Newbie needs advice

[m9a1_mike]

Hi,

I am trying to decide on which caliber my next handgun should be and need some advice. I would like to be able to compete in as many organizations (IDPA, IPSC) and divisions as possible until I find one that I like, and that likes me I've been told that for competition 40S&W is the caliber I want and others have told me to go with .45.

I've shot a Sig 226 in 40S&W and did well with it right out of the box. Much better than with my Beretta M9A1. However, I have fairly small hands and believe I could do better with a 1911 frame. So, will a .40 caliber let me shoot in a variety of competitions without a lot of modifications? In this caliber I'm looking at an X-5 or STI. Or, do I go with a .45 since that seems to be the best caliber for a 1911, like lightly used Kimber, Les Baer, STI?

Thanks for your help.

Mike

 

[VARifleman]

A 1911 in .45 will allow you to compete in CDP in IDPA, and single stack or limited 10 in USPSA. A double stack .40 will do well in SSP or ESP in IDPA or Production (if it's on the list, check on their website) or limited or limited 10 in USPSA. You may even be able to mod that to open, but will be at a disadvantage due to capacity, however, with a 140 and 170 mag, you're going to be doing a mag change somewhere on the long course regardless of 9 or .40, but .40 will push it sooner, and on the medium ones some 9s can run all the way while a .40 will have to reload.

 

[Jim Watson]

As said, a 1911 pattern .45 will get you into IDPA CDP or USPSA L-10 or SS.
For IDPA SSP or USPSA Production, I like the Smith & Wesson Plastic M&P 9mm but there are an awful lot of Glocks out there.

There are a lot of other choices, the sanctioning organizations are trying to be The Big Tent with a division for nearly anything. But the targets and the stages are the same, so you can get your fill of shooting without much trouble.

CAUTION: That is NEARLY anything. IDPA is a bit restrictive due to their philosophy and definition of a reasonable carry weapon. The Sig-Sauer X-Five does not meet IDPA requirements. The L-1 and Comp are too heavy and even the aluminum Tactical does not fit The Box. An STI 2011 would be good IF you pick the Eagle with bushing barrel (I have a simlar buildup), an STI Edge is very popular in IPSC but not allowed in IDPA.

Read the rules or ask someone who does before you spend money.

 

[m9a1_mike]

< An STI 2011 would be good IF you pick the Eagle with bushing barrel (I have a simlar buildup), an STI Edge is very popular in IPSC but not allowed in IDPA. >

That is exactly one of the STIs that was recommended -- a 5.0 Eagle in .40S&W w/ bushing barrel.

I'm leaning in that direction but as you said -- I'm asking around and researching as much as possible before I spend that amount of money, esp. since they don't seem to show up in the classifieds. I guess those who buy them, keep them.

Thanks Jim and VARifleman.

 

[R. Deckard]

One other thing to consider is the cost of ammo. Unless you are going to reload, 9mm is less expensive than the 40 or 45. If you really get into competition, you could be shooting 100 to 200 rounds a week. I shoot IDPA for the most part and I know 9mm is a disavantage to USPSA because it doesn't make power factor. Just something to consider. Hope this helps.

 

[m9a1_mike]

Ray -- I have thought about that. I haven't done any reloading but I may have to factor that into the overall cost eventually.

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to using 9mm in IDPA?

 

[Jim Watson]

How much IDPA or IPSC shooting have you done so far? Enough to know you are interested and will stay with it? A STI Eagle .40 would be a suitable choice for IDPA ESP and IPSC Limited, but it would be a terrible waste if you did not enjoy the sport(s).

Gun caliber and power factor are set by Division in IDPA, not scoring as in IPSC. A single action 9mm would be an ESP, a double action a SSP with no change in scoring. Ammo would be cheaper but you would be at a disadvantage on Major-Minor scoring in any IPSC Division but Production.

 

[m9a1_mike]

Not much -- a few weekends over the past several mos. Enough to know that I will enjoy it. Perhaps a better question is can I afford it ?

If I factor in reloading equipment I would really be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g my budget with an Eagle. Perhaps I should be looking at a Para Ord .40S&W instead???

 

[Jim Watson]

I have no experience with .40 caliber anything or any P-O and cannot make a recommendation there.

I was shooting IDPA CDP yesterday with a .45 built on Caspian slide and frame by a local shop. It used to be my USPSA L-10 gun before I went almost entirely to IDPA. Similar guns are available from most makers these days, but I just don't know enough to plug any one brand. You can see any given make both panned and praised on the Internet, such is mass production.

If I were just starting out, I think I'd get something in the SSP/Production category and have money available for ammo or components, equipment, and entry fees instead of tying it up in an expensive gun.

 

[Morgan]

If money's tight, pick up your favorite 9mm and shoot Production. If you get into it, you'll end up with a Dillon press (which you'll need before an STI or similar pistol) and all sorts of other equipment.

You'll know when it's time to move to Limited (by your scores and your budget). Some of the best shooters I know have chosen to stick with Production, and I'm probably setting up my own Production rig soon... Fun, cheap (cheaper than Limited/Open, anyway), and the competition in these parts is tough.

 

[VegasOPM]

+1 on a 9mm for USPSA (not IPSC) Production and IDPA SSP. They are cheap to shoot and have less recoil. I suggest to most new shooters to consider one of the polymer 9mm's to start (Glock, Springfield or M&P). They are all cheap and extremely competitive in capable hands.

 

[IDPA.ALEX]

XD9 Tactical

You should look at the XD9 tactical....IDPA- ESP div., simular size as the 1911, SA, 5 in. barrel, cheap to shoot, all the brass you need (if you reload), you can get mags. for $20 and less than $600 bucks. USPSA- LTD and LTD 10. In the LTD div. you have 16 round mags. LTD 10 you can get 10 rounders or maybe just load the 16's to 10.. Very sweet shooting gun. I installed a Powder River Precision trigger kit and a pistolgear mag. well on mine. I am thinking of getting another one as a backup. The one I have now is two tone (black slide Olive Drab green frame). The next one will be all black. Better than a Glock! I have been shooting in the CDP Div. with a CZ 97B and it can be shot in the ESP divisons and the SSP div. because of it being DA. But, this is a big gun and you would have to have at least medium size hands and it is still a long reach in DA. I also use a 1911 in 4in. barrel every now and then. By the way my CCW is a XD9 SC, never leave home without it....