Part 1
Buying a pistol is a decision that requires careful consideration. Whether for security reasons, sporting ambitions, or other reasons, anyone considering acquiring a firearm should take various aspects into account. In this article, we take a critical look at the most important considerations. This blog is about.. Sport-Dynamic Shooting.
Sport-Dynamic Shooting
When choosing a pistol for IPSC or IDPA, you should familiarize yourself with the respective rulebooks beforehand. Factors such as weight, size, caliber, sights, and trigger system determine the classification into a category/division or can even decide whether the pistol is permitted.
Sometimes a fellow shooter will recommend a pistol that's ideal for them – but not necessarily for you. As a beginner, you should start with a simple model. If you get hooked on the sport, you'll invest in a "better" pistol sooner or later anyway.
What is a simple model?
The trigger system of a pistol is considered something simple. Here, a distinction is made between three main systems:
- Double action / single action (DA/SA)
- Single-Action (SA)
- Striker Fired (SF)
I highly recommend a Striker (short for Striker Fired) pistol. In German, this is also called a "partially cocked" pistol. The advantages of Striker pistols are their ease of use; that is, no unnecessary safety levers, decocking levers, or different trigger pull weights like on a DA/SA pistol. Stick with the classic 9x19mm caliber.
Well-known brands include Glock, Walther, H&K, or the new SIG Sauer.
SIG Sauer P320 X-Full 9mm Para
This striker pistol is in the lower price segment.
SIG Sauer P320 X-5 Legion 9mm Para
This striker pistol in the mid-price segment
SIG Sauer P320 Max 9mm Para
This striker pistol has a red dot sight installed.
Iron Sight vs. Red Dot – What you should know
Iron sights refer to shooting with iron sights. A red dot sight, on the other hand, is an electronic aiming aid that is mounted on the pistol. For a pistol to be compatible with an iron sight, it must optic-ready (OR) . You can recognize this by the screw-on plate located above the rear sight.
Which option you choose is primarily a philosophical question – similar to choosing between a manual and automatic transmission in a car. However, there are also ophthalmological reasons that favor switching to the Red Dot. Generally speaking, once you make the switch, you rarely go back.
The training required to use a red dot sight shouldn't be underestimated. Simply seeing the red dot isn't enough – that alone won't guarantee a hit. Quickly drawing the pistol from the holster and rapidly acquiring the target with the red dot in front of it requires a lot of practice. So don't be fooled: switching to a red dot sight doesn't automatically mean immediate improvement; it demands targeted training!
How important is the accessories?
Accessories for me include holsters, magazine pouches, belts, magazines, tuning and replacement parts, as well as hearing protection, shooting glasses, and loading aids. It's especially important to check the availability of a suitable holster and sufficient spare magazines. For beginners, I recommend a Kydex holster . Note that different rules apply to IPSC and IDPA.
Initially, you shouldn't concern yourself with tuning. Many competitive shooters modify their pistols hoping to improve their shooting – but this is a misconception. Instead, you should work on your shooting technique, because no amount of tuning can replace a lack of fundamental skills.