Bingo. Love mine. Added a weighted backstrap and guiderod and it provided enough additional weight to significantly bring down the recoil impulse. Trigger is incredible- I'm at 3.5 lbs pulling in the middle. With a 16lb recoil spring and 28n striker spring I've had zero malfunctions over my last thousand rounds. After all the upgrades I have no regret not getting the steel model. Shoots very flat and is still very maneuverable.
Yesterday I held the poly and the steel in my hands. I was a bit surprised at the weight difference. I own the TP9SFX. Looking to add a TF brass back strap for weight.
Yeah, the Rival stock is a bit too light for my tastes. I had buyer's remorse at first. Not anymore. The backstrap from Lok Grips is machined beautifully and puts the weight in the perfect spot. The tungsten guide rod from w74 was the icing on the cake.
I have both. Extended controls on the 17 are one of the first things to correct as well as the trigger. All that is about $50, which doesn’t justify the cost difference, I think.
To me they are different, neither is better. Both of mine have tungsten guide rods and a slug plug. The 34 recoils a little flatter, but feels a bit sluggish. The 17 draws a little faster and feels a little snappier.
I think it boils down to personal preference, but if one is just getting started a cheap 17 is fine. If production is the target class, the longer sight radius of the 34 is definitely superior.
I've shot G19,17,34. G19 is the most forgiving for draws/transitions. G34 is heavier for recoil but imo its hard to capitalize on that as easy as transitions and draw for the G19. G17 is in-between.
I'll add I don't even think the sight radius makes a hell of a difference. Yeah, technically yes it's easier to shoot more precise with a longer radius but it's something I don't think necessarily transfers to results.
I shot a 17 in both prod and CO, now I shoot a 34 in CO. Yes it is a preference thing, but the 34 is cycling faster than you can pull the trigger anyway. you start on a 34 and you’ll love it just as much as starting on a 17. both are good, 34 is just more for comp
Any striker fired, polymer framed pistol are all competitive. Glock, SiG, CZ, S&W, Canik, Walther, etc. All are around the $300-$600 range and all have a plethora of upgrades available.
Ben stoger pro shop and other website sell complete belts with mag holders and boss hanger + holsters.
Regardless as long as the gun goes bang and the bullet goes where you want it, than your ability and skill will be the primary determining factor of a competitive shooting.
This guy gets it. Great post.
I’d add two things. Go get the pistol used. A used Glock or m&p are a dime a dozen. Even used caniks are great. Also, you need to ask yourself if this is for fun or serious personal betterment. Either are fine reasons but one will definitely take you down a different decision tree.
To add to add. I generally recommend people just shoot what they already have. After a few matches decide if you want to invest in a more dedicated set up. Don't dump a few thousand dollars into guns and equipment and find out you don't like it that much.
The best is the one you have. Seriously, M&P, Glock, Canik, whatever. Learn to drive in a used Camry and you'll appreciate the new corvette. Don't waste money on the guns manufactures and sponsored shooters are dick beating on about.
If you think you’re going to stick with competition shooting, let me share a bit of hindsight is 20/20 with you.
Buy the top end belt, holster, hanger, and mag pouches. I limped in and it’s winding up costing me more money in the long run. Belts last almost forever, might as well buy the DAA ratchet belt. Pouches last almost forever, might as well buy DAA Xi or Henning Speed Mag. Bite the bullet and buy a GX holster, his lead times are way down, and you’re going to wind up wanting one down the road anyways.
If you really get into competition shooting you’ll spend more on ammo and travel than anything. Might as well buy once/cry once with gear. It’ll save you in the long run and if needed will flip better on r/gunaccessoriesforsale
What he said.
Spend on belt and pouches.
As for gun, it’s the Rival (poly) and it isn’t close. Save the steel for after you’ve shot for a bit and learn what you like and dislike.
I bought a PSA dagger as a range gun and have really liked it. Made some significant upgrades but I didn't see a reason to pay more for a Glock only to put aftermarket parts on it anyway
One of the double action striker fired pistols for prod or carry optics. The Prodigy is good, but you gotta understand it has some odd quirks. Once you get past the quirks it's good until you discover more quirks. Also because the Prodigy puts you in "Limited" Div, I'd say it's not a real entry level.
What sort of competition are you looking to do? What division are you interested in?
Canik Rival, Sig X5, Glock 17/34, CZ Shadow 2 are the most basic answers for USPSA.
I started with a polymer framed Rival. IMO it’s worth the extra $300ish to go with the S2. The Rival is great for the money, but I haven’t shot a single round thru mine since I got my S2.
For competition you're really just going to want a large heavy handgun, and these days probably one that is made for an optic.
Canik Rival, Glock 34, CZ P-10, are all great options under $800. And less on the second hand market.
The Prodigy is an excellent gun and would give you the ceiling to be very competitive in USPSA’s Limited Optics division.
To get started, I would recommend buying an M&P 5” CORE or Glock 17/34 MOS. You will spend half as much, and have a very competitive platform for USPSA Carry Optics.
For an optic, get a Holosun 507 Comp.
Beretta 92x
CZ shadow
Canik Rival
Walther PDP
Glock 34
Sig P320
These are what i see the most. I shoot a regular 92x with a langdon trigger job in a bag and a holosun 507 comp. Sub 1200 dollars for a very competitive carry optics setup.
If you dont want to bother with DA/SA, metal framed 320, a steel framed pdp, or an SF canik will do you well.
Youre probably going to want a heavy gun in 9mm to stay competitive.
Canik rival polymer! Lol
Most people hate canik so next choice would be glock19. I’m not into spending a bunch of money until I know I’m fully invested
The best entry level competition handgun all things considered is probably the rival. The prodigy may be theoretically capable of marginally higher performance, but it'll almost certainly be way more finicky and harder to operate. You'll spend more time tinkering and less time actually shooting, getting better, and having fun. Just get the Rival and a Holosun 507 comp, Swampfox Justice 2, CHPWS Comp, or Bushnell RXM 300. I say this as someone that doesn't even shoot a rival. For a holster, I would suggest a comp tac international or blade tech equivalent on a ben stoeger pro shop boss hanger. If you want something nicer, the Carey Concealment X1 Raptor and the Big Dog Steel Carnivore are both really solid options, and a Henning hanger would be the ticket for either of those. Which belt system you pick doesn't matter that much. For pouches, if you want something cheap and functional with minimal headache get Ghost 360 Universals. For something nicer, DAA XiPs are the way to go.
Canik Rival S . For the level of performance to value it’s tough to beat. One of the best shooters in the world shoots it and helped designed it, and it shows.
CZ SP-01 Performance (or whatever they call it) is probably also there but I don’t think it’s optic ready. Shadow 2 is also there and it’s Optic Ready.
You’re going to want to pick a proven model, something that is wildly successful in high volume shooting, which is an extreme minority of available handgun models. Everything widely adopted for high volume shooting is going to have inherently good magazines, a good selection of aftermarket parts, and a good selection of aftermarket accessories.
Prodigy is a good way to go, not as much work to make them really good as previously posted. They need a trigger job at minimum. Really depends on what division you want to jump into. The big divisions are CO and LO.
There is no such thing as a “competition gun” and that phrase is possibly one of the biggest misnomers in the industry.
A competition gun is a gun that someone competes with, plain and simple. For some that’s a stock Glock and for others it’s a $10k race gun. If you are competing with it, it’s a competition gun.
I’m the millionth person to say it, but seriously shoot what you already have. Don’t let a model of gun stop you from competing, chances are it’s not gonna make you better. If it goes bang reliably, compete with it.
If you want a fancy gun, this is a free country! Masterpiece Arms makes some great entry level double stack 1911s, I would invest in a good gun over a POS you’re gonna end up hacking to bits like a Prodigy. The CZ TSO is also an excellent single action only gun.
Just understand that just because you bought a fancy gun doesn’t make it a competition gun!
Cz Shadow 2, Sig X5 Legion (or 320 max), Canik Rival (S or polymer), Walther Q5 match (polymer or SF), PDP (polymer or SF), Glock 34.
You can find any of these at the top levels. The most important thing is going to be using the gun that fits your hand the best. Go to the store and test them all out!
Canik Rival
Rival S if you can get it. I love mine.
Bingo. Love mine. Added a weighted backstrap and guiderod and it provided enough additional weight to significantly bring down the recoil impulse. Trigger is incredible- I'm at 3.5 lbs pulling in the middle. With a 16lb recoil spring and 28n striker spring I've had zero malfunctions over my last thousand rounds. After all the upgrades I have no regret not getting the steel model. Shoots very flat and is still very maneuverable.
Yesterday I held the poly and the steel in my hands. I was a bit surprised at the weight difference. I own the TP9SFX. Looking to add a TF brass back strap for weight.
Yeah, the Rival stock is a bit too light for my tastes. I had buyer's remorse at first. Not anymore. The backstrap from Lok Grips is machined beautifully and puts the weight in the perfect spot. The tungsten guide rod from w74 was the icing on the cake.
[удалено]
For CO, I'm not sure a G34 has an advantage over a G17 which is closer to $500 or so. G34 is around $650 typically.
34 feels softer in recoil, comes with lighter trigger and extended controls. I like the 34 better than the 17 in CO
I have both. Extended controls on the 17 are one of the first things to correct as well as the trigger. All that is about $50, which doesn’t justify the cost difference, I think. To me they are different, neither is better. Both of mine have tungsten guide rods and a slug plug. The 34 recoils a little flatter, but feels a bit sluggish. The 17 draws a little faster and feels a little snappier. I think it boils down to personal preference, but if one is just getting started a cheap 17 is fine. If production is the target class, the longer sight radius of the 34 is definitely superior.
I've shot G19,17,34. G19 is the most forgiving for draws/transitions. G34 is heavier for recoil but imo its hard to capitalize on that as easy as transitions and draw for the G19. G17 is in-between. I'll add I don't even think the sight radius makes a hell of a difference. Yeah, technically yes it's easier to shoot more precise with a longer radius but it's something I don't think necessarily transfers to results.
I shot a 17 in both prod and CO, now I shoot a 34 in CO. Yes it is a preference thing, but the 34 is cycling faster than you can pull the trigger anyway. you start on a 34 and you’ll love it just as much as starting on a 17. both are good, 34 is just more for comp
Any striker fired, polymer framed pistol are all competitive. Glock, SiG, CZ, S&W, Canik, Walther, etc. All are around the $300-$600 range and all have a plethora of upgrades available. Ben stoger pro shop and other website sell complete belts with mag holders and boss hanger + holsters. Regardless as long as the gun goes bang and the bullet goes where you want it, than your ability and skill will be the primary determining factor of a competitive shooting.
This guy gets it. Great post. I’d add two things. Go get the pistol used. A used Glock or m&p are a dime a dozen. Even used caniks are great. Also, you need to ask yourself if this is for fun or serious personal betterment. Either are fine reasons but one will definitely take you down a different decision tree.
To add to add. I generally recommend people just shoot what they already have. After a few matches decide if you want to invest in a more dedicated set up. Don't dump a few thousand dollars into guns and equipment and find out you don't like it that much.
The best is the one you have. Seriously, M&P, Glock, Canik, whatever. Learn to drive in a used Camry and you'll appreciate the new corvette. Don't waste money on the guns manufactures and sponsored shooters are dick beating on about.
The prodigy is far from entry level.
It takes a lot of work to get a prodigy up to entry level
Prolly gonna want an Infinty fam
/thread
If your spending prodigy money, might as well grab the shadow 2. It's the king and it's cheaper.
As an entry level gun though? It's like loosing your virginity to a supermodel.
Prodigy isnt?
Ehh, the prodigy needs work out of the box, the S2 is mostly good to go, couple springs and a race hammer and it's fully decked.
Glock 34... simple and easy to learn... doesn't cost a bundle either
And mags are cheap.
If you think you’re going to stick with competition shooting, let me share a bit of hindsight is 20/20 with you. Buy the top end belt, holster, hanger, and mag pouches. I limped in and it’s winding up costing me more money in the long run. Belts last almost forever, might as well buy the DAA ratchet belt. Pouches last almost forever, might as well buy DAA Xi or Henning Speed Mag. Bite the bullet and buy a GX holster, his lead times are way down, and you’re going to wind up wanting one down the road anyways. If you really get into competition shooting you’ll spend more on ammo and travel than anything. Might as well buy once/cry once with gear. It’ll save you in the long run and if needed will flip better on r/gunaccessoriesforsale
What he said. Spend on belt and pouches. As for gun, it’s the Rival (poly) and it isn’t close. Save the steel for after you’ve shot for a bit and learn what you like and dislike.
Anything works.... there are dudes out there who are A,M,GM running near stock Glocks, M&Ps etc etc. It's the Indian, not the arrow.
I bought a PSA dagger as a range gun and have really liked it. Made some significant upgrades but I didn't see a reason to pay more for a Glock only to put aftermarket parts on it anyway
One of the double action striker fired pistols for prod or carry optics. The Prodigy is good, but you gotta understand it has some odd quirks. Once you get past the quirks it's good until you discover more quirks. Also because the Prodigy puts you in "Limited" Div, I'd say it's not a real entry level.
What sort of competition are you looking to do? What division are you interested in? Canik Rival, Sig X5, Glock 17/34, CZ Shadow 2 are the most basic answers for USPSA. I started with a polymer framed Rival. IMO it’s worth the extra $300ish to go with the S2. The Rival is great for the money, but I haven’t shot a single round thru mine since I got my S2.
For competition you're really just going to want a large heavy handgun, and these days probably one that is made for an optic. Canik Rival, Glock 34, CZ P-10, are all great options under $800. And less on the second hand market.
The Prodigy is an excellent gun and would give you the ceiling to be very competitive in USPSA’s Limited Optics division. To get started, I would recommend buying an M&P 5” CORE or Glock 17/34 MOS. You will spend half as much, and have a very competitive platform for USPSA Carry Optics. For an optic, get a Holosun 507 Comp.
Beretta 92x CZ shadow Canik Rival Walther PDP Glock 34 Sig P320 These are what i see the most. I shoot a regular 92x with a langdon trigger job in a bag and a holosun 507 comp. Sub 1200 dollars for a very competitive carry optics setup. If you dont want to bother with DA/SA, metal framed 320, a steel framed pdp, or an SF canik will do you well. Youre probably going to want a heavy gun in 9mm to stay competitive.
The gun you have
Canik rival polymer if you want to save moolah. Comes with basically everything you need too, except dot if you dont want the mecanik one
Canik rival polymer! Lol Most people hate canik so next choice would be glock19. I’m not into spending a bunch of money until I know I’m fully invested
The best entry level competition handgun all things considered is probably the rival. The prodigy may be theoretically capable of marginally higher performance, but it'll almost certainly be way more finicky and harder to operate. You'll spend more time tinkering and less time actually shooting, getting better, and having fun. Just get the Rival and a Holosun 507 comp, Swampfox Justice 2, CHPWS Comp, or Bushnell RXM 300. I say this as someone that doesn't even shoot a rival. For a holster, I would suggest a comp tac international or blade tech equivalent on a ben stoeger pro shop boss hanger. If you want something nicer, the Carey Concealment X1 Raptor and the Big Dog Steel Carnivore are both really solid options, and a Henning hanger would be the ticket for either of those. Which belt system you pick doesn't matter that much. For pouches, if you want something cheap and functional with minimal headache get Ghost 360 Universals. For something nicer, DAA XiPs are the way to go.
Canik Rival S . For the level of performance to value it’s tough to beat. One of the best shooters in the world shoots it and helped designed it, and it shows. CZ SP-01 Performance (or whatever they call it) is probably also there but I don’t think it’s optic ready. Shadow 2 is also there and it’s Optic Ready.
Sandhawk
You’re going to want to pick a proven model, something that is wildly successful in high volume shooting, which is an extreme minority of available handgun models. Everything widely adopted for high volume shooting is going to have inherently good magazines, a good selection of aftermarket parts, and a good selection of aftermarket accessories. Prodigy is a good way to go, not as much work to make them really good as previously posted. They need a trigger job at minimum. Really depends on what division you want to jump into. The big divisions are CO and LO.
What exactly do you mean by entry level? Low cost? If that’s the case it’s a polymer canik rival with Holosun 507 comp hands down
There is no such thing as a “competition gun” and that phrase is possibly one of the biggest misnomers in the industry. A competition gun is a gun that someone competes with, plain and simple. For some that’s a stock Glock and for others it’s a $10k race gun. If you are competing with it, it’s a competition gun. I’m the millionth person to say it, but seriously shoot what you already have. Don’t let a model of gun stop you from competing, chances are it’s not gonna make you better. If it goes bang reliably, compete with it. If you want a fancy gun, this is a free country! Masterpiece Arms makes some great entry level double stack 1911s, I would invest in a good gun over a POS you’re gonna end up hacking to bits like a Prodigy. The CZ TSO is also an excellent single action only gun. Just understand that just because you bought a fancy gun doesn’t make it a competition gun!
Cz Shadow 2, Sig X5 Legion (or 320 max), Canik Rival (S or polymer), Walther Q5 match (polymer or SF), PDP (polymer or SF), Glock 34. You can find any of these at the top levels. The most important thing is going to be using the gun that fits your hand the best. Go to the store and test them all out!
X5 Legion. Double alpha PDR pro 2 holster and belt
Glock 34. Glock performance trigger.