The racegun topic made me think. If I were going to spend $2K+ on a firearm, my choice for all round rifle is still a M1A as it a 308Win. and is capable of high degrees of accuracy. It is a good rifle for hunting; unfortunately in PA-no semi-rifles. In a rifle weight is not a major concern; unless the only reason it is purchased to play three gun.
Just can't see spending that kind of money on a toy like a pistol that has no real purpose except on a match field. Even the money spent on these so called ARs for "Tactical" and three gun matches; they are nothing more than Race ARs as are these highly specialized shotguns used for ISPC three gun. The same goes for shotguns with dot sights, ported 26" barrels with extended mag tubes.
Let's think about this, what's the longest range of a rifle shot in an IPSC 3gun? I am going to venture 100m(save the SOF), a box AR will hammer an A zone at that distance no sweat; for that matter so will a new AK. They will do it for a lot less than a race AR.
This is one of the reasons that IDPA has grown so fast. You can come out and have fun, improve your firearms handling skills, use a firearm that doesn't cost more than a house payment, and get to hang with your buds.
Having shot both IPSC and IDPA over the last twelve years, it is easy to see why IDPA has grown. It is really more than just the cost of gear. IPSC has become just to damn driven by an elist attitude, not just against IDPA but to the point of; "I can't believe you shoot a Para, that's old tech", (FWIW I shoot nothing but SS 1911s), you need XYZ launch platform its faster, etc., in many cases the RO's even have that Im a USPSA-RO, CRO, RM and you are the shooter. It really sends lots of new shooters packing.
This is not just my opinion, but a number of pistol plumbers have gotten out of the race pistol business. Reason, and this is from a number of places; IPSC shooters are a pain in the ass, and they are constantly wanting to tinker with the work XYZ did, change the load so it is "softer", and the pistol doesn't run. That seems to be why there a number of places left that build IPSC pisotls; EGW, Brazos, Clark, come to mind. I can name a bunch more that don't build them anymore or an incredibly small number a year.
Folks just want to relax when they go to shoot a match. IPSC has become too much like work from loading-gotta have the "perfect"load, to my IPSC football spikes, gotta have the "best" launch platform, to my firearms which are a race for the latest and greatest. If I am going to that much hassle, I might as well work. Even at a major match there is very little hanging out, except in your shooting cliques.
IDPA shooters seem to be a lot more laid back. Grab my Glock, Beretta, etc., load some what ever caliber that works well, go shoot. At major events there is a lot more hanging out going on, from lunch to having a post match beer.
You know, shooting needs to have a HIGH DEGREE OF FUN FACTOR.
Just can't see spending that kind of money on a toy like a pistol that has no real purpose except on a match field. Even the money spent on these so called ARs for "Tactical" and three gun matches; they are nothing more than Race ARs as are these highly specialized shotguns used for ISPC three gun. The same goes for shotguns with dot sights, ported 26" barrels with extended mag tubes.
Let's think about this, what's the longest range of a rifle shot in an IPSC 3gun? I am going to venture 100m(save the SOF), a box AR will hammer an A zone at that distance no sweat; for that matter so will a new AK. They will do it for a lot less than a race AR.
This is one of the reasons that IDPA has grown so fast. You can come out and have fun, improve your firearms handling skills, use a firearm that doesn't cost more than a house payment, and get to hang with your buds.
Having shot both IPSC and IDPA over the last twelve years, it is easy to see why IDPA has grown. It is really more than just the cost of gear. IPSC has become just to damn driven by an elist attitude, not just against IDPA but to the point of; "I can't believe you shoot a Para, that's old tech", (FWIW I shoot nothing but SS 1911s), you need XYZ launch platform its faster, etc., in many cases the RO's even have that Im a USPSA-RO, CRO, RM and you are the shooter. It really sends lots of new shooters packing.
This is not just my opinion, but a number of pistol plumbers have gotten out of the race pistol business. Reason, and this is from a number of places; IPSC shooters are a pain in the ass, and they are constantly wanting to tinker with the work XYZ did, change the load so it is "softer", and the pistol doesn't run. That seems to be why there a number of places left that build IPSC pisotls; EGW, Brazos, Clark, come to mind. I can name a bunch more that don't build them anymore or an incredibly small number a year.
Folks just want to relax when they go to shoot a match. IPSC has become too much like work from loading-gotta have the "perfect"load, to my IPSC football spikes, gotta have the "best" launch platform, to my firearms which are a race for the latest and greatest. If I am going to that much hassle, I might as well work. Even at a major match there is very little hanging out, except in your shooting cliques.
IDPA shooters seem to be a lot more laid back. Grab my Glock, Beretta, etc., load some what ever caliber that works well, go shoot. At major events there is a lot more hanging out going on, from lunch to having a post match beer.
You know, shooting needs to have a HIGH DEGREE OF FUN FACTOR.