Primary test pistols were a Glock 35 (with an aftermarket barrel) and a Para-Ordnance 16.40 Hi-Cap. The only change made to both was the replacement of the recoil springs. A Glock 22 was also used with no changes.

Recoil--I hate it. The immutable laws of physics dictate that when one launches a projectile of a certain weight at a certain velocity, a reactive force, known as recoil, is generated. This force is the primary limiting factor to fast, accurate shooting. Shooters have labored mightily over the decades in an attempt to ameliorate this inconvenient physical reaction.

First we fitted our handguns with heavy barrels and various types of weights. Then the muzzle compensator came along, followed by various kinds of barrel porting. Such devices or modifications were the subject of a great deal of study and experimentation and have become extremely efficient. They have found their greatest acceptance among action-pistol shooters, specifically those who compete in matches under the auspices of the U.S. Practical Shooting Association (USPSA).

When USPSA rules were standardized, one of the first, and most controversial, was the Power Factor (PF). To make the original Major PF (180), you had two choices: big, heavy bullets at moderate velocities or small, light ones at hyper velocities. Minor PF (125) was easier to make--and easier on the shooter and his pistol--but "shooting Minor" put you at a scoring disadvantage.

But what about those shooters who compete in divisions where such technological wonders are not allowed? In USPSA Limited and Limited 10 divisions, recoil-dampening devices are verboten, but with the lowering of the Major PF to 165 it was possible to use lighter-recoiling loads, which helped to a degree.

When USPSA introduced Production Division it was seen as a means of attracting new shooters who could compete without the use of the box handguns. Being that, at the time, the most popular handguns on the civilian market were those chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge, it was decided that Production shooters would only have to make Minor PF. This has led to this division being dominated by pistols firing the light-recoiling, inexpensive 9mm cartridge--all well and good, unless you didn't own a 9mm pistol.

Four different weights and styles of bullets were used (left to right): Hornady 155-grain XTP, 180-grain XTP, Laser Cast 170-grain SWC and 180-grain TC. Remington brass was used exclusively.

The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is another of the action-pistol disciplines that has become popular with American shooters. While USPSA has become more competition oriented ("Run & Gun & Have Fun"), IDPA claims to be for those shooters who wish to "use practical equipment…to solve simulated 'real world' defensive scenarios."

IDPA has four divisions: Stock Service Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol, Custom Defensive Pistol and Stock Service Revolver. As does USPSA, IDPA recognizes ammunition's two power factors: 125,000 and 165,000. (PF equals bullet weight times velocity.) Only those shooters competing in Custom Defensive Pistol are required to get up to the 165,000 level.

Next among the most popular types of action-pistol shooting are the so-called Steel Matches. The secret to winning in this discipline is very simple: speed. While most targets only need to be rung to score, even reactive targets (e.g. plates and poppers) are set to go down with a minor-caliber hit. For this reason, the most popular calibers with steel shooters are ultra-light .38 Super and .38 Special loads.