My Competition Pistols Through the Years!

Published on January 9, 2025
Duration: 27:10

This video chronicles the evolution of Joe Farewell's competition handguns, from his early Springfield XD and Smith & Wesson M&P to his current Atlas Erebus and Athena models. He details the modifications and reasons behind his choices, highlighting the performance benefits and personal preferences that led him to the 2011 platform, emphasizing its superior trigger, balance, and accuracy for competitive shooting.

Quick Summary

Joe Farewell's competition handgun journey evolved from a Springfield XD and S&W M&P to the 2011 platform, including STI and Atlas models. He highlights the 2011's superior trigger, balance, and accuracy as key advantages for competitive shooting, emphasizing the importance of meticulous maintenance for high-round-count firearms.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction
  2. 00:31Springfield XD (.40 Cal)
  3. 01:04Smith & Wesson M&P Pro Series
  4. 01:40M&P Modifications: Sights, Barrel, Trigger
  5. 03:11M&P Grip Stippling & Magwell
  6. 04:39Transition to 2011: STI DVC 3-Gun
  7. 06:00STI DVC 3-Gun Details
  8. 06:32STI Main Spring Issues & Maintenance
  9. 08:05STI Magwell & Grip Panel
  10. 09:24DIY Sight Modification on STI
  11. 10:15Atlas Hyperion Introduction
  12. 11:12Atlas Hyperion (OG)
  13. 11:26Atlas Hyperion Magwell & Grip
  14. 13:49Transition to Open Division: Atlas Erebus
  15. 14:26Atlas Erebus (High Round Count)
  16. 15:14Erebus Trigger & Optic Choice
  17. 16:47Erebus Compensator Carbon Buildup
  18. 17:57Current Match Gun: Atlas Erebus (Blue Coating)
  19. 18:56Erebus Magwell & Grip Issues
  20. 20:16Limited Optics / Practical Division: Atlas Athena
  21. 20:58Atlas Athena Details & Extractor Issue
  22. 21:55Why Choose the 2011 Platform
  23. 22:212011 Platform Advantages
  24. 24:452011 Market Options (Prodigy)
  25. 25:19Conclusion & Atlas Appreciation
  26. 26:28Thank You & Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Joe Farewell's first competition handgun?

Joe Farewell's first competition handgun was a Springfield XD in .40 caliber. Although he notes it's often mocked online now, he found it to be a capable firearm at the time and put a significant number of rounds through it before upgrading.

What modifications were made to the Smith & Wesson M&P Pro Series?

The S&W M&P Pro Series featured Warren Tactical sights with a fiber optic front, a KKM Precision barrel for improved accuracy, an Apex trigger for a better pull, and custom stippling on the grip for enhanced handling. A magwell was also added later for competition.

Why did Joe Farewell transition to the 2011 platform?

The transition to the 2011 platform, starting with an STI DVC 3-Gun, was driven by the desire for a superior trigger feel and overall shooting dynamics compared to striker-fired pistols. The 2011 platform offers unparalleled trigger quality, balance, and accuracy for competitive shooting.

What are the key advantages of the 2011 platform for competition?

The 2011 platform excels in competition due to its exceptional trigger, which is precise, crisp, and light (often under 2 lbs). It also offers excellent balance and unparalleled accuracy, making it a preferred choice for disciplines like USPSA and 3-Gun.

What maintenance is crucial for high-round-count 2011 pistols?

For high-round-count 2011s, regular maintenance of internal springs, particularly the main spring, is critical. It's recommended to change the main spring every 5,000 rounds to prevent issues like hammer follow and bump fires, which can occur with excessive use.

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