So You Want To Buy A Competition Gun...?

[@thedoubleop]

Too late. I bought a shadow 2 before shooting my first match. Everyone thought I was a sandbagging GM. Boy did I prove them wrong lol.

[@tacticaldenpodcast]

Hi point is the best competition gun hands down.

[@tessahbooth]

I see now lie here

[@tacticaldenpodcast]

@@tessahbooth im actually just getting into matches, im super excited.

[@tessahbooth]

@@tacticaldenpodcast Nice!!

[@garrettlundy3959]

Shoot and run from the cops is technically a biathlon🤷‍♂️

[@tacticaldenpodcast]

@@tessahbooth Finished my first match. That was somthing else, lol. Alot of fun though!

[@christam2323]

Great advice here. My biggest advice to new shooters is dont go gear chasing. That piece of gear isnt going to make you a better shooter, I promise. Shoot until the gear starts holding you back, then upgrade if needed.

[@thecodemachine]

I actually disagree, I shot a lot of difference pistols until I got a competition 1911. I wasted a lot of money spending money on low level stuff. You don't know what you are capable until you get that one piece of good gear. You can't race a minivan and have fun, but you can drive a block in a Porsche and have a blast.

[@bwofficial1776]

Good gear makes it a whole lot easier though. My best shooter is my 1911 even though I only shoot it a few times a year. I simply can't shoot my striker guns as well as I can that big heavy 1911, and it's not even an expensive 1911.

[@crackshot-tv]

@@thecodemachine I think the advice is shoot what you have until you can outshoot what you have. A brand new shooter is better served with a glock 19 and 5 cases of ammo plus an annual membership to the local range, then a $3k 2011 and 150 rounds of ammo.

[@alonsoarellanocarryoptics]

You can start with whatever platform you want… it’s your passion that matters 😉

[@Mogas0311]

One of the best videos I’ve seen for new shooters on choosing the right gun for them let alone a competition gun. I think fit is often overlooked.

[@Nixqy]

The support hand reload is something i need to start doing cause im breaking down my grip to reload and seeing the less consistent group because of it, great call out

[@dogedogego]

Yup, hugely agree especially if you don’t have huge hands. I actually swapped to this naturally as the shifting throws so much off in aim. However, there is something to be said in non-competition to practice a one handed mag drop in case you ever need it.

[@chrisharris6834]

Indeed! A local guy I shoot with made GM in a very short time shooting a G26.

[@crackshot-tv]

I like the distinction you make between fitting your hand and comfortable. Whenever you take someone to a gun store their first impressions are how the gun feels in their hand, which usually does not translate to practicality with grip. John Lovell says "if you want comfortable get a cardigan" 🤣 Also agree on the point about the trigger to an extent. I shoot Glock almost exclusively (my competition gun is a glock 34). I did notice my shooting improve after upgrading to the Glock performance trigger from a stock trigger (even though they didn't feel all that different, I think the lighter pull helped normalize jerking the trigger for me).

[@keatonbeer9674]

I’m honestly shocked you don’t have more subscribers. You are very knowledgeable and put out really good content. Keep up the good work.

[@v.german11b]

Excellent presentation and advice. Appreciated 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@Kevin-rt5tl]

I think Lena Miculek calls the support hand mag release move the "peekaboo" release. Of course it is different watching her do the move and yell peekaboo while she is doing it. Saw it in one of her short videos.

[@flip5683]

Definitely very good advice! I have not shot USPSA yet but we do something similar at our club. I also have a H&K VP9 and the paddle mag release is the best! I recently purchased the longer slide and barrel that has the optics cut out. So I’ve gained a little more weight and accuracy.

[@digitalpunk5365]

I kept upgrading and trading up til I had too many competition guns. Then I went back to revolvers. So much fun

[@YSBRYD-CATH]

All good advice, and well presented! Kudos!

[@rexhanson2197]

Shot my first IPSC/combat match in 1981 we had 1911's and revolvers with a few other odds and ends S&W 59 ,BHP etc. The two most important things are to be safe and have FUN!!!

[@PigPharmaceuticals]

1:46 Ben Stoeger says the same about the slide release. He generally releases it with his left thumb as he’s reestablishing his grip so that’s probably worth trying.

[@ecobasetech4558]

I bought my first gun (S&W M&P 9 full size 1.0) back around 2012/13 because I wanted to get into competition. Later (early last year) I bought a Canik SFX Rival Dark Side (amazing trigger!) and used it in my first IDPA (qualifier) match and did pretty good with it considering it was my first time. I just made a deal with someone to trade my Canik along with some extras for their S&W M&P 2.0 Metal because I also have the S&W FPC and I want the magazines to be interchangeable and have one less brand/type of magazine.

[@dogedogego]

Just in time as I’m getting into learning competition shooting! Going to be interesting shooting a micro compact as that’s what I have, but if I can master that I can master any gun probably. Thank you for being so honest on the trigger, to a point I can barely tell what a good or bad trigger is-like mushy triggers could be bad, but I on occasion I find them good weirdly. Best trigger is the one you like!

[@chefmatt6299]

I have a weird knack for mostly unintentionally following in your footsteps. At first, we intentionally followed your advice by picked up a 48 since my spouse is similarly fun sized and we knew she could use it too. Started USPSA and also ended up going Walther after trying out a few. Rolling with an enigma for EDC, now I’m just missing the Sig for carry to complete the “Booth’s Best Buys” list 😂

[@LVbibby]

Good info thanks for sharing!

[@kentchristen6048]

Overall, this is good and relatable advice. I tell folks who are interested in competition shooting to just shoot the gear they have for at least a couple of matches. They may decide, for a whole host of non-shooting reasons, that they don't like competition shooting, which means they shouldn't waste money on competition-specific gear. Once they've done that, I recommend that they look at what other competitors use and see if they can at least dry fire other folks' stuff. In my experience, it's rare to find people who won't let new competitors look over their gear and at least dry fire it. In many instances, I've seen folks offer to let the newbies shoot their gear after the match is over. I've let people try out my gear on more than one occasion. They should get more than enough exposure in a match or two or three to have a feel for what they want in terms of an ensemble. I generally recommend folks find a gun that fits what they normally carry--at least until they decide whether they want to go to a specialized division like Open, which generally means they'll wind up shooting Carry Optics or Production. Unless they carry a micro gun of some sort, they really should only need a belt, holster, and mag pouches--and they may be able to borrow some of that from other competitors who've been in the game for a while.

[@tmgjurassic3738]

In competitive shooting gear does matter at most levels, practice and reps is more important. Buy something hyper reliable like a Glock and practice dry fire and range fire. Zero reasons given time that you should not be able to get to A/Master. At that point, maybe gear will help. Speaking to this video 1) Get a gun that fits your hand, full frame pistols are usually easier to shoot for most people. 2) Get something that is hyper reliable times two. As an example, get a Glock 34 with a dot and then get a second one setup exactly the same way. Shoot them both so if you have some kind of catastrophic failure you can keep going. 3) A good trigger is shooting speak for bad trigger control. Get a reliable trigger and dry fire practice with it until you can pull it without causing your point of impact to move around. 4) Did I mention dry firing? Ben Stoeger has written a great book on the subject, read that before you do anything else.

[@daveshadenuff187]

I want to get into competition shooting eventually but I’m a little ways off.I still got a lot to learn before that road.I currently have a M&P 2.0 4.25 inch barrel with a HoloSun 507c X2,and a Apex trigger,and a Shield Plus for EDC.I eventually want to get like CZ P-10F,or a gun with a 5inch barrel of some sort that is more competition focused,but like I said I need some work still before that,a lot of work… 😂😂😂😂😂

[@3of11]

Good advice to just shoot what you have at first. blow $1000+ in ammo FIRST. Get to know your local match people, make friends, help setup (get free matches), try other peoples' guns at the safe table (gun nerds love to show off their stuff), ask questions about gear, note what people tend to use, observe what has failures.... then go spend $1000+ on a new gun + optic. Also, to your point about trigger... whats FAR more important is: can you pull the trigger straight back (also a function of grip)? any trigger 2.5-4.5lbs will likely be fine, a reasonably well defined break and short/forceful reset is MORE important than pull weight, but being able to pull the trigger at reasonable speed without completely disrupting your POA is priority one. A glock trigger can be cleaned up to be competition worthy for a long long time. and dont go wild modding the thing... if you do... start stock, run it 500rds, change ONE thing, then another 500 to ensure you didn't ruin reliability. (grip panels/tape, sights, magwells excluded)

[@oklahomahank2378]

I distinguish between IDPA and USPSA. In USPSA I include IPSC, Steel Challenge, etc. I often shoot IDPA with my Glock 26, stock except for sights. I have even shot IDPA with a J frame and a LOT of speed reloaders. USPSA will be frustrating without good gear.

[@Funkopotomis]

I saw you are wearing your earpro over the fishing hoodie. How does that work with the fabric shifting and less of a seal or do you double up? It's abit too late for me as I am already sleeping with a fan on but just curious and don't want others to suffer that fate as well

[@tessahbooth]

I typically don't double up unless I'm shooting indoors, or near someone shooting with a muzzle brake. The shirt itself is much thinner than the band on the hat I'm wearing, so it's not "breaking the seal" anymore than the hat I'm wearing :)

[@Funkopotomis]

​@@tessahbooth good to hear. Or rather read. I can't hear too good no more

[@garrettlundy3959]

Do a video showing a pro shooter run a course with a bone stock gun then have the same course run by some guy with 3 months experience using a $9000 race setup😂

[@bwofficial1776]

If you're a great shooter, anything shoots great. But if you're a novice, starting with a race-ish gun can make it a lot easier to get good hits. A good trigger can go a long way. I only shoot my 1911 a few times a year but I can shoot it better than my striker guns, and it's just a mid-tier Ruger SR1911. If I was to get into competition I'd pick a 2011 or a CZ, something that comes out of the box ready to rock. Why waste time with a less-optimal gun?

[@tessahbooth]

Personally, for me it was largely budget and feeling out whether or not the investment was worth the effort I was willing to put in. I needed to spend a couple months doing it with what I had in order to determine that I was willing to continue to come back again and again. That certainly may not be the case for everyone, but I'm glad I didn't make that investment right out of the gate.

[@penny971]

How do you get into competition shooting? This is something I’d be very interested in but have no idea where to start.

[@Eagle52525]

That gun looks massive in your hands. 😂😂😂

[@J.Young808]

H&K paddle mag release will negate being able to not reach the mag release button. On my VP9 I use my strong hand middle finger. My LGS had a P30L that had slide lightening and a buffer on the recoil spring, only drawback was no optics cut.

[@danieljungshoots]

If you aren't a top GM basically in the top 10% of the in USPSA and IPSC, the gear is not going to really matter, especially when you just start shooting. I know several people who are high level shooters shooting stock glock and have also made GM using a stock glock. Heck Morgan Leonhardt who is like 16 is sponsored by Glock and she shoots a mostly factory glock (has the glock performance trigger), and she is super high level shooter (master in USPSA). So when some one is just starting out or wanting to get into competition shooting, they should not buy a fancy new expensive rig, gun, etc. Instead bring what you have and learn the fundamentals, learn how to properly enter and exit, learn how properly shoot a target. Once a shooter has learned all this stuff, then they can look into say buying a real competition gun like a shadow 2, etc.

[@tessahbooth]

I totally agree with about 98% of that haha. I will say though, that gear absolutely makes a difference well before GM level. I would probably argue that gear matters less and less the more skill you obtain. Obviously in this video I stated the case that one should not wait to get into competition in order to obtain a fancy gun or equipment. One should just START and worry about gear later. I took virtually all my shooting classes with a G48, and did my first several competitions with my G48, and by simply swapping my IWB G48 for an OWB Walther Q5, I went from being in the bottom 1/4 at matches, to being smack in the middle. I didn't obtain any new skills, it just became physically easier to manipulate the gun. I do think gear selection can stunt you to some extent, but I also don't think gear selection should prevent you from the most important part...starting.

[@doxide]

Awesome video. Are you and your husband interested in shooting 3 gun competitions in the future?

[@tessahbooth]

Can't say that three gun is of much interest to either of us to be honest.

[@baronvonsnazzy3355]

I wish they made a steel frame g34

[@javoratree3861]

Wish I had bought a Walther match trigger months ago when I saw them for sale online. They are impossible to find now. Still a great gun though.

[@bertblue9683]

Glock. The Chrysler of guns

[@ShortArmStrongArm]

I just compete with my Dagger Compact.

[@hiromiya3365]

Good trigger is on a 2011 Open Gun.

[@airmann4673]

Which gun do you like more the pdp sf or q5 sf?

[@tessahbooth]

Definitely the PDP!

[@airmann4673]

@@tessahbooth I bought the pdp sf 4.5 for 1400 even but my local store has the q5 sf for 1000. So my dilemma is, I have to put in about 600 in upgrades for both guns. I could save 400 going with the q5

[@tessahbooth]

@@airmann4673 Oh yeah, I see what you mean! MY PDP will wind up being more costly than Q5 also. It's not terribly difficult to come by a deal on a Q5 nowadays.

[@NotGrayButBrownMan]

What type of recoil spring did you try that didn't work out? I tried a 13lb zr tactical guide rod for my Walther and I had the same issues of light primer strikes.

[@DaBigBR]

They're likely not true light strikes. The gun isn't quite going into battery (due to the lightened spring).

[@NotGrayButBrownMan]

@DaBigBR I never thought of it that way! So then why did it only happen with 115 grain ammo, but the 124 grain ran fine with the 13lb spring? The pressure should have still been the same, right?

[@DaBigBR]

@@NotGrayButBrownMan GENERALLY 124 grain ammo is a little hotter. Best guess is that the 115 is not cycling the gun with as much force and the weak spring is not getting the gun into battery. Perhaps the 124 grain stuff is sending the slide back harder and that's helping. I see no other way for a recoil spring, which has no connection to the trigger or striker, to play a role in light strikes. I have also seen this occur on some comped guns with light springs.

[@SectionChief]

@@DaBigBR This.

[@autonomousdefense]

Factory G17 squad representing.

[@bertblue9683]

Hi point is better than Glock

[@chefmatt6299]

@@bertblue9683I just throw the bullets

[@petesheppard1709]

Wait, what??? You mean you CAN'T buy skill???

[@svbarryduckworth628]

You don't become skilled by "shopping."