what do you think is the ideal IDPA gun for each division?

[Billmanweh]

CDP, a single stack .45 with a mag well, maybe something like a Springfield TRP?

ESP, something like an STI Edge in 9mm or .40?

SSP, a Glock 34?

SSR, a S&W 625 with moonclips?

 

[Jim Watson]

Can't shoot an Edge in IDPA. It has a long dustcover and a bull barrel in a 1911 derivative gun. Neither is allowed. If you particularly like STI Modulars, get an Eagle and specify a barrel bushing.

A single stack 1911ish 9mm set up to feed out of 10-shot Super magazines is my choice for ESP, mine is a Colt, lots of SA Loadeds and Trojans out there; but you can make a case for others like CZ85 and a modified G34.

The G34 is pretty well designed to meet the rules for SSP but I know a few people who prefer a G17, saying the G34 feels whippy. I have shot my CZ75 in SSP and am going to try a Smith or SIG-Sauer; making the transition to a Glock is harder for me than getting into the crunch-tick of a DA-SA. But I am in the minority.

1911 .45 is what CDP was written for, E. Langdon and his P220ST notwitsthanding, and a 625 is hard to beat for SSR.

 

[Billmanweh]

Can't shoot an Edge in IDPA. It has a long dustcover and a bull barrel in a 1911 derivative gun. Neither is allowed. If you particularly like STI Modulars, get an Eagle and specify a barrel bushing.

my bad. an eagle is the STI that I was thinking about, just got the name wrong. and you're correct that it would have to be specified to come with a bushing barrel.

 

[RH45]

For SSP, I have a Glock 35, in .40, that is convertable to a 9mm, with a KKM Precision match barrel. Although it is a little more accurate with the 9mm barrel, it shoots a lot "softer" in .40.

For ESP, I have a Para P16-40, but, have been considering having an STI, or SVI built. I've shot Matt Burkett's "cross trainer", which I liked, but, if I have one built, I think it would be in a .40, instead of 9mm, like his. The other thing, I didn't care for, on Matt's pistol, is that it has a black blade, for a front sight. I would have something of the Hi-Viz varity installed.

Although I've been using single stack for CDP, I am asking myself why I haven't been useing a double stack. They are a heck of a lot easier to hit the magwell with.

I don't shoot revolver, but, most of the top shooters seem to like the 625.

 

[Billmanweh]

Although it is a little more accurate with the 9mm barrel, it shoots a lot "softer" in .40.

is that with handloads? to me, .40 factory loads have always felt a little snappier than factory 9mm (for instance, comparing a G17 to a G22)

 

[RH45]

Yes, that is with handloads, in the 130 power factor range.
Factory .40 loads are in the 170 power factor range, and they recoil way, too much to be competitive with.

 

[Dr.Who]

SSR Shoot 625 4 inch

CDP 1911 colt model 70

SSP and ESP Glock 17

 

[Prodigalshooter]

I use;
SA Champion or full size in CDP
Sig P239 in SSP
CZ 75B in ESP
625 in SSR

 

[GeneS]

I am assuming by ideal you mean the gun that gives the most advantage at winning. I suspect the ultimate would be:

SSR - S&W model 625
CDP - a double stack .45 such as STI Eagle.
ESP - same as CDP but in .40 or 9mm.
SSP - a tougher call, Para Ordinance LDA in 9mm or .40 might be the ultimate, but a Glock 34, 35, 17, or 22 is right there too. Also hard to argue against the Beretta 92 Elite II.

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Well, the double stack wouldn't be allowed in CDP, unless you down load, which can be a pain. If you mess up and load too many rounds you could be penalized etc., may as well use the single stack that division was made for.

 

[GeneS]

Prodigalshooter,

True, you have to download the double stack mags to 8 rounds in CDP. But the double stacks are legal and for reloading, there's nothing as fast as putting that wedge shaped mag into that great big double wide mag funnel.

Gene

 

[Prodigalshooter]

Well, you got me there, I'm only splitting hairs cause I don't have a nice STI!

 

[GeneS]

Prodigalshooter,

I don't have an STI either. My opinion of the ideal guns for each division was just based on several years of observation and trying to weigh the pros and cons of various handgun types. For example, the widebodies are great for reloading but they're just too wide to fit some folks hands.

My personal IDPA battery isn't nearly so ideal, or "gamey", depending on how you look at it.

CDP - Kimber Classic
ESP - CZ-75 SA
SSP - Glock 17
SSR - I've never tried

Gene

 

[Ankeny]

Billmanweh:

This same question was asked on Brian's forum a couple of pages down from your post about the IDPA surveys.

I know the fat guns are increasing in popularity, but the Caspian Race Ready frame is fast to reload too. My ESP gun is a Race Ready under an STI slide and Kart barrel. For CDP I use a Les Baer PII. SSP is a CZ 75. Revolver is a Smith model 15 with speed loaders. I use a clip gun in IPSC, but for IDPA with the pipsqueak loads, I prefer a K-Frame. Those are what I use, as for ideal gun, that's going to come down to personal preference. Fat semi autos are slightly faster to reload as are clipped revolvers like the 610 or 625.

 

[Eskimo Jim]

I'll be the crackpot.

SSR -S&W 66 K frame because this what I can conceal on the street. Sure the N frame 625 in 45acp with moon clips is faster to reload, however I can't conceal the N frame.

Never shot these categories but I'll take a guess
CDP -1911 variation or Sig 220
ESP -Beretta 92, CZ75, or Browning High Power
SSP -any 9mm with a consistent trigger pull, Glocks, Springfield XD or Para LDA

I really don't know what would work best for the automatic pistol categories because while those participants are looking for their brass, I'm already rolling my own for the next match.

-Jim

 

[Poohgyrr]

Hey, I can be a crackpot too....

ESP: Browning Hi Power
SSP: G23
SSR: 3" to 4" M24 .44 Special
CDP: Colt 1911 in .45 ACP

Them's my choices, and worth every penny you paid...

 

[faustulus]

ESP: SVI
SSP: Sig 226 stainless sport II
CDP: SVI
SSR: 686 super

 

[Joe D]

Let's see.
CDP Kimber CST or CT.
ESP Glock 35 or SVI
SSP Glock 35
Have no clue about SSR.
I had once toyed with using my Hi-Power, but the mags are very difficult to load fast. Beveling the front corners of the mags helps.

 

[target4fun]

I think the perfect gun is the para limited 1640 It is double stacked and has low recoil and alot of rounds 16.. Not sure of the rules of the specifc idpa match you are doing though if its leagal its a great gun

 

[Ktulu]

CDP: 1911

ESP: 1911 in 9mm. I like the 9 round mags, 10 in the gun means you don't have to reload in the middle of a target.

SSR: S&W 625 - soon it will be mine.

SSP: I don't know. Maybe a para LDA in 9mm? I'm going to classify with my Glock 19 this coming Sat. I'm not very good with it. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[Dr.Rob]

SSP: The division made for the Glock. Though I think I'd get a CZ-75 for this division, or a Sig 226.

ESP: BHP or Colt 38 Super (I've seen some super shooters shoot supers) Say that 3 times fast?

CDP: Bone stock Colt Government Model. (Ok maybe with the beveled magwell)

SSR: SW model 25-5 with a 4 inch tube.

 

[john from md]

CDP 1911 9mm Springfield

SSP CZ 75

ESP Glock 34

SSR S&W 686-7 38 Super with moon clips.

John from MD

 

[Ktulu]

I rented an LDA last night (actually two - I'll get to that in a minute) and I liked it. I still favor a single action 1911 for everything else but I think I found the perfect SSP weapon. With a little practice I think I could shoot the LDA very well.

Ok now on to Para's quality issues. The first Para I rented I asked for an LDA and the guy gave me a double stack .45. Seemed ok until the mag kept falling out of the gun. ***? It appears Para puts a PLASTIC magazine catch in their guns. Nice. After struggling through 25 rounds, I took it back and the guy gave me a single stack LDA .45 that worked much better.

So, if I can't classify at least SS with my Glock 19 (which I don't shoot anywhere near as well as my 1911s) this Saturday guess what I'll be buying? Yep a Para LDA and an aftermarket mag release.

 

[dukeofurl]

SSP: Glock 34
ESP: Para P18
SSR: S&W Model 66 3 or 4" bbl
CDP: Almost anything from Kimber, Springfield, or Colt. I'm giving a bit of prefrence to Kimber though because their CS is pretty good. S&W's new Scandium frame 1911 looks good though.