$600, what to buy

Wwrhodes91 · May 6, 2014, 08:58 PM

Alright, so I'm getting into IDPA now. I have a Glock 34 configured how I like with Dawson sights. I'm going to have about $600 to spend on gear and I'm wondering what I should invest in first. I only have the cheap glock brand holster and mag pouches. I reload, but it is on a single stage press at the moment. I was also thinking about getting an aftermarket barrel for practice since I use lead reloads.

10-96 · May 6, 2014, 11:26 PM

Well, from the outside looking in- you don't sound like you're ready to give up the ghost on your glock. So, you might as well make the game more interesting by obtaining gear such as the bbl, holster/rig, and reloading components. Just my 2.75 cents worth.

Wwrhodes91 · May 7, 2014, 12:23 AM

Wouldn't mind getting a CZ or clone for ESP, but I think I agree with the bbl, holster, and ammo stance

Jim Watson · May 7, 2014, 09:48 AM

Unless you cast your own bullets, I think you would do as well to load plated or coated bullets for the stock barrel.
Bayou Bullets was the first to use the Australian Hi Tek coating in the US, now followed by Black Bullets Intl and SNS.
I am fixing to start with BBI Hi Tek coated, I think it will do better than their old moly coat.
Berry's and Xtreme plated are ok, too.

A good holster - I use Ready Tac, available from CWPSA, but there are others - and a Dillon Square Deal B will put you in business within your budget.

http://cpwsa.com/collections/holster...a-idpa-holster

Wwrhodes91 · May 7, 2014, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the excellent advice. SNS, BBI, and Bayou are almost the same price as the lead bullets I buy so that takes care of that. I think I might go with the CPWSA as well. Thanks! Saving money on the barrel will be nice.

Bultaco · May 8, 2014, 04:12 PM

Take a chunk of that & look for a Dillon press. If you look around you can pay quite a bit less than retail on a good used one. A better holster & mag pouches will only set you back about $150. Spend the rest on improving your shooting. A good IDPA technique video would help too. I used my Glock 34 for both SSP & ESP. I own & love my CZ single action but there is no disadvantage in using the Glock.

**4V50 Gary** · May 11, 2014, 09:11 AM

Progressive press. Big stuff first and it will save you a fortune.

igolfat8 · May 20, 2014, 11:33 AM

Dillon 550 and Xtreme boolits. Casting lead is much cheaper in the long run but you have an investment in casting equipment on the front end and need a source for free or low coast lead plus you'll need a KKM bbl too.

jeager106 · May 20, 2014, 12:38 PM

Casting lead cost more in time spent than buying the excellent eXtreme
copper plated bullets.

FM12 · June 3, 2014, 07:46 PM

Dillon Square Deal. Thank me later.

g.willikers · June 4, 2014, 08:14 AM

Another vote for plated bullets with the stock barrel and a progressive press.
I use the Dillon Square deal for handgun reloading, but a friend says the inexpensive Lee Turret is plenty good, too, at a fraction of the cost.

View Poll Results: Which option?
Buy a progressive press	13	48.15%
Buy an aftermarket barrel, holster, and reloading components	6	22.22%
Save for a new gun	4	14.81%
Other	4	14.81%
Voters: 27. You may not vote on this poll

May 6, 2014, 08:58 PM	#1
Wwrhodes91 Member Join Date: January 8, 2014 Posts: 46	$600, what to buy Alright, so I'm getting into IDPA now. I have a Glock 34 configured how I like with Dawson sights. I'm going to have about $600 to spend on gear and I'm wondering what I should invest in first. I only have the cheap glock brand holster and mag pouches. I reload, but it is on a single stage press at the moment. I was also thinking about getting an aftermarket barrel for practice since I use lead reloads.

May 6, 2014, 11:26 PM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	Well, from the outside looking in- you don't sound like you're ready to give up the ghost on your glock. So, you might as well make the game more interesting by obtaining gear such as the bbl, holster/rig, and reloading components. Just my 2.75 cents worth. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

May 7, 2014, 12:19 PM	#5
Wwrhodes91 Member Join Date: January 8, 2014 Posts: 46	Thanks for the excellent advice. SNS, BBI, and Bayou are almost the same price as the lead bullets I buy so that takes care of that. I think I might go with the CPWSA as well. Thanks! Saving money on the barrel will be nice. Last edited by Wwrhodes91; May 7, 2014 at 12:43 PM.

May 11, 2014, 09:11 AM	#7
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	Progressive press. Big stuff first and it will save you a fortune. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

May 7, 2014, 12:23 AM	#3
Wwrhodes91 Member Join Date: January 8, 2014 Posts: 46	Wouldn't mind getting a CZ or clone for ESP, but I think I agree with the bbl, holster, and ammo stance

May 7, 2014, 09:48 AM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,537	Unless you cast your own bullets, I think you would do as well to load plated or coated bullets for the stock barrel. Bayou Bullets was the first to use the Australian Hi Tek coating in the US, now followed by Black Bullets Intl and SNS. I am fixing to start with BBI Hi Tek coated, I think it will do better than their old moly coat. Berry's and Xtreme plated are ok, too. A good holster - I use Ready Tac, available from CWPSA, but there are others - and a Dillon Square Deal B will put you in business within your budget. http://cpwsa.com/collections/holster...a-idpa-holster

May 8, 2014, 04:12 PM	#6
Bultaco Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2013 Location: Western Co. Posts: 156	Take a chunk of that & look for a Dillon press. If you look around you can pay quite a bit less than retail on a good used one. A better holster & mag pouches will only set you back about $150. Spend the rest on improving your shooting. A good IDPA technique video would help too. I used my Glock 34 for both SSP & ESP. I own & love my CZ single action but there is no disadvantage in using the Glock.

May 20, 2014, 11:33 AM	#8
igolfat8 Member Join Date: October 13, 2012 Posts: 93	Dillon 550 and Xtreme boolits. Casting lead is much cheaper in the long run but you have an investment in casting equipment on the front end and need a source for free or low coast lead plus you'll need a KKM bbl too.

May 20, 2014, 12:38 PM	#9
jeager106 Junior member Join Date: November 24, 2006 Location: N.E. Oh. Posts: 527	Casting lead cost more in time spent than buying the excellent eXtreme copper plated bullets.

June 3, 2014, 07:46 PM	#10
FM12 Senior Member Join Date: February 5, 2007 Location: Monroeville, Alabama Posts: 1,683	Dillon Square Deal. Thank me later.

June 4, 2014, 08:14 AM	#11
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Another vote for plated bullets with the stock barrel and a progressive press. I use the Dillon Square deal for handgun reloading, but a friend says the inexpensive Lee Turret is plenty good, too, at a fraction of the cost. __________________ Walt Kelly, alias Pogo, sez: “Don't take life so serious, son, it ain't nohow permanent.”