Minor vs Major

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Widowmak3r

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Hi All..I am looking at getting into IPSC, and the gun I would like to get will put me in the standard division. A 9mm that would be a minor class.(only because its cheaper to shoot.) I have read that in this division majors have an advantage over minors. Can someone please explain why? I understand the math for major and minor, but not why scoring is better for majors.
I just want to have fun, meet like minded people. Picking a first handgun for this is tough, but I am down to 3.
Thanks KB.
 
Points really. Majors and standard class have the best triggers and you can do a bit of work on the gun.
The other advantage of 40 is that you can make it a minor. I shoot Glock 22 minor load and its softer then 9mm.
 
the Scoring for Major is A=5, C=4 and D=2. Minor is A=5, C=3 and D=1. so basically you are dropping points when you are not hitting A's.
 
Widowmak3r said:
...I have read that in this division majors have an advantage over minors. Can someone please explain why?...I just want to have fun, meet like minded people...
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The difference matters only for peripheral hits. If your hits are in the 'A' zone, there is no difference in the score.

Buy what you want, shoot what you have, and practice at keeping them all in the 'A' zone.
 
Widowmak3r said:
Can someone please explain why?
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Because of an outdated understanding of terminal ballistics. If you're going to get into IPSC, get used to not questioning silly rules. Standard is not really the division to shoot minor, but think of how much extra practice ammo you'll be able to afford.
 
Figure 11 said:
Because of an outdated understanding of terminal ballistics. If you're going to get into IPSC, get used to not questioning silly rules. Standard is not really the division to shoot minor, but think of how much extra practice ammo you'll be able to afford.
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Pretty sure it has to do with recognizing power factor.... Power being one of the main aspects of ipsc (despite action air and mini rifle)
 
OP, ask yourself - are you planning on being competitive or just having fun?

You won't be competitive in Standard Division with Minor Power factor against someone shooting Major Power Factor - you will drop too many points and the lowered recoil doesn't make enough difference.
Don't handicap yourself right out of the gate - 40 cal for Standard - Period.

If you want to shoot 9mm - look at Classic or Production divisions.

If you're just planning on shooting for fun - sure, you can have fun shooting Minor Power factor in Standard Division but you're always going to be asking yourself "how good would I have been if I was shooting Major?"

:cheers:
 
madcow said:
Shoot A's all the time, and it won't affect you
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And you'll be so slow it won't matter anyways. You need to shoot mostly A's, the time taken to ensure all A's will hurt you score as much or more than the occasional C.
 
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PapaHotel01 said:
And you'll be so slow it won't matter anyways. You need to shoot mostly A's, the time taken to ensure all A's will hurt you score as much or more than the occasional C.
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This sounds like something that someone who can't shoot A's would say...
 
Its a well known fact that Standard/Limited shooters are the bottom of the barrel when it comes to shooting skillz.
They need all the help they can get.
 
Onagoth said:
Pretty sure it has to do with recognizing power factor.... Power being one of the main aspects of ipsc (despite action air and mini rifle)
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It also has to do with mag capacity in places that aren't legally limited. That is why you need a minimum of .40 cal for major in standard (.357/9x40 not withstanding, they have a .40 size case).

If you already had the gun, then I would say shoot whatever division it fits at whatever power factor it fits. But if you are buying a gun then it is worth buying one in the proper caliber for the division or division for the caliber (whichever you decide is more important).
 
heavenIsAlie said:
It also has to do with mag capacity in places that aren't legally limited. That is why you need a minimum of .40 cal for major in standard (.357/9x40 not withstanding, they have a .40 size case).
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Sorry, you're incorrect about that. Capacity had nothing to do with it.

Major caliber in Standard was limited to a minimum of .40 cal rounds for two reasons;
1. 180 PF 38 Super (and 9X21, there was no 9mm major) rounds were doing damage to steel targets and
2. Pressure limits for 180PF (175 was the PF for Major) 38 Super rounds were being exceeded to a ridiculously dangerous level.
Almost every Open gun was a variation of 9mm / 38 - so changing it to a minimum of 40 would have caused a lot of grief - but the new division; Standard - was just starting so the error could be corrected with little pain to legacy shooters.

357 Sig was added into the mix later because it does not have the significantly above-spec pressures that 9mm major / 38 super has at 175 PF (New Standard Major PF has been lowered to 170) and it's really a gift to allow Australians and the Danish to shoot Major as they are not allowed calibers greater than .355 / 9mm in size in their home countries. It remains an exemption and could be cancelled in the future.

The wildcat round 9X40 has never been approved for Standard Division Major; only 357 Sig. ;) (and yes, I know it's the same thing)
 
I eemember making loads with my old 38super that were making major with 115 grn CPs, 2ith 4756. Watching the pressure signs on brass, guns breaking, and definitely reeking havoc on the steel and props.
 
There are so many guns allowed in Production, in every conceivable platform and price range it is hard to imagine a shooter not being able to find something they like.

IF you aren't a reloader then 9mm is the cheapest way to shoot, and if you want to be competitive you need to shoot a lot, particularly in the beginning. Mags, pouches etc. abound for popular guns in this class you can find easily or buy used off the EE.

IMHO, start in Production with a 9mm. If you get hooked you can try other guns, learn from seasoned competitors and instructors you meet along the way, your 9mm Production gun will sell easily and with limited loss of value, or you will want to keep it for backup/practice.

Learning to shoot IPSC should start with shooting IPSC, worrying about minor and major, divisions, equipment and scores should come later. Others may choose to jump in with an STI and an optic and custom loads..but that's not a recipe for success as the guy you are up against has the same gear and very possibly shot 20,000 rounds in Production before getting there..
 
madcow said:
I eemember making loads with my old 38super that were making major with 115 grn CPs, 2ith 4756. Watching the pressure signs on brass, guns breaking, and definitely reeking havoc on the steel and props.
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Yep - and Let's not forget the dreaded "Super face".
Your face when the round exploded through the primer - then through the firing pin hole, leaving you a face full of brass shard and burnt powder freckles.!

Good times!:cheers:
 
For the first few years of shooting IPSC, it won't matter if you shoot Major or Minor, especially if you're just going for the Fun Factor. Unless you are going to be really dedicated, shoot Minor. Less expensive. By the time you become competitive you'll probably own a few pistols and can then decide to go to Major or not.
 
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