Suggestions for a first time gun owner shooting IDPA?

[poof958]

I am a fairly new shooter. I have been shooting in local IDPA matches for over a year using a friends gun. I am now looking to get my own equipment. I intend to learn it inside and out and I have safe gun handling skills as well as a tutor and information source in my friend. I shoot his ruger gp100 and have never had a problem with it. My only issues are an occassional trigger flinch and my own poor accuracy. I like the challange of the revolver but the guys hassle me for the self inflicted handicap in IDPA matches. I know very little about other handguns especially semiauto's.

I want to buy my own gun and there are people suggesting a semi-auto and i would like input and suggestions on either revolvers and semi-autos. I am looking to spend about $300 on the piece and I don't care if it's gently used.

Any reccommendations welcome.

 

[10-Ring]

I watched as a few people competed w/ revolver yesterday during th IDPA I attended. Quite a feet being able to competently use a wheelgun in IDPA (IMHO).
If you're comfortable using a revolver, stick with it. The quickest way to shut all those guys up is to beet them! Go try a few semi autos out there. THere are many fine samples that will serve you well in IDPA. The CZ 75 comes to mind as a good performer at a fair price. You may also wanna shop around for "gently used" 9mm Glocks (specifically a 17, 19 or 34). You may also wanna keep your eyes out for police trade ins.

 

[cratz2]

My best advice doesn't concern a choice of gun, just an attitude. Don't go to a match thinking that you are going to do anything better than come in absolute dead last. If you do better, great! But don't plan on it. Go in with the idea that you are going to get a lot of valuable experience and hopefully a bit of advice along the way. You'll get better with more matches. Almost every single person I've talked with that had bad things to say about their first IDPA match through they'd place well on their first outing.

Now, for gun advice... IDPA is intended to make you better with what you carry. Get what you plan on carrying or having at the house. I'm a 1911 fan and there are many 1911s in use in the IDPA. If you want to carry a Glock, try to get a Glock. If it's a 38 revolver, use that. In the $300 range, I'd probably try to stretch that budget just a bit and get a 9mm CZ or EAA compact. Even though many bash the 9mm, with proper loads it is a very effective cartridge and I would feel very well protected carrying a 9mm I knew well. Plus the 9mm will allow you to shoot a lot of ammo in practice.

 

[Al Thompson]

I started shooting IPSC in the early '80's and IDPA when it first started.

Cratz2 has it right. We have a couple of wheel gun shooters who post times way ahead of most everyone else. Ain't the arrow, it's the indian.

 

[3 gun]

A lot of good to be said for sticking with a GP 100 or similar revolver. As you are exposed to more of the many shooting sports, you will find few that a 357 revolver is any handicap. Plus with a 357 you will find you already have all the gun you need to learn a new game. IDPA, USPSA, IHMSA, steel, pins, hunting, training new shooters, and self defense can all be handled with a 357. I can't think of another gun/caliber that is as versatile or cost effective.

 

[braindead0]

Same here, been doing IDPA for about a year.. both the wife and it are using .357 wheelguns (she's got a Taurus Tracker, me..4" GP-100).

I can usually beat several of the slower auto's in a match. And I'm not all that fast.. The fact it, most of the people I see at these events are there for further practice and fun. There are very few serious gamers.

 

[poof958]

Thanks for the input. I enjoy shooting with IDPA. For me it is only about doing the best that I can do. I am not really all that concerned about the other shooters. But it does give me a reference point to tell how I am doing. There are very few shooters in our club that shoot a wheel gun so I don't really have any sompetition. ALso, I have pretty much exclusive access to my friends gun because he just bought an XD in 40 s/w.

Can anyone recommend models that are reliable and sturdy? I enjoy the GP 100 but for me it is actually a little heavy. also I have no knowledge of semi autos. That is where I really need some information. Also, I need some opinions on the Glocks. I know that they are very popular but I really like the looks of stainless steel. Do they make any in a stainless finish or are they all polymer?

 

[Poohgyrr]

The local club I like to shoot with had 81 shooters at this month's IDPA match. Top revolver guy, as Sharpshooter, came in at 36th if I remember right. In any case, he shoot smoother and more accurately than most other folks. It can definitely be done.

Around here, for $300, the best bet is a good used Smith revolver in 38/357.

Smoothness, accuracy, and reloading skills are three things that should go a very long way in doing well with a revolver. With some dedicated practice, revolvers can be reloaded at least as fast as most folks reload their autos. A lot of smoothness and accuracy can be developed with dry fire practice from the holster at a one inch black dot on a blank 3X5 card taped to a safe wall. Safariland Comp II's have finger grooves that match the cylinder so you can align your fingers & speedloader with the cylinder. This lets you reload smoothly in a fluid motion without any hitches. Start slow to develop muscle memory and speed will come.

The only problem with IDPA & revolvers is their rule that you can only load 6 rounds in the normal stages (the BUG class says five rounds only). One good reason for this rule is to keep IDPA from becoming an expensive equipment game like what happened to some other action sports. Local clubs do have the authority to let you load 7/8 shot L&N frames to capacity at local matches, and you may check into that at your club. An eight shot N frame would be much like an eight shot 1911 .45......

 

[sw442642]

What do you want to get out of it?

Do you want to gameplay and win? Are you practicing your skills for a real world environment?

That's the first decision.

If it is a game gun - then really worry about all the doodads.

If it is a carry gun - then shoot the gun you really really carry and forget about winning as much as improving your own performance.

I shoot SSP because it's my carry gun. I don't carry a Glock 34 or custom 1911.

So start with the basics - is this a game or real useful practice?

Appearance is such a meaningless question - do you care if your brain surgeon is ugly or good looking?

 

[Matthew_Q]

Lots of good feedback here!

Since IDPA is more of a practical type of match, use something that you would either carry, or use for self defense at home. The Ruger GP100 would be a good gun, as mentioned, it's VERY versatile, and it fits in great in another practical aspect. RELIABILITY. 'Accuracy doesn't count for **** when an angel pisses in the flintlock of your musket'. You want something that will go BANG every time you squeeze the trigger, regardless of how accurate it is.

Having something familiar is also a great asset. The best practical shooters will be the ones that are intimately familiar with their equipment... the guys that can reload without even looking at their hands.

For your $300, if you are meaning $300 for your complete rig, you might be severely limiting yourself. Remember you have to buy a holster, magazines or speedloaders, and pouches for the mags/speedloaders. For just the gun, $300 isn't too bad if you want to go with a used revolver. Rugers and Smiths can be had for around or less than that (remember the 4in barrel limit in IDPA, tho!). You might be able to find a used 1911 type gun, maybe a Sistema. The CZ pistols are supposed to be great for not a lot of $$. For an auto, plan on getting four magazines and pouches to carry two of them. For a revolver, you can carry three speedloaders in pouches.

I have shot my 1911 in an IDPA match, and will probably try my revolver next time.