Centerfire pistol choice

[jerber]

Hello everyone
I am starting to shoot a bullseye like relay and right now they only require to shoot with 22lr and repeat the shooting with centerfire (no 45 required)
I have been shooting with my Benelli mp90
But I'm really interested to get a centerfire pistol
I'm not ready yet to spend too much$ on a pistol right now
So I like to know what would you suggest to use for now
To shoot centerfire
I like to stay under $1000
What caliber should I look into?
I have shot .45 before but did not do very good
Any tips/suggestions will be great
Thanks

[Rover]

Recent changes in NRA rules allow you to shoot a .22 in all 1800 and 2700 matches, but you will be categorized as a .22 shooter.

Either go with that plan (which I have done as I got older) or get a .45 and learn to shoot it so you can compete in 2700s.

You can go to some other caliber, but if you can't shoot a .45 you won't be able to shoot something else either.

[CR10X]

Shoot the .22 for a while, even if you are out of competition. It's excellent development until a shooter can see and accurately call each shot. It's a lot easier to learn to call the shots with a .22.

Please be sure to check the match program. Tournaments are not required to include .22 Only Aggregate match in their programs. It is the choice of the tournament if .22 Only Aggregate will be used or recognized and included in awards. Rule 22.6 only says the sponsors are "...encouraged to include..." in the match program. Similarly, just because Distinguished Revolver and One Hand or Two Hand Probationary are included in the book does not make them required for any tournament.

The NRA program allows great latitude for tournament sponsors to create tournaments that can limit individual competitors (by class, or otherwise); by equipment (could be .22 only, CF only, .45 only, revolver, etc.) and different coursed of fire. Therefore it is important that the match program be created, reviewed and understood.

For example at our matches; we encourage .22 only for new shooters and allow shooters to shoot .22 use for all 3 aggregate matches; but only the scores for the .22 Aggregate Match are used for classification and awards. That reduces the paperwork for the match director, gives the shooter more opportunity to shoot in match conditions and doesn't move to shooter to a classified status too quickly when using just the .22. Of course we also use assigned classifications for new / beginning shooters until they get classified by the option available under rule Appendix A. 4 for Approved Tournaments.

CR

[jerber]

THX for the info
I'm just going to shoot 22 for now
I just thought that I could get something inexpensive to try out center fire
Maybe I'll just take it slow!

[Mike M.]

Don't bother with a cheap gun, you'll just frustrate yourself. Shoot the .22 and enjoy it.

[SlartyBartFast]

Don't bother with a cheap gun, you'll just frustrate yourself. Shoot the .22 and enjoy it.

There's NOTHING under a 1000$ that will be nothing but frustration?

I find that hard to believe. And depressing if true.

To promote and grow the sport, participants need to be able to acquire decent equipment at decent prices.

[dronning]

Don't bother with a cheap gun, you'll just frustrate yourself. Shoot the .22 and enjoy it.

There's NOTHING under a 1000$ that will be nothing but frustration?

I find that hard to believe. And depressing if true.

To promote and grow the sport, participants need to be able to acquire decent equipment at decent prices.

I have to respond to this.

1) There are many people shooting bullseye that have purchased a Springfield Range Officer for around $700 and all they have done is have the trigger worked on - still under $1000. One of them I personally know just got his Master Card using that gun and all he did was to have the trigger worked on and change out the recoil spring and mainsprings to work with his light loads. As a reward for making Master he is having a new bullseye gun built.

2) Buy a revolver, say a S&W 14-3, -4, or -5, you can find a good one for under $800, many people shoot revolvers with high success, you can't find a more accurate gun for the money, and sustained fire isn't really all that difficult. It will also help you make Distinguished Revolver sooner.

3) For slightly more than $1K get a used bullseye gun with irons. I just bought a used one for $1,500 with an Aimpoint H1 and Tots tubes on it. The optic alone was worth $750.

- Dave

I do agree shoot the 22 until you are in the 800's then think about a CF gun.

[SlartyBartFast]

I have to respond to this.

Exactly. I knew there were options.

There's a real danger in a sport becoming over-run with rabid enthusiasts and equipment fetishists. Newcomers start asking questions and start thinking the only options are remain in obscurity, suffer humiliation at competition, or drop thousands of dollars before competing.

So far, I've found that finding someone that can put the "frustration" with "lesser" firearms into objective descriptions is very difficult.

If competition was more popular around me, I'd love to have specific model competitions. Manufacturers should make packages/kits for that very purpose. Because it seems to me that many if not most firearms can hold the 10 ring at target shooting distances.

But then again, I'm just a noob with .22 plinker. So what do I know. :p I'm pretty certain the answers all lie in detailed data gathering and analysis.

[shooot]

+1 for the Springfield Range Officer.

I started bullseye shooting with a new RO and a borrowed Ruger Mark II Target. My RO didn't even need a trigger job! It endured thousands of dry fires and became my best friend as together we watched the scores climb. She sits in my gun safe now that I shoot a custom wadgun, but that RO will always be my first.

[Gregbenner]

Hello everyone

I have been shooting with my Benelli mp90

Any tips/suggestions will be great
Thanks

Have you considered a MP90 in 32 wadcutter? The 32 WC is a pleasant round, and you are shooting essentially the same gun.

[jerber]

Hello everyone

I have been shooting with my Benelli mp90

Any tips/suggestions will be great
Thanks

Have you considered a MP90 in 32 wadcutter? The 32 WC is a pleasant round, and you are shooting essentially the same gun.

I have but the cost is up there and right now I just can't do it (too many projects going on!)

[Rover]

I put this in another post, but if you spend the airfare to come to the Desert Midwinter it will be cheaper than buying a .45.

We give away half a dozen or so .45s, but if you're a loser that won't help you.

[jerber]

I put this in another post, but if you spend the airfare to come to the Desert Midwinter it will be cheaper than buying a .45.

We give away half a dozen or so .45s, but if you're a loser that won't help you.

I am not a looser! Whaaah-Whaaah!!