Where Did All the Race Guns Go? The 2011 Project

Early in this series, I mentioned that 2011s, like those from STI, started as race guns for USPSA (or IPSC). These guns wore large multi-port compensators, side-mounted optic rails, large gas pedals, funnel-style magwells, and came in over-the-top colorways. They remind me of NHRA Funny Cars.

These beasts were built to do one thing: go fast. But today, those types of 2011s aren’t commonly found. Rules, divisions, and competition governing bodies dictate what people buy, and mostly top-level shooters run the “true” race guns in the open division. But, like Treebeard asking where all the Entwives have gone, I’m asking where all the 2011 Race Guns have gone.

Short answer: they didn’t vanish. USPSA and IDPA division rules pushed the old-school race gun into purpose-built, rules compliant models. USPSA Open is the one division where compesators, ports, and optics all remain legal on a full race built, while Limited, Limited Optics, and IDPA’s Enhanced Service Pistol and Carry Optics each get a trimmed down version.

Thank you to Masterpiece Arms for providing an example of the DS9 LOC-V2. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

How We Got Here

To understand the history of the 2011, Staccato, and the rise of this pistol classification, check out “Party Like It’s 2011: Staccato and the 2011 Revolution,” which tells the origin story. That article lays the groundwork for what follows, and this is meant to give you honest opinions on this growing market. Unlike other trends that come and go, this one has staying power.

But unlike other trends, pistols in this class can cost thousands of dollars. The goal here is to give you an unbiased opinion on how these models stack up and help you decide which is best for your needs and budget.This article is part of the 2011 Project. If you’re just joining, start with the series introduction.

RULES AND DIVISION DICTATE GUN CHOICE

In this exercise, I’ll be looking at USPSA and IDPA, the two most common types of pistol competition in the United States. This won’t be an in-depth look at all the rules, but rather at what the rules say about gun choice.

Where Do 2011s Fit in USPSA?

USPSA is divided into the following divisions: Production, Carry Optics, Limited Optics, Limited, and Open. IDPA has more divisions, but we’ll focus on Stock Service Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol, Carry Optics, and Custom Defensive Pistol. Between the two, that’s nine divisions.

For USPSA, running a 2011-style pistol eliminates you from Production and Carry Optics divisions. These divisions are geared toward more commonly found striker-fired and DA/SA pistols to lower the barrier to entry.

Production Division is iron sights only, while Carry Optics allows a slide-mounted red dot to the same kind of gun. This means Limited Optics, Limited, Limited-10 and Open are for anyone shooting a 2011-style pistol.

USPSA divisions at a glance:

If a budget gun is your goal, Production and Carry Optics are where striker-fired pistols compete; see The Best Budget Competition Pistols.

Where Do 2011s Fit in IDPA?

IDPA takes things further. Their rulebook explicitly states, “Equipment must be practical for self-defense rather than using ‘competition only’ or ‘race gear’.” If you want to shoot your tricked-out 2011 in IDPA, you only have a few options.

Stock Service Pistol limits shooters to striker-fired, double-action, or double-action-only pistols. Enhanced Service Pistol allows “semi-automatic” pistols in general, so you could use a 2011 pistol in this division, while Carry Optics applies the same rules as ESP with the concession of using an optic.

An ESP pistol can’t exceed 43 oz with the heaviest magazine inserted. A Carry Optics pistol can’t exceed 45 oz with empty magazines. Both must be 9mm or larger, load to 10 rounds, and fit within the IDPA gun test box.

Custom Defensive Pistol is really for 1911 purists: it’s .45 ACP only, limited to eight rounds, and doesn’t allow compensators. Some other divisions, including Backup Gun, technically allow 2011s, but barrel length and weight restrictions will make it difficult. Not to mention, you can’t bolt on just any modification you want; IDPA tries to make things as practical as possible. 

IDPA divisions at a glance:

BUT WHAT ABOUT RACE GUNS?

With all that said, Limited Optics, Limited, Open, Carry Optics, and Enhanced Service Pistol are the only divisions you are likely to see 2011-style guns. But then, not the race guns of yesteryear. Open Division is the only real division to see the “Funny Cars” of USPSA.

These pistols are built for competition rather than duty or practical use. And they come with price tags to match.

Of the guns that you might be able to acquire, Masterpiece Arms and Bul Armory do make modern versions of the classic race gun. Bul has the Spitfire and the Fireball, which retail for about $5,000 and $4,000 respectively. MPA has the DS9 Comp Open, which again, starts at $5,000.

There are more options out there, but they’re usually niche manufacturers and gunsmiths working within the community.

However, you will find race guns built for the rules of Limited and Limited Optics in USPSA, and ESP and Carry Optics in IDPA. For example, the MPA DS9 Hybrid IDPA V2 meets the size and weight requirements for Carry Optics and ESP. Many guns in this project can be tailored for these divisions.

What’s It Like to Shoot a Modern Race Gun?

While I reviewed the MPA DS9-DC Hybrid earlier in the 2011 Project, MPA was kind enough to send an example of the DS9 LOC-V2. This pistol’s design specifically meets the rules and requirements of USPSA Limited Optics.

While it looks similar to many of the 2011s in this test, it feels and shoots differently. The pistol is designed for competition. You quickly notice the large frame-mounted thumb rest, oversized ambi safety, machined front sight block, and full-length dust cover—all of which meet the existing rules.

Was it fun to shoot? Yes. I ran a few drills with it, but my times weren’t as good as with other guns. For example, my Bill Drills hovered in the 1.2-second range.

And I think it’s easy to understand why. If someone gave me keys to a race car without any previous training or experience, I’d be terrible. Honestly, I’d be faster in my RAV4.

It’s how I felt with the LOC V2. I’m not a competition shooter; I don’t shoot or own any “race” guns. Everything I do has a more practical ethos. So shooting the LOC V2 was awkward for me.

Unfortunately, I only had a couple of boxes of ammo left over from the 2011 Project to shoot this gun, but over time, I’m sure I’d become proficient.

ZOOMING OUT

To answer the question of “Where did all the race guns gone,” they haven’t; they’ve just changed. USPSA limits old-school race guns to the Open Division. In their place, manufacturers have built guns to fit existing IDPA and USPSA rules, so competitors keep a 2011’s advantages inside the rules.

You can shoot ESP or Carry Optics in IDPA, and Limited or Limited Optics in USPSA, and still shoot a race gun. That said, shooters should put these guns to use. You’d never build a dragster just to leave it in the garage. 

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming: the Miller Precision Ranger 9X.

A Few Questions You Might Have

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