New to USPSA, need some info and advice

[Kyglock22]

I'm getting things ready to compete in my first USPSA match in Kentucky(I'm VERY Excited!), and I have a few questions that I would like to run past you gentlemen....
I am trying to decide on shooting either my G22 or G19 for competition. I generally carry .40 cal for personal defense, but tend to shoot 9mm a lot more so at the range.
I already have a Wilderness 1.5" belt, Comt-Tac Paddle Slide Holster/ Sidearmor Modular OWB Holster... but have not purchased any magazine carriers yet... I've been looking at Comp-Tac's double magazine belt carrier.... can anyone give me any feedback on this carrier?
Other than taht, any other advice or suggestions for a Newbie to USPSA would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank guys!!

Mike

[Jim Watson]

I am not familiar with the brand except to see that it is Internet Popular.
You might want to get two, even if a cheaper brand. There are some LOOONG USPSA CoFs and limited to 10 in the magazine for Production Divison, 30 shots might not see you through.

[USPSA Guy]

Ideally you want to have a minimum of 4 mags with pouches on the belt. This always got me by in L10, loading with a barney mag in a back pocket and my first mag also coming from a back pocket. When my wife took over my L-10 gun/rig, I set her up with five 773 pouches (THE best mag pouch IMHO).

As a minimum, I'd want 3 mags in pouches with any extras in back pockets.

As far as advice goes, HAVE FUN! Pay close attention to the RO and be sure to let him/her know this is your first match. That will let them know to give you tips on things like not sweeping yourself opening doors and whatnot.

Any targets that you aren't sure how to shoot can be intimidating. Realize you can ask anyone there "how do I shoot this" and they will be more than happy to clue you in.

Try to identify your specific weaknesses, or at least the biggest 2 during the match so you have something to work on during practice. Keep identifying problems, then fixing them in practice and you'll be kicking butt in no time!

Remember that safety is your biggest concern. Focus on staying safe and you will make many new friends.

[rhino465]

If you're going to shoot in Production Division, then you should have at least four magazines on your belt (bare minimum). Six would be better. If you're looking at Comp-Tac, consider the "belt fed" which is really nice for carrying four magazines. Add a couple of singles or a double and you're in business. Your 9mm would be the better choice for production as well.

If you're going to shoot Limited or Limited10, then you should shoot the .40. If Limited10, you'll want the same mag pouches as Production. If Limited, you could get by with two or three on most courses of fire as long as you use your standard capacity magazines.

You also want to bring a lot of spare magazines. If you have multiple strings or mandatory reloads, they come in handy because you won't have to load magazine between strings which slows everything down too much.

[RRPD1]

Originally posted by Kyglock22
I'm getting things ready to compete in my first USPSA match in Kentucky(I'm VERY Excited!), and I have a few questions that I would like to run past you gentlemen....
I am trying to decide on shooting either my G22 or G19 for competition. I generally carry .40 cal for personal defense, but tend to shoot 9mm a lot more so at the range.
I already have a Wilderness 1.5" belt, Comt-Tac Paddle Slide Holster/ Sidearmor Modular OWB Holster... but have not purchased any magazine carriers yet... I've been looking at Comp-Tac's double magazine belt carrier.... can anyone give me any feedback on this carrier?
Other than taht, any other advice or suggestions for a Newbie to USPSA would be GREATLY appreciated! Thank guys!!

Mike

Kyglock22,

The comp-tac carriers work great for what you're asking about. I would agree with everyone else in that you need at least 4 - I carry 5 and shoot production - I've never needed the 5th mag but it's nice to have in case. Also, I currently have several extra comp-tac singles and a comp-tac double for glock mags -

[Bren]

Which club are you shooting at? BGSL tomorrow?

With the G22 you can shoot production or shoot major in limited or limited 10. With the 19 you can shoot in the same, but you would be shooting minor in limited or limited 10. If you shoot limited 10 or production, you can only load 10 per magazine, so you will need probably 5 magazines to make sure you can get through every stage. If you have full capacity magazines, you could probably get by with 3 in either gun shooting limited, since you can load them all the way. That may be something to consider if you don't have a lot of spare magazines.

Double mag pouches are OK and cheaper than 2 singles, but you can reload better and faster from singles and you have more choices about where to put them when you are fitting 4 or 5 on your belt (notice that the "competition" mag pouches don't usually come in doubles at all). A few kydex single mag pouches would do you well for either USPSA or IDPA.

[riddler]

Not to hijack the original thread but I am quite curious about whether I can use a G19 WITH an aftermarket stainless steel guide rod (original plastic rod long gone) for USPSA Production.

[Bren]

Originally posted by riddler
Not to hijack the original thread but I am quite curious about whether I can use a G19 WITH an aftermarket stainless steel guide rod (original plastic rod long gone) for USPSA Production.
Maybe

21. Allowed modifications are very limited and include the following:
21.1 No weighted attachments allowed to magazine.
21.2 Front sights may be trimmed, fiber optics inserted, adjusted and/or have sight black applied. Sights must be of the notch and post type.
21.3 Replacement barrels allowed provided barrel length is same as
original factory standard. Heavy barrels and/or barrel sleeves not
allowed.
21.4 Action work to enhance reliability (throating, trigger work, etc.) is allowed.
21.5 External modifications other than sights not allowed.
21.6 Aftermarket grips which match the profile of the OFM standard for the approved handgun and/or the application of grip tape or rubber sleeves is permitted. Modifications to grips, other than previously mentioned, not allowed, such as grooves cut to reach mag release or size reduction.