I started with a ruger for fun, but after shooting a few matches I got an xd .45. I was always a .45 guy, I used it in lim-10 and it held 10 plus. Last year I got a para that holds 18-1 man what difference! I got c class over night. It had those aradondo basepads, I shot an indoor match did a mag change . It hit the concrete floor and splash, bullets everywhere. I bought Dawson basepads (metal ones) and man what a great gun. This game is all about trial and error. Use what you have til u have money for what you want. And overall don't forget, this is all for fun.