Seven Popular Firearm Brands For USPSA Production Division

Competitor survey data from the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals included the seven most popular firearms manufacturers for Production shooters.

by
posted on July 19, 2024
2023 Uspsa Handgun Nationals 6 Canik Nils
Nils Jonasson won the Production title at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals with the Turkish-made Canik SFX Rival-S pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger. Canik was the brand of choice for 7 percent of shooters at the match.
Photo by Karri Wilson, Kari McClain

While Carry Optics has skyrocketed in popularity, USPSA’s Production division remains the easiest way to get started in action-pistol competition, since there is no shortage of out-of-the-box handguns for shooters to choose from on the USPSA Production approved list.

Nearly six percent of USPSA shooters reported that Production was their division of choice in 2023, and 9.5 percent of USPSA members said it was the first division they competed in.

More about USPSA Production competition: “This division is for approved production handguns with double-action triggers or striker-fired mechanisms. Popular choices include options from CZ, Smith & Wesson, Tanfoglio, Glock, SIG Sauer, Walther, Beretta, Canik and approved revolvers, like eight-shot versions. Shooters may modify sights, grips and internal parts, and swap small parts such as triggers, hammers, magazine releases and slide stops; slide modifications and swaps are permitted. Magazines are limited to 15 rounds, and all guns are scored as “Minor” caliber, regardless of the actual power of the load. Holsters and gear must be non-race-type, with most shooters opting for standard Kydex holsters on a double-layer belt.”

Below are the top seven firearm brands for Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals according to the competitors’ equipment survey data, along with models from each company that are solid choices for action-pistol competition. The firearm brands are listed in order of popularity as reported in the 2024 annual issue of USPSA’s magazine. (Note that a few of the guns on this list come from the factory with large magazine wells that must be removed in order to be USPSA Production-legal.)

CZ-USA

CZ handguns were the top choice for Production shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, with 34 percent opting for the Czech manufacturer’s handguns. While no specific model information was reported in the equipment survey, it’s a safe bet that the CZ Shadow 2 and its variants were among the most popular options.

CZ Shadow 2
CZ Shadow 2 Black and Blue chambered in 9 mm Luger. (Photo courtesy CZ-USA)

 

Shooters love the full-size Shadow 2 handgun chambered in 9 mm Luger, which sports a hefty steel frame to mitigate felt recoil, along with a single-action/double-action trigger, 4.89-inch cold hammer-forged barrel and 19-round magazine capacity. MSRP for the CZ Shadow 2 is $1,099, go to cz-usa.com.

SIG Sauer

The second most popular manufacturer with Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals is SIG Sauer, with the company and its pistols chosen by 20 percent of competitors. There is no shortage of production handgun options from SIG, with several flavors of the venerable P226 and the P320 appearing on the USPSA Production approved list.

P320-XFIVE DH3
SIG Sauer P320-XFIVE DH3 chambered in 9 mm Luger. (Photo courtesy SIG Sauer)

 

With iron sights and the magazine well removed, the P320-XFIVE DH3 pistol is a great option for USPSA Production division competition. Like its SIG stablemate, the P320-XFIVE Legion, the P320-XFIVE DH3 chambered in 9 mm Luger includes a five-inch match-grade bull barrel and a one-piece stainless-steel guide rod, along with 14-pound and 12-pound 1911-style recoil springs for customization. Three 21-round steel magazines are also included. The P320-XFIVE DH3 can be found online for around $1,299.99. Learn more at sigsauer.com.

DH3 9 mm pistol
In his review, USPSA’s Jake Martens said the SIG Sauer P320-XFIVE DH3 is “an impressive option for those seeking a reliable, customizable, and high-performing firearm, whether they’re engaging in competitive shooting or looking for a reliable self-defense pistol.” (Photo by Jake Martens)

 

Tanfoglio

Next up is Italian firm Tanfoglio, which was the brand of choice for 13 percent of Production shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, ranking the company third according to the competitor equipment survey.

Tanfoglio Stock I
Tanfoglio Stock I (Photo courtesy Italian Firearms Group)

 

Although the Witness Stock II has been a top model for USPSA Production shooters for many years, another impressive option from the company is the Tanfoglio Stock I. Available since 2017 and with different models chambered in in multiple calibers, including 9 mm Luger, the Tanfoglio Stock I has a traditionally rifled cylindrical barrel, full-length railed dust cover and a large beavertail. MSRP is $1,630, go to italianfirearmsgroup.com.

Glock

In fourth place is Glock, which was the brand of choice for 10 percent of Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals.

Glock G34 Gen5 MOS
Glock G34 Gen5 MOS (Photo courtesy Glock)

 

The Glock G34 Gen5 MOS is the company’s competition pistol chambered in 9 mm Luger, with features that competitors like to see, such as an extended-length barrel (5.31 inches), elongated slide dimensions and increased distance between the front and rear sights when compared to the G17. Overall length is 8.74 inches, and the standard 9 mm Luger magazine has a 17-round capacity. In addition, there are options to increase magazine capacity that include aftermarket extended base pads, plus larger magazines that are available from Glock. Perhaps best of all, you can find a Glock G34 Gen5 for around $700 to $720 online, go to glock.com.

Beretta

Ranking fifth in the equipment survey for Production handgun brand was Beretta, which was the brand of choice for seven percent of the competitors.

Beretta 92GTS
Beretta 92GTS (Photo courtesy Beretta)

 

The Beretta 92GTS chambered in 9 mm Luger has the company’s new Twin Sear Technology, which ensures a smooth transition from action to safe mode without sacrificing performance, and are the first-ever frame-mounted decockers for 92 models. As for the frame, it is a Vertec-style one with a front rail and made from aluminum, while the grips are checkered plastic. Additionally, the slide on the Beretta 92GTS has front and rear cocking serrations in the same pattern as the Performance series, and the Beretta 92GTS features the X-Treme S Trigger, which has the same profile found on other Performance models and provides formore consistent engagement. Plus, all of the trigger components are DLC coated. MSRP is $899, go to beretta.com.

Canik

Ranking sixth in the Production division equipment survey was Canik with seven percent of 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals shooters opting for one of the company's models.

Canik SFX Rival-S
The Canik SFx Rival-S comes with a magazine well installed, but it is removable to be USPSA Production division legal. (Photo courtesy Canik USA)

 

Drawing from other SFX pistols in the Canik lineup, the SFX Rival-S chambered in 9 mm Luger has an all-steel frame, five-inch barrel and aluminum 90-degree break flat trigger. Something else to note—at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals, the Production division champion, Nils Jonasson, was shooting one. The Canik SFX Rival-S starts at $899, go to canikusa.com.

Canik Rival-S
About the SFX Rival-S, USPSA’s Jake Martens said “the heavy weight of the gun and overall ergonomics, as well as the excellent trigger, make this a fun gun to shoot. Canik has a competition-heavy hitter with the SFX Rival-S. (Photo by Jake Martens)

 

Walther Arms

In seventh place was Walther, which was the brand of choice for five percent of Production division shooters at the 2023 USPSA Handgun Nationals.

PDP Steel Frame
Walther’s PDP Full Size Steel Frame 4.5-inch and Compact Steel Frame four-inch handguns. (Photo by Jake Martens)

 

Two new choices from Walther that are available now are the PDP Full Size Steel Frame 4.5-inch and Compact Steel Frame four-inch models. Walther PDP Steel Frame guns sport wrap-around grips with the Performance Duty Texture for a secure hold, along with a checkered front strap. The tetrahedron design on the grip’s surface helps to lock in your hands but is non-abrasive against your skin. Both version have the standard Performance Duty triggers. And, Walther PDP Steel Frame models also feature a large, checkered magazine release button that is reversible. MSRP for both the Compact four-inch and Full Size 4.5-inch models is $1,699, go to waltherarms.com.

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