First time in a match

On Wed I went to the local range to do some target shooting. My normal day to shoot is on Friday but because I made plans that day I went on Wed. I get there and the guys who run the shop welcome me as they always to do but this time they asked if I was going to be shooting "Plates" or "paper". With a big question mark in my head I asked "Plates?" He told me about a Match that was going to start in 10 minutes and what the object was. How could I say no to speed shooting. I put in my ten dollars and was taken in right away by these people who by the looks of it shoot A LOT. All were very nice and helped me not look so new. I started to get my Glock ready for action when one of the guys walks up and asks if i'm going to be using that glock. I said yes and continued to get ready. He tells me that I should use only Lead rounds because FMJ's will bounce back. He then saw my 357 and said I should use that with 38's. He gave a box of 38 wadcutter's for a couple bucks and I was ready to shoot. at the first stange I got all but one plate down. I was doing great for my first time. As I went back to 15-20-25 yards I was hitting nothing. I moved down a few lains and shot my 357 rds with dead on hit at 25 yards on paper but was hitting nothing with the 38's. They told me that with lighter loads they tend to shoot high. I moved my sites but still was not hitting anything. Shooting my 357 was ok but I would have much rather shot my glock. The trigger on my 357 is very heavy and was a little hard to use when speed was a factor. My question is what do I need to get my glock "Match Ready?" Everyone said I should shoot 38's. Do they sell 38 barrels and mags for glocks? I would like to keep my 357 as is. Its my nightstand gun so I don't want to tinker with it. I had so much fun but don't stand a chance next to those with $5,000+ guns. I feel like I have stepped into a whole new world, and you know what....I like it;f

BTW I have a G17

Thanks guys



Edit: I was shooting a Tauras Tracker 357 Mag revolver

[9x45]

Jackets tend to separate on steel and can bounce around. You didn't say which model Glock you have, but if the range you practice at restricts shooters to lead only, then you should get an aftermarket barrel for your Glock to safely shoot lead with. Federal makes one for about $90.

[BLiTzNicK]

Do they sell 38 barrels and mags for glocks?

What? I don't understand, if you are refering to .357 sig, it is not the same as .357 mag. A .357sig won't use .38s. It's a totally different thing. YOu truly have me confused.

[DannyR]

Your G17 will do just fine with lead bullets, but you need to clean the barrel real well after every 150-200 rounds. The problem is to find 9mm factory ammo made with lead bullets.

[Fireglock]

American Eagle did make some. It was a problem here because I wanted FMJ and they had the lead locally.

Thanks guys for the help. The only place I was able to find lead 9mm loads where at http://www.georgia-arms.com/. They say its LRN which I figure is what I want. I'm a little uneasy with shooting lead out of my barrel after being told not to by so many people. Who sells a barrel that can fire these loads without a problem? I Have looked at the barrels they have at GlockMeister and at Lone Wolf. Who else can I look at?

[MarkP]

http://www.barsto.com/Glock.html

[IPSC G34]

Originally posted by bu-bye
I had so much fun but don't stand a chance next to those with $5,000+ guns.


$5000+?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! What smith have you been looking at? The most I've seen is a $4500 Open gun from Dawson, but there are ALOT cheaper open guns out there(BTW, that $4500 open gun is better then a $2000 open gun, but a $2000 open gun works just fine. :cool: ).

Originally posted by IPSC G34



$5000+?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! What smith have you been looking at? The most I've seen is a $4500 Open gun from Dawson, but there are ALOT cheaper open guns out there(BTW, that $4500 open gun is better then a $2000 open gun, but a $2000 open gun works just fine. :cool: ).

One girl had a $5000 1911 racing gun. Decked out from top to bottom. She does a lot more then just shoot iron plates. There is no way I want to spend anything close to that. I think a new barrel and red dot sight will do me just fine. Thanks guys for all the help.:)

[40loader]

You don't need to be shooting open class when you are first starting out. Use your Glock and shoot production or limited 10, very small startup cost (just a few extra mags) and you can compete against factory guns instead of race guns. It is just as much fun and takes more skill to be proficient with iron sights and double action trigger. Also a good chance to practice mag changes, since you would only be using 10 rounders.