Pro Tips: Choosing a Precision Pistol

by
posted on December 12, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
precpistol1.jpg
David Lange – Precision Pistol
The three most important things in a competition pistol for me are accuracy. A close fourth would be the trigger and being able to adjust it (Hammerli) or being able to get it set up the way I like (1911) by a gunsmith. Weight is an important factor for some shooters. Sight radius is low on the list for me in precision due to red dot sights and, in service pistol matches, you have few options. One last thing: Reliability is as important as accuracy. It should function and shoot every time.

Dr. Judy Tant – Precision Pistol
My way of choosing a gun is often specified in the rules. Therefore, my main focus has been finding a good gunsmith and then talking to them about my personal needs (hand size, trigger preference, grip feel). That said, there are certain categories of decisions that have to be made, such as roll or crisp/single or two stage trigger, length of trigger, stippling or checkering, beavertail with or without bump, fitted or stock grips, type of barrel including twist rate, hammer weight, scope on the barrel or not.

Latest

Yorkpracticalshooters Emergency 1
Yorkpracticalshooters Emergency 1

AED and Quick Action Save a USPSA Shooter After Cardiac Arrest

A cardiac arrest during match setup at York Practical Shooters in Pennsylvania became a survival story thanks to an on-site AED and trained responders.

NRA ARC Across America National Challenge Leaderboard Now Live

NRA ARC Across America National Challenge leaderboard is now active at arc.nra.org, letting competitors see where they rank nationally as scores update through an NRA partnership with Armory Sync/Range Pocket.

Winchester USA 250th Anniversary Commemorative Ammunition Now Available Nationwide

Winchester’s USA 250th Anniversary Commemorative Ammunition series is now available nationwide, a 15,000-unit limited run of five collectible packages with theme-matched loads.

Longshot Overhauls Its Target Camera App

Longshot Cameras has overhauled its iOS and Android app, rebuilding the interface and upgrading shot-analysis, measurement and streaming tools across every camera model.

YanXiao Gong Sweeps Every Para Title at USA Shooting Pistol Nationals

Paris 2024 Paralympic medalist YanXiao Gong sweeps all three para pistol titles at 2026 USA Shooting Nationals as Hillsdale College debuts new Nimrod Complex.

More Than a Match: The Legacy of Gary ‘Doc’ Welt Lives On at Wyoming Antelope Club

An inside look at the 14th Annual Gary “Doc” Welt Memorial Match at Wyoming Antelope Club and the legacy behind it.

Interests



Get the best of Shooting Sports USA delivered to your inbox.