What gun are you running and why for action pistol , idpa , uspsa

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I am just getting started in action pistol having a lot of fun , but wondering what others are running and why

I shot with my carry gun the Ruger LC9 this week for the first time and realized I needed more magazines 3 was not enough then I ran my old S&W M39 had almost enough magazines and it worked well but I am not sure I am cool dropping my 50 year old magazines on the floor , and the first shot DA trigger pull is not ideal but at least I get very good SA trigger after that

I think I will run my S&W 40F for the next meet , but I have never been in love with the trigger on that, but the gears are turning in my head

I am going to get some of the extended mags for the LC9 and run that more because I feel like it is very good practice for the gun I carry most often.

but I think am seeing a new pistol purchase on the horizon but a well researched and reasoned one

[fourarmed]

I did all my action pistol shooting with a 1911 .45. If I were going to do it again, I would choose my M&P .45 without question. I did a trigger job on it, which was the only thing it needed to make it great. Having said that, the magazine capacity of a 9 is an advantage if winning is your goal. I think you are wise to shoot your carry gun, if practicality matters.

[contender1]

I've been shooting USPSA for about 15 years or so. Back then, there were only 3 categories, Open, Limited & Revolver. I had a Springfield 1911 in 45 acp, and shot it in Limited until they came out with Limited 10. I then went with the same gun into L10. I STILL shoot a 1911 45 acp in L10.
Why?
Well, I figured if I was shooting competition where I had to think, move, shoot, deal with different stages etc, it would develop good shooting skills for on the street if I ever, (God forbid) needed such skills. So, I've carried a 1911 daily, and shoot one in USPSA.
I've had just about every malfunction that can happen to a shooter, (the safe ones, none where a case blew up or anything,) to where if I have an issue, I do not hesitate in clearing it or getting it back into use, QUICKLY!
Now we have Production, Single-Stack divisions to where you can do the same as I did. Shoot the gun you carry in competition & compete with your carry gun.
Those are my reasons, and what I carry.
BTW; I now have 5 1911's, as well. Four of them are in 45 acp, & one built for Single-Stack in 40 S&W. I have also acquired a S&W revolver, in 40 S&W, to use in Revolver division, AND allow me to go back to carrying a revolver more often.

[bangerjim]

I thought gun running was illegal????????????????? HA.......ha!

:bigsmyl2:

[Schrag4]

I usually shoot my Ruger SR9c at IDPA. I picked it up used for a good price, and it has been very reliable for me, and I shoot it accurately.

If you're wondering which gun to get, it depends what you're trying to get out of it. The LC9 certainly has a limited magazine capacity, but it's what you carry, so it's good practice if that's why you're there. I'm not really a competitor, but I think I understand that a full-sized gun with a longer barrel generally gives you a longer sight radius and absorbs more of the recoil, and obviously would give you the better mag capacity. That being said, I'm a firm believer that "it's not the arrow, it's the indian". There are plenty of guys I shoot with that have much higher quality guns with longer sight radiuses that I usually beat, and on the flip side there are guys that have malfunctions with their guns that usually beat me. IMO, getting better gear can make the difference between winning and losing if the scores are close, and I realize I have a long way to go before it's close enough to matter. In other words, I'll need a LOT more practice before my gun is what's holding me back - right now it's just my inexperience that's holding me back. At this point in the game, getting better gear would be little, if anything more than simply a distraction for me.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

thanks for the input

Ok I do need magazine holders for my single stack 9mm mags , obviously I am the odd duck out with single stack 9mm , because I have run a bunch of Google searches , with very few options

anyone have any ideas on where to find or order single stack 9mm mag pouches probably going to need hold 4-5 magazines

[Houndog]

I use a S&W M&P 9mm for IDPA. The only changes are an Apex trigger kit and Truglo front sight.

[robertbank]

To the OP you probably know the Glock 34 and M&P Pro are the two most popular pistols used in IDPA. I divide shooters of IDPA south of the border in the following broad groups:

1. Fun factor crowd
2. Competition types
3. I shoot what I carry

Group 1 and 3 make up the largest segment. If we stick to SSP Division I would suggest the Glock and M&P p;atforms in their various iterations dominate the sport and this division. When I shoot pistol I use and have used the following with equal results SS in al five divisions as an aside:

M&P FS, Pro - 9MM
CZ 85 Combat, Shadowline, Shadow - 9MM
Tanfoglio "L" 9MM

Of those the CZ's are easily the most accurate. All are equally reliable. The M&P's are faster to run IMHO bit that doesn't translate into better scores for me.

The guns mentioned can shoot in ESP Division as well....and do.

The 40Cal in IDPA is a bit of a red headed child. Loaded down to 130PF recoil is slightly less but the caliber offers no real advantage in IDPA. Folks who shoot it are most often found in the "shoot what I carry" crowd from my experience.

If you want to really be active in the "competition" crowd go with one of the these (Glock 34, M&P Pro, CZ 75/SP-01 iterations or 85 Combat).

If you really want to have fun get yourself a Ruger GP-100 4.2" Competition or Regular model and come and play with the round bellies. The game is totally different shooting revolver and it is fun.

Take Care

Bob

[MtGun44]

Various 1911s, started with a Gold Cup, moved to a custom Wilson LE Comp .38 Super for a decade or
so, then back to a Kimber 1911 in .45 ACP. Sometimes run a LW Commander in IDPA, or even LW
Officers ACP. Always major caliber.

[lbaize3]

When I shot USPSA I used a pair of paraordinance P16 40s. One was a blue basic model that I built into a limited pistol. The second was a stainless limited model that had grip and trigger work done. I used Para mags with Aradondo mag extensions and extra power mag springs. Both guns ran 20 pound recoil springs. I used handloaded 170 grain hard cast lead boolits that were somewhat over the major power factor and were loaded a couple of thousands longer to ensure flawless feeding. I'd never won a match, but always came in nearer the top than the bottom. I hate that health issues keep me from shooting with the local club any longer. I miss the shooting and the friends I made.

[ShooterAZ]

I shot with a Kimber 1911, moved to a Para Ord P14-45, then back to the Kimber. Reason was to shoot what I carry, and the P14 was too heavy. I also shot a S&W Model 25 in the revolver class.

[W.R.Buchanan]

I shoot my G35 in .40S&W most often, however I also use my G21 .45 and I actually shoot that gun better. Both guns are set up with identical sights, triggers and mag release buttons.

I recently shot my S&W696 .44 Special at one of the local shoots. I found out quickly that I couldn't hit anything D/A, so I proceeded by shooting S/A and hitting all my targets. It was fun but the limitations on that gun are distance and anything beyond 25 yards is pretty safe from me. The S/A trigger pull on that gun is about as good as you can get so hitting targets in the 5-20 yard range was pretty easy as long as I took my time.

Randy

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

During the Clinton Era, I was in a pistol league that used the USPSA rules.
I shot a Ruger P89 (9mm), that was before I loaded(reloaded) my own.
Boy I could really go through the ammo back then :smile:

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I use a S&W M&P 9mm for IDPA. The only changes are an Apex trigger kit and Truglo front sight.

how good is that apex trigger , does it really feel 1911 good

[clum553946]

I shot a Les Baer custom 1911 in 45 ACP in Limited back in the 90's before kids & with good eyesight! I still sucked but it was fun!

[robertbank]

how good is that apex trigger , does it really feel 1911 good

It makes a decent combat trigger pul into an excellent competition trigger pull. The improvement comes mostly from replacing the USB aka striker block. The competition kit includes a different spring kit and sear. I personally don't care for the trigger Apex sells but it obviously is attractive to some. I shoot revolver in competition as well so I am used to the hinged trigger. The Apex trigger is more like a 1911 trigger. I have it installed in my M&P Pro .40cal I use in steel and IPSC matches. The "Duty" kit Apex sells smooths out the trigger but leaves you with a 5#+ trigger which is attractive to those who are concerned about unintended discharges under stress. The "Competition" kit brought the trigger pull on my M&P Pro to a smooth 3.5# trigger pull. Great for competition. Not so great for every day carry I wouldn't think.

Take Care

Bob

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

5# would be very livable my S&W 40F currently had a >10 pound trigger pull I had two 5 pound weights hanging from a string over the trigger and it was almost to where it breaks

[robertbank]

5# would be very livable my S&W 40F currently had a >10 pound trigger pull I had two 5 pound weights hanging from a string over the trigger and it was almost to where it breaks

The USB from Apex will smooth out the trigger, replacing the trigger return spring will reduce your trigger pull as will the sear. If you carry your M&P as well as play with it then go for the Duty Kit. Like I said I don;t think the FSS Apex trigger is worth the coin but some do.

The install is easy, you can do it yourself. If I can do it anyone can.

Bob

[Houndog]

how good is that apex trigger , does it really feel 1911 good

It's not up to 1911 standards but it's head and shoulders above any other da/sa I've ever used. The takeup is still way too long, but the trigger breaks clean at 2 3/4 pounds. I use the full competition kit.

FWIW: my M&P is the standard full size model with no safety or magazine disconnect. Some of the best things about this pistol is it's interchangeable backstraps, ambi slide release and magazine release . You can fit it to anyone's hand and being a lefty the ambi slide and magazine releases are a definate plus.It has NEVER failed to feed anything I've fed it, and never had a FTF or FTE. It will even feed empty cases!

[imashooter2]

I've been a revolver guy my whole life. Last year with the USPSA rule change, I retired my beloved 625 for a 5 inch S&W Performance Center 627. I load it with a Lee 358-150-1R in Long Colt brass which gives me a very short cartridge for quick reloads. The gun works very well in USPSA, ICORE and on steel. I've shot L10 and steel with a 1911 before, but just prefer the round gun.

I don't much care for the rule structure of IDPA. If it was the only game there was, I'd probably play it. However, USPSA and ICORE are readily available around here so I leave it for others.

[mikeingeorgia]

Hey imashooter2, could you explain a little more about the Lee 358-150-1R? I have that mold, and have a few boxes of brand new 38LC brass and I just got the Ruger GP100 Match Champion because I wanted to shoot in the revolver division at a steel challenge match. We generally don't have to reload fast so I was thinking of just using 38 Specials.

[gtgeorge]

I shoot an American Classic 1911 in 45acp since that's what I carry and my son shoots a Bersa 9mm HC as he doesn't carry yet at 15. He shot his first match with it at 13. We have been shooting IDPA and 2-gun and an occasional USPSA match but getting fed up with all the rules involved with IDPA.

[wv109323]

I am not an avid shooter but I belong to a club that caters to USPSA. It seems that the CZ75B platform( with it's variations) is the bees knees of the serious shooters. There are several upgraded versions of this pistols both through CZ and aftermaket companies.
It also seems that the caliber of choice is 9MM. Most shoot their reloads or factory ammo. What I don't understand is none of them collect their brass. The ones that reload buy once-fired brass and load with jacketed bullets and then leave the brass lay. The ones that shoot factory say it is not worth their time to reload 9MM.

[imashooter2]

Hey imashooter2, could you explain a little more about the Lee 358-150-1R? I have that mold, and have a few boxes of brand new 38LC brass and I just got the Ruger GP100 Match Champion because I wanted to shoot in the revolver division at a steel challenge match. We generally don't have to reload fast so I was thinking of just using 38 Specials.

I was at an ICORE match shooting with one of the local Pros, Dave Olhasso, and struggling with my .38 Special reloads when he gave me some advice. Scrap my existing loads and put Starline .38 Long Colt into Hearthco moons. That is the combination he shoots (except he loads a Billy Bullet). I was hesitant, because i just couldn't picture the investment in $7 per moons and new Starline brass as paying off. The .38 Long Colt is only about .125 inch shorter than the .38 Special after all, and my Winchester .38 Special brass was pretty tight in the buck each Ranch Products moons...

Well that year at the ICORE East Coast Championship, I had a just terrible day. Fumbling the loads, ejection hanging up... Yeah, I know that perfect technique won't let the moons hang up. It's just that my perfect technique crumbles under the pressure of a timer. :oops:

Then USPSA changed the rules to obsolete the 625 and my ICORE only 627 became my every match gun.

So I invested in 10 moons and 100 cases and did an experiment. It really is amazing what that little bit shorter and a little less wobble does for consistency in my reloads. I had to track Dave down the next time I saw him and say thank you. He laughed and said "If it didn't make a difference, I wouldn't do it."

The Lee 358-150-1R is a round nose design that seats very deeply in the case and has a crimp groove. The combination makes for a very short OAL (about the same as a .38 Short Colt and Billy Bullet that a lot of the other Pros are shooting). The crimp groove means a smooth profile that never hangs on the case mouth. Pressures are way over .38 Special level to make Power Factor, but I have a .357 Mag revolver and no worries.

That said, for Steel Challenge, a revolver reload on the clock is pretty much the end of your match. Not sure if it is worth the hassle to you.

[imashooter2]

I am not an avid shooter but I belong to a club that caters to USPSA. It seems that the CZ75B platform( with it's variations) is the bees knees of the serious shooters. There are several upgraded versions of this pistols both through CZ and aftermaket companies.
It also seems that the caliber of choice is 9MM. Most shoot their reloads or factory ammo. What I don't understand is none of them collect their brass. The ones that reload buy once-fired brass and load with jacketed bullets and then leave the brass lay. The ones that shoot factory say it is not worth their time to reload 9MM.

The matches I go to we don't expect folks to be digging for cases in the grass. Score, paste the targets and clear the range. Steel Challenge type matches where you stand in one place and they can put down a tarp are a different story...

[Jupiter7]

I run an STI Eagle 2011 .40 for 3gun and occasional action pistol, bowling pin, bullseye, tactical matches. In IDPA before needing higher capacity, I ran an STI single stack 9mm in ESP. I have run single stack 45's with 10rd mags a few times in 3gun. Those who say the Apex kit is as good as a good 1911 trigger are kidding themselves. Quite a few guys I shoot with have'em, a lot better than stock but nothing compared to my 2.5# glass rod break and ultra short reset of my 2011 main comp gun.

[MGD]

For IDPA I have used my 4" Smith M-57 41 mag, 1911 Colt Gold Cup 45 acp, 1911 Colt Delta 10 mm, and a Glock 37 45 GAP. I am thinking about using the 4" Smith 686 this season. Too many choices and not enough matches.

[1911KY]

I mainly run my Dan Wesson Specialist in .45 with 10 rd mags for my local USPSA style stages. I am in the market for a 2011 in .40 at some point.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I mainly run my Dan Wesson Specialist in .45 with 10 rd mags for my local USPSA style stages. I am in the market for a 2011 in .40 at some point.

now a combo gun in 40/10mm would be fun with a second barrel and recoil spring

I have been eyeing up the Rock Island in 9mm/22tcm as an interesting combo , cut down 223 brass to make the 22tcm round , a 1911 trigger and safeties in high capacity 17 round mags

[Gunslingerdoc]

Hmmm...too many guns...for round count I'd have to say G-34. Ive got one I quit counting rounds on after 80K, I did crack a slide on one once, and yes you have to replace barrels and springs periodically but that's it. Ive shoot a sig 228 - fun but I like the glock better., 1911's - start with a standard kimber and have it checked, mag well, new bushing and trigger work....Shoot that for a while then have STI build you a 1911 if that's your married to 1911. Ive shot smiths and rugers for revolver matches. you can get a really good trigger on a ruger with some work, but a smith is easier to do. I even played with an SD competition model in 45 for a bit - nice gun. Oh yeah and I spent one year shooting a custom Browning High power for fun. Ive shot master with all of them and truth be told, it comes down to having a decent gun and lots of range time. One of the secrets is to stay away from the gun of the month club...when your buddies 'new' uber pistol shoots like a ray gun of ninja death in your hand don't run out and buy one. instead realize, your probably being more careful and working the fundamentals better because its an unfamiliar pistol...save your money for ammo and get your mental game dialed back in.

[mikeingeorgia]

Thanks for the info!

[sewerman68]

My pistol in 3 gun is a CZ pcr with a cajun trigger.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

My pistol in 3 gun is a CZ pcr with a cajun trigger.


thankyou very much cajun trigger is what I needed to know to search CZ upgrades

so my thinking is things I need to feel in my quest

I need to hold and a G17 or 22 , a M&P , a 1911 , a 2011 , a CZ75 , and a CZ P-09

I have to say much of my experince / frustration with owning less common pistols is finding holsters , parts and accessories , and there is some appeal to talking the easy parts patch with a glock , that said I didn't like the last one I shot but that was years ago so ther need another try before I can cross them off my list , the M&P seems to be gaining serios traction in action pistol sports and it's parts availability are getting much better , well 1911 104 years of parts and accessories all basically interchangeable has a lot to be desired 2011 I need to know more but it appears holsters are the same as the 1911 , then the CZ well read and hear very nice things about them but can't say I have ever tried one.

I am ordering the spring kit for my S&W SW40F and will run that and my ruger for now

the LC9 is good practice but it's like running a Chevette in a stock car race , some times you want to just play with something a bit faster

hopefully the kit will help the SW40F and its wicked heavy trigger pull , I hung 12 1/2 pounds on the trigger , then jiggled it and couldn't get it to release , so 15#+ trigger , with a bunch of over travel , even NYC cops get lighter triggers than that

keep teh names of aftermarket parts and accessories places coming , some of these you just can't search unless you have a hint on the name to search , something about Google being any gun or something one site made reference to

[coleman]

132813132814132815
I started IDPA with a HK USP 9mm it has been a lot of fun but the new rules for idpa I don't care for! I have a lot more fun in 3-gun and USPSA matches. Here is a STI EDGE in 40 S&W that I flat topped and put serrations on frame for my left thumb to ride on, I need to get the barrel throated for lead, I need to finish all the small stuff up and get a finish on it. The range I shoot at is small and a lot of fun I don't have time to go to big matches.