Searching further for a 9MM for IDPA

[sbwaters]

Searching further for a 9MM for IDPA.

Last year shot a .45 Springfield 1911 and this year will try my 9 MM Springfield XDs in the BUG category. Looked at Glock 34, M&P 9, but was not convinced. Other possibilities:

Beretta 92G - 4.9" DA/SA 33.3 oz decocker
Beretta 92FS - 4.9" DA/SA 33.3 oz

Magnum Research Baby Desert Eagle III, Polymer - 4.43" DA/SA 28.6 oz 3-dot combat sights $646

Sig P226 Nitron - 4.4" DA/SA 34.0 oz night sights $1,108
Sig P320 Nitron Polymer - 4.7" DA 29.9 oz night sights

FNS Long Slide - 5" DA 3-dot $649

Like the idea of a 5" barrel but with my old hands and eyes, it won’t matter much. The FNS aims well in my hand. I like the after-market stuff for Beretta.

Thoughts?

 

[Fiv3r]

I believe the FNS LS would be worth a shot. It's got a really short reset. I don't shoot competitively, but I think it has been stated that it was almost built to run like a race gun.

 

[JTQ]

I don't know how picky you are about sights, but realize the Beretta 92G and 92FS have a fixed front sight that is part of the slide. Aftermarket options will be very limited.

If you like the Beretta, the Vertec, 92A1, G-SD, M9A3, and the Wilson Brigadier 92G have removable front sights.

 

[gotboostvr]

Ever thought about a CZ?
The SP01 Tactical seems pretty popular in SSP, the safety only SP01 or CZ75B SA would be good for ESP.

Plenty of go-fast parts avaliable as well.

The P09 seems pretty popular as well, if polymer is your thing.

 

[Winkman822]

There's no shortage of options. From the OP I can't really sort out well what the exact criteria are other than 9mm.

That said, if you're shooting IDPA and previously shot a .45 ACP 1911 for the same purpose, why not go to a 1911 in 9mm.

Other than that, any suggestions that you get are simply going to be the preferences of whomever is responding. Having said that, some things to consider:

HK P30L
Sig P226 X-Five
Glock 34 MOS
Walther PPQ Q5
Smith & Wesson M&P CORE
Springfield Range Officer
Les Baer Monolith in 9mm
CZ 75B
CZ 75 TS

There are too many things left unspecified to adequately answer the initial question, the important criteria being price, polymer vs. all metal, hammer or striker, and action preference. Bottom line is that you're going to get suggestions that are all over the map.

 

[Woolecox]

I am using an STI Range Master. It's awesome. However, our IDPA league is informal and I don't think this pistol would be legal for a sanctioned match.

But there is always the STI Target Master.

They are great pistols.

 

[sbwaters]

Ever thought about a CZ?

Absolutely considered it first, but I’ll be durned if I can find one in a central NY gun shop even to even hold.

 

[Jim Watson]

Sorry, Woolecox, you may not shoot either of the pictured pistols in regulation IDPA and they would be a waste of money for the OP if he plans to do so.
Full length metal dust covers not allowed except for a round- Robin's Hood barn approach tailored to CZ SP01 Shadow.
Six inch barrel will not fit The Box.

 

[Woolecox]

Sorry, Woolecox, you may not shoot either of the pictured pistols in regulation IDPA and they would be a waste of money for the OP if he plans to do so.
Full length metal dust covers not allowed except for a round- Robin's Hood barn approach tailored to CZ SP01 Shadow.
Six inch barrel will not fit The Box.

Just curious, what would DQ the STI Target Master from IDPA categories of Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP); Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP)?

Here is a photo again.



PERFORMANCE FEATURES

6-Inch Bull Barrel
Master Series Forged Frame
30 LPI Checkering; 2011 Style Trigger Guard
Matte Blued Finish; Cocobolo Wood Grips
Aristocrat Three Position Rear Sight
Extended Magwell
Ambidextrous Stainless Steel Safety
51oz

How about the Glock 34?

 

[gotboostvr]

SB, I got my first chance to play with one at a gunstore 75B stainless, and a SP01 Tactical in 40S&W (neither of which were a model that tickled my fancy) but they did both have great triggers and ergos. I'd been wanting one for a loooong time but those were the first two I saw in the wild after looking for 5+ years. After playing with them I rolled the dice and bought a 75B SA 9mm sight unseen off Gunbroker and have been a VERY happy camper ever since.

So much so I recently bought a P07 to compliment it!

If you don't like it I doubt you'll have a hard time finding someone to take it off your hands.

 

[sbwaters]

gotboostvr (or others), what is the difference between a CZ 75B and an SP01 Tactical?

 

[gotboostvr]

The CZ75B, all steel DA/SA with a thumb safety in the normal (left side only) 1911-esq position. Think of it as a SA, with second strike capabilities. A classic duty weapon.


The SP01 Tactical, has a full length rail for lights plus extra recoil dampening weight. Comes set up with a decocker, but the same great trigger.


Either model can be had with a safety (75B, SP01) or a decococker (75BD, SP01 Tactical) the safety SP01 gets enlarged ambi safeties, and both SP01 models get 18rd magazines (that also work in regular 75's).
I selected the aforementioned 75B SA, which is kind of a mix of the two. No rail, but a heavier than normal slide and frame and the slightly more comfortable to me beavertail if the SP01, plus the enlarged ambi safeties.


I highly recommend browsing CZ USA's website if you're intrested. They have a number of variations of their iconic 75 line up to fit just about any preference.

 

[Dr.Rob]

BHP, a number of surplus FN pistols are coming in from the middle east. Good candidate for an ESP pistol. Drop the mag disconnect, put a cerakote/durakote finish on it (or don't) and run it hard.

 

[tarosean]

Some of you guys offering suggestions might want to peek at the rule book.. A number of guns I see listed are not even legal for IDPA.

Really the OP needs to figure out what class he wants to run in to have an idea. It appears he is done with CDP and wants to try ESP or SSP? that would be the most beneficial part of the equation.

 

[Tirod]

How about a Novak enhanced S&W 3Gen or the TSW? They're on auctions frequently.

 

[sbwaters]

Tarosean, I may not be done with CDP but am leaning toward SSP.

 

[GEM]

What's your goal in the game? Competition or practical usage practice?

If the former - the Glock 34, if the latter - a Glock 19 is just fine. I like to shoot a realistic carry gun but then I'm not in to win (old and slow but accurate).

 

[sbwaters]

What's your goal in the game?

My goal is fun while engaged in competitive practice. I will not be using my usually carried LC9S or LCP in BUG category. Not fun to shoot. I will use my 9MM XDs in BUG from time to time.

Thanks for suggesting the Glock 34 and 19. They just don’t grip right, feel right, or aim accurately quickly and with little thought. Perhaps with more practice.

I see many more 9MM than .45, which is what I shot last year (1911), my first year in IDPA. So I figured I’d take advantage of others’ wisdom and search for a long slide 9MM.

My real goal, I guess, is comfort and confidence. After a year, I know IDPA has helped.

 

[Jim Watson]

Just curious, what would DQ the STI Target Master from IDPA categories of Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP); Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP)?

The Targetmaster has a 6" barrel which makes it 9.5" OAL. The Box which all IDPA autos must fit is 8 3/4". It is also a bull barrel, not allowed over 4.1".

The Glock 34/35 has a 5.3" barrel so it will fit The Box, the 6" Glock 17 L will not.


MY IDPA ESP is a 9mm 1911oid, either a modified SA Target Loaded known as The MixMaster or a tuned Colt 1991A1.

You can get a pretty well set up CZ for less than a good 1911.
I hardly ever see a BHP.
The SAO Sigs are nice.

 

[sbwaters]

gotboostvr: I selected the aforementioned 75B SA, which is kind of a mix of the two.

I just ordered a CX-75B SA. Hard to find, but the right choice for me, a 1911 shooter. The dealer, out of state, will keep the regular mags and I’ll order New York compliant Mag-car 10 rnd mags. So hard to choose amongst the CZs. As an IDPA shooter, this is the way I think I’ll stay legal. I can see more CZs in my future.

 

[torchroadster]

What's your goal in the game?

I will use my 9MM XDs in BUG from time to time.

You should weigh your XDs. If it's over 22 oz as shown, http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-s-3-3-9-mm/ ,it will not be legal in BUG if the 2017 rules are adopted as proposed. You may want to send a comment to IDPA during the review period.

http://www.idpa.com/misc/Rulebook 2017.pdf , 8.2.6.6.1.5

The equipment survey from the 2016 Nationals may be helpful:

TOP 10 COMPETITION FIREARM MODELS
MODEL COUNT %
Glock 34 50 15%
S&W M&P Pro 25 8%
Glock 19 21 6%
S&W M&P 11 3%
CZ SP01 Shadow 10 3%
Springfield XDM 5.25 9 3%
S&W 625 8 2%
Glock 17 8 2%
Springfield XDM 7 2%
STI Eagle 5.0 5 2%
(330 FIREARMS REPORTED)

 

[ny32182]

Just curious, what would DQ the STI Target Master from IDPA categories of Enhanced Service Pistol (ESP); Custom Defensive Pistol (CDP)?

PERFORMANCE FEATURES

6-Inch Bull Barrel
Master Series Forged Frame
30 LPI Checkering; 2011 Style Trigger Guard
Matte Blued Finish; Cocobolo Wood Grips
Aristocrat Three Position Rear Sight
Extended Magwell
Ambidextrous Stainless Steel Safety
51oz

6-inch barrel
Bull barrel
51 oz

Any one of those three will DQ a gun from any IDPA division.

Basically any normal full size service type gun is legal, but, if you are looking at running up against the gamer edge, you do need to take a peek in the rulebook. G34 is pretty much the maximum allowable dimensions.

Priorities you should have if you want the most competitive gun possible:

-Frame has to be a good ergonomic fit for your hands. If you can't manipulate the gun fast, it is not the gun for you.
-Maximize the size allowed within the rules... full size and or long slide (up to about 5" in most guns) is ideal.
-Aftermarket support... you will probably want new sights especially. And probably you will want aftermarket support to improve the trigger.
-Holsters

Everything else is just personal preference.

 

[lpsharp88]

I'd look at a 9mm 1911

 

[gotboostvr]

I just ordered a CX-75B SA. Hard to find, but the right choice for me, a 1911 shooter... ...I can see more CZs in my future.

Let us know how you like it!

Mine had a little gritty-ness in the trigger, and just a little take-up.

It still has a little take-up, but it's smoothed out pretty nicely after 1,200 trouble free rounds.

You mention you're a 1911 shooter? at least for me, the safety is in the exact same spot. the ambi safety on the SA is just the right size. Not huge, but big enough to be second nature like I thought only 1911's could be for me. Hopefully you'll feel the same way.

 

[sbwaters]

Torchroadster: You should weigh your XDs. If it's over 22 oz as shown, http://www.springfield-armory.com/products/xd-s-3-3-9-mm/ ,it will not be legal in BUG if the 2017 rules are adopted as proposed. You may want to send a comment to IDPA during the review period.

Thank you for the heads-up on the proposed 2017 IDPA rule change. My XDs with the heaviest mag would weigh 22.9 oz, 0.9 oz outside the range. I wrote them to suggest dropping from 29 oz to 23-24 so as not to exclude legitimate and popular BUG guns.