Building an IPSC open gun

Slowbalt

Slowbalt

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Hey all,
After the AR and .17HMR project, here comes an other one! I want to build my own '' space gun ''. But as I have very limited knowledge on this, I turn to you for some help. Is it cheaper to buy a gun that is already tuned, or to build one from a frame ? If so, what would be a good frame ? Nork or should I start with something else? Is 45 ACP the best caliber, or should I choose something else?
 
Hi Slowbalt

There are not many gunsmiths in Canada who are building open IPSC guns,the ones who do ,do a good job,but the wait is often pretty long(measured in years).A good alternative is to get a factory built STI(good to go,expensive however),or look around for a good second hand open gun.Most people in open class shoot 38 super or one of its derivatives.The 45 is really not competitive in this division.

Open class is a very expensive division to get into and to do well you do need to get good (expensive!) equipment or else you will get frustrated very quickly with substandard equipment.The guns tend to be a bit more finicky than say production division.A norinco would not be a good starting point for an open gun,it would just take too much expensive work to get it up too speed,most people shoot SVI/STI or paraordinance in this division

Ive been shooting open division for years and I really enjoy it,and the guns are fun,but if I would start all over I would get into production division and get a $600 Glock and be in the game for under a $1000.It seems that production division will become more popular with time while open division will slowly get smaller

Before you decide which way to go,get to an IPSC club,talk to people and see what they shoot and try out some guns,probably will save you alot of hassle in the future
 
Well, reading your post, I begin to wonder if I wrote what I meant. I used the ''open'' word thinking of those weird guns, with red dot and compendator etc... Maybie it's not the appropriate description.

As IPSC in Quebec is pretty much dead ( what I heard, don't really know ), and even if it was popular, in my neck of the woods, the ranges are not ready for it... I am thinking of this gun more as an incredible tack driver, for all around plinking and amical competitions. I am pretty much entering the world of handguns, ( I own a mosquito but no more) I wish to have a pistol I can get better with. My philosophy is to have a gun that for example, can do 1'' at 50 yrds. So as long as I can't do it, I can practice, and slowly catch up with my gun.
 
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Start with a whole firearm and add on the bits you want. The parts that need fitting should be done by a smithy though. It's really easy to bugger up the part when you're new at it. And aftermarket parts aren't cheap.
 
IPSC race guns are like racing cars; highly tuned machines that are purpose built to run within an extremely tight performance window. If you don't know what you're doing, I STRONGLY suggest you either buy an existing gun (used or new), or contract a professional to build one for you. You want a fantastic deal, call get a Tanfoglio "Eric" racegun, put it in your holster, and go shoot it. They are pretty much ready to go out of the box, and will shoot plated bullets accurately for half the price of jacketed. That's where the real savings are...not in the one-time price of the gun.
 
First question should be do you reload? if yes...(if no forget about them)
Get either a Tanfoglio Eric (V8) or STI Trubor or similar....they can be had in 9mm and work with little work, magazine are the most important part.

Personnaly I shoot Open in 38 Super Comp, and mine are custom done in the State by Top gunsmith and run like a charm....but they are expensive and not really what I would buy for plinking, Factory are good and should fit your bill at a lower price.
 
relliott said:
IPSC race guns are like racing cars; highly tuned machines that are purpose built to run within an extremely tight performance window. If you don't know what you're doing, I STRONGLY suggest you either buy an existing gun (used or new), or contract a professional to build one for you. You want a fantastic deal, call get a Tanfoglio "Eric" racegun, put it in your holster, and go shoot it. They are pretty much ready to go out of the box, and will shoot plated bullets accurately for half the price of jacketed. That's where the real savings are...not in the one-time price of the gun.
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Although I agree with RElliot recommendation - I would also suggest that if your just starting with the handgun scenario, maybe something more modest in a production handgun. To help determining what exactly you are looking for.
In terms of sheer volume (practice requirements) 9mm would be more economical then 45ACP...
 
Slowbalt said:
I am pretty much entering the world of handguns,.........I wish to have a pistol I can get better with........So as long as I can't do it, I can practice, and slowly catch up with my gun.
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Get a Glock 17 .... put 30,000 rounds through it .... then you will have a good idea of where to go next.
 
Slowbalt,

To shoot 1" groups @ 50yards, you'll need more then just a good gun... You'll need a training plan, lots and lots of pratice, not to say a fair amount of $$ to feed the pig ;)

Other interesting option for "out of the box" accurate pistols are the Sig-Sauer X-Five

226X5-left.jpg


And the S&W M952
170244_large.jpg
 
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