Competition pistol options?

Any opinions on the s&w SDVE? Seems new? I hadn't heard of it until the other day... and isn't on the production list?

Edit - I read it's got a god awful trigger (8+lbs and very long). Maybe not the best option...
 
Last edited:
So I was thinking, adjustable sights is something that I would prefer.

With that in mind, what are some affordable options for that?


Also, on the note of competition, I want something that allows me to compete, in the sense of being able to physically compete, not actually competing with the other people out there. If I could use a TT-33 then I would probably just get one of them 'cause that means that much more money for ammo. Cost is a serious consideration, and saving for a $800+ gun will probably take me 3 months or more. There is also the possibility I'll find something else to spend that kinda money on, like a vacation, so the cheaper the gun the more likely I'll actually get it (and not just a tt-33. lol)

I just wish I had money when Dlask had those $330 Grand Powers...
 
Sutter shooting is not an inexpensive sport. When some of us talk about saving money, the saving money is just another way of saying spending the same money on more things to allow us to shoot more. The least expensive way to shoot more is to invest in a $500 - $600 common type of pistol shooting 9MM ammunition and then investing in a basic reloading system. Why? Because shooting factory ammo costs. I cast my own bullets out of wheel weights I get for free. This reduces my cash casts to primers $2.13/50 and $1,00 worth of powder. I have lots of range brass. That makes my cash costs per box of 50 around $3.50/50 for 9MM. There is some cost in electricity and propane to melt down the wheel weights, bullet lube and my time. You can't shoot center fire any cheaper than that but to achieve that I have a 550B complete, RCBS Lubricator with heater, RCBS Electronic Scale, bullet molds, sizing dies and on it goes. You can buy lead bullets from places like Bullet Barn for $52/500 plus taxes. Your cash costs for your reloaded ammo would be another $6.00 making your reloaded ammo to be about $9.50/box of 50. 9MM aamo varies in price, I am guessing around $13. a box but that likely is low.

If you think $700 for a M&P Range kit that would get you into IDPA with the need for one more mag is to expensive for your budget then IPSC which is marginally more expensive - you will need at least five mags to play and because the stages for matches are larger you will consume slightly more ammo then you might want to wait until your budget will allow for a set of basic equipment.

To shoot a local club match I pay $10. match fee and consume about 100 rds of ammo for IDPA per match. At a minimum if you are buying factory ammo you will be spending about $26. on ammo plus the match fee. IPSC at my club is $15. for a club match and we go through 150 rds or $39 for ammo per match. I suspect that is lower than most clubs charge in larger centers.

I suspect I am at the lower end of my cost estimates. Is it worth it. It is for me and I don't do much travelling. I know there are guys who have posted on this thread who spend considerably more on the sport than I do...monthly. It is not inexpensive but in terms of enjoyment it is dirt cheap.

Hope some of this helps in your decision.

I find adjustable sights on a handgun meant for action shooting to be a hindrance as most I have seen are not meant for quick sight acquisition. I have a couple of guns with adjustable sights. I don't think the on one of my CZ's has been "adjusted" in over 10 years of shooting. A good set of competition fixed sights is the way to go. Even a not so good set of fixed sights would be better than most adjustable sights IMHO.

Take Care

Bob
Cost of membership in IDPA is $60 US per year. IPSC BC is about $75.00 CDN per year. IPSC Black Badge is around $125 up here and includes first year membership. You have to shoot at least one Qualifier match per year. The Qualifier Match Fee up here is $45.
 
Last edited:
3 gun is what really interests me. But I understand that usually requires some previous experience due to safety reasons.

Upon more reading, I'm really liking what i read about the grand powers.

I'm also thinking about going the revolver route... how many moon clips or speed loaders do i need for that?
 
How many extra mags? How many speed loaders? Why, more, of course! More! MORE! MOOOOAAR!!!! :)

The dedicated gun nuts (that actually WIN medals and tournaments) tell me they need a minimum of six mags/speedloaders. Most events (so I'm told) may require 4, and if something breaks during the competition you two for back ups.

Bob's scholarly lecture says it all Suther - but yannow...I started out just like you did! My first serious gun was an El Cheapo garden variety 1911 clone. I went broke buying a Lee loader for it. I sold my soul to the devil to get some used reloading dies out of the bargain bin. All my other 'accessories' were crappy home made stuff, or came out of the dumpster! But you know -I never had more fun in my shooting career either! Back then an evening spent single-staging my way through the assembly of 100 rounds was grand entertainment. The pros took pains around me trying to be respectful of my crappy equipment while trying to suggest helpful mods. A lot of them sold me their old equipment for chicken feed just to help me out.

See here you younger lads - unless you are lucky enough to marry a rich blind woman with no sense of smell with her own liquor store and no self respect - you aren't going to be able to compete with us old farts. You have mortgages, children, and wives and quite simply - you have far better things to do with your money. Us old guys have paid the bills, more often than not the kids have moved out and the wives consider it a boon to get rid of us while we play at the range. And to put things in an even more dismal but realistic light - most of all these shoots are nothing more than glorified wiener roasts and picnics. It is my experience that the guys that usually win them couldn't care less - most of them are competing against the bum they see in the mirror when they shave in the morning.

You are in for a helluva ride Suther. You're going to buy the wrong gun at some point. Deal with it. I will give you the most useful and useless tip of all: DON'T SELL A GOOD GUN.

(Of course we all know it; but we all DO it anyways!)
 
One Lung Wonder said:
How many extra mags? How many speed loaders? Why, more, of course! More! MORE! MOOOOAAR!!!! :)

The dedicated gun nuts (that actually WIN medals and tournaments) tell me they need a minimum of six mags/speedloaders. Most events (so I'm told) may require 4, and if something breaks during the competition you two for back ups.

Bob's scholarly lecture says it all Suther - but yannow...I started out just like you did! My first serious gun was an El Cheapo garden variety 1911 clone. I went broke buying a Lee loader for it. I sold my soul to the devil to get some used reloading dies out of the bargain bin. All my other 'accessories' were crappy home made stuff, or came out of the dumpster! But you know -I never had more fun in my shooting career either! Back then an evening spent single-staging my way through the assembly of 100 rounds was grand entertainment. The pros took pains around me trying to be respectful of my crappy equipment while trying to suggest helpful mods. A lot of them sold me their old equipment for chicken feed just to help me out.

See here you younger lads - unless you are lucky enough to marry a rich blind woman with no sense of smell with her own liquor store and no self respect - you aren't going to be able to compete with us old farts. You have mortgages, children, and wives and quite simply - you have far better things to do with your money. Us old guys have paid the bills, more often than not the kids have moved out and the wives consider it a boon to get rid of us while we play at the range. And to put things in an even more dismal but realistic light - most of all these shoots are nothing more than glorified wiener roasts and picnics. It is my experience that the guys that usually win them couldn't care less - most of them are competing against the bum they see in the mirror when they shave in the morning.

You are in for a helluva ride Suther. You're going to buy the wrong gun at some point. Deal with it. I will give you the most useful and useless tip of all: DON'T SELL A GOOD GUN.

(Of course we all know it; but we all DO it anyways!)
Click to expand...


+1. A very true story.
 
Jeez man 3 Gun. Now I will be gentle. of the shooting disciplines Trap/Skeet Shooting is slightly less expensive than Polo Ponies if you really want to compete. If you live outside the urban areas the price might come down a bit and you will see the odd Model 12 Duck gun pounding away against over and unders costing more than my first new car. I think 3 Gun would be 2nd considerably cheaper than Polo Ponies and somewhat less than Trap/Skeet.

You asked about handgun. One Lung Wonder set up the dynamics. Assuming you are in your twenties watch for a decent M&P FS or Glock 17 on the EE. Both can be had for about $500. That is going to be the least expensive entry into handgun shooting by far. You should know the recent past World Production Champion won with a virtually stock Glock 17 and he has won the IDPA US NAtionals by minutes ahead of 2nd PLace using a Glock 34. The M&P has been in the hands of both SSP and ESP Champions at all the major events in that sport. Point being the $500 M&P or Glock 17 even used are both guns capable of allowing you to compete at the highest level.

Send me a PM and I can give you the contact infor for the Chilliwack IDPA group. I know KIm would be more than happy to lend you some equipment and try the sport out. No disrespect but it sounds like funds are at a premium so it is worth a trip to see what the excitement is about. If you do get either gun I mentioned I know someone will always lend you a third mag to get you going. Hell keep them in your pocket until you pick up a decent mag holder. I have done it and others have too. Holsters are around - the S&W Range Kit in 9MM, as a package comes with all of what you need.

As time permits you can explore IPSC, the IPSC crowd in the Lower Mainland are just as accommodating. See what it is like.

My point is you don't need "the best" bling to enjoy the sport.

For the price difference I would avoid the TOK. They are interesting throw away guns made by Russia to fill a war time need. If you can pick up a lightly used M&P. Glock 17 or CZ 75B for around $500 they will be much better buys and will last you a life time and will always be worth around $500 used.

Take Care

Bob
 
This might be your first handgun but it sure as blazes won't be your last. So don't go all panic'y over trying to pack as much potential use into one gun as you're trying to do. Also it really sucks if things break and you can't find parts. So I'd suggest sticking with one of the mainstream options.

You seem to be zeroing in on the M&P or Ruger. And generally working towards a striker gun. Have you been down to shoot a variety of guns at DVC yet? If not you need to do so. Yes it'll cost you $100 to $120 for a session. But you'll get to try a whole bunch of semi auto guns and even a few revolvers if you're leaning that way. You'll come away knowing which gun fits and works for you. And then you can work towards getting that one or at least you'll know what to get which isn't too much of a compromise.
 
Hello,

I am not a serious IPSC shooter and I also want to try 3 gun. I am a good target shooter as we speak and I carried a pistol for 15 years. I analysed what I wanted to purchase as you are doing and gunnutz is fantastic for these questions.

I started with CZ 85 stainless. Bought 6 mags. I chose this one because I am left handed and it has lefty safety. The CZ 75 combat is my first choice if your not a lefty. It is reliable, accurate and fun pistol with adjustable sights. I was very lucky and found a conversion kit 22lr for practicing. I have absolutly no regrets and will try competing with this one.

I also shoot the HK p30. Again, this one is also good for lefties but the main reason is for the decocker which is an option that I like. Some people don't but I do. HK are sometime seen as expensive for what you get and is a bit pricy for mags. You might get other competition pistols for a lot cheaper. I just love it and the grip suits me perfectly. If you are right handed, the decocker is a fine option for IPSC that require DA/SA pistols. The sigs also have decockers. Glocks are also a good option. I have two recommandations that are important: try them first before you buy and invest in a good pistol at the start. Pay the price for the gun you want and do not go with a small budget at the start. You can sell if you change your mind (I keep my mistakes in reality) and will lose a small amount of money. But if you buy cheap, you will regret and buy a more expensive pistol later on. In the end, cheap is expensive! I was lucky and practice with a succesfull IpSC shooter and his recommandations help me with my decisions and equipment adjustments and purchase. It is expensive but it is a great sport. We only live once. And I can't wait for IpSC in 22lr. Why? Only because it will be another opportunity to buy a new gun and the industry will develop new combat 22lr pistols!

Regards
 
Last edited:
Okay new question.

What can you tell me about trigger resets? Whos got a good one and who doesn't?

I hear glocks are good and so are the Grand Powers... Meanwhile I hear the M&P has a terrible reset while the Ruger SR9 requires the trigger to go all the way forward again before it resets? What about other popular options? What is the reset like on a Sig226 or a CZ75/85 or a Beretta?
 
Every semi auto gun I've shot where I "rode the reset" was easy to feel and work with the reset. I would not call one better than any other. And the M&P and the SR9 are two of them. Some might have resets occur closer to the break point than others but none have required nearly easing up to the extent you have read about. If they did I'd consider them as having something wrong with the action.
 
BCRider said:
Every semi auto gun I've shot where I "rode the reset" was easy to feel and work with the reset. I would not call one better than any other. And the M&P and the SR9 are two of them. Some might have resets occur closer to the break point than others but none have required nearly easing up to the extent you have read about. If they did I'd consider them as having something wrong with the action.
Click to expand...

I hear the M&P has a phantom reset, it has an audible click before the trigger actually resets? In fact, I've seen demonstration of this on youtube - there is three clicks to be felt/heard, with the middle one being the loudest. Distance between the clicks is small though.

I feel like I also saw video of the SR9 having to go all the way (or like 90% of the way at least) out before the trigger reset. I dunno I've watched so many things trying to figure out what I might want I could be getting it mixed up with something else...
 
I think you're starting to worry about some things you don't really need to worry about. Take the advice of some of the guys here and try out some guns. Bob's offer to PM him about a contact for IDPA is awesome. Do it.
 
Suther said:
I hear the M&P has a phantom reset, it has an audible click before the trigger actually resets? In fact, I've seen demonstration of this on youtube - there is three clicks to be felt/heard, with the middle one being the loudest. Distance between the clicks is small though.

I feel like I also saw video of the SR9 having to go all the way (or like 90% of the way at least) out before the trigger reset. I dunno I've watched so many things trying to figure out what I might want I could be getting it mixed up with something else...
Click to expand...

I don't know what video you were watching but the M&P has one reset click and one only. I have four M&P's and the click might be nice to hear when you are sitting in front of the TV set but when you are playing IDPA or IPSC you don't hear it or any other gun's reset because your attention is directed elsewhere. It doesn't take long to know when the gun has reset. The difficulty is reducing the time lag between the actual reset and your reaction to it and how fast you can take advantage of the reset. Once you start doing you will quickly learn what BCRider is talking about.

Take Care

Bob
 
I've moved from SR9, M&P 9, Glock 17 to Beretta 92A1. All are good with pros and cons for competition (depending on what it is). Without the wall of txt, my preference is the Beretta 92A1 (which I chose over CZ's). Never shot the Beretta in competition yet, but January is coming soon enough. =)
 
Wretched said:
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.
Click to expand...

Check in with your nearest gun clubs. I started shooting .22 bullseye a couple months ago. The guys at the range were great and steered me in the right direction before I wasted my money

To the OP same advice. There are a lot of great guys at the range that will be able to help you out. Don't buy anything until you check in and see what other guys are running. Several guys at my range let me shoot their guns for a session or two and I was able to try several models before deciding. I ended up working out a deal to buy a used pistol from one of the guys and I got to use it a couple times to make sure it's what I wanted. Lots of shooters have bought blindly only to regret a hasty purchase.

Good luck
 
Last edited:
I repeat....... You live in Port Moody. Stop reading and watching videos that confuse more than they help. Take yourself over to DVC in Coquitlam and shoot the guns for yourself.

Phone ahead to find out when they are the least busy. Go then even if it doesn't fit your plans. By going at a less busy time you can take more time to shoot and to switch guns. You'll also be able to get more pointers out of the RO standing by you if they don't have a room full of people waiting to shoot.


To Wretched-
The Speed Steel shot once per month at Mission R&G has rimfire classes for both regular iron sights and those that mount red dots. And Abbotsford has a similar Steel Challenge that is also rimfire friendly.

Most of the other matches like Cowboy Action, IPSC and IDPA specifically do not allow rimfire ammo.

There is also the classic bullseye shooting mentioned already. But it's a slower pace compared to the two steel meets mentioned.
 
Last edited:
Smcx said:
I don't even notice the reset "feedback". Riding a reset is a quick way to miss a shot when firing fast.
Click to expand...

Whatever works. I'm the opposite. I learned about it early on from other competitive shooters around here. I like it and use it because it's actually faster than a full release motion on a striker gun trigger or a DA/SA semi trigger.

It's also part of the focus on trigger control to force the shooter to calm down and learn to pull through the trigger break and to hold it back and then ease off with the same sort of control. Feeling for the reset ensures that they are using good trigger finger discipline.
 
BCRider said:
I repeat....... You live in Port Moody. Stop reading and watching videos that confuse more than they help. Take yourself over to DVC in Coquitlam and shoot the guns for yourself.

Phone ahead to find out when they are the least busy. Go then even if it doesn't fit your plans. By going at a less busy time you can take more time to shoot and to switch guns. You'll also be able to get more pointers out of the RO standing by you if they don't have a room full of people waiting to shoot.


To Wretched-
The Speed Steel shot once per month at Mission R&G has rimfire classes for both regular iron sights and those that mount red dots. And Abbotsford has a similar Steel Challenge that is also rimfire friendly.

Most of the other matches like Cowboy Action, IPSC and IDPA specifically do not allow rimfire ammo.

There is also the classic bullseye shooting mentioned already. But it's a slower pace compared to the two steel meets mentioned.
Click to expand...

Its Christmas time. Too busy to go to DVC right now. Maybe in the first week of January, before school starts back up. I did like that suggestion, but i can continue to ask questions while waiting for a chance to go and actually handle anything. I'm just that way, if i can't be out shooting with my free time, i often spend it trying to figure what might interest me for my next firearm. These things are worse than drugs I tell yah. Lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom