Geeting into Comp. shooting

CTS

CTS

CGN frequent flyer
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Location
Beausejour, MB
Hello all,

I would like to buy a handgun that I can use in matches one day. What are some guns that you recommend with price and calibers. I did a quick search for glock 17 and it came up at $500 US. That seems cheap. Thanks for your help.
 
All depends what you game want to shoot and for what levels.

IPSC, IDPA etc etc

Otherwise a glock is one of the most common. Pick your calibre. 9mm for cheapness, .40 for power factor abilities, .45 nostalgia.

Figure that you need to following.
(Ipsc vs IDPA/CDP/other DPA's)
Handgun
Holster (Speed holster vs Concealed)
Mag pouches (Unlimited vs two)
Magazines (Unlimited. minimum 4-5 vs. 3)
Belts (Good belts not the cheap walmart ones)
Ammo (ISPC is IMHO about 4-6x the average ammo usage compared to the DP's)
 
Last edited:
Jarlath said:
All depends what you game want to shoot and for what levels.

IPSC, IDPA etc etc

Otherwise a glock is one of the most common. Pick your calibre. 9mm for cheapness, .40 for power factor abilities, .45 nostalgia.
Click to expand...

Apparently I have to do way more research. I did not know about the different games and levels. Also what does nostalgia mean? Thanks for the help.
 
CTS said:
Apparently I have to do way more research. I did not know about the different games and levels. Also what does nostalgia mean? Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

.45 acp is the round that 1911 pistols were originally (primarily) chambered in, and it was the round that more or less "founded" the sport of IPSC shooting. It's a great round, but you don't see it in competition that much any more. So the "nostalgia" is really just wistfully pining for the old days.
 
I would never recommend a .45 to anyone these days. Prices for factory ammunition are way too high, and availability of reloading components is pretty poor. It is old technology, not at all suited for most modern shooting competitions (with the possible exception of pin matches).
 
.45 ACP in Action Shooting Competition

relliott said:
It's a great round, but you don't see it in competition that much any more. So the "nostalgia" is really just wistfully pining for the old days.
Click to expand...



hungrybeagle said:
It is old technology, not at all suited for most modern shooting competitions (with the possible exception of pin matches).
Click to expand...


Are you kidding? IDPA has a Division (CDP) where .45 ACP is the only calibre allowed. And at last year's IDPA Nationals at Allentown, PA there were 84 CDP shooters (107 in ESP, 116 in SSP, 17 in ESR* and 20 in SSR)



http://www.idpa.com/matchresults/2007_nationals/IDPAHTML/09-26-07.htm


*and a vast majority of ESR shooters were likely shooting .45 ACP wheel guns too.
 
Last edited:
I think they meant 'real' competition...lol...just kidding
I just bought a Kimber .45 as a teaching gun, I think they still have their place in competition.
 
Thanks for the replay's every one. I have always wanted to get into shooting but have a long way to go. The only handgun I have is a Mark I .22LR:D. And I know thats not going to get me anywhere except proper form. Thanks Jarlath for the break down. I think I might be leaning more towards IPSC.
 
Dragoon said:
Are you kidding? IDPA has a Division (CDP) where .45 ACP is the only calibre allowed. And at last year's IDPA Nationals at Allentown, PA there were 84 CDP shooters (107 in ESP, 116 in SSP, 17 in ESR* and 20 in SSR)



http://www.idpa.com/matchresults/2007_nationals/IDPAHTML/09-26-07.htm


*and a vast majority of ESR shooters were likely shooting .45 ACP wheel guns too.
Click to expand...

Ok, In IPSC you don't see .45 much anymore. Too expensive and not enough capacity in international competition. Some people do use it, true, but MOST end up with a .40 if they want to shoot a lot.
 
.45s can work in *DPA as they shoot a relatively small number of shots in a given "stage".

I ran a .45 in IPSC until last year when I moved to a .40 The cost of keeping a .45 running were just to high. I did keep it however as if I ever shoot *DPA I would be using it.
 
I reload and cast my own so my 9MM costs exactly the same as my .40cal and .45acp pistols to shoot. (Primers & Powder). I must admit I prefer my S&W M&P in 9MM for IPSC Production and my Tanfoglio with the .40cal top end for ESP in IDPA.

Like bclineman said try them all and shoot what you like.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
I reload and cast my own so my 9MM costs exactly the same as my .40cal and .45acp pistols to shoot.
Click to expand...
I assume you already have a decent hoard of 45ACP brass stored and you're a really good brass hound to get most of it back.

+1 to Storm. The costs of 45ACP brass these days have skyrocketed, making 45ACP an expensive choice for competition. If you compete, you're going to shoot a fair bit. 9mm and 40 are much more cost-effective solutions for any type of competition. You won't worry about the overall costs of shooting more ammo as much and you'll get more rounds downrange. I think everyone here agrees more rounds downrange = better results, be it *DPA, IPSC, PPC, Bullseye, etc.

PS - I still love 45ACP, just not for competition. My favorite gun, an STI Ranger II in 45ACP sits next to me as I type this.
 
Last edited:
Dragoon said:
Are you kidding? IDPA has a Division (CDP) where .45 ACP is the only calibre allowed. And at last year's IDPA Nationals at Allentown, PA there were 84 CDP shooters (107 in ESP, 116 in SSP, 17 in ESR* and 20 in SSR)



http://www.idpa.com/matchresults/2007_nationals/IDPAHTML/09-26-07.htm


*and a vast majority of ESR shooters were likely shooting .45 ACP wheel guns too.
Click to expand...

My bad, I forgot about the revolver guys, and the dinosaurs that still cling to the glory days. ;)

Seriously, though, the costs for running .45 just make it too expensive to practice on a regular basis and compete. I would wager that most of those people shooting .45 in IDPA really don't practice much anymore so their costs for ammunition over a year are a bit lower.

I have a .45 but haven't shot it in a number of years. Availability of brass, cost of bullets and the fact that EVERYTHING else I own uses small pistol primers instead of large pistol primers keeps me from wanting to break it out again.
 
9mm in IPSC Production Division is an inexpensive way to check out action shooting. A glock, M&P, or CZ are all good guns that won't break the bank and will let you see what it's all about.
 
Freedom Ventures

"I assume you already have a decent hoard of 45ACP brass stored and you're a really good brass hound to get most of it back."

My ability to sniff out .45acp cases on our range is,dare I say legendary. It has been said if you want to find a needle in a hay stack, put a .45acp case beside it an I will find it.:D

Actually though I have bought over 2,000 cases from a US supplier a few years back and with .45acp cases being what they are for withstanding multipe reloadings I figure I am good to go for most of my natural life. That plus when I shoot IDPA stateside I come back with a boatload of .45acp brass, all of which is usually once fired.

Take Care

Bob
 
Canuck44 said:
Actually though I have bought over 2,000 cases from a US supplier a few years back and with .45acp cases being what they are for withstanding multipe reloadings I figure I am good to go for most of my natural life. That plus when I shoot IDPA stateside I come back with a boatload of .45acp brass, all of which is usually once fired.

Take Care

Bob
Click to expand...

Oooh....Hang on to that stuff man! If you ever need an organ transplant you can get one on the black market for some "ACP" brass. Or convert it to cash and just pay off your mortgage.
 
relliott

When they start doing back replacements my brass will be gone! :D

Due to my stash I don't follow what .45acp brass is going for these days. Can't be as bad as what gas costs these days. Hell, I am out $10. just driving to the range and the range is just across the valley from my house.


Take Care

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom