how much does it cost to build an IPSC open race gun?

S

strikeraj

Regular
Rating - 100%
32   0   1
Location
Kitchener, ON
Hi everyone

I am now shooting in production but one day I do want to shoot in open.....
im just curious how much it costs to build one? And what process is involved?
because I have handled STI before and find the frame a bit too fat for my small hand..... so i am kind of interested to build one from a cz

on top, what is the difference between shooting 38SC or 9mm major?
I heard the 38SC works the comp better but the brass is also more expensive and harder to find

Thanks ahead for all your inputs

Cheers
 
My suggestion for what it's worth, keep shooting production for a while, and many of your questions will resolve themselves.

To figure out the cost of your open gun, you need to sit back and thing through what options, styles, makes, and versions of parts you really want in the end.

If you don't thing the STI frame is right for you, Tanfoglio make a factory open gun that might be up your alley. CZ is marketing thier Czechmate, with CRAFM displaying it at the Nationals this week.

9mm Major used to be a losing proposition, as it was nearly impossible to make major with a safety factor (for the chrony) when the power factor was 175. Now that it's down to 160, it's a lot easier. The brass is cheap, which is a good thing as the brass does tend to wear quickly.

.38 Super is a little easier to load for, and the brass is reasonable, but obviously more expensive than 9mm.

.38 Super Comp is supposed to feed better than standard, but I wonder out of 10 round magazines if it's worth the extra.
 
I don't think building one is worth it. Too much time and effort involved when you can buy the package from a few makers now for a comparable price.

I'm about to finish my build, on a 1911 frame, after over a year of scavenging, blood & tears. Buying a STI off the shelf will take you less than a month, but then again, the frame is too large for you it seems and you'd likely have to pay the total in one payment if you want it now...

If you really want to have one built from scratch, the major upgrades are the electronic sights, the compensated barrel and the large magwell. From there on, tweaking ensues
 
I can give you an idea of what it Can cost. Roger from Dark International showed me the one he built for a customer. He started with his own Dark 40 frame and went from there. He said it was worth about $4000.00. That is without any optics, just open sights. So thats a start :D TC
 
As mentioned above,a CZ or Tanfoglio(expensive,but nice),may work if you are looking for an open gun for smaller hands.Another option which would be a lot cheaper would be to get an single stack 1911.There are alot of these out there going for very good prices,and although the technology is older,as long as you were competing only in Canada,you would be fine with it.There seems to be a fairly regular stream of open guns coming up for sale and you may find quite good deals there.

Open division isnt a cheap division to get in at all,my present open gun built on SVI components was around 4500K(and a 2 year wait from the gunsmith!).Then the ammo tends to be a lot more than shooting production,and there is the continual tweaking that an open gun needs.I dont think that I would have another open gun built,but would rather go for a good secondhand one,or a new factory one.

Ive been shooting open from the late 80s and I really enjoy thedivision,guns etc,but I must say that if I had to start all over in this game,I would buy a Glock for $600,a plastic holster and a few mags and shoot production.Its my impression looking at the numbers of people in open division these days,that its in decline,which looking at the cost differential between production and open isnt surprising
 
sevoman said:
As mentioned above,a CZ or Tanfoglio(expensive,but nice),may work if you are looking for an open gun for smaller hands.Another option which would be a lot cheaper would be to get an single stack 1911.There are alot of these out there going for very good prices,and although the technology is older,as long as you were competing only in Canada,you would be fine with it.There seems to be a fairly regular stream of open guns coming up for sale and you may find quite good deals there.

Open division isnt a cheap division to get in at all,my present open gun built on SVI components was around 4500K(and a 2 year wait from the gunsmith!).Then the ammo tends to be a lot more than shooting production,and there is the continual tweaking that an open gun needs.I dont think that I would have another open gun built,but would rather go for a good secondhand one,or a new factory one.

Ive been shooting open from the late 80s and I really enjoy thedivision,guns etc,but I must say that if I had to start all over in this game,I would buy a Glock for $600,a plastic holster and a few mags and shoot production.Its my impression looking at the numbers of people in open division these days,that its in decline,which looking at the cost differential between production and open isnt surprising
Click to expand...

4500k= 4 500 000$, thats one damn expensive gun!
 
Don't let the grip stop you from getting an STI if you like the gun.
A good gunsmith can make the grip fit your hand. I have small hands, & have absolutley no issues with my STI Open gun.
 
In most shoots you see mostly standard and production guns. You may find that you constantly win 1st place in open as you are the only one showing up with an open gun at club shoots.
 
hey
thanks everyone for ur reply and input
i have heard that most open guns are really "delicate" in a way that a lot of care has to be taken in order for them to perform reliably, is that true?
is there any race gun that is as reliable as something like a sig? (it is not like im going to throw the gun into dirt and use it, but just hoping a gun that will go bang every time with basic gun cleaning)

Thanks
 
The only delicate thing, with my limited experience with raceguns, is finding the right load to perform the desired power factor.

I first had someone run my cartridge + chosen powder & bullet + desired velocity (to achieve major with chosen bullet) in QuickLoad to find the approximative powder charge. Then I went on to the range with a chrony to check if velocities were alright and if so, I then proceeded to check which spring # was best for reliable cycling. You will find that raceguns have much lower spring #'s than a production gun. Finally I played with seating dept...
 
strikeraj said:
hey
thanks everyone for ur reply and input
i have heard that most open guns are really "delicate" in a way that a lot of care has to be taken in order for them to perform reliably, is that true?
is there any race gun that is as reliable as something like a sig? (it is not like im going to throw the gun into dirt and use it, but just hoping a gun that will go bang every time with basic gun cleaning)

Thanks
Click to expand...

I dont think that they are "delicate" as such.Mt last open gun had 45K rounds through it when I sold it.They certainly need more maintenance however.You have to make sure that you rotate springs regularly,that it is kept clean,your ammo is perfect and there seems to be ongoing tinkering keeping it "just so".Its part of the fun in having an open gun, but you wont get away with treatment of an open gun that a Glock would shrug off
 
I'm new to IPSC and shoot production with a CZ but always wanted an open gun, specially after watching some of Eric Grauffel videos.:) But I think that I changed my mind and when I get another gun it will be Standard.
I had an opportunity to try a couple of Standard guns recently and I loved them, they shoot softer then my CZ and feel so much better in my hand, and are very accurate. And they use 40 cal. so it's easy to reload. The Open gun shoots amo that's been loaded to the max, and is extremely loud, even from a distance never mind close to your face.
But unfortunately a good (custom made) Standard gun will cost about $ 5000.00 plus another $ 1000.00 for a set of 6 magazines plus a new holster plus a buck up gun :) plus new set of dies for reloading ...:(

I think I will stick with production gun for now and spend my money on learning how to shoot it better. But those open guns look so cool.:D
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom