I am considering purchasing another 9mm that will serve double purpose as my carry gun and for competition. I would probably shoot SSP and maybe ESP IDPA with it. Right now I think the CZ75 PCR a contender and I can get one for under $400.00 bucks. I have also handled a FNP-9M but I was unable to shoot it. It seems like a sweet little gun. My local pawn shop also has an Armscor polymer framed 9mm 1911 that I am a little tempted by. I can probably get that one for under $400 too. I know there a lot of other good options out there like Glocks, Sigs, etc......But I'm a married guy with three kids and I'm on a budget. Do you have any experience with any of these weapons?
Good 9mm for IDPA and CCW?
- Thread starter jon_in_wv
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I've shot a friends CZ. It seemed like a great pistol, just not for me. I shoot a 92fs in IDPA and carry the same regularly. I got it new for around 550. I've seen used models in the low 400's if it's something you'd like to try. Naturally I can't sell you on something you haven't held or shot, but it is an alternative to consider.
I'd go for the CZ75 SA.
10-Ring
Member
Personally, I would recommend just shooting what you already have and then decide how to improve your game gun after you get a taste of competition. Me I decided that I can go w/ any of my guns & do okay w/ IDPA. For me it's about having a good time & maybe learning something new while I'm out. I've shot my USP's, 92fs', 92fs and my Glock 19 in IDPA.
I've decided to use my Glock 19 in IDPA. It just seems to be a better game gun for me
Have fun!
I've decided to use my Glock 19 in IDPA. It just seems to be a better game gun for me
Have fun!
weregunner
Member
Ruger P95DC or its new replacement . Prices on older but new P95s are going down from checking the internet online stores and Shotgun news.Mec-gar mags are reliable and cheaper than factory ones.Mecs don"t cost as much as others at most sights I"v visited.Ordered 3 through mu local gunshop at $19.00 per.
armoredman
Member
CZ, all the way.
critter
Member
I have one I carry a lot and I shot it in an IDPA match the other day (my first). I did quite well-considering my first match-with it and could not fault the gun at all. It is a CPO SIG 229. Compact enough for carry and with the heavy milled slide, it is great for fast-recovery shooting. YMMV
Gary G23
Member
The CZ PCR has a cast alloy frame. While I'm sure it is adequate for a carry gun, if you plan on using it for IDPA competition you might experience premature wear if you shoot as much as I do.
The CZ SP-01 is not IDPA legal.
I would either consider the P-01 which has a forged alloy frame or one of the steel framed CZ's that are lighter than the SP-01.
I would also consider the Springfield XD-9, although you would have to shoot it in ESP class.
The CZ SP-01 is not IDPA legal.
I would either consider the P-01 which has a forged alloy frame or one of the steel framed CZ's that are lighter than the SP-01.
I would also consider the Springfield XD-9, although you would have to shoot it in ESP class.
If this is a dual purpose gun, then make the CCW portion the priority. Don't buy anything you haven't shot and know you can shoot well -- your life might depend on it!
There are lots of good guns in the $400 range - although you might need to consider used depending on the brand/model you want. Have you thought about how you will carry -- IWB, OWB? How hard will it be to conceal a pistol with your frame size? Skinny, 5'2" guys have a hard time concealing a full size 1911. On the other hand, I've seen guys that could hide an M1 Garand in their pants and no one would know it! Your body type and holster choice may drive some of your options for your pistol.
Right now, my two carry weapons are a Walther P99 and a Beretta PX4. I would highly recommend you consider the PX4. It's right at the edge of your price range ($420-$450) but well worth the money. I wouldn't recommend paying the $500-$600 to get a Walther when you can have a PX4 for much less. The pistol conceals very comfortably (I'm 6 ft, 220 lbs with some "love handles"). I carry in a Comp-Tac Pro Undercover IWB holster and spend 2 1/2 hours a day in the car with no discomfort with either pistol. By comparison, carrying my Sig P228 in the same style holster was a constant pain in the back and I stopped after a couple of tries. The polymer frames on the Walther and Beretta make a big difference -- the Sig was just too heavy.
Another option would be a used Glock 19. Glocks are pretty reliable used guns -- they're almost indestructible. Again, you need to try one and see how it fits your hand and how you shoot it. No sense spending $400 on a pistol if you can't hit anything with it!
I have 3 CZ's, but not a PCR or P01 so I can't comment on them. I can tell you that the P01 didn't fit my hand as well as the full size. (That's not a problem for me with the PX4 -- the interchangeable backstraps make it easier to customize the gun to your hand.)
Any of the above pistols would be competitive in IDPA - but I still recommend that you get the gun to meet your carry needs first. Odds are that whatever you end up with will work just fine for competition, too.
Good luck!
Jim
There are lots of good guns in the $400 range - although you might need to consider used depending on the brand/model you want. Have you thought about how you will carry -- IWB, OWB? How hard will it be to conceal a pistol with your frame size? Skinny, 5'2" guys have a hard time concealing a full size 1911. On the other hand, I've seen guys that could hide an M1 Garand in their pants and no one would know it! Your body type and holster choice may drive some of your options for your pistol.
Right now, my two carry weapons are a Walther P99 and a Beretta PX4. I would highly recommend you consider the PX4. It's right at the edge of your price range ($420-$450) but well worth the money. I wouldn't recommend paying the $500-$600 to get a Walther when you can have a PX4 for much less. The pistol conceals very comfortably (I'm 6 ft, 220 lbs with some "love handles"). I carry in a Comp-Tac Pro Undercover IWB holster and spend 2 1/2 hours a day in the car with no discomfort with either pistol. By comparison, carrying my Sig P228 in the same style holster was a constant pain in the back and I stopped after a couple of tries. The polymer frames on the Walther and Beretta make a big difference -- the Sig was just too heavy.
Another option would be a used Glock 19. Glocks are pretty reliable used guns -- they're almost indestructible. Again, you need to try one and see how it fits your hand and how you shoot it. No sense spending $400 on a pistol if you can't hit anything with it!
I have 3 CZ's, but not a PCR or P01 so I can't comment on them. I can tell you that the P01 didn't fit my hand as well as the full size. (That's not a problem for me with the PX4 -- the interchangeable backstraps make it easier to customize the gun to your hand.)
Any of the above pistols would be competitive in IDPA - but I still recommend that you get the gun to meet your carry needs first. Odds are that whatever you end up with will work just fine for competition, too.
Good luck!
Jim
Rumor is they are coming out with a compact version of the px4. I may consider it as well. Any gun I buy must be a capable CCW first. But if I can't shoot it well enough for IDPA then I wouldn't consider it to be a capable CCW. (opinion)
I carry a FEG PJK-9HP as my winter carry gun. I will probably shoot ESP with my FEG to start. I would like a gun that I can carry and shoot SSP with. I want to compete against the Glocks. I can use my FEG for ESP.
I carry a FEG PJK-9HP as my winter carry gun. I will probably shoot ESP with my FEG to start. I would like a gun that I can carry and shoot SSP with. I want to compete against the Glocks. I can use my FEG for ESP.
jon_in_wv said:
Yeah -- there's talk about a winter release. But now that I've carried my full-size PX4, I'm not so excited any more. I've yet to find a compact gun (CZ, Walther, Glock) that I shoot as well as the full-size or fits my hands as well. So given the fact that the PX4 is very concealable and comfortable, I'm not as interested in a compact version anymore. Who knows - the Beretta may be the exception that disproves the rule....but in the meantime I'm happy!
Jim
I don't necassarily need a compact but I don't really like a really large gun either. I was really stoked by the px4, for example, until I handled it. It is a really large gun! Its really thick around the muzzle, which I think it would make it a little less comfortable to carry and the decocker is so high above the grip I can't comfortably reach it without shifting my grip. It seems like a neat gun though. The action is soooooooo smooth.
My HP is really slim, especially on the muzzle end. Its way more comfortable to carry than some of the other blockier guns I've had. I'm mostly looking for a gun that is as comfortable to carry as my HP but has a DA/SA mechanism. If I got the CZ compact I would also have the option of carryin cocked and locked if I so desired.
And I hate this whole "light rail" fad too. Less=more for me when it comes to my guns.
My HP is really slim, especially on the muzzle end. Its way more comfortable to carry than some of the other blockier guns I've had. I'm mostly looking for a gun that is as comfortable to carry as my HP but has a DA/SA mechanism. If I got the CZ compact I would also have the option of carryin cocked and locked if I so desired.
And I hate this whole "light rail" fad too. Less=more for me when it comes to my guns.
ryoushi
Member
You can never have too many...
Glock 17s. They're like flashlights.
Glock 17s. They're like flashlights.
Why not just stick with G19 mags, since IDPA rules dictate a maximum of 10 rounds in the magazine. If you want to keep your 15 rounders in good working order, find some cheap 10 round mags and abuse them to your heart's content.
weregunner
Member
Have you handled the Ruger 93,94,or 95. Ruger 93 and 94s are steel frame guns.P95s are polymer.They are in the area between full size and compact autos.Price is in the ball park of what your looking for. And all in 9mm.though the P94 can be had in 9 or 40. Triggers are smooth and consistent for the pull.Big is not something to describe these pistols.Rugers are not any blockier than other types.Since you are comparing size take close look at rugers and compare accordingly.
weregunner
Member
Addendum to the above on IDPA
Criterion changed for IDPA.Found out the hardway this year.:banghead:There must be 1 round in the chamber and the magazines loaded with 10.That means loading 1 in chamber,drop magazine,add 1 round to magazine or to capacity.reinsert magazine. Or, insert magazine.Then take one Barney Fife bullet and insert thru open ejection port. No way! 
Bought 6 Mec-gar 15 round magazines. Cheaper than factory mags and just as reliable in my humble opinion .Never looked back! Otherwise things would be looking hunky andria doria.
Criterion changed for IDPA.Found out the hardway this year.:banghead:There must be 1 round in the chamber and the magazines loaded with 10.That means loading 1 in chamber,drop magazine,add 1 round to magazine or to capacity.reinsert magazine. Or, insert magazine.Then take one Barney Fife bullet and insert thru open ejection
port. No way! Bought 6 Mec-gar 15 round magazines. Cheaper than factory mags and just as reliable in my humble opinion .Never looked back! Otherwise things would be looking hunky andria doria.I don't believe states you HAVE to have ten rounds in the magazine after all you can compete with single stack guns that don't hold 10 rounds. The 10+1 is a maximum capacity but they require you start the string with a fully loaded mag and one in the pipe. IE..You load 11 in you mag then champer a round or you chamber a round, then remove your mag and top it off.
Also, the agency I work for has used Rugers (89,94,95) for the last ten+ years. I would never buy a Ruger auto. They are ok for the average shooter but I don't think they are in the same league with the guns I mentioned. I know a dozen people are going to say otherwise. It is merely my opinion.
Also, the agency I work for has used Rugers (89,94,95) for the last ten+ years. I would never buy a Ruger auto. They are ok for the average shooter but I don't think they are in the same league with the guns I mentioned. I know a dozen people are going to say otherwise. It is merely my opinion.
You must load to maximum capacity - so if guys use 10-round mags they have to go through the "Barney shuffle". It's just easier (as long as you don't live in California!) to use a standard capacity mag and load 11 like you said. Psyopspec suggested buying 10-rd mags, which would be a hassle.jon_in_wv said:
I'm a Ruger fan, but even I can't agree with this one. I have both a P89 and P93. They are blocky -- even compared to my Glocks. And the P93 is nearly as big as the P89...which is a big gun. I have a side-by-side pic of them on my webpage, here: http://users.adelphia.net/~navy87guy/ruger.html I think the P93 could be carried, but the very large controls would make it more difficult.wererunner said:
Jim
Gary G23
Member
jon,
You didn't mention the SP-01 but TC-TX did. Read this:
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/980108656
You didn't mention the SP-01 but TC-TX did. Read this:
http://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/430601935/m/980108656
MCgunner
Member
Glocks are good game guns, but I prefer DA. I've shot Rugers mostly in IDPA, but even shot my Kel Tec P11 a few times. It's just how you look at IDPA. For me, I care less about winning the match and more about the practice, the scenarios and shooting them properly, accuracy and speed with what I carry, becoming more and more confident in my firearm and skills, and such. Glocks are the better gun in the stock class for most who can't handle that DA first pull, but I prefer carrying DA and I shoot DA well. I had a P95 for a while, found a deal on a P85 from a friend (nearly new and 200 bucks) that had two 15 round mags (this was right after the mag ban) so I switched to the P85 and carried with the big mags, loaded 10 rounders for games (as someone suggested). I bought three more aftermarket mags for that P85 and put Wolf 10% over springs in 'em. I now have 76 rounds of firepower should I wanna carry it, though two spare mags seems like overkill.
I agree with MCGunner on my reasoning for competing in IDPA. I already carry a FEG PJK-9HP that I have one a local match with. I shoot it about as well as anything I've ever had. I'm interested in getting a lighter, more compact gun that I can fill the dual purpose of carry and competition like my HP. I carry it mostly in the colder months but I'll be moving to Alabama in a while and I don't think I'll carry it much when I get there. I prefer a DA/SA pistol. I don't want a Glock. I've shot a bunch of them and I would feel comfortable with one, but I don't want one.
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