IDPA Pistol selection

[4handgun]

I'm planning on competing in IDPA and would like any suggestions on a good starter competition pistol that won't break the bank. I already have a loaded Springfield Range Officer 45, Rock Island Armory compact 45, Glock23 40 and a Ruger MarkIII 22LR. Only caliber I don't have (wife does) is a 9mm that I'm leaning more towards since I do reload them.

So if anybody out there competes with a 9mm I would like to know make and why? Appreciate any input. Thanks.

 

[Bozz]

I'd say anything that you can shoot well! My friend shoots a Glock 19 a lot in competition but really has gotten good with his STI Spartan in the single stack division. He is deadly accurate with it, and it is an entry level gun from STI.

 

[ADulay]

I'm planning on competing in IDPA and would like any suggestions on a good starter competition pistol that won't break the bank. I already have a loaded Springfield Range Officer 45, Rock Island Armory compact 45, Glock23 40 and a Ruger MarkIII 22LR. Only caliber I don't have (wife does) is a 9mm that I'm leaning more towards since I do reload them.

So if anybody out there competes with a 9mm I would like to know make and why? Appreciate any input. Thanks.

You've got several guns there that will work just fine.

I've used that Glock 23 you've got from time to time if that's the gun I was carrying that month. I switch out from the G23 to the G30 every few months, depending on how much defensive ammo I've got left from the preceeding months.

No, neither one of those guns is truly competitive as they're both medium/mid sized frames. You'll find the 9mm guns to use fall into the Glock 34 standard and the Springfield Xdm's that everybody seems to show up with from time to time!

If you're brand new to IDPA shooting, just take your 9mm/40/45 carrry gun with you, two spare mags, 100 rounds and shoot the thing while having a good time. Look around what others are using and you'll get the idea of which guns are the "annointed" guns for each classification.

Me? I'm one of those hard core guys who actually shoots his carry gun! What a concept!

Anyway, you'll soon see what most of the good shooters are running and if it happens to fit what you want to shoot, you're home free!!

I shoot that Glock 23 and 34 in SSP and the Glock 30 in CDP.

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[4handgun]

AD, thanks for the encouragement. Yep, you are right about using your carry, that's the whole point of me wanting to get into IDPA.

Especially after watching this video.

 

[BigSlick]

I am a firm believer in shooting what you carry. I use my G22 then run with my G27 during the second gun phase. I even managed to place first during a Steel Challenge match with my G22. Other than a 3.5 pound trigger it's completely stock.

 

[aluminator]

I shot my first IDPA match last month.I used my G17 because a friend let me borrow a holster and mag pouches.I carry a 26.However I bought a Caracal C and will be carrying it and using it in IDPA.

 

[DustyDawg48]

I can't add much more to what has already been posted. Shoot whatever it is that you enjoy shooting the most and can do so safely.

The only thing that is the same for me now after 3 or 4 years of shooting IDPA as it was at my first match is the caliber. I started shooting IDPA with my Springfield 1911 then moved to a Glock 21 and now to my current primary competition and carry gun, the M&P45. Any gun will do as long as you will do! Just need to make sure it is in something 9mm or larger, you have a good safe holster and at least 2 magazines (3 or more is preferred) and about 100-150 rounds of ammo. Shoot a few matches, talk to the shooters about what they carry and use and after several matches then you can decide if changing anything about your current set up is needed. My holsters, belt, mag carriers, cover garment, shoes, hearing protection, eye protection...all of that changed after shooting several matches and getting a chance to really see what my gear did properly and what it did poorly. Going cheap on carry gear is a bad idea and while I am competitive I shoot using my carry holster and my every day belt so I know it works in every day situations and in some that I'd probably never find myself in.

Now run, don't walk, to the nearest match and have a good, fun and safe time!

 

[Dennis1209]

I've been shooting IDPA for about a year now and learned a couple of things to help me be more competitive, but your mileage may vary.

Now and then at our monthly matches we have some steel poppers that a 9 mm just won't punch down to trigger the pop up targets. A couple of guys emptied eleven rounds on target and reloaded and finally dropped it! So IMHO, a .45 cal. is my choice when pop ups are involved.

Another advantage is magazine capable of holding the IDPA maximum (11 rounds). I normally shoot what I carry (Kimber .45 Ultra CDP II) and 7+1 is a distinct disadvantage on many stages.

Even though it's fun to compete, my primary objective is to practice / train with what I normally carry.

However, I'm really looking into the full size Glocks.

 

[4handgun]

Good information, shared experiences and personal opinions...Keep it coming. Thanks everyone for sharing.:smile:leasantry:

 

[ADulay]

Now and then at our monthly matches we have some steel poppers that a 9 mm just won't punch down to trigger the pop up targets. A couple of guys emptied eleven rounds on target and reloaded and finally dropped it! So IMHO, a .45 cal. is my choice when pop ups are involved.

Hmm, that sounds like an improperly "calibrated" popper to me. Every now and then a popper shows up that won't fall after a good 9mm hit. Generally it's because it's been "recalibrated" for some steel or shotgun match the day before.

If guys are hitting the target and it's not falling, fix the steel target!!

I normally shoot what I carry (Kimber .45 Ultra CDP II) and 7+1 is a distinct disadvantage on many stages.

Shoot that Kimber in CDP and you'll only be off by one cartridge.

Even though it's fun to compete, my primary objective is to practice / train with what I normally carry.

Absolutely. That is the main reason I'm in IDPA. Practice and training with my normal carry gun. (And it's fun, too!):biggrin:

AD