Updates

The Walther CP88 I started out with is a lovely pistol, but I found the safety awkward to operate (I’ve quite small hands) and speed reloads tricky because of the small size of the magazines (others seem to manage the little mags fine though). My experiments with making up some sort of easily accessible belt holder for spare magazines, to speed up reloads, didn’t go too well either.

Somebody let me try a Smith & Wesson 586 revolver (6”) and I found it much easier to get on with. No safety catch to worry about & fumble with and physically larger magazines, which as a “bonus” hold ten rounds over eight for the Walther. In addition, spare magazines for speed reloads could be belt mounted using cheap and easily available draughtsman's drawing board clips.

So I bought a Smith and splashed out at the same time on a 2 part “duty belt” and a leather competition type holster. I’ve still got the Walther & enjoy shooting it at home, but don’t use it for competitions any more. I always take it with me to a match though, just in case a “gunless” newcomer wants to have a try.

When you buy your first pistol bear in mind that after a little while and some match experience you could find, as I did, that something different may be better for you and you’ll want to change. So, keep the cost down by buying second-hand to start with, rather than buying a top of the range model with lots of extras on looks/image alone.

The kit I started with

Walther CP88 (4”)

Basic hip holster. Belt pouch (for magazines and CO2 cartridges - not shown in pic, but it’s in the one below). Ordinary belt. Safety specs. Pellets & CO2 capsules

Current kit

Smith & Wesson 586 (6”)

Cordura “duty belt”. “Fast draw” hip holster. Clips for spare magazines. Belt pouch (for CO2 cartridges & even more magazines). Safety specs. Pellets & CO2 capsules

I got hold of a Beretta 92FS a few weeks ago, but haven’t had a chance to even fire it yet. What I have in mind is to fit an optical sight & use it for IPAS (Iron Plate Action Shooting) comps. Fiddly little magazines (same as the Walther) and a very stiff safety catch not a problem for IPAS - no speed reloads and, unlike PP, the safety catch doesn’t have to be applied when the pistol is put into “ready” condition.

Going to try an idea from Mario (one of the regulars on the PP competition circuit). Plastic pipe clips (the sort you use to hold pipes to a wall) from B&Q mounted on the belt to hold spare “small” mags (Walther etc.). I’ve seen the one he made up - looks good!