While Carry Optics has skyrocketed in popularity, USPSA’s Production division remains the easiest way to get started in action-pistol competition, since there is no shortage of out-of-the-box handguns for shooters to choose from on the USPSA Production approved list.
Nearly six percent of USPSA shooters reported that Production was their division of choice in 2023, and 9.5 percent of USPSA members said it was the first division they competed in.
More about USPSA Production competition: “This division is for approved production handguns with double-action triggers or striker-fired mechanisms. Popular choices include options from CZ, Smith & Wesson, Tanfoglio, Glock, SIG Sauer, Walther, Beretta, Canik and approved revolvers, like eight-shot versions. Shooters may modify sights, grips and internal parts, and swap small parts such as triggers, hammers, magazine releases and slide stops; slide modifications and swaps are permitted. Magazines are limited to 15 rounds, and all guns are scored as “Minor” caliber, regardless of the actual power of the load. Holsters and gear must be non-race-type, with most shooters opting for standard Kydex holsters on a double-layer belt.”
Below are the top seven firearm brands for Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals according to the competitors’ equipment survey data, along with models from each company that are solid choices for action-pistol competition. The firearm brands are listed in order of popularity as reported in the 2024 annual issue of USPSA’s magazine. (Note that a few of the guns on this list come from the factory with large magazine wells that must be removed in order to be USPSA Production-legal.)
CZ-USA
CZ handguns were the top choice for Production shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, with 34 percent opting for the Czech manufacturer’s handguns. While no specific model information was reported in the equipment survey, it’s a safe bet that the CZ Shadow 2 and its variants were among the most popular options.
Shooters love the full-size Shadow 2 handgun chambered in 9 mm Luger, which sports a hefty steel frame to mitigate felt recoil, along with a single-action/double-action trigger, 4.89-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and 19-round magazine capacity. MSRP for the CZ Shadow 2 is $1,099, go to cz-usa.com.
SIG Sauer
The second most popular manufacturer with Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals is SIG Sauer, with the company and its pistols chosen by 20 percent of competitors. There is no shortage of production handgun options from SIG, with several flavors of the venerable P226 and the P320 appearing on the USPSA Production approved list.
With iron sights and the magazine well removed, the P320-XFIVE DH3 pistol is a great option for USPSA Production division competition. Like its SIG stablemate, the P320-XFIVE Legion, the P320-XFIVE DH3 chambered in 9 mm Luger includes a five-inch match-grade bull barrel and a one-piece stainless-steel guide rod, along with 14-pound and 12-pound 1911-style recoil springs for customization. Three 21-round steel magazines are also included. The P320-XFIVE DH3 can be found online for around $1,299.99. Learn more at sigsauer.com.
Tanfoglio
Next up is Italian firm Tanfoglio, which was the brand of choice for 13 percent of Production shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, ranking the company third according to the competitor equipment survey.
Although the Witness Stock II has been a top model for USPSA Production shooters for many years, another impressive option from the company is the Tanfoglio Stock I. Available since 2017 and with different models chambered in in multiple calibers, including 9 mm Luger, the Tanfoglio Stock I has a traditionally rifled cylindrical barrel, full-length railed dust cover and a large beavertail. MSRP is $1,630, go to italianfirearmsgroup.com.
Glock
In fourth place is Glock, which was the brand of choice for 10 percent of Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals.
The Glock G34 Gen5 MOS is the company’s competition pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger, with features that competitors like to see, such as an extended-length barrel (5.31 inches), elongated slide dimensions and increased distance between the front and rear sights when compared to the G17. Overall length is 8.74 inches, and the standard 9 mm Luger magazine has a 17-round capacity. In addition, there are options to increase magazine capacity that include aftermarket extended base pads, plus larger magazines that are available from Glock. Perhaps best of all, you can find a Glock G34 Gen5 for around $700 to $720 online, go to glock.com.
Beretta
Ranking fifth in the equipment survey for Production handgun brand was Beretta, which was the brand of choice for seven percent of the competitors.
The Beretta 92GTS chambered in 9 mm Luger has the company’s new Twin Sear Technology, which ensures a smooth transition from action to safe mode without sacrificing performance, and are the first-ever frame-mounted decockers for 92 models. As for the frame, it is a Vertec-style one with a front rail and made from aluminum, while the grips are checkered plastic. Additionally, the slide on the Beretta 92GTS has front and rear cocking serrations in the same pattern as the Performance series, and the Beretta 92GTS features the X-Treme S Trigger, which has the same profile found on other Performance models and provides formore consistent engagement. Plus, all of the trigger components are DLC coated. MSRP is $899, go to beretta.com.
Canik
Ranking sixth in the Production division equipment survey was Canik with seven percent of 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals shooters opting for one of the company's models.
Drawing from other SFX pistols in the Canik lineup, the SFX Rival-S chambered in 9 mm Luger has an all-steel frame, five-inch barrel and aluminum 90-degree break flat trigger. Something else to note—at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, the Production division champion, Nils Jonasson, was shooting one. The Canik SFX Rival-S starts at $899, go to canikusa.com.
Walther Arms
In seventh place was Walther, which was the brand of choice for five percent of Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals.
Two new choices from Walther that are available now are the PDP Full Size Steel Frame 4.5-inch and Compact Steel Frame four-inch models. Walther PDP Steel Frame guns sport wrap-around grips with the Performance Duty Texture for a secure hold, along with a checkered front strap. The tetrahedron design on the grip’s surface helps to lock in your hands but is non-abrasive against your skin. Both version have the standard Performance Duty triggers. And, Walther PDP Steel Frame models also feature a large, checkered magazine release button that is reversible. MSRP for both the Compact four-inch and Full Size 4.5-inch models is $1,699, go to waltherarms.com.
