Triangle Tactical Podcast and Blog on Guns, Gear, and Competition Shooting
There’s been a long standing feud of sorts between the ‘tactical’ shooting community, and the competitive shooters. Many in the tactical group snub their nose at competitive shooters, looking down upon the types of pistols that are shot in games like USPSA Limited and Open, calling them “space guns” or “race guns” and saying that they don’t have a practical purpose in the real world.
It seems that this trend has slowed recently, and some in the tactical crowd are beginning to use pistols more like the ones used in competition. Chris Costa has a special edition M&P done up by the folks at ATEi, that has a lightened slide, 10-8 fiber optic sights, an attractive stipple job, and a hogged out loading port. Get this pistol in .40 S&W, add a magwell, and you are in business for USPSA Limited.
Jason Falla of Redback One is also running a nicely done Glock 17 by Salient Arms International. The Glock 17 Tier One by SAI also includes a lightened slide, undercut trigger guard, a magwell, RB1 sights by 10-8, Grip Force Adapter, and more. It’s basically a nicely done Glock for USPSA Limited as well, other than the fact that it’s chambered in 9mm.
These ‘tactical’ guns have:
- Good trigger
- Good sights
- Stippling
- Magwell
- Extended magazines
- Lightened slide
Many USPSA Limited guns have:
- Good trigger
- Good sights
- Stippling
- Magwell
- Extended magazines
- Lightened slide
I don’t really have a point here, other than it’s interesting to see the gap between the two groups being bridged. For you ‘tactical’ guys, get out and shoot some matches, it’s a lot of fun and great for working on your skills. Competitive guys, get some training too, never hurts to try and learn more and expand your skillset as well.
Lastly… that ATEi M&P is one fine looking pistol!
Another trend gaining momentum that has it’s roots in competitive shooting is the equipping of pistols with red dot sights (RMR’s, Deltapoints, Aimpoint Micro’s, etc.).