jriggs Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 so I have a question I was hoping I could get some input from everyone on? in and of the sports...USPSA, IDPA or 3 Gun....how many of you guys keep a spare pistol in your bag/car for that rare occasion where your primary competition pistol goes down? the reason I ask...last year was my first season of competitive shooting...I was using an M&P and during the course of the year I built a second M&P that was identical to my competition pistol. it was there in case there was a serious failure...I figured I could just grab the spare and get right back into the next upcoming stage without having to "fix" what went wrong with the primary. no moving forward...I've sold my M&P and moved over to glocks...and I have 34 that I worked up for 3 gun. I'm tossing around the idea again of building another identical 34 to have as a spare. am I wasting my time and money building up the second pistol? how many other guys out there keep a spare pistol in case of failure...and out of those guys...how many GLOCK shooters keep a second pistol. I'm proficient working on safe action pistols...does it make more sense to just keep all the spare parts handy and save that cash for something else? thanks, riggs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twodownzero Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I think having a spare pistol is a great idea. I wouldn't even say it needs to be "built up." Even a stock pistol with the same sights can go a long way. If your gun is broken, it would be so much easier to get a RM's approval and switch than it would be to have to fix your gun mid-match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriggs Posted November 25, 2014 Author Share Posted November 25, 2014 (edited) Yeah that was my thought too. This is what I worked with this year. I'm just curious how many shooters have had issues where the arch was over for them due to massive failure with a glock? Fun $$$ is tight and I can't make up my mind as to whether or not I want to do the same thing with my glock?? Edited November 25, 2014 by jriggs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 The only disadvantage is $$$$. If you have the dollars, there's NO disadvantage - only advantages. If you don't have the $$$$, how often does a Glock break??? Don't you already HAVE a 2nd gun you could substitute if the Glock broke??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captain037 Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I shoot open with my glock but always throw my glock limited gun in the car just in case. I can at least finish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Butterpuc Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 it is a great idea. I have both an M&P Pro and Glock 34 but do not have a spare of either. I have been debating consolidating for similar reasons as you mentioned. In your case (and mine really), I feel perfectly comfortable going to a safe area and fully rebuilding a Glock. I have enough components that I feel comfortable I could get through a match. I don't have a spare "competition" trigger bar, which I should probably get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rugerp89ipsc Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 I look at it as cost. As mentioned, it's a lot easier to just get an identical gun approved for a switch by the MD than it is to monkey with trying to fix something.If I take 3 days off from work, pay a match fee, travel and want to meet goals - a second pistol isn't that big of a deal. I am just getting back into shooting USPSA and have already started working up a second G34 to match my main Production pistol. IF money is tight, just get some parts. That being said. In 14 years of shooting USPSA, mostly with glocks, I have only had a slide lock spring break in the middle of a match. I electrical taped it down and finished the match (college student at the time with 1 pistol.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtimelarry Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Absolutely it's a Good Idea.. Have 2 Glock 34's. Make them Identical as far as sights, triggers etc. Use 1 as your Competition Gun and the other as a Practice Gun that you beat up practicing during the week. The Practice gun gets all the practice rounds and also is your Backup Gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigtimelarry Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 Later on as your Competition gun gets a lot of rounds thru it, then it becomes your practice/Backup Gun and you get a Fresh one for Competition and either keep or sell off the old practice Gun.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted November 25, 2014 Share Posted November 25, 2014 (edited) Depends on how serious of a competitor you are. If you are very serious and compete at high levels then heck ya. If you are a weekend warrior then I think one glock 34 would be fine. Just keep a few spare parts and your good to go. If you just want to buy another gun then go for it. Why not? Instead of a glock 34 how about a glock 35? You could use it for uspsa limited and throw a 9mm conversion barrel and use it for 3 gun! Edited November 25, 2014 by 3djedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 jriggs?how many other guys out there keep a spare pistol in case of failure...and out of those guys...how many GLOCK shooters keep a second pistol. I always have a 2nd competition Glock in the range bag, actually 3 setup with the exact same, along with 2nd backup electric ears, holster, safety glasses, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9x45 Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 (edited) and to back that up, my carry Glock... Edited November 26, 2014 by 9x45 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jriggs Posted November 26, 2014 Author Share Posted November 26, 2014 ok...thanks for all the feedback guys. i'll be finding another 34 to build up then. much appreciated as always riggs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EkuJustice Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I think it all depends on how the budget is. With a glock its not that expensive of a gun but its also one that dosent break often and is also an easy one to fix. When I shot a glock, the backup was basically the parts in a carry gun and never had to resort to fixing it at a match. For a 2011, its not as easy a gun to fix in a safe area as the parts would need to be prefit etc. Since I have a 2011 now, I keep the factory trigger parts that I could swap if I have time and my old glock, as a backup to it. Even going to larger matches, I just cant justify dropping over 3K for a backup open gun set up exactly the same as I have to sit there Idol to have IF it goes down at a big match. Just depends on what Its worth to you to have the exact same gun to finish a match with(thats probibally already tanked if your gun messed up to the point of needing a backup to be used). For me I will take something that will allow me to finish and call it good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Power Jack Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 I can't justify dropping $3K for a backup open gun to have IF it goes down at a big match. True. But, another advantage of a backup gun is for when your primary gun is "at the gunsmith". (That can be for weeks or more). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm31 Posted November 26, 2014 Share Posted November 26, 2014 Good question. I've been considering the same thing for this coming year. Do I buy a back-up glock 34 or upgrade my AR?....that's my question right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Novie Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I compete with a 34, but keep a 17 for backup. It would be easy to borrow a rifle or shotgun to complete match, but a handgun that shoots your ammo and fits your holster would be much harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
splashdown Posted November 27, 2014 Share Posted November 27, 2014 I compete with a tricked out G35 for Limited division. The only other .40 cal Glock I have is a stock G23. I always bring it as a last-ditch just in case backup gun. I don't expect that I'll have a failure that I'll need it for. I keep a lot of spare parts in my range bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CPW1265 Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I would definitely keep a backup. Especially since there is a time limit for fixing a broken gun in USPSA. If you have the financial resources I would definitely get a backup gun. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramairbrc Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I don't have a spare $3,500 pistol "just in case. " But I found have a "magic box" full of parts. At least my buddies call it my magic box, because when something breaks on one of our guns, I likely have the fix! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcolm31 Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I compete with a 34, but keep a 17 for backup. It would be easy to borrow a rifle or shotgun to complete match, but a handgun that shoots your ammo and fits your holster would be much harder. I was thinking the same thing....I have a g34 and a g19, but I was thinking about getting a g17 as a backup comp gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted November 28, 2014 Share Posted November 28, 2014 I've cracked a slide in a club match..... I probably finished that with my backup..... I've always carried a second identical gun to major matches, and in states where my carry permit was recognized I brought a Glock 19 along as well. Then I carried a tool kit and an extensive set of spare parts. End result -- I always finished the match match with the gun I started it with.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darkvibe Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I would love to have a spare pistol but have too much money into it to have two. I do keep spare parts with me. All of the normal replacement parts you would expect and I keep a lot of OEM parts (barrel, slide, striker) that I could throw in if my aftermarket parts failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunther Posted December 1, 2014 Share Posted December 1, 2014 I keep a back up to the back up an another back up for that back up, and a final back up! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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