Hey folks, I am planning on purchasing my first pistol. I have had my restricted for a couple of years now but havent got to use it yet. I was thinking about something in 40 s+w as I am interested in getting into IPSC. I dont have a whole lot of money to spend so economics is a factor. What do you reccomend?
Need advice for new pistol
- Thread starter John Marshall
- Start date
John,
Great news on the PAL and joining the sport. I always recommend that new shooters learn the basics before shooting the more challenging disciplines such as IPSC, IDPA/CDP or PPC. The best way is to purchase a .22 rimfire semi auto target gun and practice on the basic bullseye target with a coach. Starting off with a heavy calibre before learning the basics of marksmanship can lead to many bad habits. I have seen too many shooters quit the sport in frustration becaue they could not accurately hit the targets with any consistency. The basics apply to all the shooting disiciplines, not just bullseye shooting.
Good luck.
Larry Whitmore
Executive Director CSSA
Great news on the PAL and joining the sport. I always recommend that new shooters learn the basics before shooting the more challenging disciplines such as IPSC, IDPA/CDP or PPC. The best way is to purchase a .22 rimfire semi auto target gun and practice on the basic bullseye target with a coach. Starting off with a heavy calibre before learning the basics of marksmanship can lead to many bad habits. I have seen too many shooters quit the sport in frustration becaue they could not accurately hit the targets with any consistency. The basics apply to all the shooting disiciplines, not just bullseye shooting.
Good luck.
Larry Whitmore
Executive Director CSSA
If economics are a factor, I'd stick with a Production gun, and something in 9mm, however if you are scrimping to afford just the pistol, you may want to reconsider IPSC, as it isn't cheap. You may find a good rig set-up in the pistol exchange (hint, hint
)
Due to the fact Spriingfield Armory not releasing parts for the XD, I'd recommend against the XD. Glocks, CZs and the M&P are good, inexpensive alternatives.
)Due to the fact Spriingfield Armory not releasing parts for the XD, I'd recommend against the XD. Glocks, CZs and the M&P are good, inexpensive alternatives.
If you're set on getting a centrefire pistol first and you want to keep the price down, then I recommend a Norinco NP-29 9mm 1911 from Marstar.
Classic single action, good quality and a great warranty from Marstar. All for only $349. Use the money you saved to buy a couple of cases of ammo.
Classic single action, good quality and a great warranty from Marstar. All for only $349. Use the money you saved to buy a couple of cases of ammo.
Just remember you get what you pay for. I'll second the 'get a .22 first and get a good teacher' routine. The best way to learn a bunch of bad habbits that need to be unlearned later is to get a big .45 and have at'er. IMHO the best c-fire gun for the money is a Sig226. A REAL one.
Whatever you will buy try to find someone with experience to teach you how to handle the firearm and how to shoot.
I agree .22lr is a good choice, you can buy used one for around 250 and then after few months pick the right caliber and pistol for your hand and type of shooting.
I agree .22lr is a good choice, you can buy used one for around 250 and then after few months pick the right caliber and pistol for your hand and type of shooting.
be sure and get a big enough 22- something on the size of a buckmark or ruger ; these will teach you handling, sights, trigger control, and probably a few others i can't think of- the little guys tend to bite, breathe fire, and develop a flinch- which is a heck of a thing to get rid of
the gentleman wants to shoot IPSC, WHY ADVICE HIM TO GET A 22?, contrary to some, IPSC is not that expensive, unless you want the high end guns and gears, but just to join and have some fun, you can always start in the production division, and there are lots of pistol you can choose, eg. SW M&P, CZ,GLOCK,TANFOGLIO,GLOCK, BABY EAGLE, XD,ETC. when regards to caliber, its your prefererence, 9mm or 40sw, are all the same, if you handload the better.. lets do the math here, 4 extra mags @50ea=200.00,the 2 COMES WITH THE GUN,holster(FOBUS)-50.00, magpouches(FOBUS) 5 @15-20,=100. total 350-400,plus the gun let just say M&P 9MM OR 40SW 700.00(BRANDNEW) you can also get a mint used one, check the exchange forum TOTAL EXPENSES TO HAVE THE FUN OF A LIFETIME 1000.00-1100.00
Save the Norinco for plinking.
I know there are Norinco fans on this sight, but you would be better served by sticking to an actual CZ (or whatever other model you plan choose that Norinco ripped off). They are a superior product overall and factory (or aftermarket for that matter) parts are sure to fit.
Seriously, if you are thinking 'rinco because you cannot afford the non-rip off model, you can't afford IPSC.
What 'ffgats' is forgetting to factor in is the following:
Match fees, ammo, gas, hotel, meals, black badge course, yearly membership dues, etc, etc.
As far as equipment costs, Production div. is by far the cheapest, but the rest of the costs everyone pays is pretty close to on par. (depending of course on how many matches you shoot, practice ammo you use, etc, etc.)
'Been through the same process as you recently, read a lot of pistol reviews and forums. Finally, I went out to my local gunstore, the guy out there showed me everything he had, S&W M&P, XD-9, Sig226, Glock 17 etc... Got a Glock 17 after 60 minutes of handling-pointing-dry firing with each of them. After a thousand rounds through it, I dont regret it one bit
Good luck!
RF
Good luck!
RF
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All right, but the cost factor in IPSC is not the gear it is ammo and traveling.
Cheers
Martin
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