Our 4 Favorite Competitive Shooting Pistols

Competitive shooting is becoming more popular by the day with the continuation of the pandemic and uncertainty in our nation. There are multiple organizations that can help you get into competitive shooting. However, if you just want to learn how to shoot with good form and technique, these organizations will teach you that as well. This blog is a guide to RE’s 4 favorite competitive shooting pistols on the market today that everyone can buy. 

Stacatto XL

The Staccato XL competition pistol is chambered in both 9mm and .40 S&W. Stacatto is the new name of the company (previously called STI Tactical) and they focus on providing the best 2011 pistols I’ve ever seen. I can’t confirm the reason as to why they changed their name, but I think it had to do with the unfortunate confusion of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STI).  a 2011 pistol is basically 1911 with an upgrade in magazine capacity (double-stack), updated barrel, and trigger. 

The Stacatto XL 2011 is my favorite competition pistol because it combines the features that are needed to win a competition. The slide is longer than normal to provide a longer sightline for quicker and more accurate target identification.  The slide is also meant to be faster than any other pistol to offer rapid follow up shots. The slide is looser than most other pistols to ensure that if sand, dirt, or carbon builds up in your pistol, it will still fire without fault. 

The entire Stacatto XL is finished with Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) to add rigidity, durability, and accuracy. The trigger is set at 2.5 lbs. of force and breaks like glass. Most competition pistols have similar trigger pull weights but rarely do they break as smooth as the Stacatto XL. The safety feature is one of the best with an ambidextrous safety lever for either right or left-handed shooters. This is as expensive as you can get for a pistol, but it’s worth every penny if you’re trying to be competitive with the world’s best shooters. 

Specs

Why Should I Buy The Stacatto XL?

The Stacatto XL is expensive as hell, but it’s guaranteed for life. I know of no other company that offers that kind of warranty with their pistols. The felt-recoil of the Stacatto XL is at least 30% less than any other competition pistol you’ll find on the market. If this wasn’t enough, there have been more championships won with the Staccato 2011 models than any other pistol model, including Glock. There is no easier gun to shoot than a Stacatto pistol. 

CZ Shadow 2 Black & Blue

The CZ Shadow 2 Black & Blue competition pistol is my 2nd favorite competition pistol behind the Stacatto XL. Not only can you get this pistol for half the price of the Stacatto, but it fires almost as well as the Stacatto XL. I love the front serrations for an easy press check during competition shooting. The contoured slide allows the mass of the gun to be centered for better weight distribution and control during operation. You’ll notice there is much less muzzle flip and felt-recoil due to the heavier weight of the CZ (2.91 lbs.). 

The CZ Shadow 2 features a swappable mag release with an adjustable, extended button with 3 settings for incredible customization.  The trigger for the Shadow 2 is better than the Glock 34 and Springfield XDM in both double-action and single-action. You’ll notice the quick trigger reset and crisp break. 

The entire pistol is coated with a nitride polymer to prevent any corrosion of the pistol. A lot of shooters like the checkering in the grip because it offers an aggressive grip. I would still add a Talon grip to the pistol grip for added retention because the checkering doesn’t work as well with shooters with smaller hands. The best feature for this pistol beside the contoured slide is the fiber optic front sight and adjustable rear sight. 

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Specs

Why Should I Buy the CZ Shadow 2?

The CZ Shadow 2 is the closest you’ll ever get to the Stacatto XL and you’ll spend half the price. Of all the pistols on the list, the CZ Black & Blue is the best looking, as well. The magazine capacity of this pistol is amazing as well with 17 rounds. The slide weight and overall steel construction of the pistol provides incredible recoil control lightens the felt-recoil, which reduces the muzzle flip. 

Walther Q5 Match

Walther is one of the best shooting pistols that I’ve ever owned. My Everyday Carry (EDC) is a Walther PPS M2 and I absolutely love it. I love the way a Walther feels in my hand, I love how easy it is to shoot, ad how accurate the pistols are. The Walther Q5 Match pistol is easier to shoot than the self-defense models. The Q5 is USPSA approved for production and carry optics and IDPA approved for stock service pistol and carry optics. 

The Walther Q5 features a ported barrel for recoil control and reduced muzzle flip. It also comes out of the box set up for an easy installation of your choice of optics. Similar to every other Match pistol, it comes with front and rear serrations for easy press-checks and clearing any malfunctions. 

The Q5 also features one of the best barrels made with polygonal rifling and stepped chamber. Polygonal rifling takes more time and precision but also makes the gun more accurate. The 5″ barrel is longer than the 4.89″ barrel of CZ Shadow 2 to offer better accuracy at longer ranges. The ambidextrous slide stop and an ambidextrous paddle-style magazine release provide rapid magazine exchanges to save you those split-seconds that determine winners and losers. 

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Why Should I Buy the Walther Q5 Match Pistol?

Walther pistols are one of the most underappreciated pistols on the market because I think people don’t like the aesthetics. For under $800 you can own a match pistol that shoots just as well as any other pistol on the list. The Q5 has a tremendous trigger with less than half an inch trigger reset. This provides the shooter with the ability to make accurate follow up shots in rapid succession.  

Springfield XDM Competition Pistol

The Springfield XD is one of the most popular handguns in the country due to its accuracy and magazine capacity. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of the XD, but I know many people who swear by them. I’d much rather have a Walther or Glock as my EDC than Springfield, but the XDM is a little different.

The XDM features a match grade barrel that provides exceptional accuracy and durability to the pistol. The front fiber optic sight offers a rapid target acquisition and a unique look to this pistol. The accessory rail on the bottom of the barrel offers multiple slots for almost any light or laser on the market. The passive grip safety offers an additional safety mechanism to prevent accidental discharges. The safety is designed to offer this added protection without impacting your grip or affecting your accuracy. 

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Specs

Why Should I Buy the Springfield XDM?

The XDM is chambered in both .45 ACP and 10mm for incredible power and added range. The barrel and slide are made from solid hammer-forged steel and finished with Melonite®.  This finish offers reliable durability and longevity to the entire pistol without costing as much as the DLC. The XDM is the most affordable of the pistols on this list as well and gives competitive shoots a great intro in the .45 ACP categories.