Modify Your Pistol

After shooting a few matches, you will have learned how extensively everyone modifies their firearms.  It can be overwhelming.

 What can be modified?  ...... Just about everything.  Not all of them are useful, but many are worth the investment.

Why do competitive shooters modify their pistols?  Speed, accuracy, ergonomics and reliability.  Modification will buy you fraction of seconds, which add up.  The truth is, stage planning and efficient movement will buy you multiple seconds.

The truth is...you can make every one of the following modifications, but if you suck at shooting, they are not going to help you very much.  These modifications are to make a good shooter better.  Spend your money on training and ammo....and dry fire your ass off.

The most common pistol modifications vary depending on the division rules (e.g., Production vs. Open), but here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the most frequently used mods across disciplines:

1. Trigger Job / Trigger Upgrade

 2. Optics (Red Dot Sights) and Improved Sights

• Goal: Faster target acquisition and improved accuracy.

• Used In: Carry Optics, Open, and sometimes Limited divisions.

• Popular Brands: Trijicon RMR/SRO, Holosun, Leupold DeltaPoint Pro, Aimpoint ACRO

3. Barrel Upgrades (Match-Grade or Compensated)

• Match-Grade Barrels:
  Tighter tolerances for improved accuracy.

• Threaded/Compensated Barrels:
  Reduce muzzle flip and felt recoil (often used in Open Division).

 4. Compensators / Muzzle Brakes

• Goal: Reduce muzzle rise and improve shot-to-shot recovery.
  Legal In: Open division; not allowed in most others.
  Note: Requires threaded barrel.

5. Extended Releases

• Goal: Faster mag changes without shifting grip.

• Types: Oversized buttons, paddle-style releases.

• Divisions: Legal in most divisions with some size restrictions.

6. Extended / Flared Magwells

• Goal: Speed up reloads by guiding the magazine into the grip.

• Divisions: Allowed in Open and Limited, sometimes in Carry Optics.

7. Improved Sights

• Goal: Faster target alignment and transitions.

• Types:

  • Fiber-optic front sights

  • Blacked-out or adjustable rear sights

• Popular Brands: Dawson Precision, Warren Tactical, Henning Group

8. Grip Enhancements

• Goal: Better control and recoil management.

• Mods:

  • Stippling or grip tape

  • Talon grips

  • Aftermarket grip modules (e.g., Wilson Combat grip for Sig P320)

9. Slide Cuts or Lightening

• Goal: Reduce reciprocating mass for faster cycling.

• Also Helps: Compensator balance or ported barrels.

• Often Includes: Optic cut, serrations, or windows.

10. Recoil Spring and Guide Rod Tuning

• Goal: Tune the cycling speed and reduce muzzle flip.

• Common Upgrades:

  • Tungsten guide rods

  • Variable weight recoil springs for specific load

11. Extended Slide Stop / Controls

• Goal: Easier slide manipulation under pressure.

• Used For: Faster slide lock reloads and slide release with support hand.

12. Magazine Upgrades

• Goal: Increase capacity and reliability.

• Mods:

  • Extended basepads

  • Tuning followers and springs

  • Dawson, Taran Tactical, Henning Group extensions

13. Frame or Slide Refinishing

• Goal: Reduce glare, increase durability, or improve aesthetics.

• Finishes: Cerakote, DLC, Nitride, etc.

14. Frame Cuts

• Goal:  Improved ergonomics

• Mods:

15. Gas Pedal

• Goal:  Reduced muzzle flip

• Mods: 
  
  

Important Notes on Legality:

• Each competition division (USPSA, IDPA, etc.) has strict rules about what’s allowed.  Make sure that your modifications don't disqualify your pistol from the division in which you would like to compete. Here are a few of the idiosyncrasies.

• • Production Division: Very limited mods (no optics, factory-style parts only).

  • Carry Optics: Red dots allowed, but no compensators or magwells.

  • Open Division: Almost anything goes—compensators, optics, magwells, high-cap mags.

  • Limited Division: No optics or comps, but extended mags and magwells are allowed.