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AAFG IDPA Equipment Survey 04/02/2008

One question often asked by newer shooters is what equipment do proficient shooters use.  To help address this question, we surveyed 23 shooters who (1) have participated in one or more AAFG IDPA matches in 2007 or 2008, and (2) hold a classification of Master or Expert in one or more IDPA divisions.  These 23 shooters hold a total of 40 Master or Expert classifications.  The highest classification for 6 of the shooters is Master. These 6 Masters hold a total of 10 Master and 6 Expert classifications.  The highest classification for the remaining 17 shooters is Expert. These 17 Experts hold a total of 24 Expert classifications. 

Each shooter was asked about the gun, caliber, sights, holster, magazine carriers, ammunition, and concealment garment used in each division in which he or she is classified as a Master or Expert.  Each shooter was also given the opportunity to provide any other comment that he or she thought might be helpful to a shooter aiming to improve.  We obtained responses from all 23 shooters (100%).  

Overall Findings

First, the handguns listed by our 23 Master and Expert shooters are shown in the following chart by division and classification:

Overall, the most frequent entries were for the Glock 34 (12 entries), Model 1911 (10 entries), Beretta 92 (4 entries), SIG P226 (4 entries), and Smith and Wesson M&P (4 entries).  Note:  In the ESP division (10 shooters), 8 shooters use the same gun they use in the SSP or CDP divisions (including 3 Glock 34s, 2 Model 1911s, 1 Beretta 92, 1 S&W M&P, and 1 SIG P226).

Second, of the 13 shooters who reported the type of front sight used, 8 reported using a fiber optic front sight, 3 reported using a fiber optic/tritium front sight, 1 reported using 10-8 Performance plain black front and rear sights, and 1 reported using a factory front sight.

Third, Kydex holsters and magazine pouches by Blade Tech, Comp-Tac, and Ky Tac are used most frequently.

Fourth, the proportion of shooters using reloads increases as one moves from Experts to Masters.  For those using reloads, cost may not be the only, or even primary, consideration.  The reloads favored by these shooters serve to reduce recoil, as compared to factory loads, while meeting the IDPA power factor requirements for the division.  This enables faster subsequent shots.  For those using factory ammunition, the less expensive brands/loadings predominate. 

Fifth, the concealment garments used are mostly vests but no particular brand or model predominates.

Masters

There are 6 shooters whose highest classification is Master.  They hold a total of 10 Master classifications in the SSP, ESP, and CDP divisions.  Two are double Masters (one SSP/ESP and one SSP/CDP).  One is a triple Master (SSP/ESP/CDP).

Gun/Caliber:

In the SSP division (6 Masters), 3 use a Glock 34 (9mm), 1 uses a Glock 17 (9mm), 1 uses a Beretta 92G Elite II (9mm), and 1 uses a SIG P226 (9mm). 

In the ESP division (2 Masters), 1 uses a Glock 34 (9mm) and 1 uses a Beretta 92G Elite II (9mm).  [Note:  Both of these shooters are also SSP Masters and use the same gun in both divisions.] 

In the CDP division (2 Masters), both use a 1911s 45ACP (1 uses a Les Baer and 1 used a Wilson CQB ). [Note: The shooter using the Wilson has since switched to a Glock 21 SF in 45ACP for CDP.]

Ammunition:    

In the SSP division, 5 Masters use 9mm reloads and 1 uses 9mm factory ammunition.  Of the SSP Masters using reloads, 4 use 9mm reloads with 147 grain bullets (2 use JHP, 1 uses flat point, and 1 did not specify) and 1 uses 9mm reloads with 125 grain JHP bullets. 

In the ESP division, both Masters use 9mm reloads with 147 grain JHP bullets.  [Note:  Both of these shooters are also SSP Masters and use the same gun and ammo in both divisions.] 

In the CDP division, both Masters use 45ACP reloads with 230 grain bullets. 

Holster: 

In the SSP division, 3 Masters use Blade Tech holsters, 2 use Ky Tac holsters, and 1 did not provide this information.

In the ESP division, both Masters use Blade Tech holsters. [Note:  Both of these shooters are also SSP Masters and use the same gun/holster in both divisions.] 

In the CDP division, both Masters use Blade Tech holsters.

Magazine Carriers:

In the SSP division, 2 Masters use Ky Tac magazine pouches, 1 uses Blade Tech , 1 uses a Wilson, and 2 did not specify the magazine pouch used.  Three Masters use single magazine pouches and 3 did not specify whether they use single magazine pouches or a double magazine pouch.

In the ESP division, 1 Master uses Blade Tech single magazine pouches and 1 uses a Wilson magazine pouch (single or double not specified).

In the CDP division, 1 Master uses Blade Tech single magazine pouches and 1 did not provide this information.

Sights:  Only 2 Masters reported the type of front sight used.  One uses a fiber optic/tritium front sight and 1 uses a tritium front sight.

Concealment Garment:  Various garments are used.  There does not seem to be any predominant model of vest used. 

Experts

There are 17 shooters whose highest classification is Expert, who hold a total of 24 Expert classifications.  Additionally, 3 shooters, whose highest classification is Master, hold a total of 6 Expert classifications.  Together, these shooters hold a total of 30 Expert classifications in the SSP, ESP, CDP, and SSR divisions. 

Gun/Caliber:

In the SSP division (14 Experts), 6 use a Glock 34 (9mm), 1 uses a Glock 17 (9mm), 1 uses a Beretta 92D (9mm), 2 use a SIG P226 (9mm), 3 use a S&W M&P (2 in 9mm & 1 in .40 cal.),  and 1 uses a H&K USP (.40 cal.).

In the ESP division (8 Experts), 2 use a Glock 34 (9mm), 2 use a Les Baer 1911 (45 cal.), 1 uses a SIG P226 (9mm), 1 uses a S&W M&P (9mm), 1 uses a Springfield 1911 (9mm), and 1 uses a Springfield XD.   

In the CDP division (5 Experts), all use 1911s in 45ACP (2 use a Les Baer, 1 uses a STI Trojan, and 2 did not specify).

In the SSR division (3 Experts), 1 Expert uses a S&W Model 10, 1 uses a S&W Model 586, and 1 uses a S&W Model 67, all in 38 Special caliber.

Ammunition:   

In the SSP division, 10 Experts use factory ammunition (7 use 9mm, and 2 use 40 cal.), and 4 use 9mm reloads with 147 grain JHP bullets. 

In the ESP division, 4 Experts use factory ammunition (3 use 9mm and 1 uses 45 ACP) and 4 use reloads (2 use 9mm reloads with 147 grain JHP bullets, 1 uses 9mm reloads with 147 grain flat nose bullets, and 1 use 45ACP reloads with 230 bullets).

In the CDP division, 3 Experts use 45 ACP factory ammunition and 2 use reloads in 45 ACP with 230 grain bullets. 

In the SSR division, all 3 Experts use reloads in 38 Special (2 use 158 grain bullets and 1 did not specify).

Holster: 

In the SSP division, 6 Experts use Blade Tech holsters, 4 use a Comp-Tac, 1 uses a Talon Tactical, 1 uses a Ready-Tac, 1 uses a Blackhawk, 1 uses a Mad Dog, 1 did not specify.

In the ESP division, 5 Experts use Blade Tech holsters and 3 use Comp Tac.

In the CDP division, 1 Expert uses a Blade Tech holster, 1 uses a Comp Tac, 1 uses a Ky Tac, 1 uses a Del Fatti, and 1 did not specify.

In the SSR division, 2 Experts use a Fobus holster, 1 uses a Blade Tech.

Magazine Carriers and Speed Loaders:

In the SSP division, 5 Experts use Blade Tech magazine pouches, 3 use Comp Tac, 1 uses DeSantis, 1 uses Fobus, 1 uses Wilson, 1 uses Read Tactical, 1 uses Uncle Mike’s, and 1 did not specify.   Five Experts use single magazine pouches, 4 use double magazine pouches, and 5 did not specify.

In the ESP division, 2 Experts use Blade Tech pouches, 2 uses Comp Tac, 1 uses De Santis, 1 uses Uncle Mike’s, 1 uses Safari Land, and 1 did not specify.  Two Experts use single magazine pouches, 3 use double magazine pouches, and 3 did not specify.

In the CDP division, 1 Expert uses a Ky Tac, 1 uses a Comp Tac, 1 uses a Blade Tech, 1 uses a Del Fatti, and 1 did not specify.  One Expert uses single magazine pouches, 1 uses a double magazine pouch, and 3 did not specify. 

In the SSR division, 2 use Safariland speed loaders and 1 did not specify.  One expert uses a Blade Tech pouch and 2 did not specify.

Sights:   Of the 13 shooters who reported the type of front sight used, 7 reported using a fiber optic front sight, 2 reported using a fiber optic/tritium front sight, 1 reported using 10-8 Performance plain black front and rear sights, and 1 reported using a factory front sight.

Concealment Garment:  Various garments are used.  There does not seem to be any predominant model of vest used.  One Expert reported using a regular shirt.

Detailed Responses

More detailed responses are provided in the following table: