Another "help me choose!" thread

DrSpaceJam

DrSpaceJam

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Hi everyone,

I've been lurking on CGN and haven't had much to say, since I'm new to the firearms outside some plinking as a kid. I've done a bunch of searches of old threads and found TONS of valuable information, but now that it's crunch time and I'm about to buy some pistols. I have a few questions to pick the mind of anybody with relevant experience/knowledge.

For reference I'm totally inexperienced with handguns. I've held and fired a few, but never owned one myself, so I've been taking in tons of information, reviews and the like across the internet. There's just a few specific points I haven't seen covered elsewhere.

I'd also like so say that after I get some trigger time I'm super interested in doing some shooting sports like IPSC/IDPA, so I suppose my pistol choices should take that into consideration.

Here we go:

1) I'm looking at picking up a .357 revolver, and for action shooting it seems the 4.2'' barrels are a must. In this department I only see S&W 686s available. While I like this gun a lot (I've fired about a hundred rounds of .38 Special out of one), I haven't gotten to really check out the GP-100 by Ruger. I really like the aesthetics of the Ruger and have held one (never fired it), and I think it feels a bit better in my hand.

For anybody who has done some action shooting with revolvers, how does the GP-100 fare? And I'm also curious about whether they can be purchased anywhere in the country... it seems the Ruger drought on these is absolute, but I would probably snap-buy one if I could find it (I can always grab the S&W later!).

2) In the semi-auto department, I'm weighing the Jericho 941/Baby Eagle against the Smith and Wesson M&P 9 right now. I looked at and shot many handguns and I like these models/price points. The Jericho feels totally awesome in my hand but doesn't seem to have many users, at least compared to M&Ps or Glocks. Are there known issues with the Jericho that keep people away? I read that getting holsters and the like can be difficult, whereas the M&P also is often conveniently packaged with a range kit.

A little guidance one way or the other on this decision would be great, especially in terms of value for the money. Extra magazines and holsters seem like they'd be pertinent for action shooting and the M&P looks to have the edge there.

3) Also on the semi-automatic issue, both the Jericho and M&P are offered in .40 S&W and 9mm. Is there any advantage to me picking up the .40 version? I've fired plenty of 9mm but never any .40, the ammo looks more costly, and I imagine it kicks a good deal harder. Is there any reason for me to consider a .40 version of either pistol?

Thanks for any help, it's much appreciated. I'm super excited to get into pistol shooting but it can be a bit overwhelming at first!
 
Pick up whatever suits You better.
It's the best advice I can offer.
In my opinion S&W is the better wheelgun overall, but if Ruger fits You better just go for it. The later has very solid construction, it's a bit heavier and has (in my opinion) worse trigger out of those two.
Regarding the autos.
CZ 85 Combat and You'll be better off in the competition than with those two previously mentioned pistols. Other good choice is CZ 75 Shadow.
Good luck.
 
IMHO (and many others) the revolver era is gone. Especially for IPSC/IDPA, why would you want to load more often than the guys with 10 round mags? Plus the heavy DA trigger. Plus, all energy is transmitted to your hand (no energy used for ejecting/reloading).

There have been some discussions around here about some technical issues on Jerichos. I'm not sure if they got solved.

But nevertheless, M&P 9 and Jericho 941 are totally different beasts. Mainly, the Jericho is a DA/SA with heavy DA trigger pull (around 12 lbs) while the M&P 9 is a DA only action but with a partially pre-cocked striker giving a constant low trigger pull weight (around 6 lbs).

Of course, 9 mm has less recoil than .40. This is why most IPSC/IDPA users prefer it.
 
The weight of the Jericho may keep some people away, but it feels good IMO,
and an excellent trigger pull. Mine's in 40 S&W, and very accurate.

Can't go wrong with the CZ 85 Combat, either. Good choice for a 9mm.
Most accurate 9mm I've owned. Doesn't seem to matter what it's fed.
 
If you are planning to shoot IPSC/IDPA then go with the .40 because if you do handloading, you can load your .40 to minor or major.
 
DrSpaceJam;7643855 [B said:
I'd also like so say that after I get some trigger time I'm super interested in doing some shooting sports like IPSC/IDPA, so I suppose my pistol choices should take that into consideration.[/B]

Here we go:

1) I'm looking at picking up a .357 revolver, and for action shooting it seems the 4.2'' barrels are a must. In this department I only see S&W 686s available. While I like this gun a lot (I've fired about a hundred rounds of .38 Special out of one), I haven't gotten to really check out the GP-100 by Ruger. I really like the aesthetics of the Ruger and have held one (never fired it), and I think it feels a bit better in my hand.

For anybody who has done some action shooting with revolvers, how does the GP-100 fare? And I'm also curious about whether they can be purchased anywhere in the country... it seems the Ruger drought on these is absolute, but I would probably snap-buy one if I could find it (I can always grab the S&W later!).

The GP-100 works well for me in IDPA. I bought mine because at the time Smith did not offer the 686 with a 4.2" barrel. The Smith is lighter and comes with a slightly lighter trigger. The Ruger is somewhat larger and is more robust than the Smith. The Smith costs over $200 more. You won't be sorry buying the Ruger.

2) In the semi-auto department, I'm weighing the Jericho 941/Baby Eagle against the Smith and Wesson M&P 9 right now. I looked at and shot many handguns and I like these models/price points. The Jericho feels totally awesome in my hand but doesn't seem to have many users, at least compared to M&Ps or Glocks. Are there known issues with the Jericho that keep people away? I read that getting holsters and the like can be difficult, whereas the M&P also is often conveniently packaged with a range kit.

The Jerico weighs to much for IDPA - it has a FLDC and must weigh 39 oz or less to play. The M&P/Glock in 9MM are both great pistols for IDPA and worl in IPSC Production as well. The Range Kit has everything you need for IDPA and will serve you well. In time you may want to add a FO front sight and install the Apex Competition Kit but neither are required to have fun playing the sport. For a new shooter the kit represents real value.

A little guidance one way or the other on this decision would be great, especially in terms of value for the money. Extra magazines and holsters seem like they'd be pertinent for action shooting and the M&P looks to have the edge there.

3) Also on the semi-automatic issue, both the Jericho and M&P are offered in .40 S&W and 9mm. Is there any advantage to me picking up the .40 version? I've fired plenty of 9mm but never any .40, the ammo looks more costly, and I imagine it kicks a good deal harder. Is there any reason for me to consider a .40 version of either pistol?

There is no advantage gained by going with the .40cal to play IDPA. The calbre is very popular in IPSC Standard Division. Ammo will be more expensive unless you reload. The .40 cal down loaded to 130ish PF will provide you with less recoil. I am not sure my results are any different when I shoot .40cal over the 9MM. I would forget the Jericho. If you want a steel gun there are better options out there at the same price point. The 75B/85Combat & CZ shadow come to mind. The latter has to be lightened to 39oz to play in IDPA.

Thanks for any help, it's much appreciated. I'm super excited to get into pistol shooting but it can be a bit overwhelming at first!
Click to expand...

Both IDPA and IPSC offer great fun and you can be as competitive as you wish in both sports. Check out the rule books for each and look at the equipment rules for each Division. This may help you decide as to what handgun you decide to buy. Here are my suggestions:

1. M&P 9MM Range Kit/ Glock 17 for IDPA SSP/ESP Divisions and IPSC Production.

2. If you prefer Steel, CZ 75B/85 Combat/STI GP 6 for IDPA SSP/ESP and IPSC Production all in 9MM.

3 For revolver go with the Ruger GP-100 or if you have another couple of hundred dollars you just have to spend go with the Smith.

If funds are tight and you aren't that sure go with the M&P Range Kit. It has everything you need for IDPA, and with the addition of a few more mags will work in IPSC as well.

Good Luck. Both sports are loads of fun.

Take Care

Bob
 
At least one shooter I know of with a Ruger GP100 is hell bent on replacing it with a S&W when time and money come together. Having said that it is a personal thing with some folks preferring the Ruger trigger and others preffering the S&W trigger. Both guns are excellent in terms of quality and accuracy so either way you can't go wrong. And FWIW I tend to fall into the S&W camp for trigger preference. And it's not like I don't know both since my .44Mag revolvers are both Ruger.

Another observation that I've seen when using Ruger GP100's in matches is that if the shooter does not take care to tip the gun up so the muzzle is pretty much straight up during empty case ejection some of the unburned powder flakes can fall under the extractor star and jam up the action. I've seen this happen in three separate cases over the last couple of years so I feel it is a factor that is real enough that it bears consideration. S&W guns don't seem to be quite as fussy on that count. Again this is a small thing that is easily countered or cured with good form but it's something that would sit in the back of my mind if I suddenly felt the cylinder was sticking when trying to close the gun.

The Jericho is a great gun. But as you are seeing it's a little tough to find accessories for it. As for mags CZ mags fit in the well but there is some sort of subtle difference which needs to be corrected to allow the CZ mags to chamber rounds properly. But if you can find out what is needed that would cure the mag issue. Holsters seems to be a different matter. It may require some digging to find something which works. Or if you are handy you can make your own leather or Kydex holster to suit the gun.

Between the Jericho and M&P I cannot imagine a wider gap in pistol attributes. You've got steel vs polymer as well as hammer vs striker which involves vastly different trigger feel.

Cost wise I'd say stick with 9mm. You'll get in more shooting per buck. And when you're in a match it really doesn't matter if it's a 9mm or .40 size kick, you won't feel it anyway from concentrating on what you're doing so intently.

All in all if you don't have a commercial shooting range within a reasonable driving distance my suggestion would be to buy a couple of boxes of ammo and go around to a club monthly match. To make brownie points plan on being there for the whole day. Show up at the proper sign in time and introduce yourself to the match director saying that you're there to help out with patching or scoring and observe. And mention that you've got some ammo and are hoping to get to try out a few guns when time permits in prep for getting something you can use in the club's events. The guys will be so happy to help and grateful to you for helping out with the work invovled that you'll get lots of offers to try the guns at the end of the day or during the lunch break. Take notes and have a camera there to snap pictures of the guns or it'll soon all be just a blur. A cell phone with camera and voice memo ability would be ideal.

At the same time it'll also give you a good idea of how the event feels to you. You'll come away either pumped to join in or knowing that maybe it isn't for you. Either way though do NOT come away thinking that you are not good enough. We all started out somewhere and it is not unusual at all to see new competitors walking rather than running through a stage learning their skills at a snail's pace. No one at all is going to snicker or demean you for your speed. Quite the contrary in fact. They are all just happy to see another member of the group.

The key is to have fun safely at whatever speed you are comfortable with for the first matches. The speed comes later and in good time along with your buildup of skills and smoothness.

And yes, shooting in such matches is among the few things in life that you can do which is more fun with your clothes on than off.... :D
 
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