Where to start?

P

Pocketsx

Member
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Hey,
Just looking for some advice...My goal is to get into IPSC (production)
I've taken the unrestricted / restricted course and am waiting for my license in the mail. Other than the course I have zero experience with any guns. I've been showing up to some local ipsc matches picking everyones brain, but I thought I'd post some stuff here and see what kind of reply I get.

Some people have recommended a 22lr for a first gun. Cheap ammo, good practice etc. Others say its a waste of $$$ Whats your opinion? If you think its a good idea, would any 22 do, or would you recommend something that will resemble the gun you will shoot in IPSC? I only ask because some recommended a 22 made by German Sporting Guns, for the sole reason of "it will feel like most production guns out there".

I've been to a couple of stores looking at production guns. I haven't actually shot anything but as far as feel goes I liked the baretta 92 or 90-two. As I read up on them, there's a large group of people that don't recommend buying them for IPSC. If you have one already by all means use it, but if your looking to buy... not recommended. Why??

When I do pick a gun... 9mm or .40 cal? Not sure I understand the major minor yet.

Sorry for the 100 questions
Thanks in advance
 
i would recommend buying the gun you like the most and spending some time knowing it and getting used to it
then take the black badge course
for production there is no minor or major issue. so stick to 9
 
Hi there..

You should talk to people that shoot production!!!! They will give you the best advice... What is the gun that is not going to be a handicap... I shoot with a bunch of IPSC shooters and they use the CZ Shadow or a Sig 226. Myself I started shooting with a Springfield XD9.. but quickly realized the limitations of this gun and switched to an all steel gun. I would also stick with 9 mm as you can reload it to an accurate load...

Good luck..

RDG
 
ok, my advice is usually in the minority but i will give it to you anyways and it is based on being a Black Badge Instructor.

First off i have no problems with taking green people into the BB course. All I ask is that they know WHO their firearm works and I am willing to work with them on that before the course.

However if they think they want to Practise first before the course then get some lessons. one of the most frustrating things for me is unteaching bad habits. Grip is usually the biggest culprit. believe me it will be money well spent.

The worse case i had was a fellow who took the course and had his buddy (who had been shooting for a couple of years) give him some pointers. it took me 750 rounds to get him to the point that he could pass the BB. normal for me is 400 rounds with a bad course being 500.

Where are you located?
 
mardig88 said:
i would recommend buying the gun you like the most
Click to expand...

Bad idea. A new shooter and especially one who want to go to IPSC simply have no idea what to look at when getting a new gun. There is a lot of things besides cool look and there is certain advantages in getting one of the guns popular at IPSC. Starting from how the gun fits your hand and ergonomics of the gun (reloading and changing magazines, clearing malfunctions and cleaning gun). Then the weight of the trigger or trigger pull, reliability (reputation and the factual reliability). Availability of the factory spare parts and accessories is especially important for production gun (springs, sights, grips, etc).

Take Beretta, the trigger pull is not as good comparing to CZ, so as the choice of the spare parts.

CZ is very popular in IPSC, easy availability of the factory parts. Tanfoglio makes a more expensive and somewhat "improved" CZ clone.

Glock and S&W M&P are popular in US, good availability of spare parts, but striker mechanism makes trigger pull heavier comparing to most DA/SA guns like Beretta or CZ. Also, polymer frame makes gun lighter, hence a bit snappier/jumpier on recoil.

STI GP6 is also plastic gun, but it is DA/SA gun with rotating barrel, which somewhat eats recoil.
 
a .22 is a good investment, helps you work on the fundamentals before getting a larger caliber and they are great for when you take people out shooting for the first time.

Since you want to shoot IPSC production, you could pick a gun that has .22 conversion kits for it on the market. 2 birds 1 stone so to say. If you can try out a few different guns before buying that would be best, but its not always an option. The main players in production guns are glocks, tanfoglio's and CZ's.
as for 9 or 40, depends if you want to reload. Some shooters prefer the feel of a down loaded 40 over a 9mm, thats something you need to find out for yourself.
Also make sure you pick something that you can get mags,holsters and spare parts for.
do you want a double action first pull then single action after that, or do you want the same trigger pull for every shot?
how a gun looks and how it shoots/feels are two different things. Before I started shooting I loved the look of SIGs and Berreta's and hated 1911's and Glocks. All of that based on my vast experience of seeing them on TV and in the movies. Once I started shooting, whole other story. Hate the feel of berretas and SIGs, and love 1911's and glocks. Thats something you need to figure out on your own.
 
I live in Ontario near Toronto. Guess I could update my profile with some info...

No major / minor in production?
 
Last edited:
Hey Pocketsx
Try contacting www.brantshootingsports.com they can help with selecting a good IPSC gun etc. they carry brands not even listed yet and specialize in new shooters outfitting.
Good luck
 
Last edited by a moderator:
sparkin10 said:
Hey Pocketsx
Try contacting www.brantshootingsports.com they can help with selecting a good IPSC gun etc. they carry brands not even listed yet and specialize in new shooters outfitting.
Good luck
Click to expand...

Who runs that business? On the entire website...not one actual name :confused:

I'm sure it's an IPSC guy...but it would lend some credibility if people could put a name to the business...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Some good advice here so far.

As euxx mentioned, picking a gun for IPSC will more than likely differ from one picked simply because you "like" it. Yes, most any quality firearm can be used in IPSC, but volunteer at some local matches (as you've already done) and talk to the shooters, observe what equipment they are using... ask questions!!! The vast majority of IPSC shooters shoot a rather small selection of firearms and for good reason.

Consider shooting your selected firearm for a few months BEFORE taking the BB course. As a new shooter, you will more than likely do nothing more than slow down the class for the other students and be the guy the instructor needs to spend an unproportional amount of time with. The course is designed for those that are already quite familiar with their firearms and shooting.

Unlike Walter, I don't think it is the instructors responsibility to ensure that the student can grasp basic shooting fundamentals. Around here, if the student does not clearly have the experience to be shooting IPSC, he is removed from the course (for the benefit of the other students) and asked to re-take the course when he/she improves to a basic acceptable level.

You say your only experience with firearms is the actual course... have you already completed the BB course??
 
I've only been shooting a couple of years now myself and got into it when I saw some videos of IPSC being run in Canada. WAY TOO MUCH FUN! ! ! ! :D

If I were you I'd go for two handguns right away. Something in 9mm that is DA/SA so it is production legal and perhaps something light enough to also qualify for IDPA just in case you want to jump into that scene.

The GSG .22 your buddy recomended is a superb gun from what I've both seen from handlign and shooting one and from all the reports. What he suggested about getting one that will more closely mimic your other center fire guns is valid since you can use your .22 for a lot of practice functions where having one with at least a similar grip size and angle will be a big advantage. But IMHO it's not critical to have one that is an identical copy or get a .22 upper kit at a big cost for what is included. A companion .22 to your center fire can serve as a great training aid in helping you cure any flinching issues as well as a lot of other practice aspects for your center fire efforts.

For getting into production 9mm is the king. It costs less and kicks less and you're scored as minor regardless of what you shoot. But you need a gun that qualifies for production so double check with someone that what you want to buy is actually production class legal.

If you live anywhere near one of the big centers that has a Rent-A-Gun range you can go to then pony up the money and get over to the place and try out as many 9mm guns as you can. Take notes and pictures and come back to the ones you found you like the best. Also see if the Range Officer that comes out with you will show you how to hold the gun properly and critque you if your method slips. No point in trying them if you'e trying them wrongly. Once you have a better idea of what fits your hand best and feels nicest on your trigger finger then you can look at buying one of them for yourself. By that time your RPAL should be in and your request for the LTATT through your club should be in process. At that point you can shop for a gun belt and mag pouches. Oh and spare mags as well.
 
pockersx

I would suggest a CZ SP01 shadow 9mm, very good quality, great for production, high resale and easy access to spare parts and mags ( you need at least 5) and holsters are made for it.

Buy something good once, you won't regret it.

As for the 22, great to learn aiming on but once the basics are mastered you won't use it much.

Mike
 
Thanks again. I figured places like this were only in Vegas. Sounds like they have a pretty good selection too.

What do you recommend trying?
CZ shadow
Sig 226
Glock 17
STI GP6
 
Pocketsx said:
Thanks again. I figured places like this were only in Vegas. Sounds like they have a pretty good selection too.

What do you recommend trying?
CZ shadow
Sig 226
Glock 17
STI GP6
Click to expand...

Try the Shadow first. If you like it, stick with it.
I would skip Sig and try S&W M&P instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom