Competition pistol options?

Suther

Suther

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
27   0   0
Location
Fraser Valley
So I want a handgun. I also want to use it to compete in some way. Dont know exactly what, ISPC or 3 gun or what, I dunno.

Im just wondering what are my best options for an affordable gun for this sort of thing?

I hear the striker-fired guns like Glocks and M&Ps are highly revered, they are reliable and the consistent trigger pull weight is nice. I think the Ruger SR9 also fits into this catagory?

That said, I have heard that, at least with the M&P the stock trigger pull can be less than the required amount for production class.

On the other hand, we have the DA/SA pistols, like Girsan Regard, Grand Power, and norinco clones of Sigs.


What is your preference? If you had to buy a new, cheap pistol what would you buy? What other pistols am I overlooking? Both in striker-fired and DA/SA...

I feel like an M&P range kit is the top end of what I could possibly afford, so anything thats $650+ is probably too expensive (And thus probably means no glock, unless it really is the only real option...)
 
^^ That's a pretty good list to start with. I'd handle as many of those guns (and others, like a Sig or a PPQ for example) as possible and pick the one that best fits your hand and feels the best to you. Fit is more important than any function, especially if you're going to compete with it.

I'd also stay away from Norcs if you want to compete.

I started with a Shadow, then moved to an M&P, then a Sig, then a Beretta. I shoot them all and love them all.
 
Cz shadow, sig, glock, sti 1911, and plenty more...kinda depends what you want to shoot? Try as many as you can for your discipline....jmho
 
Anything striker fired. Hold a few and buy the one that feels the most comfortable. M&P Glock whatever. Striker fired guns are boring but they shoot and shoot and shoot until you get bored of shooting them. Buy a good one and it will rarely fail. Any other pistol you buy after that will be a toy. The boring plastic gun will hone your skills and make you a competent shooter. Just feed it ammo and keep practicing.
 
If you are going to compete, you are going to burn up a lot more in ammo than the price of an entry level gun so you should factor that into your budget. Since doing my Black Badge in the summer, I go through 1000-2000 rounds a month practicing. A consideration may be getting something that has a .22Lr conversion available. You can use it to practice your holster draw and trigger fundamentals for a lot cheaper cost. Especially if you are going with something DA/SA to compete in the Production class IPSC. For me, I did years of target shooting, but always in SA so starting off in DA took a lot of getting used to.

If you want to meet up at DVC one night, I have a G17, CZ SP01 Shadow, and a Grand Power X-Calibur (my current competition gun) that you can try.

Suther said:
So I want a handgun. I also want to use it to compete in some way. Dont know exactly what, ISPC or 3 gun or what, I dunno.

Im just wondering what are my best options for an affordable gun for this sort of thing?

I hear the striker-fired guns like Glocks and M&Ps are highly revered, they are reliable and the consistent trigger pull weight is nice. I think the Ruger SR9 also fits into this catagory?

That said, I have heard that, at least with the M&P the stock trigger pull can be less than the required amount for production class.

On the other hand, we have the DA/SA pistols, like Girsan Regard, Grand Power, and norinco clones of Sigs.


What is your preference? If you had to buy a new, cheap pistol what would you buy? What other pistols am I overlooking? Both in striker-fired and DA/SA...

I feel like an M&P range kit is the top end of what I could possibly afford, so anything thats $650+ is probably too expensive (And thus probably means no glock, unless it really is the only real option...)
Click to expand...
 
You've come to the WRONG place for advice. Go to Tim Hortons. Buy a box of dog nuts. Go to the gun store and use them to purchase the time of the gun clerk and any ambient gun geeks. Handle the guns.

Because gun geeks are capable of flapping their gums at 100 MPH, the act of eating a donut will slow them down and force them to choose their words with greater care. The signal to noise ratio improves by orders of magnitude. Everything in life is better with donuts. Buying a gun is serious manly business, and should be savoured with all the gusto reserved for fine single malts and cigars. :)

If you are brand spankin' new to the sport - go to one of the indoor ranges. I think at Phoenix here in Edmonton they have a big rental fleet of guns and you can even fire them and try them out first. They will also put you in touch with the IPSC wanks and you should definitely talk to them first. There is more to that sport than just picking up an iron and slapping leather. They are good guys and appreciate newbies that want to get started off right.
 
^^^^^

The Dog Nuts idea is the way to go .....

Coincidentally (or not?) - there is a TH's virtually right across the road from Wanstalls - take your nuts into the shop have a chat with Matt, Anthony, the 'Craigs', or Gary.

They will give you the 'straight and narrow' and probably have every pistol mentioned on this thread.

Abby
 
Before you decide you will probably need to refine your intended use. No one gun will be ideal for all the different games. However, if you're thinking ipsc, I can offer a very short list of guns you should look at. In order of preference:
1. CZ SP01 Shadow
2. Glock 17

If you like, I can provide reasons for those choices later when I can get in front of a keyboard. For now just think about durability, availability (guns, mags, holstets and parts), reliability and accuracy. Ergonomics is way down the list since you won't know just starting out what constitutes good Ergonomics. Take my word for it tbough; these two guns have it all.

Eta: this is assuming you start in production division, which in my opinion is the best place to start.
 
OK, I've got a dog nut in one hand so I'm typing more slowly and you should be able to follow along.....

Some folks seem to make a really big deal over the DA/SA guns and the first shot being taken in DA. Well, I'm here to represent the bucket loads of CZ Shadow owners and say that with a little practice and some good trigger discipline that it's simply not a big deal at all. And in fact that once you have the first shot out of the way that the lighter trigger pull allowed by the SA operation for all subsequent shots adds up to the possibility, if you're good enough, of a better overall score and lower times.

The really big question is about the shooter. Some folks do well with striker fired guns with the consistent 5+lb trigger pull and others do well with the DA/SA guns like the CZ's. Either way it's not a big deal to come to grips with either a consistent 5+lb pull or a first shot 5+ pull with lighter shots after that. The way the gun fits the shooter's hands counts for much more than the style of trigger and firing system. Well, that and how much they practice.
 
I think one of the best bang for the buck is going to be a Shadow. It is very competitive, lots of competition holsters available and the trigger is excellent.
 
So I hear the glock has polygonal rifling, and they advise against using cast loads. I dont reload yet (not pistol calibers at least), but I plan to start reloading in the future.

What other guns have this feature? Its my understanding the Ruger SR9 has more traditional rifling, but I dont know about the rest of 'em.

Also I hear a lot of complaints about the trigger on the M&P? I know you can get an apex trigger for pretty cheap, but that would take me out of production class right?

Im not planning on getting into competition heavily or anything, Im a fulltime student, plus I work part time, plus I have a family, so money for ammo is slim and so is free time. But I dont want to go get something thats not accepted for such purposes, like something with a ported barrel or not on the list for production class.
 
You know you have to decide how much you want to compete. Some guys practice their a$$ off and make shooting their second religion. Those types will buy anything they think will improve their scores...anything. If Adam Tyc wins shooting a "stock" Shadow it become "the" gun to buy. If Vogel wins IDPA SSP using his "Stock" Glock 34 the line up starts on the right, one at a time please.

Here are some things to think about. Buy within your budget and if you are serious about wanting to compete have enough funds available to purchase at least a Dillon Square Deal press and the price of one of Lyman's books on reloading. Buy a gun you can sell readily. Budget guns would include Glock 17, M&P Range Kit, a CZ 75B all of which are available in 9MM. I bought a virtually new 75B three weeks ago for $500 on the EE here. The gun had hardly been shot if at all. Sure the trigger spring needs to be replaced but I know I could qualify Sharpshooter with it and not be far off my best scores. Glock 17's and M&P's can be had for similar amounts. Having an expensive gun that you cannot afford to shoot is not where you want to be. Practice early on is way more important than the pretty finish on your expensive master blaster. BTW all those budget guns have won major tournaments and not so major tournaments as well.

The IDPA divisional scores at major matches provide some interesting information that new shooters should understand. The information likely applies to IPSC as well although direct comparison of Divisions is not quite as clear cut. Stock Service Pistol Division (SSP) and Enhanced Service Pistol Division (ESP) only differ by way of what modifications are allowed in each division and SA 1911's are allowed to play in ESP. DESPITE ALLOWING FOR MORE MODIFICATIONS SUCH AS MAGWELLS, after market TRIGGERS, AND EXTERNAL MODIFICATIONS - all those little goodies upstream pistols might come with, the scores at major matches for the two divisions are for the most part identical. For those who think the DA first pull affects scores, well maybe it does but we just don't see it when you look at the divisional results once you go below the winners and even there the results aren't that much different. I guess what this tells me is for most shooters all the little bells and whistles any gun might have in the end doesn't convert to better actual scoring. Are they nice to have...sure but are they must haves...not really.

My advice for what it is worth if you intend to get set up for pistol shooting and may well enter one of the shooting sports is to figure out your total budget factoring in the early need for a decent reloading press if you don't have one already - useful even if you never get into the games. Buy one that you can sell if you have to without losing your shirt.

Any lightly used CZ 75B/85 Combat, Glock 17 or M&P will run you anywhere from $500 - $650 tops on EE You will need a holster and mag holders this is why so many recommend the M&P Range Kit. Add a couple of more mags and you are joining the boys instantly for either IPSC or IDPA. Mags for all but the Glocks can be relatively expensive. You will need a minimum of three for IDPA and five for IPSC. You will need two double mag pouches for IPSC or one for IDPA Singles are nicer but I suspect more expensive. Expect to spend $1,000 - $1,200 and that might include a decent reloading press if you get lucky.

Hard core folks in both sports will offer sincere advice as to what works for them and it will be all good. If you aren't on a budget then get yourself a good deal on a 75 Shadowline or SP-01 Shadow, a Tanfoglio Stock 11 or for slightly less a M&P Pro 5" - you may have to install a $3.00 heavier trigger spring to ensure you remain over the IPSC 5 lb trigger limitation for Production and go play. Get yourself a Dillon 650 or for slightly less a 550B The Glock 34 works well in IDPA SSP/ESP Divisions but is not allowed in IPSC Production. You won't shoot the sports any better but you will look cool. In time you will get better with practice and see where the sport takes you. All is good if you are having fun, and sometimes looking cool has it's own rewards.

Merry Christmas

Bob
ps If you go budget and you find initially guys are beating you believe me it isn't their equipment. Keep at it. There is a certain level of satisfaction when you start beating folks with your entry level equipment and at some point you will.
 
My advice is to look on the EE for deals. There's a great CZ 75 Omega now for under your budget. I wouldn't get caught up in a particular gun until you see the wide variety of options the EE affords you in your budget range. I'd say it's a buyers market right now. With that said my personal preference for competitive guns is D/A,S/A like the CZ, or my favourite Tanfoglio. The Grand Powers also impressed me for the money.
 
If I may 'hijack' the thread somewhat...

Are there any competition leagues for pistol in .22lr?

I'm a new guy to shooting as well, and think I would prefer to play in league for .22's.

Would probably save me a boat load of money - and be just as much fun for me, at least.
 
without a specific discipline, pick whatever you are drawn to the most. If you have a specific discipline or something that you want to shoot then you can get into specifics.

DA/SA vs single action vs striker doesnt matter, I shoot mostly a 1911 but I can transition to a DA/SA gun just fine
 
There is a CZ 85 Combat for sale on the EE for $600 and a M&P Pro for $635 including Apex parts shipped! Just to give the OP some idea of what is out there.
I just noticed a M&P FS for $475 with 250 rd down the tube the seller says.

Take Care

Bob
 
Not going to jump in with another recommendation on what pistol to get; you are are going to get plenty of advice...

If you get something that is relatively common, like a Glock, M&P or CZ, or 1911 and you run into a hardware problem while competing, or not sure, there will be lots of people around who will know what the problem is right away or are willing to lend a spare part. As long as you have enough magazines, belt/holster/magazine holders/ammunication, any of those will take you fare enough that you will know exactly what you want when you want to spend more money. Personally, I think the Grand Power etc might be a great pistol but with less common pistols until they become a bit common, you may be left learning a lot about how to look after it on your own.

If you think you want to try some sort of action pistol, come out to the Steel Shoots at Thompson Mountain (tmsa.net) when it starts up in the spring. For someone new to the sport, it has a lot of the fun stuff of IPSC without having to figure out stuff like when to reload, complicated scoring and movement. I think of it as a great gateway drug to IPSC and it is a pretty casual (less intense) event.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom