Help Choosing a 9MM For IDPA????

[pchicone]

I am looking at purchasing a new 9mm for IDPA & 3 gun competition. Must be less than $500. I have narrowed down my list to the following. Current owners please help me narrow my decision.

1. XD 9
2. SW M&P
3. CZ-75p-01
4. Taurus 24/7
5. Glock 19

Thanks in advance.
Paul :banghead:

 

[sturmruger]

If I were you I would get the XD. I have a XD9 and love it beyond words.

 

[Vitamin G]

If you're playing to win, you have to go glock.

Not because the glock is a superior pistol, but because it qualifies for the stock service pistol division. In my personal opinion, I'd buy a springfield for self defense and target shooting, because IMO, its more comfortable, but you'll be up against 9mm 1911's and hi-powers.

 

[das028]

Glock

 

[jmorris]

the Glock is the best choice from your list; however, a 34 or 17 would be better than the 19

 

[Geno]

Glock, but NOT a 19

The G19 is for cooncealed carry or duty. I believe that you are far better served by a G17C, perhaps a G17L, or G34. I have not owned a G19, but I do like them...a lot! The later Glocks mentioned, the L and 34 are made for target shooting. Regardless of model, and whiile to do like the XD pistols, have owned 3 of them, I would go with a Glock. All the same, wow, you have a difficult decision to make. Please post your decision and what tipped you to that. I too am considering this same matter, and had planned on using my current G17, but perhaps to purchase a new upper that is the G17C barrel and slide. I understand that the follow-up shot capability is far superior when ported (compensated). Then, XDs have that too. Decisions, decisions.

Doc2005

 

[Jim Watson]

Read the rules, Doc, before you spend your money, or Pchicone's.

Glock 17L is too long for the IDPA Box.
Glock 17C has superfluous holes in the barrel, not allowed in IDPA.

G17 or G34 are the basic guns in IDPA Stock Service Pistol.

Most 3-gun is run under USPSA rules and a 9mm P scores at Minor Power Factor which is something of a disadvantage. Shooting straight USPSA Pistol, a Glock enters in Production where everything scores Minor to "level the field."

 

[Gary G23]

Use the one you carry on the street.

 

[lycanthrope]

The XD is a great gun, but listed under ESP class in IDPA rules.....that will put you up against the 1911 guns in 9mm and .38 super.....

Not an easy division to be in.

My vote also goes to Glock.

 

[das028]

I agree with Gary, use the one you carry. While a G17 or a G34 are ideal, I wouldnt be worried about using a G19. Matter of fact if I had to choose one gun for all handgun disciplines, including concealed carry, I would choose a G19.

I actually have a G19, I use as a range/competition gun. Its my only glock and is probably my favorite pistol. Since I live in MD, and I cant carry, I kind of wish I would have gotten an G17 instead, but I'm still happy with my G19.

I put a reduced power striker spring, 3.5 lb connector, polished internals, extended slide stop, reduced power recoil spring (15lb), tungsten steel guide rod, and a set of hienies on it. Now I got myself my own "poor mans race gun" that shoot like a dream. Trigger pull is a 3.5lbs on this guy, so I wouldnt recomend it for carry, but for a range/comp gun, its all I need! For now, at least

 

[armoredman]

CZ...of course.

 

[Vitamin G]

However, the more I think about it, if you're not planning on going glock to reap the benefit of a (in my opinon, horribly biased) division change, have you considered a browning hi-power for ESP? Still a high capacity 9mm, but with the good old iron and wood

 

[Texas_XD]

I'd say XD9.. you can get a trigger job from Springer Precision for fairly low cost and rapid turn around, like back to you in about a week. You can also select from multiple aftermarket sights and you can install a Don's Guide Rod and play about with the recoil springs to match your type of shooting. I know these mods are legal for USPSA, including Production Class, may not be all legal for IDPA. Or have you considered a full size CZ like the CZ85B with ambi controls for those weak hand shooting days?

 

[[email protected]]

If anything was a threat to Glock's utter domination of Stock (Glock?) service pistol, it would have been either moved to ESP (like the XD or H&K P7, or done away with entirely by arbitrary weight limits (like the all-steel Sigs and Berettas, and the Para LDA guns). Go ahead and get yourself a Glock 34 (a gun designed from the very outset as a competiton gun, by the way), get a Dawson fiberoptic front sight and the biggest barn-door adjustable rear you can find, slap a two-pound fire control system in it, and run with the pack. Just don't carry the blasted thing on the street, because it's about as safe as carrying a Colt SAA with the hammer cocked over a live round.

DanO

Who is still very bitter about pretty much every IDPA rule change since the first rulebook...

 

[cliffjr]

I looked at the rules for IPSC and IDPA and notice that IPSC allows the XD in their production class but couldn't find anything stating the class in IDPA. I too am looking for a gun to compete in local competitions but don't want to outclass myself by picking the wrong gun. Why can't the organizations agree on the class since they seem very similiar.

 

[Jim Watson]

IDPA puts XD in ESP along with the Colt Supers because the striker is fully cocked when loaded.

A good deal of IDPA rules and procedures are apparently intended to be clearly different from IPSC on purpose. Making a corporate distinction in what are really two very similar games. You know, sort of like the American League and the Designated Hitter mutation. Probably better to pick one and get used to it instead of whining about it.

 

[Dr.Who]

Go with a Glock 17. You can then shoot it in SSP or ESP. have someone install the Glock 34 triger and you got a good shooter......

 

[The Drew]

For competition go with a CZ 75B or 75BD the BD is the decocker. Both are full size all steel guns, both qualify for SSP and ESP VERY accurate, and point naturally (which glocks don't) and recoil is very light (since it's a full size all steel gun)

I shoot a 75B.

 

[DrKyle1]

IMHO Glock is the way to go, I would discourage against the 19 if you want to be competitive. My girlfriend started with a 19 and did well but I switched her to the 34 and now she is kicking some serious but! You can find G17's for under 500 if you look. Heck I just picked up a used one for $350 (had one mag run through night sites, extended mag and slide release). The 17 is a good bet and the 34 a better choice in a 9mm. Personally I use the 35 (40S&W) in SSP & Production - with reloads it shoots softer than the 34. The next recommendation would be the XD but get the trigger job done and add a mag well for ESP.

 

[tahoeguy]

No Contest - XD-9

The Springfield shoots in ESP, but so what. It's fast, smooth, accurate and very reliable. With a good shooter, it's the others who are at a disadvantage. One other thing. With the XD, all you have to do is draw and squeeze the trigger, the ergonomics of the grip and sights put it on target, the safety system keeps you and others safe and the accuracy puts rounds on the target. With others, for me, you're always worrying about taking off the safety, getting it comfortable in your hand, or having you adjust as the pistol goes from double action to single action. This is especially troublesome when weak hand shooting.

 

[HighVelocity]

I have a G17 that I shoot in SSP and with a Glockmeister magwell installed I shoot it in ESP. I am very happy with it.
My wife just got an XD9 5" (ESP) and I think it's going to turn her around as she was thinking about quitting. She shoots it pretty good.

 

[RioShooter]

Shoot what you carry. To me, IDPA is more than a game.

 

[akanotken]

It's not the arrow, it's the indian

Gun choice ... you just don't want to pick something that slows you down artificially (you haven't mentioned any), and you want to pick something that can be shot a lot (and you have).

Above advice on caliber is solid. If your local 3gun don't score major/minor then 9mm is fine. It is fine for IDPA (tho larger holes can sometimes help). This means cheaper shooting = more shooting. If it does score major/minor you'd be best served with a .40 and a reloader.

Our local "hot rock" continually whipped us with his G26. Since moved on to a beretta. Doubt it really matters what he shoots.

Most would concede that the Ultimate IDPA gamer gun (UIGG) is is a single stack 9mm 1911. Likely the best all around gun (USPSA limited, IDPA ESP, 3 gun with no capacity limits) is a double stack 40 (Glock, Para, STI and a few others). But when you come home defeated, and you are thinking that you got beat by a better gun, you are limiting your own shooting growth.

 

[TonyB]

Like others have said..it depends on why you're shooting IDPA...just for sport..I'd say Glock 17 or 34..if for "trainning" and getting used to shooting you gun for defense,fast and accurately,shoot what you carry(even if it's a j frame)I occasionally shoot my G17,but mostly now I shoot one of my carry guns(Both snub nosed revolvers)Let's just say,with my CCW's I ain't winning anything..but you do get real familiar with you gun,and it's great practice for defensive shooting.

 

[Holshot]

The M&P works great for me. Low axis like the Glock, better grip angle than the Glock, SSP and USPSA legal. It can't compete with Glock for number of shooters, or winners for that matter but you can win with it. Call Chris Stewart at Ready Tactical and ask about the M&P. He'll also get you a great holster in no time...great guy.