USPSA Limited and the Glock

[esheato]

I shoot a bit of USPSA and I've been training a gal using a Glock 19 (her carry piece).

She wants to step up to a more proper gun and equipment as she's tired of being at the bottom of the rankings. She's shooting limited division with the +2 extension getting her 19 rounds per mag. I also convinced her to get a CR Speed belt, Ghost holster and CR Speed mag pouches.

She's quite accurate and can run the gun well, so I've been working on economy of motion and getting her speed up. Splits were atrocious but she's cut them in half after working with me. There's a lot of potential with her and some insight from my experience has got her on the fast track.

Bottom line is I don't own a Glock, so I'm at a bit of a loss to suggest what model and improvements to make to the weapon.

She wants to stay with 9mm as her husband already loads it. I originally suggested a 34 but really don't know if that's the best choice.

Sooo...what model? What improvements? Tungsten guide rod? Fiber optic front sight? Magwell? Fulcrum trigger? What's worth it and what isn't? Money isn't an issue, she's got the go ahead from hubby to get equipped (within reason).

While I'm a 1911 guy (I'm shooting an SV), my first thought was to suggest a 1911 but that's counterproductive, so please don't make that suggestion. She's staying with a Glock.

Thanks

Ed

EDIT: Would she be better off shooting a different division? Production maybe? It might let her compete with people on her level.

 

[esheato]

Ahhh...found this.

Maj Min
A 5 5
B 4 3
C 4 3
D 2 1

While she's shooting minor with the 9mm, she's disadvantaged before the shooting even begins while in Limited division.

She needs to get away from 9mm while in Limited and the way I figure it, there are two ways: 1. shoot production where everyone is scored minor PF. 2. Step up to 40 and play for real.

What she wants is to see her name higher on the results....overall results. If she goes down to Production division, she'll climb the ranks but only amongst other Production shooting peers...and who really shoots Production in USPSA?

If she wants to see her name climb on the overall rankings, she needs to shoot 40....so maybe the Glock 35 would be best?

And if she wants to stay in Limited, she NEEDS 40 to be competitive....especially on the overall results.

 

[waktasz]

Lots and lots of people shoot production in USPSA.

You pretty much have it figured out though...if she wants to stick with 9mm, then I would shoot Production (and sell that Ghost holster because it's not legal). Then again, it's certainly possible to shoot minor locally and be competitive.

Overall rankings at matches don't matter, and are usually only published at local matches, and not always...you are only competing against people in your own division.

 

[jmorris]

She wants to step up to a more proper gun and equipment as she's tired of being at the bottom of the rankings. She's shooting limited division

If she wants to shoot limited with a glock she needs a 35. If she also buys a progressive reloading press it would be good in production too.

 

[mgmorden]

...and who really shoots Production in USPSA?

Plenty of people. I shoot production myself and at every club I shoot at the number of Production shooters rival the Open and Limited guys. Single stack is less popular but still has a good following.

The only divisions that seem sparsely populated are Revolver and Limited-10.

 

[esheato]

Ok, ok....most everyone down here shoot Limited or Open.

Lets change the question a bit considering my new knowledge...if you were going to build up a Glock 35, shooting major PF, for Limited division, what modifications would you make?

 

[waktasz]

I don't think I've ever seen more than 5 Open shooters at a local match. Limited usually has 30-40 people and production about the same.

As for mods, I just set up a Glock 24 for Limited last month so I will tell you what I did.

Sights!(most important upgrade), Tungsten guide rod, Dawson heavy magwell, trigger job of your choice.

I don't think the Tungsten is a requirement but I tried it with stock, steel and tungsten and prefer the tungsten.

 

[jmorris]

if you were going to build up a Glock 35, shooting major PF, for Limited division, what modifications would you make?

Dawson adjustable rear sight (solid black) and fiber optic front. Light weight springs polish a few parts inside and drill and tap ejector housing for 4-40 setscrews to take up some of the pre/post travel. Oh, and dawson base pads to make the mags 140mm and a magwell (would have to come off for production).

 

[ny32182]

Around here the division split seems to be roughly 25% production, 50% limited, and 25% open, with the occassional limited 10 or SS shooter, but not many of those.

Occassionally there is a Production GM that shows up and wins not only production, but is first overall too. Even with the big equipment differences between divisions in USPSA, it still seems to me so far that the shooter is the biggest variable by far.

If you really want an equipment advantage vs other divisions (even though you aren't competing directly against them) Open would seem to be the way to go, with the compensators and 9 major (capacity) allowed.

 

[Hk Dan]

Yah, she's going to be handicapped in Limited by shooting a minor caliber, and she should step itup to +5 basepads. They are 140mm and she'd have 23 rounds (fewer reloads). If she isn't really competitive anyway, it's not going to be a huge loss by shooting minor, but as she grows in proficiency she's going to want to make some changes.

For starters just put in a Ghost connector, a Dawson or California Competition Works magwell, Warren Sevigny sights, and call it a day. No need to go all out until you know she's sticking with it and will be good enough to notice the changes in performance. If you make mods and she's shooting .8 splits, why bother? Leave it factory until she speeds up, ya know?

 

[esheato]

Well, she wants to be competitive.

I have since suggested she move to a 35 as it's 40 cal and she'd be shooting major and then she's actually be in the competition.

 

[Hk Dan]

What is she used to? The .40 might be a bit stiff for her, but it's definately going to give her anadvantage over 9mm.

 

[esheato]

G19 with handloads (125 PF).

 

[xapd]

I highly recommend this connector:

http://www.glockworx.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=155934

along with this spring kit:

http://www.glockworx.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=156033&CAT=3688