What would be your "ideal" competition handgun?

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Katitmail

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I know there is a lot of variables, but let's say you want:

1. More or less "normal" looking gun. Not race gun.
2. Semi-auto
3. Can use in IDPA, USPSA and steel matches and be competitive in appropriate classes.
4. 9mm

What that gun would be and why? What mods would you do?

I always thought that it would be 2011 for me. Today I watched 5 shooters and 4(!!) had some kind of problem. Maybe ammo related, maybe gun related but there was issue.

Now I'm not sure what I want :)
 
Glock 34? A 9mm single action in USPSA needs to be an open gun to be competitive.
 
M&P Pro 9mm

Add an Apex competition trigger kit, Dawson Precision .100 fiber optic front sight, and grip tape (Production rules apply for USPSA). I'm not sure if the M&P Pro fits into IDPA though. It was my go to gun for USPSA Production and Steel Challenge.

Ran 100% with over 5k rounds.
 
CZ75Shadow.
Fits all the boxes.
VERY good trigger.
Shoots legally in all the comps mentioned and more.
Points accurately.
Shoots accurately and fast.
Durable.
Aftermarket anything easily available at reasonable prices.
Recently bought one.
 
I just so happen to shoot USPSA with a gun that fits that very bill. I shoot a glock 19 in competition because the grip fits my hand better than the 34 or 17, but all three would be a great choice IMHO. I too have seen several problems arise with people shooting the 2011 pistols, seems to be the 40 s&w ones that cause the most problems.
 
STI 2011 in 9x19.

Mine runs like a top. I changed out the barrel about 20K rounds ago after 75K or so through the last one. I also have a bushing barrel for it when I shoot IDPA. I also use SV mags as they tend to work better in 9x19 than STI mags with spacers.

DSC02977.jpg
 
You guys are shooting 2011/infinity 9mm's in USPSA?

How does it work out for you shooting minor?

At least with the XD/MP/CZ or glock everyone your competing with is also shooting minor.

FWIW all of my SVI'S and STI's run like a top, that is the first step in winning. The non compensated 9mm's are really only good for IDPA ESP though.
 
I shoot Limited Minor. I dont win matches like I used to shooting major, but I have a lot more fun. And sneaking past a GM or two now and again is always fun. Although this year all I have shot is Revo (mostly minor but an occasional major) trying to make GM there.
 
Back in the 1970s, Bruce Gray built a few long slide P7s, mostly M13s.
I think he took an order for one fairly recently and just finished it last year.
As I recall, he put in a 5" barrel and then extended the slide to 6" with expansion chamber compensator built into the extended slide, not hung on the barrel. This increased the retardation of the slide for use with 9mm Major.
I can't imagine what one would cost, if he would be bothered with another in the first place.


For myself, since my main event is IDPA ESP, I would take a 1911oid with aluminum frame and all other available parts to keep the weight down to 30-32 oz. Fit Accurails for durability of the aluminum frame in a frequently shot match gun, and everything of the highest quality.
I have a cooking grade pistol built on factory parts at 33 oz that is a very well balanced shooter in 9mm.
 
What about 2011's? Are they even legal in IDPA?

P.S. I found info about long slide P7. Not sure if it's worth $$$$ and not sure which class it will be in IDPA (if legal)
 
What about 2011's? Are they even legal in IDPA?

As long as they fit in the box and make weight, yes.

No compensators at all in IDPA though.
 
If you go the double stack 1911 route a 40 would be a better (single) caliber as you could load minor rounds for ESP then load Major rounds for Limited/Limited 10.

Or you could get an SVI set up in more than one caliber. They have removable breech faces, so you can use the same slide and frame but have multiple calibers.

SVI.jpg

Or you could fit more than one slide to a frame and have two completely different configurations on the same frame.

ESP sticom.jpg

Open openshort.jpg
 
I have shot a lot of idpa. I currently shoot a lot of uspsa. I have shot some steel challenge. To shoot all three games and be competitive with a "normal looking" gun I would get a Glock 34, a s&w m&p, a s/a xd of some flavor, or a CZ shadow.
These guns could all play well in steel challenge. All of them can win in uspsa production division or idpa ssp or esp divisions. None are terribly expensive but the CZ is a bit more than the others. All are normal guns.
 
I sold my 75B SA 1/2 year ago. With stock grips it didn't hold well for me and trigger wasn't good.

Now I look again and CZ SP01 shadow custom look great, but seems like they in "unobtanium" state right now?
 
Browning Hi Power

Parkerized finish. Commander hammer. Novak sights with tritium inserts. Flared magazine well. Hogue monogrip with palm swells but about 1/2 the thickness of the current offering. Stainless 15 shot flush fit magazines.

More or less a Novak's HRT pistol with a slimmer (and rubber) grip.

Novak's HRT pistols are serious pieces.. might not be the BEST competition pistol, but in the IDPA spirit... that's a "stock" ESP handgun.
 
I want someone to make a steel framed striker fired gun as reliable as a Glock.
 
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