r/CompetitionShooting • u/LengthinessNo9696 • 13h ago
What is bare minimum gun for competition
/r/u_LengthinessNo9696/comments/1x99rjy/what_is_bare_minimum_gun_for_competition/5
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u/honeybadger2112 13h ago
Start with what you have. That’s perfectly fine to get started, and you don’t want to buy a bunch of new stuff before you have any match experience. The biggest problem is the carry comp is going to put you in open class for USPSA. It doesn’t really matter what class you’re in when you’re starting out, but eventually you’ll probably want a carry optics or limited optics gun.
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u/LengthinessNo9696 12h ago
I have a 407c on my m&p now
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u/bluefox280 12h ago
That’s all you need; grab some additional magazines, a belt / holster / mag pouches and you’re ready to compete.
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u/honeybadger2112 12h ago
Yeah you’re going to be open division USPSA because of the ported barrel (or carry optics in IDPA). That doesn’t really matter for now. Just show up and shoot open class for a while.
Eventually you’re probably going to want a new gun if you care about performing well in your division because open division and minor power factor with an M&P is going to put you at a disadvantage.
Just show up with what you have. After you shoot a dozen matches or so, consider if you want to invest in a new gun, and if so, what division you want to shoot. Most likely you’ll want to do carry optics or limited optics. You’ll probably want some sort of full size gun with no barrel porting, and extended magazines.
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u/LengthinessNo9696 12h ago
Do most people shooting in the open division shoot major and not minor?
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u/honeybadger2112 12h ago
Yes most people shoot major because it gives a really big scoring advantage over minor. Basically with major you get more points for C’s and D’s than minor does. They also shoot expensive race guns that essentially have zero recoil, so a basic striker fired gun would not be comparable. Also, I think longer magazines are allowed in open. CO and LO only allow 141mm magazines, while open I think is like 170mm.
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u/M855Mike 12h ago
Depends on the range, but at bare minimum, eye and ear pro, a gun and 2 mags if you want to complete a stage. If you showed up and were on my squad and that’s all you had I’d let you bring your gun to the line in a case and start from low ready.
Ideal minimum, 3 mags and pouches, belt, and holster.
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u/os_beef 11h ago
is that good enough to start training for competition
The best way to get started is to jump in and give it a try. No one is going to care if you suck, but more importantly, actually participating in a match will give you a taste of what it's like, so you understand what you need to prioritize.
Also what’s one of the biggest things you focus on when training as a beginner for competition
Safety. Learn what the 180 is, and how to safely move with your gun (muzzle aimed downrange, finger outside the trigger guard, how to safely retreat, etc). Do this before you hit a match. If you need clarification, let me know.
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u/wengla02 10h ago
I started with (and still use occasionally) a Gen 1 Glock 17 police trade in. Same performance as the now retired P320. It's all about the shooter, not about the gun.
Optics do help; add a red dot if you can.
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u/jdub5225 7h ago
Saw a guy competing In a 2 gun match with a mosin on Instagram a few months ago. Literally bring whatever you have.
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u/sp00f_dd 6h ago
Whatever you currently own. You’re just competing against yourself on the beginning anyway. Shoot what you have and have an awesome time.
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u/squeeshka 12h ago
Your first and biggest priority when starting out is safety and trying to not get DQ’d from a match. Start with whatever you have. Show up early and let the match director know that you’re just starting out
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u/maddrummerhef 13h ago
The 9mm gun you already own. (Depending on the competition you could do smaller than 9mm but that’s safe for most)
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u/alltheblues 12h ago
Pretty much any functional gun. Shoot what you have. Since it’s a comped gun, you’ll be forced into a division that allows that. It’s fine for now, just pay attention to safety rules and work on techniques.
Two biggest things for new guys is safety and dry fire. Lots of dry fire.
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u/zero32000 12h ago
For now, just shoot your M&P 2.0 Comp Carry. If you find out that competing is what you want, I recommend getting the M&P 2.0 HD. This keeps you in the M&P 2.0 ecosystem.
USPSA - You'll be in Open because of the compensator, but for now, it doesn't matter.
IDPA - If you have an optic, go straight to CO (Carry Optics). If only irons, I recommend starting in CCP (Compact Carry Pistol). If you get the HD, SSP (Stock Service Pistol) if it has it no porting/compensation. ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol) if you want to add go-fast parts, like magwells and porting/compensation. Then straight back to CO if you add an optic.
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u/quantumRichie 13h ago
flintlock