So, you’ve gone out and shot your first USPSA match. You’ve caught the bug and are already looking into how you can up your game. After shopping around, you’ve noticed the vast majority of people are shooting in the carry optics division and have decided that that is the division you want to compete in.
But what pistol is everyone using? What pistol do you want to use? Well, lucky for you, there are some amazing off-the-shelf options nowadays for those looking to pick up a carry optics-ready pistol without any extra work. Before we get into specific pistols and you run out and grab one, let’s talk about what makes a pistol “carry optics-ready” gun.
Accuracy
Being able to consistently and precisely hit what you are aiming at is paramount in competition shooting. It may seem like shooting fast is the key to winning at a USPSA match, but shooting accurately is even more important. If you shoot at warp speed but don’t hit anything you are aiming at, you aren’t going to score very well.
Ergonomics
I am a firm believer that your pistol must fit comfortably in your hand. However, training is the most important factor when it comes to getting a firm, reliable grip on your handgun. While every person has different-sized hands, having a pistol with efficient controls and well-designed ergonomics can make manipulations much easier and faster and help to improve your overall performance.
Recoil Management
Choosing a pistol that, by design, has a lower bore axis can improve your ability to control recoil. Alternatively, choosing a heavier pistol can also help you manage recoil. As we all know, weight eats recoil. That’s especially true with handguns. We’ll look into this more when we discuss specific pistols.
Optic Mounting
When you are looking for a carry optics-ready competition pistol, being able to mount an optic is pretty important. That being said, there are multiple footprints on the market for red dot mounting, including the Trijocon RMR and the DeltaPoint Pro footprints. However, many modern optics-ready pistols come with mounting “systems” that allow you to interchange different plates depending on what footprint your red dot uses.
Now that we know some of the important factors to consider when picking a new pistol, let’s look at some viable options.
The Most Affordable
One of the most affordable and feature-rich options on the market today is the Canik SFx rival and Rival S. The Canik Rival was announced at SHOT Show 2022 and took the competition world by storm. The Rival was designed to be the ultimate out-of-the-box competition gun. Coming in with a price tag of just $679.99 with two 18-round magazines with aluminum base pads, a mag loader, mag well, holster, tool kit and cleaning kit, three adjustable back straps, fiber optic iron sights, three magazine release extensions, and four different optic mounting plates, the gun was an instant hit!
Even though the Rival comes packed with accessories, the pistol itself doesn’t skimp on features. The Rival comes with a five-inch barrel, a flat-faced trigger (which some say is one of the best striker-fired triggers available), an aggressively serrated slide for easy manipulations, and an optic mounting system that allows you to use almost any optic out there, making the Rival the perfect option for someone looking to buy a pistol and go straight to the range without breaking the bank.
The Most Popular
One of the most popular options in carry optics is the Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion and the P320MAX, which is the race-tuned variant built by 8x USPSA national champion Max Michel. The X5 and the 320MAX are feature-packed and ready for action straight out of the box. Further, these Sig pistols utilize a higher bore axis than most, but coming in at 43.5 oz., the 320MAX remains very flat shooting. Both pistols come with Sigs “TXG Tungsten infused heavy grip module,” which allows the stiffness of a steel frame while maintaining the customization of a polymer frame.
Further, each pistol features a five-inch match-grade bull barrel, making them impressively accurate pistols. The X5 and the 320MAX come with a tuned flat-faced skeletonized trigger, allowing a lighter-feeling trigger for faster follow-up shots. The biggest difference between the X5 and the 320MAX is that the MAX model comes with a custom serrated slide and a RomeoMAX 6MOA red dot, making the MAX the perfect all-in-one package.
The Newest
The new kid on the block from Smith & Wesson is their “Competitor” pistol. The Competitor is a steel-frame, full-size M&P 2.0 five-inch C.O.R.E with a unique slide design featuring additional serrations and ports for easier slide manipulations. It also utilizes the “Competition Optics Ready Equipment” optic plate system, which allows you to mount the most popular optics. The new flat-faced trigger gives you a light trigger pull for more repeatable shots. Even though the new Competitor uses an all-metal frame, it allows you to interchange the back straps for a customizable grip.
The Hammer Fired Option
If you prefer a hammer-fired pistol, the most popular choice in Carry Optics is the CZ Shadow 2 Optics-Ready. The Shadow 2 is known for being an incredibly accurate pistol. This, combined with the simple ergonomics of the Shadow 2, makes it shoot effortlessly. The uniquely slim slide design allows for a very low bore axis, and a high grip on the frame makes follow-up shots fast and consistent. With a great trigger out of the box and ample aftermarket support to tune it to exactly how you like it, the Shadow 2 is an excellent option for optics-ready hammer-fired handgun fans.
The Classic
An absolute classic in the USPSA world is the Glock 34 MOS. Even though the Glock 34 is the oldest design of the group, it is still one of the most popular — and with good reason. Glocks boast a long history of competition, military, and law enforcement use, proving time and time again their tank-like reliability. Even people who don’t shoot have heard of Glock, and there is no shortage of Glock pistols in the competition world.
The Glock Modular Optic System (MOS) allows you to add almost any optic on the market, giving you plentiful options. The Glock also supports an aftermarket large enough to customize every single aspect of your new pistol. So, if you are looking for a pistol that will never let you down (even when you miss a cleaning session or two), and an aftermarket large enough to endlessly customize, look no further than the trusty old Glock 34.
Parting Shots
It’s clear that today’s world offers more than its fair share of great options for off-the-shelf optics-ready carry pistols. Whether you choose the Smith and Wesson Competitor or the Canik Rival, you are guaranteed to be happy with your decision, and you’ll have the equipment to support you along your USPSA journey.
