Crazy Horse
Member
So, I'll be delving into my first competition at the beginning of September. I'll be taking my S&W Compact 9mm with the 4 inch barrel for my first time out. Sights are adjusted, I have 5 magazines and magazine pouches for 9mm and a holster.
I have heard that 5 inch barrels are more accurate and used by many competition users. I'm pretty good with my S&W compact, but Don't think I'll be as accurate as those with longer barrels. I know safety is first and foremost in competition shooting with ranking a distant second. But I have competed once before in an indoor range. Needless to say, having to compete with guys that had Red Dot sights made me not try as hard. Unless you're Jerry Miculek or Hickock45, Red Dots are easier to get a closer shot group over traditional sights. I did very well over 3 other traditional sight participants, but the two with Red Dots, yeah they were much better. So while Safety is paramount, if it's not to compete, then why compete. So yes, there is a little competitive spirit vs getting a participation trophy which is the reason for looking at semi's with 5 inch barrels.
I have a SAR 2000 with a 4.5 inch barrel, but the rear sight isn't adjustable and I haven't heard of others using SAR to compete. Plus it's hammer fired and they say new folks tend to get DQ'd because they forget to put the hammer down and the firearm on safe.
I was thinking of purchasing a 9mm firearm with a 5 inch barrel in the near future. and have narrowed it down to the following
M&P 5" barrel
Canik 5.2" barrel (match barrel)
Springfield Armory 5" barrel (match barrel)
I've had great luck with my S&W's, but have installed APEX triggers on all of my S&W's to make them more comfortable for my liking while noticeably increasing accuracy. It's also not optics ready, which isn't a non-negotiable, but it seems like the future of competitions is going to trend to Red Dot Sights. I'd like to think I'm pretty good with iron sights, but Red Dots make is so much quicker and accuracy is easier vs traditional sights.
The Canik has a great trigger out of the box and is Red Dot ready. The cost is very competitive. The only reason I hesitate is because I purchased a Canik SC Elite and have been having failure to return to breech issues. It's gone back to the factory twice, and I still have issues with it. Not having any experience or attended any competition matches, I don't know its use has increased in competition shooting.
The last one in my list is the Springfield Armory XDM. I have the 9mm Mod 2 4 inch barrel. SA also has a decent trigger out of the box and a fiber optic front sight. The only uniqueness compared to the other two is that it feels like it sits on top of my hand. I am accurate with it, but because the gun feels like it sits on top of my hand I feel like I'm balancing it to get the sights lined up. Not that I couldn't get used to it, but it is noticeable when comparing it to my S&W.
Would it be better to go with S&W knowing that I'll have to spend money on a trigger upgrade-plus not having it red dot ready- take a another chance on Canik, or go with SA.
Or will the one inch not make a difference in competition shooting.
TIA
CH
I have heard that 5 inch barrels are more accurate and used by many competition users. I'm pretty good with my S&W compact, but Don't think I'll be as accurate as those with longer barrels. I know safety is first and foremost in competition shooting with ranking a distant second. But I have competed once before in an indoor range. Needless to say, having to compete with guys that had Red Dot sights made me not try as hard. Unless you're Jerry Miculek or Hickock45, Red Dots are easier to get a closer shot group over traditional sights. I did very well over 3 other traditional sight participants, but the two with Red Dots, yeah they were much better. So while Safety is paramount, if it's not to compete, then why compete. So yes, there is a little competitive spirit vs getting a participation trophy which is the reason for looking at semi's with 5 inch barrels.
I have a SAR 2000 with a 4.5 inch barrel, but the rear sight isn't adjustable and I haven't heard of others using SAR to compete. Plus it's hammer fired and they say new folks tend to get DQ'd because they forget to put the hammer down and the firearm on safe.
I was thinking of purchasing a 9mm firearm with a 5 inch barrel in the near future. and have narrowed it down to the following
M&P 5" barrel
Canik 5.2" barrel (match barrel)
Springfield Armory 5" barrel (match barrel)
I've had great luck with my S&W's, but have installed APEX triggers on all of my S&W's to make them more comfortable for my liking while noticeably increasing accuracy. It's also not optics ready, which isn't a non-negotiable, but it seems like the future of competitions is going to trend to Red Dot Sights. I'd like to think I'm pretty good with iron sights, but Red Dots make is so much quicker and accuracy is easier vs traditional sights.
The Canik has a great trigger out of the box and is Red Dot ready. The cost is very competitive. The only reason I hesitate is because I purchased a Canik SC Elite and have been having failure to return to breech issues. It's gone back to the factory twice, and I still have issues with it. Not having any experience or attended any competition matches, I don't know its use has increased in competition shooting.
The last one in my list is the Springfield Armory XDM. I have the 9mm Mod 2 4 inch barrel. SA also has a decent trigger out of the box and a fiber optic front sight. The only uniqueness compared to the other two is that it feels like it sits on top of my hand. I am accurate with it, but because the gun feels like it sits on top of my hand I feel like I'm balancing it to get the sights lined up. Not that I couldn't get used to it, but it is noticeable when comparing it to my S&W.
Would it be better to go with S&W knowing that I'll have to spend money on a trigger upgrade-plus not having it red dot ready- take a another chance on Canik, or go with SA.
Or will the one inch not make a difference in competition shooting.
TIA
CH
