By Chad Adams
The best competition shooters in the world, without fail, run premium builds. Could these incredible shooters whip most anyone’s ass with a police buy-back shit-o-matic? Absolutely. But in the intense playgrounds where top-level shooters live, that last 1-2 percent separates champions from the pack. It’s here where the build truly matters.
The Styer ATC 6” Rock is such a build. As such, it blends ergonomics with precision components to create an incredibly flat-shooting machine built to go fast. In practical application, this gun will hold far more accuracy than all but the elite shooters can extract from it.
The cold-hammer-forged 6-inch barrel contributes greatly to that accuracy potential. The 9mm platform accommodates 18- and 20-round magazines. A multitude of lightening cuts keep the slide light and fast.
Optic-ready, we bolted on a red dot optic to really enjoy flat, fast shooting at its finest. A fiber-optic front sight delivers a solid sighting system for those shooting in iron divisions. A Picatinny rail below enables attaching a white light for night matches, added weight or bedside duties.
Styer ATC 6″ Rock Details
The Rock packages an all-stainless-steel slide and frame build, making for a highly durable and resistant competition shooting ride.
I’ve spent my time dabbling in competition shooting, especially 3-gun. During a recent range week with the team, I particularly watched when the fellas picked up the 6” Rock for the first time and sent some lead downrange.
You could see it on their faces immediately. With a good, firm high grip, this blaster doesn’t move when it barks. It stays so flat, after a couple of mags, guys were outrunning their abilities on the steel pretty quickly. That’s the confidence a well-built competition pistol can provide. And you’ve got to go fast to learn how to go fast.
It delivers impacts where you aim it, every time, just as fast as you have the skills to hold it. For most of us, you’ll quickly reap the benefits shooting a platform that fights to stay in the pocket under recoil. For the elite shooters out there, this is the kind of build that can put you on the podium.
Price: $2,599 retail.
Pros: Everything about this precision build, from the weight and balance to the ergonomics and smart component choices, is formulated to go fast.
Cons: A $2,500 gun won’t actually make you any better shooter. But you’ll sure look good missing faster than ever before! For real, like any gun, budget a whole bunch of ammo for practice to get the absolute most out of the investment.
