Once I get my STI back together, I will be doing a match or two at WAC in the next month or so.
I've only shot USPSA so can only answer for that. I shoot USPSA Limited with my M&P 9 FS, Safariland 7TS belt holster and BladeTech double mag pouches after starting in Production.
Limited is much less restrictive on gun mods (Apex trigger is legal) and holster/mag placement than Production plus you can fill the mags up instead of just loading 10 rounds.
Being scored for minor instead of major hurts me when I don't hit A's (shoot better I tell myself) but the gear itself makes no difference whatsoever that I can tell. I'd imagine when your draw & reload times are less than 1 second the race holster and mag pouches make a difference but for the mortals it won't affect the results.
ETA - Keep in mind in USPSA (& IDPA I think) the gun restrictions are one way streets. They do not allow someone to shoot a 2011 with 28 round mags and optic in Production but a shooter is allowed to shoot a Production gun in Open (or Limited or Ltd 10). Lots of folks get wrapped up in "this is a production gun so I can only shoot production" which is false.
Wanted to report I had a blast with the introduction course today at Wyoming Antelope Club here near St Pete FL.
It was a 'basic', slow time introduction to the game concept in a low key format. We shot two 'stages' set up in two bays. Two squads of 7 man shooters each. After an hour and a half of classroom orientation, we moved to the range for the in-brief and walkthrough.
We got one run each; with the RO taking us aside privately to discuss ways to improve afterwards.
Along with our squad, I helped to tape targets after scoring and collect dropped mags. Most of us stuck around to break down the stages and put the gear away.
How did I do?
Well, for never having even drawn a pistol in my life until today, I finished 7th out of 14 (I think, if I understood the scoring).
Anyways, my gear was good, no issues. I appreciate the info in this thread, thanks.
Rich in Tampa