IPSC Pistol Upgrade?

dbmeed

dbmeed

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My first season of shooting IPSC is coming to a close for the summer, shot it all with a M&P9 M2.0, bone stock in production. Really enjoyed the summer, and now I'm thinking I'd like to upgrade my gun and really focus on improving for next year-with the goal of shooting the 2021 nationals on the NB provincial team if I can manage it. I definitely have not yet reached the point that I cannot improve any more with the M&P, but I feel like a pistol upgrade could give me a bit more of an edge.

I don't necessarily need to stay in production - I'd be willing to switch to production optics or classic, but I have a fairly firm budget of $1500 all in. I have a CR Speed WSM II holster that I can use for a variety of pistols, so I don't have to add that price. I think with budget restrictions in mind, and my current reloading setup, I'd like to stick with 9mm for now. With that in mind, the current top contenders I'm considering is a Sig P320 X5 Legion or a Shadow 2. Both I would be able to mount an optic if I decided I wanted to go that route, and both are in the same price range. I've not yet shot a P320 Legion, but I have run a mag through a Shadow 2 and really enjoyed it. With the current IPSC rules, the P320 Legion trigger would be able to be down to a 3lb pull, vs 5lb DA pull on the Shadow 2, with no limit after the first shot. For those that use the Shadow 2 or similar.

If I decided to go for production optics, what are some of the favourites out there for pistol dots? I am partial to Vortex, but the Deltapoint Pro is really popular, and the Romeo 1 Pro would be tempting if I went with the P320 Legion.

All that being said, is there any other options I should look at? STI, Dan Wesson, Tanfoglio and others all have nice stuff, but I'm not super familiar with them, and most seem to start far above my budget. Or, should I stick with my M&P for another season, and keep saving for something really high end? Not gonna lie, I'm almost tempted to build a 2011...but that may be a few years down the road... Is there anything else I haven't thought of yet that I need to consider before upgrading?
 
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I'd stick with it for another season and see how many things you can try by then. Buying a big investment when uncertain isn't always a great idea. You should know what you want first. Besides, i understand how you feel. I shot a glock 22 (.40) for a couple years before moving to a shadow.

If you don't reload already, but a dillon 650/750 in the mean time.
 
unstableryan said:
I'd stick with it for another season and see how many things you can try by then. Buying a big investment when uncertain isn't always a great idea. You should know what you want first. Besides, i understand how you feel. I shot a glock 22 (.40) for a couple years before moving to a shadow.

If you don't reload already, but a dillon 650/750 in the mean time.
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Thanks for the input! And I already have a Hornady LnL AP that I've been cranking out ammo with this summer lol, bought it late spring/early summer and already loaded enough to pay off the difference haha
 
I just brought home a new P320 X5 legion but haven’t shot it yet as I’m waiting on the darn mail for papers. Took it apart and cleaned it last night and I’m excited about shooting it soon. I was deciding between this, a shadow 2 and a beretta 92x performance (if they ever get shipped). I was able to shoot a shadow and a X5 (non legion) rentals at a gun range in Edmonton a couple weekends ago and while I liked the shadow 2 I shot the X5 better so I ordered one.
Once I get my papers and shoot it I will try to provide an update.
 
I had a quick look at your Provincials results to see how many shooters you’re talking about. If you went to Classic, all you have to do is trip a fellow shooter, or cough on them to get them sick, and you’ll be in the top 4. Lol!

Seriously though, if the top 4 of a division is your goal, then look at the top shooters in each division, and see if you can improve your skills to get close to them next year. Some divisions will be easier than others.

Fyi, the most common thing I hear new dot shooters say is how hard it has been to get used to it. First while there is a constant search for the dot after a draw, reload, and transition. So if you go for a dot, do it sooner rather than later.

The Trijicon SRO is a very nice dot. When I was sighting one in for a friend, it was easy to place shots on a 1” wide piece of tape at 13 yds.
 
jimbo14 said:
I had a quick look at your Provincials results to see how many shooters you’re talking about. If you went to Classic, all you have to do is trip a fellow shooter, or cough on them to get them sick, and you’ll be in the top 4. Lol!

Seriously though, if the top 4 of a division is your goal, then look at the top shooters in each division, and see if you can improve your skills to get close to them next year. Some divisions will be easier than others.

Fyi, the most common thing I hear new dot shooters say is how hard it has been to get used to it. First while there is a constant search for the dot after a draw, reload, and transition. So if you go for a dot, do it sooner rather than later.

The Trijicon SRO is a very nice dot. When I was sighting one in for a friend, it was easy to place shots on a 1” wide piece of tape at 13 yds.
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I managed to place 29th overall in provincials, so with a little bit of effort I think I could manage top 5 in production optics, classic, or standard next year fairly easily. Production there's a fair bit more competition lol. I think I could have done a bit better if I had shot the main match at provincials this year - I shot the pre-match, 18 stages in one day is not easy, especially when the last few are shot nearing dusk lol. Nice thing about pre-match tho, I managed to lay claim to IPSC NB champion for about 24hrs... :p https://i.imgur.com/ZzGgjOP.png

I have shot with a dot before - my friend has a Romeo 1 on his Sig P226 and I quite like it, which is why I was considering production optics. And while the SRO looks really, really nice, I think it's a bit out of my budget for now..
 
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snooze98k said:
Just know, the pistol does not make the competitor.
Buy what you want to shoot, then train.
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Oh I'm well aware. There is still lots of room to improve before the gun starts holding me back. I just figure that if I am going to start actually training and working for it, I should eliminate as many possible hindrances as possible off the get go, rather than train with something that could be potentially vastly different than what I end up competing with.
 
I had a more detailed look at the stats. If the guys in Standard are your competition, then you can be top 4 no problem, with your current gun. Clean up your accuracy at your current speed, and you’ll do well there.
 
I am also new to IPSC. I went from a 4.25" M&P 9 (1.0) to the 5" M&P Pro C.O.R.E. and the improvement was dramatic. Your 2.0 will have a better trigger than my original so you have a improved starting point but for the money it was a very worthwhile upgrade. Sure I'd like to have the optics Ready CZ or the Walthers Steel Frame but for approximately $750.00 plus whatever you spend on optics the Pro CORE is worth consideration.
 
The gun will never hold you back! Train your skills with polymer and you'll outshoot your way to the top for standard in Canada no problem.
Every pistol is more than accurate enough for Ipsc.
There is no such thing as 'enough training'.

Keep the gun you Want first and foremost, spend the rest on ammo.
Skill trumps gear everyday. Be happy and enjoy the sport, if your really competitive, put the effort in before you open the wallet for new gear. You'll have a much better skills base.

2nationals rings in classic I've earned so far. I know a little bit about what i'm trying to convey. :rolleyes:
Play hard.
 
snooze98k said:
The gun will never hold you back! Train your skills with polymer and you'll outshoot your way to the top for standard in Canada no problem.
Every pistol is more than accurate enough for Ipsc.
There is no such thing as 'enough training'.

Keep the gun you Want first and foremost, spend the rest on ammo.
Skill trumps gear everyday. Be happy and enjoy the sport, if your really competitive, put the effort in before you open the wallet for new gear. You'll have a much better skills base.

2nationals rings in classic I've earned so far. I know a little bit about what i'm trying to convey. :rolleyes:
Play hard.
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So, he's right. Most pistols will out shoot most people.

Buuuut what's the point of training and getting proficient with a pistol that you're not planning on competing with long-term? Buy a Shadow 2, put a pile of rounds through it next season, and never look back. The CZs are awesome guns.

Though there is something to be said about getting good with a mediocre trigger, and then switching to a gun with a great trigger...
 
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