Recommendations on a first IPSC production pistol?

[Swampert]

As this is my first post on these forums, I´ll start with a short introduction. I am 27 years old, and though I live in europe, I have been around guns since my basic army training back in 02-03. I have been a reservist ever since, but a medical condition has rendered me unfit for international duty. Today my gun safe contains my military service rifle (Diemaco C7) and a 'vintage' (Read: old but still serviceable) SxS 12g shotgun that I use for hunting. I love good craftsmanship and engineering, and that love drives me to appreciate anything well made and well designed, be it the watches I wear, the chair Im sitting in, or the guns I shoot.

Some of my friends from the reserve and I has recently joined a pistol club where we have the opportunity to train IPSC, and this is where I need your help! We have agreed to compete in the production class, and everyone but one of them have brought CZ 75 Shadows, though the last one brought a Baretta 92F just to be different, and he is regretting it now. While the CZ is without a doubt a fine handgun, I still feel like I should give some thought to the matter before I make my purchase, and not just buy what everyone else is getting.

There is a few criteria that I need my future handgun to fullfil:
- It must be allowed in IPSC production competitions.
- Local rules dictate that the gun must be 210mm long or longer. A threated barrel can be fitted to extend guns that are a few mm too short.
- The magazine must be capable of containing at least 15 rounds of ammunition.
- For aesthetic reasons, I would like to avoid guns with plastic frames.

So, given these criteria, what pistol would you buy?

I shoot large calibers well, so I am considering to get a gun of a major caliber rather than a 9mm. I am not entirely sure about that choice yet, but feel free to point out guns of both categories.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Mizar]

Swampert, there is a competition sub-forum on THR - maybe your question will be answered better if you post there. As for the pistols - CZ Shadow is one very good pistol, designed especially for IPSC production class. Tanfoglio Stock models are also a very good choice and they are also designed for IPSC. Both pistols do come pre-tuned with everything you need - better sights, light SA and DA, heavy frames and etc. Parts for them are widely available and do not cost much. Both are very reasonably priced and it's easy to resell them once you deside to upgrade your gear in the future. The only drawback of CZ is that it's offered only in 9x19 and 9x21. Good luck with your purchase.

Boris

 

[Jim Watson]

An anti-plastic aesthetic limits your choices.
I own a Sig-Sauer P226 with every allowable improvement by Bruce Gray, I used to own a S&W M5906, and I have tested and studied others like Beretta, Bernardelli, Grand Power GP6, and Walther.
But my old CZ75 ("pre-B") is the most accurate and shootable DA-SA pistol I own or have tried. I don't think you would go wrong with a Shadow.

 

[Philo_Beddoe]

There is a few criteria that I need my future handgun to fullfil:
- It must be allowed in IPSC production competitions.
- Local rules dictate that the gun must be 210mm long or longer. A threated barrel can be fitted to extend guns that are a few mm too short.
- The magazine must be capable of containing at least 15 rounds of ammunition.
- For aesthetic reasons, I would like to avoid guns with plastic frames.

I believe ipsc production rules require a 5lb min trigger pull on the first shot. USPSA does not. Honestly the cz shadow is the perfect gun for ipsc for because of this rule, you get a 7-8lb trigger pull on the first shot and the rest are 3lb. Glocks, XD's, and m&P tend to dominate in the US due to the no minimum trigger weight in USPSA.

If I were you I would just go rent the guns you are interested in and shoot them and pick the one you like.

Adam Tyc, has won that last 2 ipsc world shoots using the cz shadow

 

[Jed Carter]

For production class in IPSC I started with a Glock G34, and I have stayed with it. Cheap and readily available parts, upgrades and magazines are a plus over most of the others. S&W M&P, and CZ SP01 with trigger work are good choices, but for me I shoot the G34 just fine. I added an Apex trigger, and Dawson Precision adjustable fiber optic sights, only my STI 9mm 1911 can out shoot it. Lucky for me, the Glock is so easy to work on, a penguin could take it apart.

 

[1SOW]

With your criteria, CZ SPO1 Shadow,

I understand the new CZ 75 SHADOW LS-P is expected to be 'accepted' by IPSC the end of this month-- very slick pistol. Production class ready with adj sights, pre-B configuration and "ALL" the good features.

 

[Philo_Beddoe]

For production class in IPSC I started with a Glock G34, and I have stayed with it. Cheap and readily available parts, upgrades and magazines are a plus over most of the others. S&W M&P, and CZ SP01 with trigger work are good choices, but for me I shoot the G34 just fine. I added an Apex trigger, and Dawson Precision adjustable fiber optic sights, only my STI 9mm 1911 can out shoot it. Lucky for me, the Glock is so easy to work on, a penguin could take it apart.

G34 is not legal for IPSC production, but is legal for USPSA, since he is in Europe he is shooting IPSC

 

[Swampert]

Thank you for your replies.

You seem to agree that the Shadow is the right gun for the job, but before I make the decision there is a specific alternative that I need your opinion on; The Sphinx 3000 Competition Production. I have never seen one on the range, and I have never heard of any accomplished shooters using the weapon, but I handled one in a gun shop yesterday and I must say I liked the feel of it! It seems to share many design features with the CZ, and the fit and finish is just excellent. Why is this seemingly exquisite gun so underrepresented amongst shooters? And how does it compare to the Shadow?

 

[Mizar]

Swampert, do you seriously want to compare a Sphinx to a four times cheaper CZ? Yes, Sphinx pistols are top-quality, but they do not hit the target by themselves... I don't think that you will find any practical difference in accuracy, reliability and handling between both pistols. You are a new shooter, take it easy - what will happen if you decide that IPSC is not for you? CZ's do sell faster than Sphinx. And bare in mind, that for a serious IPSC shooter the gun is a consumable part of the gear also.

Boris