Pistol recommendations for Limited optics / Carry optics

[No_glonks]

I have an SP01 that I converted to single action, it's great and even retains the firing pin block. You can take out the block and then set the trigger to have less take-up but I'm fine with the trigger as is


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That’s a beauty! I converted 97 and 75b(with kadet permanently attached) to SAO, but kept sp-01 with CGW pro as DA/SA.

 

[weaverftw]

some prefer sp-01 with cgw pro kit over shadow 2. If you don't have kit on yours, maybe might worth consideration?
5" platypus is freaking awesome too

I do have the full pro kit plus SRS and reach reduction. It’s GREAT, but the S2 I tried also has the full pro kit and it’s slightly better. Probably negligible in actual practical shooting though

 

[1911-CV]

Man, this is a high-roller forum... Never seen a Staccato P called 'mid-budget'

 

[PlasticMan]

Man, this is a high-roller forum... Never seen a Staccato P called 'mid-budget'

Right??? That's what I shoot in LO, and at one time everyone thought I was cool. But then my wife bought her Atlases. Now i'm just one of the poors, I guess.

Something I would like to add, and speaking from what I have seen in matches from the beginning of the LO class inception is that unless you have an observably solid fundamental foundation, then you might find that an SAO gun is very much just a crutch that leaves you frustrated when returning to a striker platform. The number of people who come in to the sport with high dollar 2011's saying Glocks suck and constantly being outperformed by every Glock shooter on the squad is very high.

 

[FriedChickies]

I'm considering acquisition of a pistol that may be better suited to USPSA competition than my current Glock 34.3. No knock against the Glock, it is efficiently customized, very reliable, and I enjoy shooting it. That said, I would like to explore other horizons to see what might suit me best.

I'm specifically considering the Stealth Arms Platypus. Five inch bull barrel with the standard "prickle" grip texture. I'm using the most granular Talon grip on my Glock and appreciate the control qualities that confers. I would like to at least equal that control with the Platypus.

So in addition to your recommendations for pistols in general, what are your thoughts for the Platypus grip textures? Should I go "extra aggressive" with the prickle texture?

Remember I'm in California and do not enjoy any roster exemptions beyond SSE.

Thanks in advance.

Shadow 2.

 

[Experimentalist]

Shadow 2.

Is this on roster? If so, what do I find it listed as?

Nothing on-roster is popping out to me. Edited to add: I see this on the roster: CZ 75 TS 01172

Is that close?

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[jhsd20]

The on roster CZ TS you listed is close, but it has been discontinued.
In my opinion you should start with your Glock, and keep shooting until you recognize something wrong with it. Or at least shoot it enough so you notice a difference when changing guns.
In 2025 race gun nationals, Limited Optics division- the guns of the top 5 in order:
1: shadow 2
2: 2011
3: Glock
4: shadow 2
5: 2011
So ... It absolutely can be done with a glock. The Glock shooter was not sponsored by Glock and chose to run one AFAIk (Brantley Merriam).

As for the CZs, you do not have to convert them to SAO to shoot LO. You can just start hammer cocked and safety on. You can even choose to start hammer down in DA... The winning shooter listed above did just that.

 

[Sloat]

Nothing on-roster is popping out to me.

Most things people have recommended here are not on roster (or are not on roster anymore). But many things are available through PPT, just look through the classifieds.

 

[jhsd20]

As to answer your actual question: the best on-roster CO LO pistols in my opinion:

Glock 34

Walther pdp full size, probably the best out of the box.

M&P full size with apex trigger (I love this gun and compete with it)

Not many great hammer fired on roster anymore. Maybe Beretta 92 with Langdon trigger job.

 

[jhsd20]

To add: there are quite a few 2011s that you can buy via SSE because they're custom built and exempt from roster (they start life as single shots). While you won't have to pay a roster upcharge, they are very expensive right out the door

 

[weaverftw]

Man, this is a high-roller forum... Never seen a Staccato P called 'mid-budget'

Bro I thought I was a big time high roller when I bought a $3k DWX, I didn’t even KNOW you could buy a $10-20k gun that wasn’t a stupid show piece made of solid gold until 6 months ago lol

 

[Gawernator]

Man, this is a high-roller forum... Never seen a Staccato P called 'mid-budget'

Well, because it is. They're just a few grand. One weekend racing at MotoAmerica could easily cost 5-10k and it's gone in 3 days, where your gun lasts for 50 years. If I had a really bad crash and completely totaled my ZX6R, that's 30-40k gone in a few moments. One set of slicks is over $500 now I think and they last about 20ish laps.

It's crazy seeing what some people's budgets are. I was pitted next to some car racers at Laguna Seca once and they were spending 30-40k in one race weekend.

 

[Experimentalist]

Well, because it is. They're just a few grand. One weekend racing at MotoAmerica could easily cost 5-10k and it's gone in 3 days, where your gun lasts for 50 years. If I had a really bad crash and completely totaled my ZX6R, that's 30-40k gone in a few moments. One set of slicks is over $500 now I think and they last about 20ish laps.

It's crazy seeing what some people's budgets are. I was pitted next to some car racers at Laguna Seca once and they were spending 30-40k in one race weekend.

The old joke. How do you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large fortune.

 

[Gawernator]

The old joke. How do you make a small fortune in racing? Start with a large fortune.

It's more true today than ever. If you aren't born into it, it isn't happening. Best I ever made it even at the national pro level is barely breaking even on cost.

When you look at hobbies like flying or motorsports, stuff like shooting or video games seem so cheap. Ammo costs can definitely rack up though. The gun itself seems to be the cheapest part.

 

[jhsd20]

Most of the high rolling in shooting is unnecessary though. The idea that you need an expensive gun to get started is totally false. People performed at the highest level with Glocks, Caniks, M&Ps.

That being said, most of the cost IS ammo.

 

[Ktm45]

Watched a video once about a guy that made USPSA GM with a Glock…….g26……in I think it was 6-7 months…..but I’m adding time to play it safe .
Bottom line is it’s the singer and not the song. If I remember right he did tons and tons of dry firing. ……

 

[Blade]

Does anyone know how much it is out the door for a SSE platypus? Nothing fancy, all black for the most part.

 

[Deleted member 16735]

That’s a beauty! I converted 97 and 75b(with kadet permanently attached) to SAO, but kept sp-01 with CGW pro as DA/SA.

For me the main thing is I just like the longer LOP when it's set up SAO, otherwise there's not much difference. With the brass palm swell grips it's up to 46 oz though, I call it the California Shadow lol. I guess it's very close to just being a Shadow 1...

 

[Deleted member 16735]

Does anyone know how much it is out the door for a SSE platypus? Nothing fancy, all black for the most part.

If you are near 2azone it's around 2500 with taxes I believe

 

[Ktm45]

Ok I found it. I’m not going to copy a direct link (some don’t like that). ….So just google “ Making GM with a Glock G26”. Talk about humbling .