What pistol to shoot?

BoogieMan · April 28, 2012, 05:47 PM

I am about to pop on a DW 1911 Specialist in 45 cal. But before I drop $15 of my hard earned cash I want to ask the question. Especially in NJ its not that easy to just go grab another pistol if the one you own isnt right.
My first thing is to get a comfortable pistol. 1911's fit my hand well and they couldn't be more popular or iconic.
Will it give me the option to shoot any competition I want?
Should I be looking at 9mm vs 45?
Should I explore other platforms like the Glock?
Money is not really an issue for me, getting money away from my wife is. So I set a budget max about $1500 msrp.

Jim Watson · April 28, 2012, 06:23 PM

"any competition I want" covers a lot of ground.
The CZ www does not have a lot of hard data on the Specialist.

For the matches I know about:

What does it weigh? IDPA CDP maximum is 42 oz, USPSA Single Stack maximum is 43 oz, both with empty magazine in place.
How long is the searchlight rail? USPSA Single Stack maximum is 3.25" from the rear edge of the slide stop pin. IDPA may MAY be fixing to adopt a similar limit.

If it does not qualify for either of those natural homes for .45 ACP, it would be a passable USPSA Limited-10 gun.

Will it hold the 3.36" ten ring of the NRA target at 50 yards?
Will it hold the 4x6" ten ring of the PPC B27 target at 50 yards?

I suggest you read up and hang around some matches to see what looks interesting and what is being shot before you spend money on a new gun in a repressive jurisdiction.

Manson · April 28, 2012, 07:17 PM

It sounds like it would be a good idea to visit the various organizations web sites and become familiar with the rules prior to the purchase.

BoogieMan · April 29, 2012, 10:24 AM

I checked the rules on USPSA, IDPA, IPSC and they all are allowing most any mainstream pistol between .38 and .45.
I wont be buying another for a quite a while so I dont want to buy one that is a limiting factor. I shoot the .40 Beretta out to 29yds pretty good IMO. I am not going to win any tournaments without a lot more rounds through the chamber.
I am asking the question because after some thought I dont see any reason to choose a 45 over a 9. 9 however is considerably cheaper to shoot. So many guys on this forum are Block advocates its starting to wear on me a bit and I have considered the 34 vs a 1911. But I am not a fan of plastic guns and have not yet shot a 34. Trying to get up to a range that has some rentals today.

Manson · April 29, 2012, 10:37 AM

Boogie I didn't intend my earlier post to seem dismissive. I am sorry if you took it that way. What I was trying to say was it would be a good idea to find out what competitions are available to you. What type is going on in your particular area and then research those rules at their online site.

If you are concerned about caliber alone then I suggest 9mm. Simply because they will be less expensive to practice with. Once you know what orginazation you will be competing in you can make a more informed decision. But most groups have category's for stock weapons. And many people use their carry guns.

Jim Watson · April 29, 2012, 04:56 PM

Quote:

I checked the rules on USPSA, IDPA, IPSC and they all are allowing most any mainstream pistol between .38 and .45.
I wont be buying another for a quite a while so I dont want to buy one that is a limiting factor.

What is ALLOWED and what will not be a "limiting factor" are not the same thing.
A single stack 1911 .45 ACP derivative is ideal for IDPA CDP and pretty good for USPSA Single Stack. Assuming it makes weight and fits The Box. As I said, it would do for USPSA Limited-10 but not ideal.
The same thing in 9mm would get you into IDPA ESP - my game, my gun - but while you could shoot it in USPSA SS or L-10, the minor power factor scoring of its cheap ammo would be a competitive disadvantage once you acquired some skills.

If you want to shoot 9mm in USPSA, best get a gun that will enter in Production where all are scored alike. That means DA-SA, DAO or Gimmick Trigger (Glock, Plastic M&P, XD.) The same gun will fit into IDPA SSP (Except the XD which is ESP.)

Or just shoot your Beretta for a while until you see where you want to go. A year's supply of .40 versus 9mm won't break you if you can afford competitive shooting in the first place.

Oh, by the way; there is hardly any IPSC shot in the USA, don't study their rules, you will just get confused by the differences from USPSA.

Jesse Tischauser · April 29, 2012, 09:53 PM

I'd get an STI edge in .40 or 9mm. Most popular gun in USPSA and 3 gun. Next choice would be a Glock 35 or 34

Jim Watson · April 29, 2012, 11:57 PM

If he had an STI Eagle .40 instead of the Edge he could get in USPSA Limited and IDPA ESP with no compromises.

BoogieMan · May 2, 2012, 12:46 PM

I dont know what the hell that last comment was all about.
But back to the pistol choice. It just isnt easy to come across a good quality steel 9mm. Everything out there is a polymer. Not that they are bad, just not my choice.
I did find a Browning High Power in 9mm with adjustable sights. So my question is would this limit me in any competitions? Its a double stack 13rnd. I know there are some specific single stack classes that for obvious reasons it doesnt qualify. Is that just a class within the competition?

Jim Watson · May 2, 2012, 02:11 PM

A Browning will get you in IDPA ESP. You can even take out the magazine disconnector now, which will help the trigger pull and simplify the Unload and Show Clear at the end of the stage.

It would probably be best off in USPSA for Limited-10. The minor caliber would carry a scoring disadvantage. Unless you can shoot all A zone hits (bullseyes.)

Do you have a range in the area that holds either IDPA or USPSA matches?
It would pay you to go look around and get acquainted.
It would also be a good idea to read the rules for those organizations.

BoogieMan · May 2, 2012, 06:26 PM

Thanks a milion for the info. My club is South Jersey Shooting Club. They I dont have the list of what they host at there range. For now I will be shooting club plinking chalenges and some club steel events. My skills are not worth the entry fee in anything more than that. I will read up on the rules as you suggested. Thank you for answering my questions. As a beginnner I wanted to pick up the least expensive localy available quality piece I could. It doesnt sound like it will place many if any limits on my competition until I improve vastly.

warningshot · May 3, 2012, 02:49 AM

1911 in anything other than 45acp! Some States have laws against doing such things. Havn't you heard of the thought police? Okay. I admit it. I had a 1911 built in 9X19. I am so ashamed.

Jim Watson · May 3, 2012, 08:14 AM

Quote:

My club is South Jersey Shooting Club.

I looked on their www site.
They have a "Club championship challenge" this Saturday; I don't know what that is but it would be worth checking out. Maybe NRA Conventional, bullseye shooting.
IDPA is next Saturday, 12 May; and Steel is Sunday, 20 May.
They do not offer USPSA that I see.
Your homework assignment is to BE THERE and get acquainted.

April 28, 2012, 05:47 PM	#1
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	What pistol to shoot? I am about to pop on a DW 1911 Specialist in 45 cal. But before I drop $15 of my hard earned cash I want to ask the question. Especially in NJ its not that easy to just go grab another pistol if the one you own isnt right. My first thing is to get a comfortable pistol. 1911's fit my hand well and they couldn't be more popular or iconic. Will it give me the option to shoot any competition I want? Should I be looking at 9mm vs 45? Should I explore other platforms like the Glock? Money is not really an issue for me, getting money away from my wife is. So I set a budget max about $1500 msrp.

April 29, 2012, 09:53 PM	#7
Jesse Tischauser Senior Member Join Date: June 26, 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 209	I'd get an STI edge in .40 or 9mm. Most popular gun in USPSA and 3 gun. Next choice would be a Glock 35 or 34 __________________ My Forum: www.BoomerShooter.com, My Videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/jessetischauser Accurate Iron 2011 \| Accurate Iron Benelli M2 \| Stag Arms Model 3G \| Accurate Iron Glock 34 \| Accurate Iron Glock 35 \| Red Neck Tactical Nova \| Stag Arms Model 3

April 28, 2012, 06:23 PM	#2
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,544	"any competition I want" covers a lot of ground. The CZ www does not have a lot of hard data on the Specialist. For the matches I know about: What does it weigh? IDPA CDP maximum is 42 oz, USPSA Single Stack maximum is 43 oz, both with empty magazine in place. How long is the searchlight rail? USPSA Single Stack maximum is 3.25" from the rear edge of the slide stop pin. IDPA may MAY be fixing to adopt a similar limit. If it does not qualify for either of those natural homes for .45 ACP, it would be a passable USPSA Limited-10 gun. Will it hold the 3.36" ten ring of the NRA target at 50 yards? Will it hold the 4x6" ten ring of the PPC B27 target at 50 yards? I suggest you read up and hang around some matches to see what looks interesting and what is being shot before you spend money on a new gun in a repressive jurisdiction.

April 28, 2012, 07:17 PM	#3
Manson Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Posts: 118	It sounds like it would be a good idea to visit the various organizations web sites and become familiar with the rules prior to the purchase.

April 29, 2012, 10:24 AM	#4
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I checked the rules on USPSA, IDPA, IPSC and they all are allowing most any mainstream pistol between .38 and .45. I wont be buying another for a quite a while so I dont want to buy one that is a limiting factor. I shoot the .40 Beretta out to 29yds pretty good IMO. I am not going to win any tournaments without a lot more rounds through the chamber. I am asking the question because after some thought I dont see any reason to choose a 45 over a 9. 9 however is considerably cheaper to shoot. So many guys on this forum are Block advocates its starting to wear on me a bit and I have considered the 34 vs a 1911. But I am not a fan of plastic guns and have not yet shot a 34. Trying to get up to a range that has some rentals today.

April 29, 2012, 10:37 AM	#5
Manson Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2012 Posts: 118	Boogie I didn't intend my earlier post to seem dismissive. I am sorry if you took it that way. What I was trying to say was it would be a good idea to find out what competitions are available to you. What type is going on in your particular area and then research those rules at their online site. If you are concerned about caliber alone then I suggest 9mm. Simply because they will be less expensive to practice with. Once you know what orginazation you will be competing in you can make a more informed decision. But most groups have category's for stock weapons. And many people use their carry guns.

April 29, 2012, 11:57 PM	#8
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,544	If he had an STI Eagle .40 instead of the Edge he could get in USPSA Limited and IDPA ESP with no compromises.

May 2, 2012, 12:46 PM	#9
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	I dont know what the hell that last comment was all about. But back to the pistol choice. It just isnt easy to come across a good quality steel 9mm. Everything out there is a polymer. Not that they are bad, just not my choice. I did find a Browning High Power in 9mm with adjustable sights. So my question is would this limit me in any competitions? Its a double stack 13rnd. I know there are some specific single stack classes that for obvious reasons it doesnt qualify. Is that just a class within the competition?

May 2, 2012, 02:11 PM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,544	A Browning will get you in IDPA ESP. You can even take out the magazine disconnector now, which will help the trigger pull and simplify the Unload and Show Clear at the end of the stage. It would probably be best off in USPSA for Limited-10. The minor caliber would carry a scoring disadvantage. Unless you can shoot all A zone hits (bullseyes.) Do you have a range in the area that holds either IDPA or USPSA matches? It would pay you to go look around and get acquainted. It would also be a good idea to read the rules for those organizations.

May 2, 2012, 06:26 PM	#11
BoogieMan Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 2012 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,217	Thanks a milion for the info. My club is South Jersey Shooting Club. They I dont have the list of what they host at there range. For now I will be shooting club plinking chalenges and some club steel events. My skills are not worth the entry fee in anything more than that. I will read up on the rules as you suggested. Thank you for answering my questions. As a beginnner I wanted to pick up the least expensive localy available quality piece I could. It doesnt sound like it will place many if any limits on my competition until I improve vastly.

May 3, 2012, 02:49 AM	#12
warningshot Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2009 Posts: 995	1911 in anything other than 45acp! Some States have laws against doing such things. Havn't you heard of the thought police? Okay. I admit it. I had a 1911 built in 9X19. I am so ashamed.