[LightningLink]

I recently attended a 3-gun match and am thinking of giving it a try. First and foremost, I want to do this for fun. I could place dead last every match and wouldn't care as long as I enjoy it. I've got the rifle and shotgun taken care of, but I'm looking for a pistol specifically for this. I have several brands of pistols including Beretta 92F, Sig P220, SA 1911A1 and H&K USP Tactical, but they tend to serve a specific purpose to me that makes me not want to use them for this. Plus, I've been wanting an excuse to add a Glock to my collection for variety. I could probably get NIB for just under $500 at the gunshow and perhaps a good used one for closer to $400.

Here's the criteria of what I think I'd like to start with:
1) High capacity - saw several guys with 15-17 round breeze through some stages while others had to reload costing time. Granted, some stages require a reload no matter what.

2) Consistent trigger pull - my thinking is that the same trigger pull for each shot will make follow-up shots easier.

3) Simple and reliable - because this is just for casual competition, it needs to be something that can take abuse and keep on ticking. For example, if I accidentally drop a mag, I don't want to worry if a little sand get shoved up the magwell.

4) Sufficient "popper" power - For paper targets, any caliber will do, but I need something that will knock over steel poppers. On the one hand, I like 9mm for capacity, but is it enough for poppers? Perhaps I could go with +P (Nato) type ammo, but is that cost effective? Several shooters had 9mm handguns and most knocked the poppers over okay, but some clearly hit the steel and it bounced a little, but didn't fall over.


So far, I've narrowed it down to either a G19 or G23. I was also thinking of getting a C (ported) model to reduce recoil/muzzle climb. Because it would be day-time shooting, I don't think the upward flash would be a big deal.

G19 - Pros: higher capacity, lower recoil, cheaper ammo.
.........Cons: lower hitting power.

G23 - Pros: better hitting power.
.........Cons: the dread KB I hear so much about.

My gut is leaning towards a G19 or G19C as a good all-purpose pistol. My only concern is whether 9mm is enough for steel poppers. So what do you guys think? Sorry for the amazingly long post over a simple question.

Thanks,
:confused: LL :confused:

[powertoast]

Seems like you've done your homework. The question of whether the 9mm has enough momentum for poppers depends in part on whether the popper is adjustable, and whether its properly set to fall over when hit with a 9mm. If the popper is right on the edge of falling over, a 9mm will do the trick. But a .40, as a general rule, will do it more effectively and will knock it over with lower hits. If its allowed, you might get a G23 with a G22 hicap that gives you 15+1 rounds, or a G19 with a G17 hicap giving you 17+1 . But most folks who shoot the G19 tend to like it (if they like Glocks), and it should do the trick for you. I have both, which of course is the best answer. :)

cheers

[Bix]

Since you intend to use the gun for competition (as opposed to ccw) you might want to consider a full sized pistol. The increased sight radius and decreased felt recoil could be advantageous. The 34/35 series are intended for practical compeition. You might want to have a look at those.

The poppers at my club, when properly calibrated, fall when struck by 9mm.

HTH

[azrael]

Glock 17 or 34...Hi cap mags are stil easy to get...increased sight radius makes it a little bit easier to hit with at speed.

[Ankeny]

You might want to consider which shooting sports you would like to try. A "C" model can't be used in IDPA and it puts you in Open division in USPSA. A 9mm would be scored minor in USPSA. If you want a 9, the G34 and G17 are the most popular. In a .40 it would be the 35 and the 22.

[TarpleyG]

Plus there are limitations in IDPA on the magazine capacity so you gotta reload anyway.

[LightningLink]

Thanks for the replies.

First off, I don't know the difference between IDPA or USPSA. I shoot at Hernando Sportsman's Club and their Action 3-gun match seems rather casual as to what's allowed. However, I might rule out the C model just in case I do run into any sort of restrictions that would disallow it.

One reason I didn't consider the G17 is the grip size. I've always hated Glocks because they didn't feel right in my hands, but that was based on the G17 size. Recently I handled a G19 at a gunshow and was surprised that it fit much better in my smallish hands compared to the G17. I know it's only 1/2 an inch, but it just feels different.

Is the legendary Glock .40 KaBoom serious enough to remove it from consideration? It seems like whenever I read about a KB, it involves Federal ammo. I have a Sig P239 in .40 and think it's a great all-around caliber. I forgot that the smaller models like the G23 could take their larger counterpart's magazines (although I image it looks kinda funny).

Thanks again for your continued input,
:confused: LL :confused:

[azrael]

If you dont like the grips of the Glock then try the XD-9...I like it much better than the Glock and it costs less. :D

[Correia]

I'm a 3gun match director, so I'll kick in my 2 cents.

There is not a national governing body of rules for 3gunning. Some matches are IPSC affiliated, others are on their own. So there is no hard and fast rule concerning compensators. It really depends on what your local match does. We allow them in our 3gun matches, however you automatically go to open class with the race guns. My club is primarily an IDPA club, so most of our 3gun shooters show up with IDPA pistols.

Poppers are usually calibrated for 9mm. I've seen some places where they are heavier duty though. The Glocks are excellent guns, and some of our best shooters use them to consistently beat the heck out of me. :)

I would say that if you reload, get the .40. Brass is virtually free, and you can load a 9mm and a .40 to the same power factor and the .40 will seem to recoil less. Plus you can use the .40 in IPSC and shoot major. You can use either caliber in IDPA no problem.

However if you don't reload, get the 9mm because there are much better deals in factory ammo in 9mm than in .40. Cheaper ammo = more practice. And you get 2 more rounds in the magazine.

Either way, you should be fine. One downside of the Glocks is that standard cap magazines aren't cheap.

If I was going to go to the darkside and get a Glock for 3gun I would get the 34 or the 35. The longer sight radius is a bonus over the 17/22 or the 19/23. Between 9 and .40 I guess it just depends on your situation.

[U1121]

If I may offer my 2 cents worth, I would not let the fear of kB's discourage me from the G23, if I were you. Just be sure to use factory ammo, and do not shoot (non-jacketed) lead bullets. Most kB's are the result of either over-charged reloads, or use of lead bullets (which tend to lead the non-traditional polygonal rifling in the glock, resulting in higher-than-recommended pressures).

Good luck on your decision!
U1121

[Rich357]

Hi LightningLink,

If the G17s you've tried, and didn't like, had to old style non finger groove grip, you may well find the newer G17 grip more comfortable. The G19, G23 and G32 are fine but if you can use the larger framed Glocks they are a little easier to shoot well.

I've never had a problem with my .40S&W Glocks. If you are really concerned you might want to buy a KKM barrel. They may have a little tighter chambers. I wanted to shoot .357SIG from my G35 so I bought a KKM barrel and it works great. I find that in most of my handguns the .357SIG shoots a little better than the .40S&W, although the price for new ammo is more when getting the .357SIG.

The extra barrel lenght of the G34 does add a little more velocity (in most cases) to the 9mm. That could help you with the poppers.

Good luck,
Rich

[Quack]

G34
http://www.hunt101.com/img/054277.JPG

[LightningLink]

Thanks again for the advice.

You are correct that the last time I held a G17 it was a 1st generation. I'll try to G34 at the next show and see how they fit. Hopefully they don't cost too much more than the G17/19 series. I think ideally I'd like a G34 slide on a G19 frame but I doubt they are compatible.

Thanks again,
:cool: LL :cool:

[Quack]

correct, a G34 slide will not fit on a G19 frame.