Starting IPSC, new gun recommendations?

Gary D

Gary D

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My local club will be pursuing IPSC approval this summer, and as my only autos are the wife's P22 and my Inglis Hi-Power, I guess I'm going to have to consider a new pistol. I really love the HP, but being SA is limiting. Production division approved seems most practical, and also I was thinking something in .40S&W for the PF (or is that not worth worrying about?). Budget is topping out around $800. The M&P40 and the SIG P226 are currently two I am thinking about looking into closer (I have large hands), I know they aren't even remotely similar guns, and honestly that is why they are both in consideration. But I'm open to suggestions too.

So I guess I'm asking the well of experience here what are your thoughts and recommendations for someone new to the game, but not to handguns?
 
If you like your High-power then you'll also like the CZ Shadow, it is the dominant pistol in production class!

Personally I think the classic division is a cool route to go. Get a STI spartan in 45 or 9mm.
 
Also, there is no PF in production so there is no point in a .40. I don't think 40 s&w comes into play until you are shooting doublestack standard or open guns...
 
Sticking with the two pistols you mention - definitely consider 9mm, unless you want to shoot sometimes in Standard division. It won't be possible to find a new Sig 226 under $800 but if you're OK with used, the Sig CPO models are worth a look or check out the equipment exchange on here.

The Sig is in some respects a better gun, but don't get caught up in the hype - either pistol (along with the others mentioned above) will do just fine for IPSC.
 
BeerBaron said:
If you are buying a pistol specifically to shoot IPSC Production division, its pretty tough to go wrong with the CZ SP01 Shadow.
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Just to clarify, to specifically shoot IPSC yes, but I intend to shoot multiple divisions (SD too and maybe CD), not just production, thus the Major PF consideration. Plus I could down load .40S&W to 9mm levels for production, might not be worth the $ difference though?

raks said:
Sticking with the two pistols you mention - definitely consider 9mm, unless you want to shoot sometimes in Standard division. It won't be possible to find a new Sig 226 under $800 but if you're OK with used, the Sig CPO models are worth a look or check out the equipment exchange on here.

The Sig is in some respects a better gun, but don't get caught up in the hype - either pistol (along with the others mentioned above) will do just fine for IPSC.
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Wolverine Supply has the P226 for $807.50 after 5% discount, so it's in the price point too. Oh, and what's with that STI trigger?
 
Gary D said:
Just to clarify, to specifically shoot IPSC yes, but I intend to shoot multiple divisions (SD too and maybe CD), not just production, thus the Major PF consideration.
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If you're going to shoot CD, the pistol must be a single stack 1911.
 
Gary D said:
Wolverine Supply has the P226 for $807.50 after 5% discount, so it's in the price point too...
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Pretty sure the listing you`re seeing is for a CPO Sig - `Certified Pre Owned` as I referenced. Nothing wrong with those guns, they are not new but are factory refurbished and a pretty good deal. FWIW I shot a police trade in non-CPO Sig from Wolverine for the last four years in IPSC.

Don`t forget to add magazines, holster etc to your budget. The M&P kit posted above has almost everything included.
 
Gary D said:
Just to clarify, to specifically shoot IPSC yes, but I intend to shoot multiple divisions (SD too and maybe CD), not just production, thus the Major PF consideration. Plus I could down load .40S&W to 9mm levels for production, might not be worth the $ difference though?



Wolverine Supply has the P226 for $807.50 after 5% discount, so it's in the price point too. Oh, and what's with that STI trigger?
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With a cz pattern gun you can shoot production or standard. With m&p and Sig you can not shoot standard.
 
I teeter back and forth from my Glock 17 to my Shadow. I've also used my Sig 226 and H&K USP a few times. Previously I've used a S&W M&P and a Springfield XD40.
You can download .40 to production levels with no real ill effect (some actually prefer the impulse a slower heavier round produces, and in some guns, with some styles of shooting that could be construed as an advantage).
However, with that extra cost of bullets and powder you are looking at around 10-15% more on the cost of ammo(if even that).

I would not recommend picking something that is close to the High Power - what fun is that?
 
beltfed said:
I would not recommend picking something that is close to the High Power - what fun is that?
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LOL, I'm with you there, which is why I was originally entertaining two guns from opposite ends of the spectrum. I will definitely have to look more closely at the CZ now.

raks said:
Pretty sure the listing you`re seeing is for a CPO Sig - Certified Pre Owned` as I referenced.
Don`t forget to add magazines, holster etc to your budget. The M&P kit posted above has almost everything included.
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That would be the one. And yes the overall budget is is allowing for other necessary kit including reloading dies if I go .40. (Maybe I should try to convince the wife of how much more together time we would have if I added a Dillon to the budget)
 
According to Vince Pinto your gun does not have to be SA only to shoot classic division.

Gary to be honest do not think you are going to shoot one gun and multiple division. at a match you only get to shot one division and you will find that 99% of the people shot one division and only change when they buy a new gun or the eye sight gets bad enough they shot open. i wouldn't let this line of thinking cloud your judgement. my 2 cents on the subject.

You can take your Black Badge course with your high power if you want. the only thing you will find is that the safety is small and a pain to get off and if you have a nice high grip it will chew up the web of your strong hand. i had a student with one on my last course and by day two he was talking to me about a new gun.

if you are looking at a new gun here are a few things to think about. In production division your first shoot must be double action and it takes a lot of work to be able to shoot the first shot well to hit the target while pushing for speed. As pointed out above most people shot 9 mm in production mainly because it is more economical. if you want to shot 40 or 45 in production finding the right springs (OEMs) to make the gun work can some times be a challenge. however i had a guy that actually got a 45 working in production so it is doable. as for 40 guys that i know that shot 40 in production tell me that you can make a real puff ball load shooting it minor. the gun of choice these days in production is a shadow then i would guess either a glock of a sig 226.

Standard division most shooters are shooting 40 and most are shooting a S*I gun. the nice thing about standard is that you can do a lot of work to your gun except optics and compensators.

Classic division is new so hard to say what is going to shake out but i am thinking it is going to be 40 cal gun with 8 rounds for major. I know lots of guys seem to think they will shot 9 mm less recoil so they will get more A's and that will compensate for minor but it never seems to work out that way.

Open division is just about anything goes. initial investment for gun and mags will be around $3000. Mainly 38 super but some guys are shooting 9 mm major. If i was going to shot 9 mm major i would take a serious look at the Czechmate.
 
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evolture said:
With a cz pattern gun you can shoot production or standard. With m&p and Sig you can not shoot standard.
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Man, you better stop those "expert advises".

You *can* shoot Standard division in IPSC with any iron sights gun, as long as it fits the box and makes a minor power factor. You can even shoot a Shadow in Standard with first shot double action.
 
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