don't know that gun, but worse case, you'll likely be in either ESP or NFC (not for competition). NFC is a catchall so peeps can shoot, assuming the gun is otherwise safe, as is the shooter, with whatever they have. talk to your local match director (MD) ahead of time. you can also check the online rulebook to see if it conforms.
You're correct: 2011's a the heat in 3-gun, Hayes Custom (great dudes in Austin, TX! Some REALLY nice guns!) is a big name, but those are $5,000+ guns.
If you're starting out, DON'T look at what sponsored shooters are shooting. They've got a different motive than a guy just starting out. You can get REALLY competitive just shooting a Glock in any venue if you focus on the craft vs the gear...
it struck me that if you want to know what is a good gun type to compete with, don't focus on sponsored shooters. they get paid to run their guns. I don't. so i pick something that works for me and my abilities and preferences. I'm sure Mr. Vogel is a really nice man, but he's also made an agreement to shoot a certain type of pistol. the only money i have on the line is MY money, so I get to choose what I shoot. not Gun, Inc.
There are very few shooters who get free guns, most "sponsored" shooters get small discounts, and the majority of people wearing jerseys are not sponsored. Vogel might be getting Taran Tactical stuff now but won Nationals and Worlds while not being sponsored buy a gun manufacturer/custom shop.
Since the OP hasn't chose divisions that really means he doesn't know exactly what he wants to do. I would recommend shooting the VP9 until you know what division you want to shoot. If you have to buy something get a G17 or G34 cause you should own one anyway. I do think that dropping below a 4.5" barrel starts to create hardware disadvantages that at the higher levels of competition you will not be able to overcome, but that is years away. VP9 will work for now.
Last edited by Leroy; 03-21-2017 at 04:33 PM.
well, he ran a picture of his jersey (with sponsors visible) and his rig and pistol right after he won.
i don't know his agreement with his sponsors, what they provide him, what they expect of him, but if you want to get an idea of what a common man/woman shoots, don't look at those with fancy vests and shirts full of logos.
“The reliability of the 30-06 on most of the world’s non-dangerous game is so well established as to be beyond intelligent dispute.” Finn Aagaard
"Don't fuck with it" seems to prevent the vast majority of reported issues." BehindBlueI's
Anyone halfway good is going to kick you ass with a crappy gun.
#ItsNotTheGunStupid
That said, if a particular gun motivates you to dry fire/live fire/train more, have at it.
Are you now, or have you ever been a member of the Doodie Project?
I can recall reading Brian Enos's book on competitive shooting. He mentions the old adage: It's not the bow, it's the Indian. But then follows it up with "but who wants a crappy bow?" Which is one reason to query the top shooters; there's a reason they use what they use, sometimes it's helpful to know why. But while you gather intelligence use that VP9, by all accounts it's a good pistol.