Posted: 9/22/2010 11:32:15 AM EDT
| I want to start shooting USPSA in the spring and want to starting building or buy a gun for open class. Has anyone built their own 1911 for USPSA or is it better to purchase one prebuilt? |
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I used a Local Smith to Build a Open gun for me. (he is also a USPSA shooter)
I would not build my own open gun. Parts cost to much and screw ups are not cheap. The above is for a 2011 type open gun using non "prefit" parts. ETA If your in NY preban STI/SVI mags are not cheap, but then post ban are not cheap either. My 170mm run approx 140 per mag. (100 for a mag body + 30 for a basepad +10 spring and follower). Then you have to tweak. |
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I used a Local Smith to Build a Open gun for me. (he is also a USPSA shooter) I would not build my own open gun. Parts cost to much and screw ups are not cheap. The above is for a 2011 type open gun using non "prefit" parts. ETA If your in NY preban STI/SVI mags are not cheap, but then post ban are not cheap either. My 170mm run approx 140 per mag. (100 for a mag body + 30 for a basepad +10 spring and follower). Then you have to tweak. I'm very new to the whole USPSA thing, when you say 2011 type what does that mean? |
2011 is an STI wide framed gun. You do not want a "1911" because that could be a single stack. 
If there are any matches around, start shooting whatever you got now. Or check on the USPSA site's members section (if you are a member now), or some place the Enos Forum Classifieds to find an open gun. When considering price, include mags. Lee |
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2011 is an STI wide framed gun. You do not want a "1911" because that could be a single stack.
If there are any matches around, start shooting whatever you got now. Or check on the USPSA site's members section (if you are a member now), or some place the Enos Forum Classifieds to find an open gun. When considering price, include mags. Lee I thought 2011 was the year mark. I was thinking guns had to be modified annually to adapt to new rules. Now you know just how much of a newb i am. 
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All said an done a open gun will run 3,000 plus when all is said and done. <a href="http://img5.imageshack.us/i/img02971y.jpg/" target="_blank">http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5084/img02971y.th.jpg</a> non fancy open gun that runs. What do you have now in lines of pistols? A Gen 4 G19 that I haven't even picked up from my FFL yet. Basically competitive trap season is coming to an end until Spring and I want to use this down time to start working my way into a second competitive shoot discipline. |
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that will work for production just fine in USPSA.
You will need 4 min magazines and a holster and some magazine pouches to hold them all. Area 7 clubs in NY |
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All said an done a open gun will run 3,000 plus when all is said and done. <a href="http://img5.imageshack.us/i/img02971y.jpg/" target="_blank">http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5084/img02971y.th.jpg</a> non fancy open gun that runs. What do you have now in lines of pistols? IMO, $3K is a bit on the high side and only if you buy new. After some shopping around, I picked up my Open Gun (A lightly used, customized STI Trubor with hardchrome finish and 3 x mags) for $1700 shipped. Good used open guns can be had in the 2.0K-2.5K range on the Enos Forums at just about any time. |
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I would say start with what you have and work your way up to open. It's quite a commitment .. there's plenty of shootin to be done with regular guy equipment. Then if you decide USPSA fever is for you, start asking around at the club if anyone is selling an open gun. You can probably pick up a good deal there, and it might have most of the gear too..
Doc |
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For not knowing about USPSA, jumping into Open division, is potentially not a good decision. If you have a handgun, shoot a couple of matches first and see if you even like the sport.
As for Open guns, a great way is to buy a used gun and have a reputable 'smith do some tweaking on it. By the time you're done, you're likely less than buying a new gun. From there, you can tweak as you like/want to modify the gun to your likings. Then...when you're ready, take the plunge into a new gun. Contact Bobby at Freedom Gunworks. He usually has 1-2 used guns in the shop and can make you a deal on one. Have him sprinkle some love on it to get it reliable and with a nice trigger and you're done. Rich |
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For not knowing about USPSA, jumping into Open division, is potentially not a good decision. If you have a handgun, shoot a couple of matches first and see if you even like the sport. This is very true. You mentioned a 1911. You could get one and shoot single stack and not have to worry about high cap mags or you could use the G19 for a couple matches and shoot production to see how you like it. If you have friends who currently shoot USPSA will they let you run one of theirs? |
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Also, building an Open class pistol is MUCH different than building a 1911 (or even a limited division pistol). The barrel fit/timing is much more critical in an open gun and frankly, there's only about 6-7 folks in the country that REALLY know what they're doing when it comes to doing it right. Like I said before, before jumping into USPSA, shoot a couple of matches to see if you even like it. There's a division for every pistol and you don't need hicaps, race holsters, etc. to get started.
In the meantime, if you're still set on Open (which I don't blame you as I'm an Open shooter) ask to try a couple of folks' guns to see what you like/don't like. Some basic considerations: - Weight - Caliber - Barrel length - Port/Comp design (strictly a compensator or a compensator + ports) - Scope style (C-More vs. Aimpoint vs. JPoint/Docter) - Safeties - Grip styles Also, don't limit yourself to a 1911/2011 design. Look at the EAA/CZ pistols. For those that don't think that these are viable guns for open, you can contact Henning Wallgren, Angus Hobdell or Eric Grauffel. Eric in particular has done "pretty well" not shooting a 1911/2011 based pistol. Rich |
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I would say start with what you have and work your way up to open. It's quite a commitment .. there's plenty of shootin to be done with regular guy equipment. Then if you decide USPSA fever is for you, start asking around at the club if anyone is selling an open gun. You can probably pick up a good deal there, and it might have most of the gear too.. Doc This ^^^. I started in limited 10 and I'm still doing so. Regular guy equipment works just as well as anything else does, especially for dipping feet in the water. Starting out in open might persuade you otherwise, guys with souped up race guns are generally the ones who have been doing it for years/really good shooters and keeping up with them ain't no joke 
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I would say start with what you have and work your way up to open. It's quite a commitment .. there's plenty of shootin to be done with regular guy equipment. Then if you decide USPSA fever is for you, start asking around at the club if anyone is selling an open gun. You can probably pick up a good deal there, and it might have most of the gear too.. Doc This ^^^. I started in limited 10 and I'm still doing so. Regular guy equipment works just as well as anything else does, especially for dipping feet in the water. Starting out in open might persuade you otherwise, guys with souped up race guns are generally the ones who have been doing it for years/really good shooters and keeping up with them ain't no joke
I shoot open and thats not me. Open is a blast, esp when you put your head in a barrel and pull the trigger. |
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I'd start in Production division with the Glock until you know what you're getting yourself into.
If you already know for sure you want an open gun, I'd give Bob Londrigan a call Brazos Custom for a wonderful gun. Or Bennie Hill at Triangle Shooting Sports. I have two guns from Bob (Limited and Open) and two guns from Bennie (6" 2011 and Limited Benelli), everything runs like it should. |
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Jumping into Open is a risky proposition.
You know how sometimes you're just not sure if you'll like the M&P or the Glock more? And you just buy one and hope you didn't make a mistake? Imagine doing that with a $3000+ gun. Do you want to shoot .38 Super, .38 Super Comp, 9mm Major, etc. Do you want a C-More, and if so, do you want a regular mount or sideways mount? These are expensive decisions! Do you reload? If not, absolutely forget about shooting Open any time soon. Not reloading makes shooting Open a non-starter. As others have said, there is no shame in starting out in SS or Production. Hell, there's no shame in staying in SS or Production for your whole USPSA career. I think anyone's best bet is to start out in SS and Production and start telling people at your club that you want to give open a try. More than likely someone will lend you their back up Open gun for a match. That way you can see if it's for you - and what you like in an Open gun - before making a very expensive mistake. |
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For me the Barry mount was the better option. Put the dot where I was use to seeing the iron sights.
I tried the 90 deg mount and it reminded me of an enfield rifle. I sure after a few mags I can get use to it. the other option put the dot to high, felt like I had a set of over unders on the pistols I tried. Then in my neck neck of the woods the Barry mount has been around since before I started shooting USPSA. Its funny how the net has caused the mount to jump all over the world. We have one guy that shoots on and off using a std factory 9mm in open. The gun runs just fine. If he whishes to start reloading a simple spring change and gun can shoot 9mm major. Man I whish i had the cash for a backup open gun. Our group will share a gun if one of ours goes tits up. |