Jim Watson
Member
From the only SR9 I have looked at, you will be as well off as with any other glock. ("glock" is a generic term like xerox and kleenex)
But I might not buy an expensive speed rig for it.
Gun and gear for Steel Challenge and USPSA- Stock Auto
- Thread starter Jeff H
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From the only SR9 I have looked at, you will be as well off as with any other glock. ("glock" is a generic term like xerox and kleenex)
But I might not buy an expensive speed rig for it.
Thanks for the advice everyone. After looking at pricing on several items and looking about how seriously I'm likely to get involved, I think for now, I'm just buying a competition belt and maybe a holster. I do have some old mag pouches that look like they will work with the belt. I'll stop spending money there until I shoot a few steel matches and (possibly) a practical pistol match or two and see where it goes from there.
Revolvers do interest me greatly but at over $1000 for just the base gun, it will have to wait and see if I get more involved in the sport. Looks like everything I need to support a 9mm wheel gun will be $2K minimum.
Revolvers do interest me greatly but at over $1000 for just the base gun, it will have to wait and see if I get more involved in the sport. Looks like everything I need to support a 9mm wheel gun will be $2K minimum.
Sounds like a solid plan to me. I would make one further suggestion. Shoot at least one "good try" SC and one "good try" USPSA match.* Some people like one but not the other, or both, or neither. You'll have to shoot them to know.
But I predict it won't take more than 1 or maybe 2 "good try" matches for you to know whether either or both of these sports are for you. There are exceptions, but generally people are either immediately hooked or they aren't. These games either release endorphins for you or they don't.
The good news is that, if you are someone for who these games are interesting, your spending on non-game gun stuff will likely greatly decrease. Suddenly, trying the latest flavor of service-grade pistol or the new CCW fad just won't be interesting. Most gun media coverage and ads will be to you as ads for Campbell's Soup are to someone married to a gourmet chef... you will be able to understand (remember, really) how and why this stuff might be useful or even enjoyable to others less fortunate than you, but it won't draw any money from your wallet! You will want to spend the vast majority of your gun-related money on stuff that helps you in competition. So, while gamer gear tends to be a little expensive, it doesn't do as much damage to your shooting budget as you might think. Heck, you can't afford not to get into this stuff!
Regardless, good luck in your trying-it-out matches. I hope it connects with you as strongly as it did with me... if it does, you're in a big new source of joy in your life.
*If you get DQ'ed, squaded with guys who are just unbearable, or if your gun/ammo is really fighting you (repeated jams), then that doesn't count as your "good try." That stuff just makes it impossible for new shooters to really assess whether they like the game(s).
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I read it, it has a very comprehensive in detail survey.
thomas15
Member
I would advise you to get involved with what you already have. My 929 revolvers although 9mm as I have them set up will not under any circumstance shoot factory 9mm ammo. Even with handloads they are very particular, not a cheap date!
So Yea Jeff shoot with the least expensive rig you can put together for now. It's all fun.
thomas15
Member
OK Jeff
May we have an update?
One other thing you need to know is that you absolutely need to register and shoot a match! I shot a 5 stage SCSA match on Sunday, the ground was covered with snow and ice.
Steel Challenge is my thing. I really wish I were better at it but overall I'm happy and it's a nice way to spend the day. In the geographic area I live in (NE PA) there are so many Steel Challenge matches available to shoot it is almost silly. Within a 2 hour drive radius I could shoot an SCSA registered match every week literally year round.
I really wanted to make it to a tier III match this year, either the Nationals or the World Speed Shoot but I just couldn't fit it in. I will be shooting in several tier II matches, one is the NJ State Championship match which is well run. But the big event as far as I'm concerned is the East Coast Steel Challenge Championship match. This happens to be hosted by my home club and I'm a staff member (RO). I am exceptionally proud to be a small part of this excellent event which registers over 500 guns and has a huge random prize table and Lewis Class payouts.
I'm pointing this out not because I'm trying to advertise the match, but rather to mention that registration opened just a few days ago and already over 200 guns are registered and squadded. This match doesn't need anyone to advertise it, it will sell out just on it's reputation. So my main point is to say that not only is Steel Challenge a lot of fun, there are a number of tier II/III matches around the country that draw the top shooters and are well run events. It's one of those things where you have so much fun that your face starts to hurt due to the smile that will not go away and once it does you spend the next year making plans for the next years match and doing better.
It all starts with that first match. As others have said it may or may not be your thing but if it is, it is! Just don't get discouraged because at the beginning everyone struggles. On paper it looks easy. In practice it is, I think, demanding. I have shot two (2) local SCSA matches in carry optics and I look like a total beginner. It's one of those things, do I stop the bleeding or do I hunker down and get serious? As a general rule I tend to get serious.
May we have an update?
One other thing you need to know is that you absolutely need to register and shoot a match! I shot a 5 stage SCSA match on Sunday, the ground was covered with snow and ice.
Steel Challenge is my thing. I really wish I were better at it but overall I'm happy and it's a nice way to spend the day. In the geographic area I live in (NE PA) there are so many Steel Challenge matches available to shoot it is almost silly. Within a 2 hour drive radius I could shoot an SCSA registered match every week literally year round.
I really wanted to make it to a tier III match this year, either the Nationals or the World Speed Shoot but I just couldn't fit it in. I will be shooting in several tier II matches, one is the NJ State Championship match which is well run. But the big event as far as I'm concerned is the East Coast Steel Challenge Championship match. This happens to be hosted by my home club and I'm a staff member (RO). I am exceptionally proud to be a small part of this excellent event which registers over 500 guns and has a huge random prize table and Lewis Class payouts.
I'm pointing this out not because I'm trying to advertise the match, but rather to mention that registration opened just a few days ago and already over 200 guns are registered and squadded. This match doesn't need anyone to advertise it, it will sell out just on it's reputation. So my main point is to say that not only is Steel Challenge a lot of fun, there are a number of tier II/III matches around the country that draw the top shooters and are well run events. It's one of those things where you have so much fun that your face starts to hurt due to the smile that will not go away and once it does you spend the next year making plans for the next years match and doing better.
It all starts with that first match. As others have said it may or may not be your thing but if it is, it is! Just don't get discouraged because at the beginning everyone struggles. On paper it looks easy. In practice it is, I think, demanding. I have shot two (2) local SCSA matches in carry optics and I look like a total beginner. It's one of those things, do I stop the bleeding or do I hunker down and get serious? As a general rule I tend to get serious.
Sure,
I made a few purchases,
Found a used Sig P320 M17 Bravo for a good price with 4 mags. At $480 cash/$495 credit, it was tough to turn down. The sight radius at 4.7" is a big improvement over my SR9, but I did put a fiber optic front sight on the SR9 so that can be my backup.
Bought a Double Alpha belt and have a Double Alpha holster coming next month with another magazine because I feel better with 5 so I have a spare.
Working on a standard load. The recipe leading the charge right now is a 124 gr plated bullet and 4.4gr Win231 which is about a midrange load. With this big of a gun, they feel light.
Evening steel matches are the only ones that work with my schedule and the gun club starts those up in May, so until then, it is just practice. At the gun club, we also have a bay with 6 firing lines with nothing but steel targets at 15 yards. I can go there any day and shoot, but I'm shooting for once a week or so.
Not my actual gun but a random internet pic. I've got the same model.
Doublehelix
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thomas15
Member
Looking good Jeff!
thomas15
Member
I have been fooling around with loads also. My revo load is set but my CO is up in the air.
I have tried loads using 115g plated and 147g plated. I think I'm going to refine the 147 as it seems easier to get back on target. I also think my 147 load is a bit hot so I'm going to figure out what is the minimum load that will function then tinker with it for accuracy. I got a chronograph for Christmas and need to try it out (CED M2 with IR screens and HD tripod).
Anyway Jeff good luck and keep us informed!
You have the benefit of a revolver. You can really get cowboy action mouse fart loads if you want. I have to reliably work the action on 3 different pistols so I'll need a mit more velocity then you will. 124 grain always worked well for me. I didn't really experiment with bullet weight. Just cutting the powder load down a bit from where it was.
thomas15
Member
I am always telling those that ask me about my revo in SCSA that the only advantage this gun has is there is no pf in steel and as long as the bullet exits the muzzle and is accurate to hit the target, that's all that matters. I'm not sure the light loads make up for the long and heavy DA trigger and the heavy weight of the actual firearm though.
When I use my loads that meet ICORE or USPSA pf I can really tell the difference.
Doublehelix
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The DA pull for steel is nuts I tell you!!!
You revolver guys are crazy!!! But then again, you are competing against other revolver guys... You are ALL CRAZY though!!! I have been shooting 124 gr. JHPs for 9mm for a long time, but just picked up some 147 gr. bullets to try out. I need to make up a load that meets Minor PF, and then compare it back-and-forth with the 124 gr. ones to see which one I like better.
I used to make up some "mouse fart" loads for 9mm and steel, but they just proved to be too unreliable, plus, I hate having 2 different loads for a given caliber, so I am now focussing on one load for both steel and USPSA. Easier that way.
Jim Watson
Member
I shot 135s for a while, still have some. Don't plan to buy more in lieu of 147.
I am not normally sensitive to small changes in FELT recoil, the 135 is barely distinguishable from 147 or even a coated 124. For some reason, I FEEL a difference between coated and jacketed 124s, though. The jacketed or plated 124/125 has a notable pop not much better than 115.
I am not normally sensitive to small changes in FELT recoil, the 135 is barely distinguishable from 147 or even a coated 124. For some reason, I FEEL a difference between coated and jacketed 124s, though. The jacketed or plated 124/125 has a notable pop not much better than 115.
In my major PF 40-cal loads, I, too, can feel a slight difference between the coated and plated bullets. Not better or worse, just a little different feeling. I always liked the plated a little better because of the lack of smoke, but there are some subtle differences in feel (of course, the plated and coated bullets I use have different profiles, and, thus, different OAL... that may be part of it). Nothing I notice when the timer goes beep, though.
thomas15
Member
I do have about 3000 coated RN 9mm bullets that I don't know what to do with. You might have given me the idea to develop a soft shooting steel round for my CO gun with those.
thomas15
Member
I went back and re-read this thread. Covers the topic well. My comments to the cause are geared towards Steel Challenge which might be the source of some confusion as the OP is asking about SCSA and USPSA.
I think the Sig handgun the OP purchased is optics ready? If so, it will be a simple task to make that a Carry Optics gun for both USPSA and SCSA. The basic rig (holster/belt) is the same. I also wanted to mention if it is not clear that in USPSA Production and CO everyone is scored based on minor power factor (125) so handload to the low end of minor for either production or CO. Steel Challenge has no power factor requirement.
This comment from ATLDave is accurate in my opinion just not exactly an answer to the OP question but still right on the money...
^^^This is so true. I know shooters that have stock production guns and absolutely refuse to make any mods to them or do things like drop empty mags on the ground. The shooters prerogative of course but we are talking about a typical un-special firearm and they act as if doing anything to them is sacrilege or getting them dirty is a sin. For me as a revolver shooter I find it amusing to see guys crowing about the "smooth as ice on glass" stock SA trigger on a S&W Performance Center revolver. Both of my PC revos had action work done on them before I fired a single shot with them. Why? Because I bought them to help me become competitive. Will finely tuned guns on their own "make you competitive"? No they will not but they do remove the fault of having less than the most suitable hardware for the task at hand.
The other thing are the comments on how getting serious about competitions will in the end sour you on handguns because you lose the simple basic joy of just mindless banging away for recreation. Or how the "games" don't prepare you for the very remote possibility that you might need to use a handgun for self defense. The first comment really depends on the individual and their drive to win, the other is sheer silliness because as a competitor I handle in one way or another a handgun 5-7 days a week. Rare in my opinion is a strictly self defense guy that handles his handguns more than once a week.
One thing most of us mortals find out quickly is that we are not the marksmen we think we are. We go to our first match confident of success and in short order learn a valuable lesson. At my first steel match I did absolutely horrible. I came close to timing out on most of the stages and nearly ran out of ammo. One of the prime motivating factors getting me to improve was my personal need to prove to myself that I could train to hang with the big boys. I'm not quite there yet but I'm doing ok. A lot of work though.
Having said all that shooting competitive events can become expensive and time consuming. Doesn't have to be but it can.
I think the Sig handgun the OP purchased is optics ready? If so, it will be a simple task to make that a Carry Optics gun for both USPSA and SCSA. The basic rig (holster/belt) is the same. I also wanted to mention if it is not clear that in USPSA Production and CO everyone is scored based on minor power factor (125) so handload to the low end of minor for either production or CO. Steel Challenge has no power factor requirement.
This comment from ATLDave is accurate in my opinion just not exactly an answer to the OP question but still right on the money...
The good news is that, if you are someone for who these games are interesting, your spending on non-game gun stuff will likely greatly decrease. Suddenly, trying the latest flavor of service-grade pistol or the new CCW fad just won't be interesting. Most gun media coverage and ads will be to you as ads for Campbell's Soup are to someone married to a gourmet chef... you will be able to understand (remember, really) how and why this stuff might be useful or even enjoyable to others less fortunate than you, but it won't draw any money from your wallet! You will want to spend the vast majority of your gun-related money on stuff that helps you in competition. So, while gamer gear tends to be a little expensive, it doesn't do as much damage to your shooting budget as you might think. Heck, you can't afford not to get into this stuff!
^^^This is so true. I know shooters that have stock production guns and absolutely refuse to make any mods to them or do things like drop empty mags on the ground. The shooters prerogative of course but we are talking about a typical un-special firearm and they act as if doing anything to them is sacrilege or getting them dirty is a sin. For me as a revolver shooter I find it amusing to see guys crowing about the "smooth as ice on glass" stock SA trigger on a S&W Performance Center revolver. Both of my PC revos had action work done on them before I fired a single shot with them. Why? Because I bought them to help me become competitive. Will finely tuned guns on their own "make you competitive"? No they will not but they do remove the fault of having less than the most suitable hardware for the task at hand.
The other thing are the comments on how getting serious about competitions will in the end sour you on handguns because you lose the simple basic joy of just mindless banging away for recreation. Or how the "games" don't prepare you for the very remote possibility that you might need to use a handgun for self defense. The first comment really depends on the individual and their drive to win, the other is sheer silliness because as a competitor I handle in one way or another a handgun 5-7 days a week. Rare in my opinion is a strictly self defense guy that handles his handguns more than once a week.
One thing most of us mortals find out quickly is that we are not the marksmen we think we are. We go to our first match confident of success and in short order learn a valuable lesson. At my first steel match I did absolutely horrible. I came close to timing out on most of the stages and nearly ran out of ammo. One of the prime motivating factors getting me to improve was my personal need to prove to myself that I could train to hang with the big boys. I'm not quite there yet but I'm doing ok. A lot of work though.
Having said all that shooting competitive events can become expensive and time consuming. Doesn't have to be but it can.
I have never been a "gun nut" like Thomas describes. To me a gun is just a tool to shoot the competitions with. Whatever I need or want to do with it to make it more fun is what I'll do.
The expense comes from ammo as much as anything. I read on here about people saying they shoot 1000 rds a year of something; heck, that's easily a month for me, and I don't shoot a lot.
The expense comes from ammo as much as anything. I read on here about people saying they shoot 1000 rds a year of something; heck, that's easily a month for me, and I don't shoot a lot.
thomas15
Member
Kp321
Member
Being 70 years old and having a bum right shoulder, I love to shoot rimfires on steel challenge. No drawing or running around like with USPSA and no chasing brass. Cheap to shoot and just as challenging.
Last time out I also shot through with a 9mm PCC. Also a lot of fun, just a little more expensive.
Last time out I also shot through with a 9mm PCC. Also a lot of fun, just a little more expensive.
thomas15
Member
About 4 years ago I was with a friend in Cabelas. They were having a poorly timed sale on S&W M&P AR-15-22 rimfire rifles. I was in with Cabelas points about $300 I forget the exact amount. So I bought one. Brought it home but really didn't know what to do with it.
In the fall of 2017 I won a CMC drop in trigger for an AR so I put it in this gun. I added a few other things, a dot sight, rail, upgraded magpul grips and my LGS had 25 round S&W mags for $19.99 so I picked up a few more. I also had a prize table canvas case so I have tried this out for Steel Challenge. Fun and inexpensive to play (once I got it tuned for bulk 22LR ammo I have). Not exactly my thing but still a good time and inexpensive to shoot.
I have a PCC rifle on my get list but it's not at the top. They look like a lot of fun also.
Doublehelix
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Don't own one, but have shot them. What a blast!!! I am not planning on buying one however, at least for a while. It would be just *another* distraction that I don't need right now!
They have become extremely popular in USPSA, and are one of the fastest growing divisions.
Assuming you have one that runs, it greatly lowers the stress level in terms of "can I make the shot?" issues. Things that stress out non-GM iron-sights pistol shooters (small partials, mini-poppers at distance, etc.) become just another shot (one that requires a little more time, but not one they are "worried" about in advance) for the PCC guys. It really is a different game for them.
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