TargetTalk

Hi forum experts:

I am shooting the Steyr 5-shot LP50 in the AP60, 10m.

Am I handicapping/limiting myself by using a semi-auto for this? My scores run between 487 and 510, and am only in week 2 of the discipline.

I intend to shoot both rapid fire, standard air and ISSF AP60. Might I need two pistols?

Thoughts helpful.

Cheers

Not until you reach 550. I started shooting AP with a FWB65 and scored 585, then bought a Hämmerli AP40.

Your fiveshooter will do just fine right now.

Good luck!

Cheers Mellberg - am off to practice :-)

There's been some previous discussion on this question - use the search function. Here is one I found - viewtopic.php?t=14427&highlight=lp50.

You are better off shooting just the LP50 for all the matches until you get to ~550. Switching between the LP50 and, say, an LP10 could lead to bad habits for a beginning shooter. Best to learn to shot the LP50 well before moving on.

I'd really like to know where you guys come up with the magic "it's good up to 550" ? What happens after 550 please explain, why one could only shoot 550 with an LP50? Please don't say that is because the trigger isn't as good as an Lp10 9which is true) but FWB 65's shot into the 570's in there time and the LP50 trigger is better than that trigger.

If people can shoot 570's with an Izy the LP50 is certainly superior to it. Its also superior to many of the pistols previously used to shot 570's and 580's.

Richard H wrote:I'd really like to know where you guys come up with the magic "it's good up to 550" ? What happens after 550 please explain, why one could only shoot 550 with an LP50? Please don't say that is because the trigger isn't as good as an Lp10 9which is true) but FWB 65's shot into the 570's in there time and the LP50 trigger is better than that trigger.

If people can shoot 570's with an Izy the LP50 is certainly superior to it. Its also superior to many of the pistols previously used to shot 570's and 580's.

The shooter determines the score, not the pistol. But I believe that a modern single shot AP will allow a proficient shooter to reach his/her potential more easily/more quickly than if they were to stay with an LP50/IZH/FWB65. Nothing magic about 550, but someone who is consistently shooting over 540 with an LP50 and wants to progress ought to consider moving on to a good single shot.
Perhaps Mellberg shoots a 585 occasionally with his FWB65, but can do it more often with his Hammerli AP40

If you plan to shoot Nationals, I don't think the LP-50 will fit in the "box". Nice pistol, however.

dhurt wrote:If you plan to shoot Nationals, I don't think the LP-50 will fit in the "box".

I don't see why it shouldn't, unless you have adjusted the grip angles a long way from the neutral position. That is a common problem with all Steyr pistols and is normally easily rectified by some appropriate grip sanding.

The LP50 is a very good gun. The only slight downside is the trigger. The LP10 has a better trigger and to me that will help your scores improve.

I too fail to comprehend where the 550 cut off appears - that makes no sense. I would totally ignore that line of discussion.

There is nothing wrong with using the LP50, and it will fit in the box fine unless you twist the grip around dramatically, which even I haven't done to mine (LP5). If you aspire to shoot better scores then get a good single shot pistol as well - such as the LP10.

Rob.

There is nothing holy about the number 550, it's just that it's not until you reach scores in that area (+/- 10p) where you shoot nines, tens and some eights (and occasionally some sevens). And that's when you should start thinking seriously about your equipment rather than your skills as a shooter.

Mannis got it right in his post. Ok, so I shot 585 with a FWB65, but I also shot ~545 or something. With my AP40 I constantly shoot +570 and I usually end up 575-580 in competitions lately (last two competitions- ISCH in Hannover and GP Plzen I scored 578). Even if I (on a lucky day) can shoot +580 with an old gun it's easier to score fine results with a new modern gun.
The LP50 is not an "old" gun, it's just not specialized for single shot competitions and therefor not suitable for a +570 shooter who whishes to score high on a regular basis.

But for the beginner an LP50 will do just fine, because as I said earlier; it's still a very nice pistol. You should concentrate on your technique and mindset before doubting such a fine pistol as the LP50.

Good luck with your shooting!
// Tommy

Chaps - I was a bit quiet in responding because I wanted to see where the advice/debate panned out; let's just say that across of all of your views there is wealth of very functional advice - of which I much appreciate, so thank you.

The LP50 does shoot well and I have no doubt about the pistols qualities, it easily fits in the control box and the trigger (for me) is certainly not unwieldly; saying that comparitively I have not shot an LP10, so what do I know!

Am finding the transition from 9mm more smooth than had expected - think this is good news. It might be that I have a go with a single-shot, to see if there is a noticeable and measurable improvement and whether the transition up the score charts can be accelerated- from there maybe have two pistols, probably from the same stable (being familiar with only one frame type has its benefits), but for the meanwhile will push the LP50 and my technique as best as possible in practice.
Keep you posted.

I find my LP50 trigger with its single stage and slight roll much closer to the Browning HP (assuming that is the 9mm you shot) trigger than would be the two stage crisp trigger you would find on a top of the line single shot AP. So I think you made the correct choice for your transition :-)

By sheer coincidence, I shot the LP50 until my scores started settling in at 540+ although I agree there is absolutely no magic to the number. The only reason I made the switch at that point in my progression was it coincided with the time I figured I deserved a better trigger. I agree with Fred - the LP50 has a slight roll to the trigger which I dont particulary care for in an AP.

The LP50 trigger is good but simply does not compare to the superb triggers on the LP1/10 or the Morinis. Since switching to the Moriini 162EI my scores have improved but I'm not the least bit convinced the switch away from the LP50 is the cause.

The LP50 will fit in the box. If you continue to shoot the LP50 I suggest using single shot magazine for matches. It groups much better when you are not using a multi shot magazine whose five holes will never align as consistently with the barrel as the single shot mag will.