IPSC... best production class gun???

The most common that I've seen are:
- CZ SP-01
- Glock 17/22
- XD 9/40
- M&Ps are starting to show up
- Some H&K USPs
- A smattering of Sigs.

I have yet to see a Tanfoglio used in Alberta, but I hear that's a fine one too.
 
The best advice that I can give to you is try everything that you can before you make a decision. All of the firearms that have been mentioned are good ones. If the firearm feels good in your hand and you like the trigger pull and sights then that is the one you should buy.

DVC
 
I have a Glock 22 and I'm in the process of buying a CZ SP-01 Shadow right now, in order to be more competitive. I'm taking my Black Badge right now and I have my first match coming this weekend so I'm not saying that I'm not competitive with my Glock 22 but for many factors such as less recoil(9mm vs .40S&W), better trigger, better sights, extended beavertail, no firing pine safety, better grips(I hate Glock's grips), I think that the CZ is the best Production gun right now.
 
I used to shoot a G22 in Production, my wife used to shoot an XD-40, and she now shoots a CZ SP01 Shadow. It's all a matter of taste and what you shoot best. When it comes to recoil if you reload then there isn't much difference between a .40 in a Glock and a 9mm in other guns (in fact my .40 loads in my G22 are softer shooting than the 9mm loads I make for my wife for her SP01).

All that being said, if I were to shoot Production right now I'd choose the SP01, I like the grip and feel more and when I shoot it side by side with my G22 I shoot the SP01 better. Just keep in mind that out of the box the SP01 is good but most guys replace some of the parts to make it better (recoil spring and main spring for sure, potentially the hammer too, grips if you want to make them thinner).
 
Take a look at what Grand Masters and Masters are using in this class, and then approach them and ask, why this gun, what have you done to make it better, and so...
 
My glock 17 has about 60k thru it with not a hiccup altho I did put dawson sights on it. My CZ shadow has about 30k , the first thing I had to do was change to a 14# recoil spring so that it would stop stove piping and jamming. Next I had to install a taller front sight so that the bullet would hit where I was aiming at 25m. Then I got slimmer grips since the factory grips are a bit much for smallish hands like mine ( couldn't get to the mag release). So far I have broken 3 slide stops, one extractor, one trigger return spring and one trigger bar lifter spring. Did I mention my glock with 60k thru it was trouble free........?
 
change out of recoil spring and main spring???

Please explain change out of recoil spring and main spring?

What is the advantage?
What ammo?
Hot stuff, or lite min power factor?
 
Please explain change out of recoil spring and main spring?

What is the advantage?
What ammo?
Hot stuff, or lite min power factor?

Changing the springs cycles the action better and lightens the trigger pull, in particular the double action first pull. You can also change out the hammer (supposed to smooth out the trigger pull even more, I didn't notice much difference). I'm trying to remember if we changed any of the other springs but can't remember if we did or not. Like Hal we also changed the grips on it to the aluminum ones, my wife couldn't reach the mag release either (small hands) but can with the thinner grips.

The main thing is the trigger pull is waaaay nicer. Without changing the springs my wife couldn't pull the double action trigger (small hands/short fingers combined with a heavy pull). She has no problem now.

In terms of ammo she shoots reloads, 124 grain Montana Gold CMJ over 4.4 grains of W231. They're about a 135 power factor (so about 1090 fps average).

If you're going to be at the next IPSC Alberta Qualifier (this weekend at Olds) we'll be there, you can give the trigger pull of my wife's a try at the safe table if you want. There's only a handful of women and if I remember right only two in Production this weekend, the other shoots a Glock so just ask for the one who shoots a Shadow.
 
Last edited:
Take a look at what Grand Masters and Masters are using in this class, and then approach them and ask, why this gun, what have you done to make it better, and so...

In Ontario, Damian has used 3 or 4 different guns in the past few years. In the US, Sevigny uses a Glock, Angus uses a SP01 - I don't think it matters too much what you use.....it's how you use it.
 
In Ontario, Damian has used 3 or 4 different guns in the past few years. In the US, Sevigny uses a Glock, Angus uses a SP01 - I don't think it matters too much what you use.....it's how you use it.
I disagree.

At the best levels, it's true, (but also remember that they have the guns modded to the max and in the pros case - they're paid to do it) but at lower levels (like us Canadian no-pros) significant advantages that a gun comes with will push a shooters' results up.

Down here - two weeks ago - we had a shooter with an SP-01 shooting 33-42%. In his first match with his new Stock II - 73% This is compared against the same level of winners at each match.

I've seen the same thing happen with C-D class shooters shooting stock Paras and get their first Edge. Hell, when I ditched my homemade Caspian Frankenstein Standard gun and grabbed an Edge I went from a top 20 to the top 5 at the Nationals a few years back.

Good guns help correct our natural flaws and quality equipment helps us humans significantly.
 
I disagree.

At the best levels, it's true, (but also remember that they have the guns modded to the max and in the pros case - they're paid to do it) but at lower levels (like us Canadian no-pros) significant advantages that a gun comes with will push a shooters' results up.

Down here - two weeks ago - we had a shooter with an SP-01 shooting 33-42%. In his first match with his new Stock II - 73% This is compared against the same level of winners at each match.

I've seen the same thing happen with C-D class shooters shooting stock Paras and get their first Edge. Hell, when I ditched my homemade Caspian Frankenstein Standard gun and grabbed an Edge I went from a top 20 to the top 5 at the Nationals a few years back.

Good guns help correct our natural flaws and quality equipment helps us humans significantly.

I think Sean have nailed it down pretty good.
I am not in position to give people advice, because I need some myself.
What I can see is that every little thing in positive direction counts to achieve success, not only in IPSC, but in any sport.
And this little thing is call money :), success cost money.
Without practicing, without good equipment and good training even those so called naturally gifted can not pass certain level.
 
100%. I notice my performance drops off a little during the winter months. This year I could just practice accuracy, but no place to practice steel and splits at different distances. PRactice & actual matches are going to determine your overall performance levels.
 
Good guns help correct our natural flaws and quality equipment helps us humans significantly.

I agree whole heartily.........

I used to run a single stack 1911 and was a consistant C class shooter.

Now with my Tan LC I can see A class in my sights!!

My kids both run G17s for Production class.... I got them for their simplicity and access to parts. Now my son is drooling for a Stock II or a Shadow.
 
I disagree.

At the best levels, it's true, (but also remember that they have the guns modded to the max and in the pros case - they're paid to do it) but at lower levels (like us Canadian no-pros) significant advantages that a gun comes with will push a shooters' results up.

Down here - two weeks ago - we had a shooter with an SP-01 shooting 33-42%. In his first match with his new Stock II - 73% This is compared against the same level of winners at each match.

I've seen the same thing happen with C-D class shooters shooting stock Paras and get their first Edge. Hell, when I ditched my homemade Caspian Frankenstein Standard gun and grabbed an Edge I went from a top 20 to the top 5 at the Nationals a few years back.

Good guns help correct our natural flaws and quality equipment helps us humans significantly.

I agree whole heartily.........

I used to run a single stack 1911 and was a consistant C class shooter.

Now with my Tan LC I can see A class in my sights!!

My kids both run G17s for Production class.... I got them for their simplicity and access to parts. Now my son is drooling for a Stock II or a Shadow.
Well the hell with practice - I'm gonna get myself a Tanfuglio and go from a B class shooter to Master :rolleyes:
 
One gun not yet mentioned is the Grand Power K100. It has a nice grip angle and very light recoil impulse. The double action trigger is smooth but not quite as nice as the SP01 Shadow. It's single action trigger is very nice and the reset is fantastic. It is completely ambidextrous.

It's also damned cheap.
 
Well the hell with practice - I'm gonna get myself a Tanfuglio and go from a B class shooter to Master :rolleyes:

good luck with that.........

I am just speaking from my personal experience. My shooting has gone up considerably with the new gun.

Mind you it could be the placebo effect.
 
when people get new pistols, they generally pay closer attention to those sight thingies'',
I find the heavier pistols, (ie: stock,stock2, CZ shadow, etc,,) generally I get quicker, more accurate hits at distance. You can still hose targets, but that is not going to be a great indicator of accuracy, just speed and gun handling/indexing etc. I can hose just as well or maybe even better up close with my HK USP, but at distance (with all things being equal), the heavier pistol will win out. there is a reason bullseye pistols are heavier, it minimizes the shooters involuntary movements (ie: heart beat, generally body movement, etc.) which may not show up under 7yards, but anything at distance the results can be dramatic.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top Bottom