Handgun Hunter Magazine - Forums: Competitor Pistol

You are not logged in. [Log In] Handgun Hunter Magazine » Forums » Discussions » Shooters Bench » Competitor Pistol

Page 1 of 2

Topic Options

Rate This Topic

#60666 - 12/05/09 11:45 AM

Competitor Pistol

Critter Gitter
journeyman

Registered: 01/28/08
Posts: 57
Loc: Wisconsin

Offline

I have recently aquired a Competitor pistol with a 16 inch tube chambered in 250 Savage.

Are there others on the forum shooting these things??
If so, I would enjoy getting feedback, comments, or insight about this gun and shooting it.

Any comments about what one enjoys, but too, are there any issues I should watch out for...should I get any spare parts, springs, etc?

I certainly like the grip shape compared to a SSP-91 that I used to shoot.

What's your favorite 35+ calibers for SSPs?...458x2" American looks interesting?...anybody ever shoot one?

Thanks,
Andrew

Top

#60672 - 12/05/09 12:03 PM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

Ernie
Shooting Expert

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 3266
Loc: Gillette, Wyoming

Offline

They are good SP's, and you will like the cartridge.
There are some spare parts that I have heard that go down from time to time, but I don't remember what they are.
Fav calibers for me: 6mm, 6.5, 7mm and 338

_________________________
Ernie (xphunter)
Live such a life that when you awake, Satan shudders & says, Oh no, they're awake!

Top

#60675 - 12/05/09 12:38 PM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

s4s4u
Shooting Master

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 3913
Loc: Northern MN

Online

I've got one in .308 and it has never given me a hint of a problem. I have it for sale in the classifieds here right now but only because I have acquired other long range handguns that get more play. If you dry fire be sure to use a snap cap to protect the pin. They are a super nice compact shooting platform, and switch barrel to boot. Enjoy.

_________________________
Rod, too.

Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.

Top

#61196 - 12/13/09 12:52 AM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: s4s4u]

Franchise
old hand

Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 1187

Online

I have 4 Competitor Pistols. I TRUELY feel they are the best single shot pistols on the market. I have a 30/221, a 376 Steyr, a 416 Barnes, and a 50 AE. I have killed many animals, Big & Small with my Competitors. I Love these pistols.

Top

#61214 - 12/13/09 10:27 AM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Franchise]

jamesfromjersey
Shooting Master

Registered: 01/18/04
Posts: 3530
Loc: New Jersey

Offline

Franchise is the Competitor pistol man....

_________________________
Life member-NRA-SCI-NAHC
Member-HHI #2900-HHASA #067
Colt-Ruger-Freedom Arms-and S&W Collector Assoc.s
"I have more guns then I need but not as many as I want"

Top

#61318 - 12/14/09 11:17 AM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

Critter Gitter
journeyman

Registered: 01/28/08
Posts: 57
Loc: Wisconsin

Offline

Thanks everyone for replying.

I thought I might share an observation I made the other day...
I had my Competitor and a Contender both out at the same time, they have a 16" and a 10" barrel respectively.
I layed one directly above the other so that the triggers were aligned vertically. The muzzle of the competitor only stuck out about 1/2" farther the the Contender, despite having six more inches of barrel.

I may be easily impressed, but I was by this. This platform packs a nice long tube into a relativly compact package. I know it still has a long OAL, but it does balance nice in the hand.

Andrew

Top

#61334 - 12/14/09 04:35 PM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

Franchise
old hand

Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 1187

Online

The Competitors really shine when shooting Big Bore rounds. In my opinion they are much easier to handle(recoil, muzzle flash, and most importantly muzzle jump)than encore of similar rounds. The grip makes a huge difference.

Top

#61354 - 12/14/09 08:31 PM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

Critter Gitter
journeyman

Registered: 01/28/08
Posts: 57
Loc: Wisconsin

Offline

Franchise,

Do you have brakes on any of your barrels?
I once had an unbraked SSP-91 in 444 Marlin. I found that the grip shape put most of the recoil force right into the web of my hand, which to me is uncomfortable. But this grip feels more comfortable. I prefer to not use muzzle brakes if possible.
The reason I ask is because I would like to purchase another barrel in something a little bigger caliber-wise. I haven't decided which one yet...

Top

#61362 - 12/14/09 09:32 PM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Critter Gitter]

Franchise
old hand

Registered: 12/21/08
Posts: 1187

Online

I have brakes on all of my Competitors. Three have integral brakes and the 50 AE has an external brake. I put a brake on the 30/221 because my wife hunts with it. The gun barely moves at all in recoil. As odd as it sounds the 50 AE recoils more than the 376 Steyr. They still kick, but none as bad as an unbraked 454. The big bore encores I have shot have all ravaged my trigger finger and the 475 JDJ wanted to plant in my skull. I have shot several big bore Competitors and all were very managable. Call Al Straitiff at Competitor to talk calibers but I really like the 375/350 and the 375/284. If you really want something large a 475 Marlin would be awsome. This is a 450 Marlin case blown straight to accept 475 bullets. In my opinion any of these rounds would need a muzzle brake to make shooting enjoyable.

Top

#65758 - 03/05/10 05:54 AM

Re: Competitor Pistol [Re: Franchise]

alaskgun
stranger

Registered: 03/05/10
Posts: 8

Offline

I have one that I've had for several years now and I'll never get rid of it. As everyone else has already noted, they are very compact, nice grip, well balanced, etc. If recoil proves to be too much you can always try a PAST glove in addition to a brake. As far as parts go, be aware that if you change barrels you may have to also change the ejector/extractor depending on the head dia. and rim type you are changing to. It's all pretty simple and well outlined on their website.

_________________________
Contender
G2
Encore
Striker
Coompetitor

Top

Page 1 of 2