New to handguns - Need advice on which one for practical shooting

misterzr

misterzr

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.3%
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Location
Saskatchewan
As I patiently await my RPAL to show up, I have started looking into which direction I want to go. I will be buying a 9mm 1911 of some sort as well as a .22 1911 for cheap practice. I would like to get into to some sort of practical shooting in my area and my 3rd gun would be geared towards that, that is where I am looking for the advice. I think I have narrowed it down to 4 options. I should also mention that I am dark side of 50 and am not looking to break world records in competition. I have been into long guns since I was 12 and having recently given up hunting I am looking at pistols and friendly competition as a hobby and to meet new people.


Here is my short list

CZ 75 SP01 Shadow - Great gun by the reviews, I had a chance to shoot one and I really liked the feel of it. The downside to these right now is they are hard to find by the looks of it

S&W M&P9 Pro - Haven't had a chance to see one of these up close, fairly limited supply as well.

Tanfoglio Model L - Their answer to the SP01, about the same price and at least you can find stock on these, bonus is the Tanfoglio 22l that is basically the same gun in .22 and would be good for practice.

Jericho 941 steel - Again another competitor for the SP01 and again at least you might be able to find one. This one is the least likely of the candidates for me, not sure about quality of them.

Thanks in advance for the input
 
I am in a very similar category as you. I would highly recommend the CZ75 SP01 Shadow. I found one lightly used and it is an awesome pistol. There's a few for sale in the Equipment Exchange forum right now. Grouse River had them new in stock last time I checked. I also went with a .45ACP 1911 (STI Ranger II) as this can be used for major points in competition as opposed to minor for the 9mm. I also purchased a .22LR for warming up. I went with a Browning Buckmark Hunter. Between the three I would have to say that I'm most accurate with the STI but only marginally over the Shadow. If you were in the Edmonton area I'd be glad to let you try them out.
 
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The Jericho is a very sweet gun as well. But the accessories and spare mags for them are not easily found. That's where CZ has the upper hand among the DA/SA style guns. They are so popular that the extras tend to be easier to find and more folks know the ins and outs and spare parts are more easily obtained.
 
Same boat here,..over 50 and not so speedy LOL. I use a Browning SS camper 22cal for warm up and keeping in practice. I use my CZ85 Combat as my primary 3 gun , and then I will switch to one of my 45"s.
I have shot the Shadow and its other varients....I really cant tell the difference..they are all great.
Tried the steel Jerico, but liked the CZ more...I could get on target faster.

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misterzr said:
As I patiently await my RPAL to show up, I have started looking into which direction I want to go. I will be buying a 9mm 1911 of some sort as well as a .22 1911 for cheap practice. I would like to get into to some sort of practical shooting in my area and my 3rd gun would be geared towards that, that is where I am looking for the advice. I think I have narrowed it down to 4 options. I should also mention that I am dark side of 50 and am not looking to break world records in competition. I have been into long guns since I was 12 and having recently given up hunting I am looking at pistols and friendly competition as a hobby and to meet new people.


Here is my short list

CZ 75 SP01 Shadow - Great gun by the reviews, I had a chance to shoot one and I really liked the feel of it. The downside to these right now is they are hard to find by the looks of it

S&W M&P9 Pro - Haven't had a chance to see one of these up close, fairly limited supply as well.

Tanfoglio Model L - Their answer to the SP01, about the same price and at least you can find stock on these, bonus is the Tanfoglio 22l that is basically the same gun in .22 and would be good for practice.

Jericho 941 steel - Again another competitor for the SP01 and again at least you might be able to find one. This one is the least likely of the candidates for me, not sure about quality of them.

Thanks in advance for the input
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all are good choices, also, don't count Glock out
 
Looks like my suspicions are confirmed, CZ Shadow is winning the race. I have also found a dealer in Sask that has stock and is willing to hold gun until my RPAL arrives. Likely going to go that direction. Thanks for the input everyone.
 
misterzr said:
Looks like my suspicions are confirmed, CZ Shadow is winning the race. I have also found a dealer in Sask that has stock and is willing to hold gun until my RPAL arrives. Likely going to go that direction. Thanks for the input everyone.
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Congrats you won't be sorry and of course you can have more than one :)
 
At my 2-day Practical Shooting Intro there were 15 students. 10 had Glocks (including myself). Those attending were Club Members with HG experience at the Line but no real movement and holster/mag work.
Long story short...one student was consistently slower off the horn and had FTE's, FTF's during each run. Couple times he forgot to disengage the safety. I'm sure he could get better with practice. His HG was a CZ Shadow. I know they're excellent pistols .....just my observation.
I have other semi's but took the Glock for the course due to it's simplicity in operation. YMMV
 
I would also vote to shoot the 9mm 1911. You will have just as much fun as you would shooting any of your other options. Get some sights that you work for you if you have aging eyes. With the money you save have it tuned and buy ammo.
 
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Interesting talk about the 1911, I have shot 45 1911 but not 9mm yet. Seem to have no problem with shooting straight with it. Also have a collection of blowback air pistols for garage range practice, 1911 in those are my favorites. Will try both the 1911 and SP01 and see what shakes out from there.

Some one smarter than me related handguns to their wife and shoes, you need more than 1 (pair)
 
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