shotgunone Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 (edited) I'm relatively new to the action shooting sports. It's been 30 years since I competed with a pistol. I'm currently shooting IDPA but I'd like to try some of the other games in town. I was thinking about USPSA Open and maybe some steel. I'm trying to feel my way along so not really wanting to jump off in a 3K custom gun. With my aging eye's the use of a red dot kind of appeals to me. Would a EAA Tanfoglio Elite Witness Match be a good starting point for an open gun for someone new to trying the sport? I have a 9mm and they are relatively inexpensive and pretty dang accurate. I was thinking that adding a mount and red dot would be an easy way to get started. Any opinions or idea's that I may need to consider? Good advise is always appreciated. Thanks Tony H. Edited November 3, 2014 by shotgunone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Tony, I love the Tanfos but if you're looking to save money I don't think a Match is the way to go. There are a precious few gunsmiths willing to do this work for you. If you want to do it just to walk the path less traveled I can commiserate You can pick up a used 2011 for under $2K and you'd be hard pressed to turn your match into a decent Open gun with a big stick for that kind of money unless you want to do the work yourself. The comp is the tough/expensive part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 I'm currently shooting IDPA but I'd like to try some of the other games in town. the use of a red dot kind of appeals to me. Tony, what type gun are you using for IDPA? Trying to save money would suggest to me that you first try USPSA with whatever you're currently running. See if you like USPSA, before buying a new gun. As Atlas mentioned, you don't want to "just add a dot" to a gun and enter OPEN - you also need a compensator and Hi-cap mags. I'd at least try Production or Limited first, depending on what gun you currently shoot - and see what you enjoy in USPSA (Much different from IDPA). Good luck with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light700 Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Or you could go to some local matches with what you have and get to know people. Ask peole if you can try their open gun. If you make friends they might let you use their back up open gun for a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light700 Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Where are you located there may be someone on here willing to help you out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunone Posted November 3, 2014 Author Share Posted November 3, 2014 Currently shooting IDPA with a 9mm 1911. Located about an hour from Ft Worth and been shooting with club that shoots on the west side of DFW. They hold USPSA matches once a month but I just haven't been able to get off and get to one. With my schedule right now about all I can do is sqeeze in a couple of IDPA matches once a month. Just trying to find a use for the Elite Match since it don't make the weight limit for IDPA. Of course the local guys said it didn't matter to them but if I ever shot upper level matches it would be a problem. Y'all are probably right it would be a good idea to just shoot what i have for the moment and get a feel for USPSA. Thanks for all the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatJones Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Your 1911 fits very nicely into single stack division where the 9mm guns are allowed 10 rounds. Holsters are restricted in single stack so your current rig will likely work. The main difference is that you will want a minimum of 4 mags for each stage. 4 on the belt and one in the gun would be preferable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Just trying to find a use for the Elite Match since it don't make the weight limit for IDPA. The Match fits best in USPSA Limited, but as it's 9mm you would be stuck shooting Limited Minor; it's not the end of the world, but there is a scoring disadvantage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aircooled6racer Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Hello: Pretty hard to beat a STI Tru Bor in 9mm. If you decide you don't like shooting open then it can be easily sold. You may even find a used one around here. Thanks, Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPG Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 Hey Tony - I made the jump to USPSA Open after about a year of IDPA SSP... it's a LOT of fun, but is a very very different game. I agree with the others - bring either your ESP rig, or your Tanfo to few matches and see if you like USPSA. Open shooters will often let you put a few rounds through their guns. See if you can try some out before committing $2K (or more) converting your Tanfo, or on buying a used open gun. If you ever come down to Houston to shoot, let me know - happy to let you fire off a few rounds on my open gun. One last thing - most Open gun setups will require reloading your own ammo. Many compensated pistols need ammunition that generates higher-than-normal levels of gas in order to cycle the slide. -JP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 3, 2014 Share Posted November 3, 2014 compensated pistols need ammunition that generates higher-than-normal levels of gas in order to cycle the slide. I hate to nitpick, since you made some good points, but the higher gas level is not to cycle the slide, but to make the compensator work better (keep the gun from "recoiling" and losing the sight picture as the gun rises). OPEN is fast, and you need to be able to keep seeing the dot - don't want it to bounce out of sight - so we use comps - and they need lots of gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPG Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 True, Jack - I was typing while barely thinking. You are correct - gas runs the comp for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vetdocone Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 If u are trying to get in open cheaply, it will not be a good idea. I have a para 1911 that has 5 magazines and runs great. But is is in 38 super. If you interested in a good gun that will work out for a beginner, please let me know and I will give u price and pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Light700 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I shoot in Temple and have a XDM open gun that I would be willing to let you run. I have a belt setup for it. Also I have a 2011 open gun that you could put some rounds through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kraj Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Im really happy with my open glock and with the cost of the gun i spent $1100 to make a open gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunone Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Thanks guys for all the comments. And you fellow Texans (JPG and Light700) for offering to let me try a few rounds thru your guns. Maybe I'll get that opportunity some day. My main goal lately has been working on avoiding procedurals in IDPA shoots. Several of the guys I shoot with shoot both and they tell me how USPSA is more of a run and gun type sport. I am to old and fat, to be too fast, so mostly I just want to have some fun shooting. So I'm looking at the different pistol sports out their that are close at hand and hope to get to try some of them. Not going to buy anything new right now until I get to a few match and try them out with some of the guns I have. Thanks again. Tony H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPG Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 (edited) ...My main goal lately has been working on avoiding procedurals in IDPA...If this is your goal, shoot USPSA. ? Haha - ok sorry I couldn't help myself - it was too easy . To be fair though, USPSA and IDPA are both 'run-and-gun' sports. Don't let other people's perceptions of USPSA deter you from trying it. While this sounds like advice you'd give a 3rd grader, people new to either IDPA or USPSA may not be aware of the deep dispassion that some shooters have for the other sport, and vice-versa. You don't have to be a track star to have fun in USPSA, just as you don't have to be from Seal Team 6 to have fun in IDPA. Shoot them both - at this stage, more trigger time from either game will help you improve. Then you'll be able to pick what you like. If it helps, here are some quick IDPA-to-USPSA division translations: SSP - Production ESP - Limited 10 CDP - Single Stack Only own 3 total mags - Limited (load them up) Edited November 4, 2014 by JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38supPat Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 hate to nitpick, since you made some good points, but the higher gas levelis not to cycle the slide, but to make the compensator work better (keep thegun from "recoiling" and losing the sight picture as the gun rises). True, Jack - I was typing while barely thinking. You are correct - gas runs the comp for sure.Well not to not pick bit the additional gasses are to push a 9mm bullet to major velocity, the comp then uses these gasses to reduce recoil and flip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunone Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 ...My main goal lately has been working on avoiding procedurals in IDPA...If this is your goal, shoot USPSA. Haha - ok sorry I couldn't help myself - it was too easy . I haven't read the rules on USPSA but I take it that they may be a little more "forgiving" than some of IDPA's. I have also learned to be careful as some guys are really into the sport and my wit and humor, as the new guy, is not always welcomed (if you know what I mean). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kneelingatlas Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I haven't read the rules on USPSA http://www.uspsa.org/document_library/rules/2014/Feb%202014%20Handgun%20Rules.pdf Boom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPG Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 I take it that they may be a little more "forgiving" than some of IDPA. They are just different games. USPSA does not incorporate the 'tactical' style of IDPA - so there are no rules regarding cover, cover garments, dropping loaded magazines, target engagement rules, etc. However, calculating your scores in USPSA is more complicated. I have also learned to be careful as some guys are really into the sport and my wit and humor, as the new guy, is not always welcomed (if you know what I mean) Ha! Yeah, I totally get it. There are a lot of guys with strong opinions about their game of choice. I've shot both, and both are fun in different ways... but only USPSA has Open Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeerBaron Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 hard to go past a used 2011 like a STI trubor as a first open gun. I am a bit partial to the tanfoglios so wouldn't discount them either. used gold teams (the tanfoglo open model in the US) seem to go for very reasonable money. I totally suggest going to some matches with what you have first. see what other guys use, try some of their guns and see what you enjoy playing with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bayougump Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 hard to go past a used 2011 like a STI trubor as a first open gun. I am a bit partial to the tanfoglios so wouldn't discount them either. used gold teams (the tanfoglo open model in the US) seem to go for very reasonable money. I totally suggest going to some matches with what you have first. see what other guys use, try some of their guns and see what you enjoy playing with. I am partial to Tanfos but I think for a factory open pistol the Gold Custom is great. You can get a gun and mags and dot for a relatively cheap amount in terms of an Open setup. I already want another;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mstevens72 Posted November 8, 2014 Share Posted November 8, 2014 I got my STI trubor and never had any issues with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shotgunone Posted November 8, 2014 Author Share Posted November 8, 2014 (edited) Thanks for all the info. What caliber are most of you all shooting in open class especially in the Trubor's? I think they come in 9mm and 38 super, right? Probably the best idea I keep hearing you all tell me is to go run what I have at some local matches before I spend lots of money on a new gun and red dot. That's probably the smart thing to do. I just get that gun buying itch, too bad I have a champagne taste on a beer income. haha Edited November 8, 2014 by shotgunone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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