Author Topic: Practical Shooting? (Read 897 times)

king nero · « **on:** March 10, 2005, 11:45:29 PM »

hello all,

This time I think I've found a new hobby: I might start with practical shooting.
I've only got sixguns and lever actions, so I need a semi-auto.
I'd prefer a 1911 style .45 or 10 mm.

colts are scarce here (belgium), but i've found a para-ordnance. (they're rather costly around here...)

Could somebody give me some tips what to look out for?
advantages of a ramped barrel? need of a compensator?
I would also reload, so I don't think the 10 mm cal. would be a prob, but I don't know whether or not it's a good choice for practical shooting.
I'd rather not use the 9mm or .38 super, I haven't got experience with the .40 S&W so I can't comment on that.

All opinions are welcome.
by the way, I'm 22, don't know if this is relevant information but I think it states my experience with guns, and my financial state .

Thanks in advance. ..

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2005, 02:55:45 AM »

I don't know the state of competition in Belgium (every time I think of Belgium I crave chocolate and wine) but in Minnesota the practical shooting games that are organized have quite a bit of emphasis on stock guns such as a fixed-sight 1911, a Glock, or similar gun. In other words, competitors don't need a race gun or even a customized gun to compete. Revolvers are quite popular with some shooters.

My best advice is that you attend a match or call a match organizer and ask how to get into the game as inexpensively as possible.

Here, a suitable used revolver of excellent quality can be bought for about $300. I am thinking of the Smith and Wesson model 14 in 38 special, and a similar model chambered for 357 magnum. Good used semi autos are more expensive, but a really nice used one can be had for about $500.

The big expense with these games is the ammunition. I hope you have a means of loading your own. My own game is bullseye, which uses up to 270 rounds for a match, and much more for practice. The ammo consumption for practical shooting is quite a bit higher. I recommend the use of a progressive reloading press.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2005, 07:27:44 AM »

I second that advice. The best course of action is to attend a few matches and talk to the competitors. There are lots of different versions of "practical shooting." Some require elaborate specialty guns, others are designed for out of the box guns. You'll know which are available in your area only by going and watching.

And, if you can, reload! You're going to shoot a lot of ammo before you become competitive, and a lot more to stay competitive.

I don't compete that much, and I fire about 5,000 rounds of .45 ACP and about the same of .38 Special each year.

Questor · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2005, 08:36:06 AM »

Vern's ammo count may seem ridiculously high at first, but that's about what I shoot. And I know I don't shoot nearly as much as many others.

By the way, I've recently read an article about a class in practical shooting for .22 rimfire. This may be the best way to go for you. You may want to ask about that.

44 Man · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2005, 03:51:00 PM »

When you attend a couple of matches and become familiar with some of the competitors, you will probably find a couple who are 'upgrading' their guns and you may find something very usable for a reasonable price right there! Always keep your ears and eyes open. 44 Man

king nero · « **Reply #5 on:** March 13, 2005, 11:57:06 PM »

Thanks for the repliesIi've attended several trainings of the practical shooting competitors, and I've seen most shoot with colts (or clones) in .45.

I'd like to know if someone is shooting with a 10mm, and whether or not it's a good choice for practical. I for one like the cartridge. But haven't shot a 1911 style 10mm with a compensator. How's muzzle blast/noise with one?
Fast follow-up shots?

Again, I'd like to ask the question whether or not a ramped barrel is a necessity.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:27:01 AM »

King - I've had the opportunity to compare a few 45s and 10s side by side and if you hot load the 10, she will rock ya. If you handload you can load it down to 40 S&W velocities and have a pretty good bowling pin or practical gun for those sports. One nice thing about the 40/10 is the selection of bullets that you can use in the semi-auto, although many were designed for use in the 38/40 revolvers or rifles - some are swcs that give you a nice wide metplat but can cycle through your action. Basically, you can take a 180 - 200 grain bullet and load it slow or fast and the 10 will serve many purposes. If you intend to load hot, then get yourself a set of heavy duty recoil springs (20-22 lbs) from Wolffe Springs in PA. If you intend to load light, then get some target springs (14-16 lb) from the same source and you can vary the recoil level of the 10 to your choice of sport or field use.

With the heavier bullets (180-200) you don't need to load hot and you do need either a compensator or ramped barrel. Just for the hay of it, if yo go with the 10mm, you can always get a 40 S&W barrel, then a 357 Sig barrel or, there is a 9x25 which is the 10 necked to 9mm and she's a hottie. I would go with a 1911 rather than the Para, not being familiar with interchangeability of barrels and choices for the Para, I know there is a lot of variability for the 1911. HTH. Mikey.

king nero · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2005, 06:25:36 AM »

Thank you!
that answered most of my questions. I'll let you all know how it works out...

If anyone feels like they want to add something, please do!
All opinions are welcome...

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** March 15, 2005, 07:13:28 AM »

About your question on the cartridge to use, I recommend that you learn from the best. What are the winners using? Probably a 9x23 or 38 super. I'm sure there are very good reasons for this. Having preconceived notions about competition equipment usually means that you will buy what you want first, and then pay again to get what you need.

vinconco · « **Reply #9 on:** March 15, 2005, 05:40:35 PM »

If the practical matches are affiliated with IPSC then there will be several different divisions such as OPEN, LIMITED, REVOLVER etc. Each division has certain limitations on sights, barrels, types of guns, etc. In the US, the governing body is USPSA and they have a similar rule structure but different in many aspects.

Go to a match, talk to the shooters and if possible enroll in a beginners class to get the basics of the rule structure and safety procedures understood so you can participate safely.

DVC

Steve

jakes10mm · « **Reply #10 on:** March 24, 2005, 06:58:06 PM »

My only warning to you is the limitations of 10mm. Higher capacity mags are scarce, but getting easier to find. The 10mm tends to really send brass flying, so you may be buying a lot of brass. If you go with the Para...get a P16-40 variant and shoot 40S&W. The secret to 40S&W in a 1911 pistol is to load the cartridge to an overall cartridge length that is nearly 10mm specs.

Good luck and have fun!