I need a Certified IPSC Accountant
Ahab looks at the guns he needs to compete.
What say you? I’m looking at getting into competition and, basically, want one gun to do as much as possible. Looks like the .40 caliber Glocks/1911s function well in that role.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thing about .40 is man, it beats the crap out of you. It’s what I want for a carry gun, but if your going to be shooting that many rounds, sometimes 9mm is a more attractive option.
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm
yeah but aren’t there power factors and other assorted crap to consider? I’d prefer a 9mm just because it’s not 40.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I believe conventional wisdom holds that you can shoot 9mm a LOT cheaper than 40. And if you’re going to be competitive, you need to shoot a LOT of practice rounds. So – in addition to 9mm being easier on your hand/wrist/elbow/shoulder, it’s easier on your wallet too.
That said, and while I haven’t shot IPSC, in the IDPA matches I’ve competed in (with 9mm) there have been steel poppers that I have to be careful where I aim to be sure to knock ’em down, while the 40 and 45 guys seem to get knockdown hits almost anywhere. I’m sure that’s where the power factor comes into play in the real world.
Based on my (admittedly limited) observations over a couple of years of IDPA matches, I’ve seen more than one 1911 platform fail in competition, but don’t think I’ve ever seen a stock Glock stop running. (The only Glock failure I’ve heard of at our range was at a match I missed, where somebody’s Glock fired as it was drawn from the holster, but that one had been extensively worked on by a shade tree gunsmith in an attempt to get a crisp, 1911-type trigger pull. Lesson – learn to love the Glock trigger: lots of shooters do very well with it, but it does take some getting used to.)
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Unc,
You can make Major power factor with a 9mm, but you have to load the bastard hot. To my knowledge there aren’t any factory 9mm loads that make major. On the other hand, a 180 grain .40 S&W from Winchester will make major every single time.
Hence, why I shoot the .40s for Limited and Open; but in Production there is no major/minor PF, so I can shoot a 9mm in Production and be fine.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
I think it also depends on what you mean by competing. If you want to work on becoming a Class A shooter then you’ll need the kinds of guns those guys use. I look at IPSC as a monthly practice session; so I use my daily carry gun. I will probably never have scores good enough to stick around for the awards ceremony at the end either.
Most of the 1911’s I have seen fail are ones that have been heavily modified. Most of the modifications seem to involve making the gun run faster and more accurately at the expense of reliability and wear. It is an acceptable risk for the guys who run those guns; you just need to be prepared to put in the time maintaining it.
If cost is at all a factor, I would definately go with a good production gun (I prefer Springfield XD to Glock, but both are great). 9mm is cheapest to shoot, but I carry a .45 so I shoot .45 at the match.
October 2nd, 2008 at 2:50 pm
What about 9mm in IPDA?
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:05 pm
9mm in IDPA is legal in all semi-auto classes except for Custom Defensive Pistol, which has to be a .45.
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Actually you can only make Major with a 9mm in Open in USPSA. Limited can only make Major with a .40 or above bore.
My suggestion is to try then buy. Shoot some matches with what you have now and see what works.
I shot IPSC (pre-USPSA) with a Glock 17 years ago. I got started shooting USPSA and IDPA with a Glock 19 and carry gear about 5 years ago. I still shoot a Glock but am shooting a G17 now in IDPA ESP and USPSA Limited. You still get full value for A zone hits with a 9mm (minor)so it forces me to think accuracy.
I found that I wanted a different holster for IDPA, replaced a Fobus paddle rig with a Comp-Tac paddle rig (it’s now my carry holster). I am still using the Fobus mag pouches I started with for IDPA and carry. I usually shoot IDPA matches with a polo shirt as concealment, rather than a special vest.
For USPSA, I got a dropped and offset holster with a CR Speed belt and competition mag pouches. I also bought some Dawson mag extensions since I wanted to shoot Limited instead of Production.
You might ultimately want to run a full out $4000+ racegun in USPSA or you might want to shoot a $350 production gun or even the 1911 you’ve had for years. I wouldn’t worry too much about the gear until you’ve had a chance to play the game.
Just my 2 cents,
Good luck,
John
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Uncle, If you shoot Production Division in USPSA matches. The power factor required for best scoring is only 125; easily met by many commercial 9mm loads.
You can load 9mm to major power factor (165) only in open class. You’d be competing against folks using optical sights and compensators.
A USPSA Production Division gun would likely be legal in IDPA Stock Service Pistol or Enhanced Service Pistol.
Power factor for USPSA is calculated by multiplying the bullets weight in grains by the velocity in thousands of feet per second. A 125 grain bullet going 1000 fps works out as :125 X 1(000)= 125 Power Factor.
USPSA Rulebook (pdf)
IDPA Rulebook (pdf)
October 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
Oh yeah, John (#8) reminds me, IDPA is picky(er) about holsters and mag carriers compared to USPSA. Check rulebooks linked above.
October 3rd, 2008 at 4:53 pm
When I got involved in practical shooting, it was to develop skills that I might actually need for my self-defense.
IDPA rules are different from USPSA and IMHO better about using cover and shooting nearer targets first.
I shoot what I carry in IDPA, and when I’m not competitive it’s me, not my gear.
In my club a clear majority of shooters have 9mm Glocks, though more XDs and M&Ps are starting to appear.