, etc. I still don't have my "rig" how I want it. this is at least partly because I've got other things that are higher priority than my hobbies.

 

[ATLDave]

Life’, if you are talking club matches, the fees are likely to be around $20 - at least in my part of the country. Major match fees can be a lot more, but you’re not doing that for quite a while... and only when you want.

 

[thomas15]

but the money issue is what is keeping me

Shooting Production is not expensive as skill sports go, but it isn't free, either.

I understand the fully the situation. I grew up in a family that was well into smallbore rifle competition so I knew from about age 9 that competition, with the associated specialized hardware and misc costs can be high.

Actually, today, it is possible to compete successfully in action pistol sports, with "production" type of divisions with readily available (non-specialized) over the counter gear which obviously is less costly. But still, especially with centerfire handguns, with travel, even with small local matches and entry fees there are costs associated. And even the most budget minded persons know that once headed down that dusty trail they will encounter currently invisible must-haves that cost money.

Not that I'm the measure of all things but there was a time when I had neither the time or money to do this properly. When I finally got involved I found myself at a physical age that makes moving up the ranks harder for sure. Sometimes I wish that back then I at least dabbled in the sport so that I wouldn't be at such a disadvantage today but that is water over the dam. So yes it's a fun hobby and yes it can be done on a budget. If the desire is there and you accept that even if you did have top notch equipment to start with you will not win for a while, then I encourage you to do what you can even if it's only once in a while.

 

[tarosean]

So, my thought is, I could go 2 less times a year and go once instead to compete, but perhaps the fee is more than I anticipate?

If you do not reload, ammo will be your biggest expense. Approximate 200rds for matches.
Fees' in my neck of the woods range from 15 - 25.

 

[Jim Watson]

Overall, I see:
P38 Pro
Cheaper ammo, cheaper holster, cheaper magazines.
P38 Con
8 shots where 10 is allowed.
Service life depends on variant, later guns with hex bolt frame reinforcement last longer, but I don't know how long that is.
Tough DA/SA trigger.

CZ97 Pro
10 rounds
Good and improvable trigger, either DA/SA or SA.
Major power factor scoring in Limited.
Famously durable.
CZ97 Con
More expensive to equip and operate.

Heck, for the price of a holster, you can try them both.

 

[Dudedog]

anyway my input is: Get out and shoot!
Use whichever of your two pistols you are most comfortable doing so with.
I would say Enough mags to start with for one in the gun, and 40rds on your belt.

I agree

First: Warning: USPSA can be addictive and result in spent $$$$
If you find for whatever reason you need more mags you can get more later. Bad to run dry in a stage but it is not the end of the world.

$ are always important if money is tight, but I find it is always nice to have extra mags. (even if you don't continue to shoot USPSA)
I don't know if you reload, but shooting .45 a basic reloading equipment setup would pay for itself fairly quickly, since like me being in CA you can no longer order ammo online and have it shipped to you.
(I think a Lee turret is good place to start but that's another thread)
If you figure $15 a box for factory ammo and say $7.50 a box for reloads in one match you would probably save about $30 on ammo.
(you can also load a little lighter than factory and still make major PF, in general lighter loads are easier to shoot quickly)
So not counting practice a basic reloading setup would pay for itself about 10 matches give or take shooting .45 sooner if you count the cost of practice ammo.
Most of us who reload find it enjoyable.

Either gun would work to get you started but I would lean towards the CZ.
If you find you enjoy it then you can always stick with the CZ and .45 or consider another pistol..
Nothing wrong with .45 just more expensive to shoot. A safe number is 200 rounds a match for most of the matches I shoot, but I would say take 300 rnds to the match just in case.
Everyone who does this knows that the steel targets can dodge bullets.

Everyone has a different priority, my number 1 is be safe, number 2 is have fun, number 3 is try to improve.
I have no problems doing 1 and 2, number 3 is a bit trickier sometimes
Winning would be nice but I don't have the time needed (and quite possibly the talent) to put me at that level so to me it is not a concern, having fun is.

You can do all 3 without a large investment in equipment.
Once you have done it a while (if you enjoy it) then you will have a better idea of what equipment you would like to upgrade and decide if the $ spent are worth it to you.

I still use a leather belt with a plastic liner in it. I think the current one was like $20 at WallMart. It is very stiff and not super comfortable as a general hold your pant's up belt but seems to work fine for my mag pouches and holster.
For my XDs (double stack) I use the Springfield double mag holders, maybe not the best but they work well, about $25 ea online, I use the Springfield Double mag single stack ones for my 1911 mags.
So mags, a holster, mag pouches, a belt, ammo and go do it!
I really enjoy it even though I am not that good, just loads of fun IMO.