Good starters gun for idpa

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Mokiloki

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im a young 22 and target shooting is getting boring, once youve found your ranges and groopings to be good. range is practice. So i wanted to get into idpa in my area of san diego CA. ive so far got u22 neos, sig p6 (surpluss), p225 with total makeover, im asking what is a good gun that is under 700$ that will suit me well. and could maybe try some uspsa for it as well. any recomindations

ive heard M&p 9 or .45

RIA 1911

glock 17 not a fan of glock

and the ruger taurs 24/7


any others?
 
Glock is the most popular SSP gun and you can also shoot ESP with one as well. I was never a big fan of the Glock either, until I shot about 500 rounds through one. After that I was convinced that they are something more that just a black piece of soulless plastic !
The biggest reason I stick with a Glock is.... THEY WORK !!! In the last two years shooting IDPA I have shot nearly 20,000 rounds with 2 malfunctions caused by the ammo maker (me). YMMV

No problems shooting USPSA with a Glock either. I shoot one in Production, Limited and Limited 10. A G35 will allow you to shoot IDPA SSP and ESP and USPSA Production, Limited and Limited 10. Lots of options to find which game/division you like the best.

Find a gun that YOU like to shoot and most of all find on that WORKS 100%.
 
You can get started for no gun expense at all.
Your P6 or P225 will do just fine for IDPA Stock Service Pistol.

A good strong side straight draw holster, two mag carriers, three magazines, ammo, eye and ear protection, and some sort of "concealment garment" you have practiced a safe draw from under dryfire, and you are set. Shoot USPSA and you will need more magazines and carriers, but no concealment.

True, you will have to make an occasional extra reload, but that will not make much difference until you are fairly experienced. THEN look at new guns. If you like the Sig-Sauers, I have a P226 worked over by Bruce Gray that is a jewel. If you want a plastic gun but don't like Glock, I favor the S&W Plastic M&P. The XD is ok, but all the Rugers SDs have been recalled. I haven't seen many Taurus on the line.
 
For now, shoot what you have. See what division you want to shoot in, then make a decision on the gun. A Glock 9mm would be fine for Production but will be severely handicapped shooting in Limited 10 or Limited. I shoot in a USPSA match every Sunday and have never seen a 9mm win a match in either of these divisions. 40 cals dominate these two divisions.
 
Shoot the Sigs, you'll be fine. Take all the money you saved by not buying a gun and buy a new keyboad with a shift key. :neener:
 
I shoot both a Glock 17 and 34. Very good and reliable. Another one to look at is the XD-9.

Best advice is to try several different ones and buy the one the you are confortable with.

I also shoot Revolver in IDPA. The grip angle does not bother me when going from a Glock to a revolver. I do notice a difference between the Glock and my 1911's.
 
I like the XD series of pistols. I use an XD45 Tactical for IDPA. Also have an XD9 Service and another XD45 Tactical as a spare.

Great guns.

Glocks are great, too, but feels like a 2x4 in my hand.
 
Use the P6 you already have.


Spend all that money for a new gun on mags, guns, ammo and gear.
 
Initially, shoot what you have.
Then decide whether you want to continue competition and why:
a) to shoot better with your concealed handgun
b) to play the game with a race gun

Of course if you have $700 burning a hole in your pocket, then I've answered the wrong question. :D
 
Mokiloki -

I agree with others here, shoot your 225 for a while and take your time deciding what to get next. Shoot as many matches as you can.

There is actually a fair amount of competitive pistol shooting in San Diego. Not sure where you are located exactly, but we're in the North County and have weekly and monthly matches, as well as links to lots of other regional matches:

Oceanside Practical Pistol Club
 
I agree with Jim - start with what you have. See if you like the sport, talk with people and see what you might like. I'm sure that other competitiors will let you try their gear (say something like - how do you like your xyz. I've been thinking about getting a new firearm, why did you pick that one. They will probably offer to let you try it at the end of the match.)

You might look at the Safariland "custom fit" holsters. They are really a great holster and with the adjustment of 3 screws, fit a number of handguns. (tip, the larger of the two holsters is more flexible. should handle your P6 and will also handle a larger pistol like a full size M&P, Sig 226 or Glock 17).

If you don't buy a 'gun belt' (like from beltman.net or a wilderness belt) consider getting a paddle holster. The paddle will add some stability without adding any cost.

You might also look at the uncle mike's mag carriers - again adjustable.

Oh, if you get into competitions your ammo needs might go up - if you don't plan to reload then a 9mm might be the most cost effective option for you.
 
Sure, you can use your current guns but I have the feeling you're wanting to get something new. With $700, you could get a decent single stack 1911; A Springfield or a Colt would be great. It's the perfect platform to build on over time with a trigger job, better sites, and any other parts you'd like to swap. You can also use it in USPSA Single Stack Division. I'm told there's a great monthly match near San Diego.
 
Does anyone know, off hand, in what class the Charles Daly P-35 clones would compete? I'm assuming that all CD P-35s are in 9x19, and not .40 S&W?
 
Buy a Springfield Armory XD9 Tactical in 9mm. It will come with 2 mags, holster and mag pouch. The only thing you will need to buy is a third magazine and you're ready to start.

The XD's are great guns, and work well in both IDPA and USPSA production division. Buy one, you won't be sorry. Plus, the gun and extra mag shouldn't be much more than $600.00.
 
Mokiloki - I'm also in San Diego and an IDPA member. If you would like to meet up at ASC in Kearny Mesa, just PM me, I'm currently between jobs so I have some free time.

I am a Glock person, so if there is any glock you would like to give a try, just let me know. All I ask is you bring your own factory ammo. I realize glocks are not for everyone, but a LOT of IDPA shooters use them due to cost, ease of parts and maintainence and accuracy.

I also have a Steyr M40A1 which I absolutely LOVE to death! Better grip angle over a glock and a lower barrel axis means less muzzle flip. However, the weapon does not have the aftermarket following Glock has and is nearly impossible to find replacement parts.

Glocks Available:

G19 - 9mm
G21SF - 45acp
G23 - 40sw
G26 - 9mm subcompact
G27 - 40sw subcompact
G32 - 357sig
G34 - 9mm longslide
G38 - 45gap


1911's are the most common weapon in IDPA I think, Glocks come in 2nd, then all sorts of other weapons.

The XD is a fine weapon, but unfortunately for the XD, in IDPA you automatically get bumped into the ESP class (SSP is where Glocks & other non 1911's go) due to the firing pin spring design.
 
Just shoot already.

Shoot the Sig p225, you'll need a holster, mag pouch, and at least 3 mags. Find your local IDPA club and shoot. Everyone is a little nervous their first match. just shoot towards the end, watch how people shoot the stages. Learn the terms (tactical sequence, reload with retention, etc.) and make sure you understand the stage procedures.

I was not a Glock person either until I started shooting IDPA and USPSA. Then I use only Glocks and 1911's. There's all kinds of after market parts for Limited and Limited 10 you can improve the trigger in Production and SSP.

But if you want a new gun and want to justify buying one, the M&P, XD, or Glock will do you fine. During my anti-Glock days, I swore I'd be shooting an XD in competition but I've never had. I started with a Walther P99, they're rare to see in competition but I did fine with it.
 
For a beginner I'd say a Glock 17 or something 9mm because you need to practice to get good and most people can still afford the price of 9mm ammo.

The only reason I don't recommend that people start in CDP or something in 45 acp is because the ammo costs are out of this world.

The only reason I can afford to do IDPA in CDP is because I cast my own bullets and load my own ammo.
 
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