So tactical games is my next obsession. I have every intention of taking shooting sports a little more seriously and starting with USPSA pistol to develop safety, skills and connection with the shooting community.
I will join my local commercial gun club, purchase a 9mm, holster and belt and get started with live fire and dry fire exercises. I will likely get a dry fire magazine (3 pack for $60) and shot timer ($100-$150).
Next priority will be to get involved with USPSA competition in and around town.
Depending on how I enjoy it, the next step will be customizing the pistol with red dot site, grip tape, competition trigger and Magwell. This will cost more than the original pistol.
If USPSA goes well, the next evolution will be a modern sporting rifle.
Fully configured pistol with optics can be around $1600.
Fully configured rifle with optics could be between $2000 and $3000. Similar principal of optics being as expensive or more expensive than the firearm.
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I started a membership at Blucore Shooting Center and tried some 9mm pistols.
Glock 17 - felt OK
Glock 34 - hated the sites
Glock 45 - felt much better in hand
Sig 320 - felt much more stable (heavier, better grip, stickier magazine release)
I want to give them all a whirl again. I think I was more impressed by the Gen5 lower on the Glock45 than I was impressed by the upper. I rejected the Glock 34 as I was dissatisfied with the sights, however after some follow up, I feel like I will be upgrading the sights anyway. I liked the weight of the Sig, but not the rest of the operation.
Basspro
Glock 45 Gen5 9mm $570
Glock 45 Gen5 9mm, suppressor ready $600
Glock 17 Gen1 9mm $570
Glock 34 Gen5 MOS 9mm $710
Glock 45 Gen5 MOS 9mm $620
Glock Website
G17
G17 Gen5
G17L
G34
G34 Gen5 MOS
G45
G45 MOS
G17 Gen4 Cut
Probably will go for G34 instead of G45. G17 do not appear to be in stock. I might have to wait.
I am going to get an MOS to avoid having to drill right into the slide for adding a red dot.
I do like the Gen5
Trijicon HD Night Sights - Glock Standard Frames (MOS) SKU: GL114-C-601089 - $170
Timney Alpha Competition Series for Glock Gen 5 (Red) - $170
Taran Tactical Full Size Competition Lightning Magwell for Gen 5 - $105
Grip Tape - need to do some homework
Long term will consider
Trijicon RMR HD Red Dot Sight 3.25 MOA. All the benefits of SRO with durability of RMR.
Glock Magazines are $20-$30 each. I will need (5) total.
Double Alpha Academy Dry-Fire Practice Magazine - $20
Shot timer?
G47 $630 at Basspro
Glock 17 Gen5 9mm semi-auto with front serrations - $549
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I ended up going with the Glock 45 Gen 5 which was $593 (less 5%) at BluCore. Purchased 12/20/2023. Initiated background check 12/21/2023 (needed a state issued item with current address, got fishing license from Dick's, could take up to 72 hours).
- Looked at holsters - around $50 for Level 1 retention (holster are for light or no light and have 3 levels of retention; buy basic and then change as experience level rises)
- Belts - $50, salesperson preferred Ares Gear belts around $100-$130 (buy once, cry once)
- Trijicon Night Sights - $180 (buy once, cry once)
- Light - $300?? (Streamlight is the preferred brand sold at BluCore; figure this out)
Start with just getting comfortable as is and then will buy belt and holster.