[david636]

A question for those with some IDPA/USPSA experience.

This has probably been asked a thousand times....but;
If you wanted to shoot the same 9mm in IDPA SSP and USPSA Production, and wanted the pistol to cost less that $650, which gun would you choose?

Thanks in advance.

[fineredmist]

Glock 17

[vetts1911]

I would get a get a M&P, M&PL or Pro. There is always the Glock 34 too. Smith has been running a special for two free mags with the purchase of a M&P. That would give you 4 magzines and you would just need 1 or 2 more magazines and would still keep you well under $650. You would be right on the edge of $650 with a good Comp-Tac or Blade Tech holster and, some mag pouches. I prefer the M&P because, now it is cheaper than a Glock, has 3 sizes of grips, good sights, steel guide rod and (IMO) feels and points better. If you get the glock you may want to change the sights. I have shot in IDPA and USPSA and the Glock and M&P performed flawless.

You will 4 to 5 magazines for USPSA and, 3 magazines for IDPA.

Hope that helps some,

Chris

[BPR]

I shoot in the production category with a Beretta 92FS. The gun with 4 -10 round nickle mags, a Safariland belt with holster and mag pouches cost me less than $650. The 92FS has a nice long barrel and is used by the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit. They do have them accurized but a stock 92FS is reported to be better fit and more accurate than the M-9.

[TAB]

The M&P.


but I would get the 40 not the 9mm. that way you can make major in USPSA

[Hoser]

Glock 17, Smith M&P or an STI GP6.

[eerw]

CZ 75B or SP01, M&P L, STI GP6, Glock 17/34

[Jim_M]

G17. Then specialize in one game or the other.


Jim

[CatsEye]

You can't go wrong with the M&P or Glock. Either will do you well.

[VegasOPM]

I started using a G17 in USPSA Production, IDPA Stock Service Pistol and Steel Challenge Stock Service Pistol. The gun has been enhanced with a Glockworx trigger and a magwell- so I now shoot it in Limited and Enhanced Service Pistol. It is slightly penalized by making minor power factor- but I get 23 rounds in an extended mag and if you shoot "A's" it doesn't matter what the power factor is.
The M&P or the XD are nice guns as well, but GLOCKs are much more prevalent and there are a lot more toys out there for them.

[Jim Watson]

if you shoot "A's" it doesn't matter what the power factor is.

Ah, there's the rub, shooting all As.
I once read that Tommy Campbell, the S&W rep, would have won several big matches if he had been shooting major but he placed tenth or so with his S&W 9mm Supergun (M52 length barrel and slide on a M59 action, pretty much.) So he shot a Colt for a short time untill an executive asked why he was not brand loyal. He explained the scoring system and got permission to build the one-off .45 Supergun II.

[TAB]

if you shoot "A's" it doesn't matter what the power factor is.


yeah, only guy shooting major also shot all As... Really, unless you can't handle the recoil of major. there is no reason not to shoot major.

[eerw]

unless your shooting Production or SSP, ESP, GSSF, steel challenge :D

[sargenv]

In Production USPSA, all calibers shoot Minor.. even the 45. Now if you want to shoot Limited or Limited 10, then the 40 is worth it..

[LCTitan]

Glock 17/34. Both are great guns for compition.

[nwb01]

any gun (M&P, G35,22, XD) in 40 is the most versatile. In IDPA you can shoot SSP/ESP. USPSA you can shoot production or you can shoot Limited/Limited 10 (Major PF).

[VegasOPM]

.40 is the most versatile, but you are handicapping yourself everywhere except L10 and Limited with the added recoil IMHO. I even use 9mm for Limited, since I get 3 extra rounds in a 140mm mag.

[slugger6]

As several have already mentioned the G17 and G34 are great pistols. I went with the XD9 Tactical, however, due to my preference for that particular grip angle.

[ljnowell]

I would recommend that you take some of the suggestiosn and rent them. Find a range where you can rent a glock, M&P, XD, etc. Try them out. I havent heard anyone complain about M&P grips, but lots dont like glocks. Either they fit you or they dont, its that easy. The only real way to know is to try it. It may cost 100 bucks to rent them all to try, but its worth it if it saves you from buying a gun that doesnt perform well for you.

[jmorris]

Really, unless you can't handle the recoil of major. there is no reason not to shoot major.

Cost


rent a glock, M&P, XD, etc.

The XD would put you in ESP. Better off sticking with the glock or m&p.

[TAB]

If your reloading, the cost is almost the same. Even if your buying factory ammo the price per 100 is only a buck or 2 diffrence.

Both 9 and 40 brass is easy to come by.

[jmorris]

Yeah, it’s only about $20/1000 if you reload range brass and $100/1000 for factory. Still no need to waste the money, a 9mm “plastic of your choice” is ideal for SSP and Production and less than ideal for the other classes. Sure you could compete in almost every class with a 40 glock, for example, but you wouldn’t even come close in Open and be handicapped in many others. Even the shooters that have purchased one gun for ESP and Limited (a regular dust cover S_I in 40) don’t have the best gun for either. Hey, you need a reason to get another pistol down the road anyway.

[David E]

As others have said, the Glock 17/34 or M&P, in 9mm

SSP and Production divisions don't have a "major scoring" element. EVERYONE scores minor, even if you're shooting full power, tooth jarring Double Tap 10mm ammo out of a Glock 20.

A .40 would be more versatile, but only if you reloaded or didn't mind putting up with extra kick that no one else you're trying to beat is putting up with.

Add a World/National title winning KyTac Sooper Hooper and mag pouches, you're good to go.

.

[eerw]

Add a World/National title winning KyTac Sooper Hooper and mag pouches, you're good to go.

good stuff...

[David E]

eerw, are you shooting Production at the DT this year ?

.

[eerw]

if I can get there...probably...or L10
you going?? what you shooting?

[David E]

I'm going. Deciding between L-10 and Production.

I saw that you are now a GM.......you bastard! ;) (congratulations, btw !)

With Nationals probably going to be in Vegas, I don't have much motivation to gear up for a specific division, so I can shoot whatever I want this year!

.

[DLebowski]

Another vote for the Glock 34. Hard to beat for SSP or Production.

OR you could shoot a Glock 21 in CDP, SSP, ESP Limited, Limited 10 and Production. You might not be optimally competitive, but you'd certainly be in good shape. Now that's versatility.

[Redraider]

Glock 34 with Sivigney (Warren Tactical) Competition Sights and a $50 trigger job.

[karz10]

Hi David, may I ask what you hope to get out of these sports, and what other guns you own, or intend to own?

To be more specific, do wish to carry, and/or keep a handgun around for self defense? Either the one you are buying for these shooting sports, or another gun that you have, or plan to buy?

Reason I ask, when I made a decision to buy a handgun, my first handgun, I had already gotten a little interested in the possibility of IDPA, and so I factored that into my decision process, at least as much to confirm the gun I wanted to buy was suitable for use in IDPA.

Reason I ask what you want to get out of these sports, some want to be super competitive, and score well, others want to become more proficient w/ their self defense weapon, and don't care as much about scoring.

For me, I still shoot my Glock 19 compact in IDPA. Would I score better w/ a 17, or special competition Glock w/ a longer/ported barrel, and lighter trigger, and heavier spring, etc., probably.

I still have the option to by a cooler competition gun, but I started w/ the gun I was gonna carry, as that was the most important thing for me.

Even if you want to have a special gun for competition, but you also want to get more proficient w/ guns you carry or keep around, then maybe it makes sense to buy a similar platform relative to your defense weapons.

Like maybe you carry a Glock 26 sub compact, or a Glock 19 compact (these are all 9mm for comparison), but maybe you buy the Glock 17 full size, or whatever the long/ported barrel competition gun is in that caliber. Or maybe you carry a .40 or .45 but get a 9MM version to run competition and practice with for reduced recoil and cheaper practice, while on the same platform as your defensive guns.

Others do the same w/ 1911's, they get a nice full size .45 which they carry on occasion, but when stealth and wardrobe dictate, they have a smaller compact 1911 style in the waistband.

So, while everyone has an opinion on which brand/model, I would first look at it from a higher level, relative to what you want to accomplish in the sport, and what skills you want to develop and carry over to your carry/defense world, relative to the platform you want to run, and then narrow it down to make/model, and see if they fit your bill.

As for my recommendation, the Glock line has a lot going for it. 33 rd magazines in 9MM that fit all sized G's in 9mm.

I also like the SW M&P in general, has a lot going for it.

I can't speak for the other sports, but I know a lot of people in IDPA klike 1911s or Glocks for the various advantages they bring to the sport. I think the availability of a stock extended mag release and extended slide stop is one thing some Glock people have utlized to their advantage w/in the IDPA rules, but don't quote me on it, it's been awhile since I read up on that, and what other guns offer the same...

Karz

[David E]

I expect to get, and DO get, a fun time!

I learn how to "think on the move" better and be able to "perform on demand," which is no small thing.

The gun(s) I use in competition have a brother gun that I keep for defense.

The gun I'm carrying now is the exact same gun I shot at the USPSA Nationals last Sept.

.

[karz10]

LOL, the OPs name is David, at least as part of his s/n, so I was attempting to address the OP by name, since he was asking about which gun in 9mm to buy, I thought I'd ask what his big picture/intentions looked like, before he made a decision, etc.

But sounds like we're on the same page but comp guns and defense guns. Take care...

Karz