CCW/IDPA/USPSA 9mm Question

[david636]

I’m fairly new to handguns. I own a couple of Ruger Mark III .22’s.

I’m in the market for a 9mm that I could use for CCW, and for shooting IDPA (SSP) and USPSA (Production).

Looking for some suggestions for under $700.

Thanks in advance.
David

 

[Sam1911]

Wow. $700 will buy you a LOT of 9mm guns that would work well in those fields.

You really have NO other preferences than those? Single Action? Double-Action/Decocker? DAO? "Safe-Action" striker fired? Gun size? Barrel length? Capacity? Polymer vs. steel vs. alloy? Etc...

Easiest answer is to get a Glock or a M&P or an xD -- in whatever size you can comfortably carry. Simple, reliable guns (well, except the M&P sometimes, but they're fixable, usually), with a half-way decent trigger pull that's the same for every shot.

If you lean towards mostly CCW, get a compact. If you are large enough or just built right to carry a larger gun and/or you really want this to shine in competition, get one of the full-sized competition models. (e.g.: Glock 34, M&P Pro, or xDM)

(By the way, the xDs run in "ESP" instead of "SSP" in IDPA, but that doesn't really matter.)

They're all very good at what they do, don't cost a whole lot, and have piles of aftermarket parts to make them run EXACTLY how you think you want.

Now, if you have more preferences that you didn't share: say you like an true single action with an exposed hammer, or you prefer the inconsistent trigger pull of a DA/SA, or you don't like plastic, or whatever, there are plenty of choices to meet those wishes. But, if you just want to dive in -- get one of the "big three" I mentioned.

Good luck!

-Sam

 

[Samuel Adams]

There are a lot of weapons out there. Find the one that is comfortable in your hands, is reliable and accurate. My preference is the CZ 75B SA for IDPA. Others choose Glocks, S&W M&Ps, XDs, 1911s in 9mm and others.

 

[MichiganShootist]

The three most popular in IDPA/USPSA that would still make a decent carry gun are

Springfield XP
Glock 17 (the 34 rules in competition but has a longer barrel than the 17 for CCW)
Smith and Wesson M & P

CZs and Sigs too but much less popular.

 

[Ex-MA Hole]

Walther PPS or P99?

 

[fineredmist]

Look at the Glock 19. It is large enough for compitition (15 rounds) yet compact enough for CCW. I have used full sized guns (Glock 17, CZ 75) in IDPA and my present gun is a Glock 23 (.40 S&W). I find absolutely no noticeable difference in performance and perhaps a bit of improvement as the 23 is a little faster in sight alignment due to it's slightly shorter barrel.

 

[Claude Clay]

Sig p-239 in 40--DA/SA with decocker
for carry, its size vs weight vs power -- it is exceptional

than buy a 9mm conversion barrel and a few more mags.
same bbl spring and 40 mags will work with 9mm

now you have a choice: 8+1 of 9mm or 7+1 of 40 S&W
and you can shoot minor or major with the same gun.

can it get any better you ask??

YES--get a 357 conv bbl also
.......and learn to reload so you can feed the machine

 

[Ed Deegan]

The XD and its variants are considered ESP division for idpa not SSP division.

But to reiterate the other posters, you have many choices out there.

 

[LoneCoon]

For $700 you could get a gun for each task, provided you look carefully and shop for a deal.

But I'm cheap, and perhaps my advice isn't warranted.

 

[ROVERMAN]

Just starting out, Glock 19 just for the simplicity of it. Once you get better you will be able to see what will work best for you.

 

[Sam1911]

Sig p-239 in 40--DA/SA with decocker...now you have a choice: 8+1 of 9mm or 7+1 of 40 S&W and you can shoot minor or major with the same gun.

You really want to enter serious competition in USPSA Production class or IDPA SSP with a gun that holds two (or THREE) rounds less than your competitors' guns?

That would be a deal breaker, unless you're truly just there for fun and to practice your skills.

The DA/SA trigger system is a personal preference, but I see fewer of them in competition all the time. Lots of folks seem to like having the exact same trigger break for every shot...especially that very important FIRST one.

-Sam

 

[jmorris]

The best game gun won’t make the best carry pistol. I’ll have to agree with others the Glock 19 is a good choice for one pistol that has to play both roles.

 

[RobMoore]

A glock 17 or M&P fullsize isn't difficult to carry, and is great for gaming.
The subcompact versions of both guns can be used, but you're hindering yourself for onlya SLIGHT increase in ease of carry.

$700 will buy you the gun, the holster and mag pouches, and 6 mags (6 is a good number to bring to a match).

Stick with the tried and true when you're new. Its easier, and leaves you to learn the game, and not worry about your equipment.

Go with a Glock 17, M&P 9mm fullsize, or XD 9mm. Other rows are harder to hoe.

 

[ChristopherG]

If you really want to CCW the same gun you play games with--and not many game shooters end up doing this for very long--a Glock 19 will be very hard to beat. The difference in carryability between a 19 and a 17 is significant. The 19 will prove more comfortable for most people, and will, for most people, allow a wider array of clothing options. If you're willing to wear a bulky cover garment all the time, a full size gun is easy to carry; most people aren't willing to adapt to such requirements.

The only modification you would need to be able to shoot a G19 well enough to make significant progress in IDPA or USPSA is a decent set of sights. Again, if you want the gun to do double duty (gaming and carrying), the sights (like the gun itself) will be less than perfect for the game side of things, because you will want night sights. They are not the sights preferred by champions, but they are still pretty good (much better than stock) and certainly good enough for a beginning gamer.

 

[david636]

I’d like to thank everyone for their replies. Based on the input provided here, and a couple of visits to my local gun shop, I’ve narrowed the list to a Glock 19 or a CZ 75 PCR. At this point I’m leaning towards the Glock.

I understand that a gun used for CCW and IDPA/USPSA will probably not be the best game gun, but I’m going to go with the ‘shoot what you carry’ philosophy.

Thanks again,
David

 

[RobMoore]

Having carried both, and shot both in competition:

The difference in carryability between the two is smaller than the difference in gameability between the two.

I didn't have to wear a bulky cover garment to cover a fullsize glock. Just an IWB holster and a button up shirt w/ bottom button undone was what I found easiest.

 

[David E]

The Glocks have a very similar in grip angle to the Ruger .22's you already own.

Either a 19, 17 or 34 will get you started just fine.

 

[Jeff82]

Glock 19. 'Nuff said.

 

[Blind Bat]

Cabelas has LE trade in glock 17 and 22's (9mm and .40cal full sized pistols) on sale for $350 with three mags. The full sized glocks are great SSP/Production guns. The extra $350 will buy a lot extras: holster, mag pouches, trigger kits, sights, practice timer, and AMMOOOOOOO.

 

[n00bish]

Another vote for the Glock 19 as a double-duty handgun. Personally, I would go G34 and G26 if you have the cash to do both.

Having carried both, and shot both in competition:

The difference in carryability between the two is smaller than the difference in gameability between the two.

I didn't have to wear a bulky cover garment to cover a fullsize glock. Just an IWB holster and a button up shirt w/ bottom button undone was what I found easiest.

On a side note, what was the secret to getting a carry permit in MD?

 

[Jed Carter]

I shoot a Glock G34 in USPSA, but I conceal carry and shoot a CZ PCR in IDPA. Glocks do have a lot going for them, cheap and plentiful mags and accessories, I still haven't found a good competition holster for the PCR, but here is a good source for magazines. http://gregcotellc.com Absolutely love the PCR, can't say enough about it, it replaced my 2 SIGs a P232, P239 as my carry weapon. Sunday, USPSA match, my PCR still goes, it goes sverywhere I go, just has to wait in the car this time.

 

[RobMoore]

On a side note, what was the secret to getting a carry permit in MD?

.gov

 

[RH45]

Sig also makes 10 round mags for the 9mm, 239. So, there wouldn't be a dis-advantage there....

 

[jmorris]

Sig also makes 10 round mags for the 9mm, 239. So, there wouldn't be a dis-advantage there....

Many shooters consider a long heavy first shot trigger pull followed by shorter lighter trigger pulls to be a disadvantage.

 

[RobMoore]

I'd say that isn't as significant of a disadvantage as the relatively large gap between the SIGs grip and its slide (a problem they chose not to fix in the P250). You can't get as high of a hold on it as you can with so many other guns.