I did my first USPSA/IPSC match today. What a blast! I scored near the bottom, but don't care at all. I learned a lot and got practical experience with the subcompact 9mm I carry every day.
A few observations:
- When I took my time, I shot very well. I even hit some VERY long steel on my first shot (something only a few guys did). But on some of the shorter shots, I rushed myself and had some misses.
- The XD subcompact is no race gun, but I felt good about how I did. I need to practice more, but felt pretty good about myself considering my gun was 1/2 the size and had 1/3 the ammo (limited to 10 in Production) of most of the ones there.
- I should have asked for more tips and feedback. I've never taken a shooting course and have only been shooting pistols consistently for a few months.
- The competition is great balance between staying calm/making good decisions and shooting. Shooting production and being limited to 10 round magazines made me think a bit more than the guys with race guns. A few times I got ahead of myself and ran dry or missed the optimal reload time. I did have one malfunction (didn't seat the magazine all the way) and did a perfect Tap-Rack-Bang almost instinctively. Yes!
I shot my last 2 matches with my XDSC 9. I did worse in my second match than my first...mainly because I really tried to reduce my times and I ended up sacrificing too much accuracy.
I did it because it's my primary carry gun. I gained some good experience and learned a couple of shortcomings that I'll correct. The biggest issue was the mag release. I definitely want to get an extended mag release button. Not for competing, but for survival. I had a tough time getting the button depressed. For me, it will bump me out of production if I make the change...but I really didn't figure on making this a "race gun" or competing every week with it. So if I get bumped, then so be it.
Next, I tried to stick with the USPSA/IPSC rules and I removed the Pearce grip extensions. It really made it tough to control. I'm putting them back on.
I also ran into a few mags that didn't fit properly. They were too snug. All of my previous mags worked well. But the ones I got from a mag kit from a local store all had problems with a tight fit. I tried to polish one down and see it got better. It did not. I polished again and again, and now the mag just sucks. Lesson learned. For the others, I'll just leave them alone and see if they get better over time.
Yes, I had to manually remove the magazines because they only eject themselves about 1/2 the time. I push the button with my right thumb then use my left hand to 'flip' the magazine out while going for the replacement magazine. It definitely costs me a bit of time, but not too much.
Part of the problem is the magazine just not dropping. Also, my hands are kinda big and the magazine hits my palm requiring a bit of contortion or regrip in order for some magazines to eject. In my opinion, the amount of time it would take me to regrip after seating a magazine is about the same as the time it takes to manually flip the magazine out.
Part of the problem is the magazine just not dropping. Also, my hands are kinda big and the magazine hits my palm requiring a bit of contortion or regrip in order for some magazines to eject.
Good observation. I never thought of that one. I'll need to look next time. I use my right thumb as well. I think it would work better if the mag extension were a little longer. But I know that won't address the mags not fully dropping. I wish I knew why my new mags don't drop like my old ones. My old ones work perfectly. But I don't want to beat them up in competition.
Good observation. I never thought of that one. I'll need to look next time. I use my right thumb as well. I think it would work better if the mag extension were a little longer. But I know that won't address the mags not fully dropping. I wish I knew why my new mags don't drop like my old ones. My old ones work perfectly. But I don't want to beat them up in competition.
I have one mag that doesn't drop all the way out. The guy at the gun shop suggested placing the mag in a vise and lightly squeezing it. Haven't tried it yet but I'll post the results.
I shoot IDPA with my 40sc and love it. I put the XS Big Dot on am well pleased. FYI - I wear a men's large glove and grip the gun mostly with my ring finger and pinkie. I slide my middle finger slightly forward. This seems to get my hand pretty high on the gun. Typically I finish in the top third of the ESP shooters with their heavy 9mm 1911's. I am thinking about a 9mm XD (either tactical or service) for IDPA only.
I have one mag that doesn't drop all the way out. The guy at the gun shop suggested placing the mag in a vise and lightly squeezing it. Haven't tried it yet but I'll post the results.
Hopefully it would work better for you than it did for me with my beretta mag. I got the same advice. That magazine is now in my spare parts scrap bin.
Number your mags. I had one mag give me trouble dropping. I am sure someone stepped on it. It my be too long instead of too wide? I was able to fix it just by pushing it hard against my desk.
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