IPSC beginner pistol selection

[digelectric]

All,

Been wanting to try IPSC but I am a noob. Before participating I'll probably check out some matches to see what's what.

I haven't decided what I'd shoot but I'm keen on CZ and Glock so I'd probably go with a G17L or CZ TS. I'm in CA so my options are limited to on-roster models. Since I haven't shot competition before, what's the best way to go about deciding which platform to use? I think they're both outstanding in their own way. Glock is substantially cheaper to start with, but I'm hoping other experienced shooters can weigh in on the factors that I should consider.

Thanks in advance

[tanks]

CZ TS (in .40 S&W if you want to be competitive) is for the Standard division and G17L for Production. IPSC rules for firearm modifications are a lot more strict than USPSA for Production guns so I'd read the rules very carefully before making any modifications. Also, trigger pull has to be 5lbs minimum.

[digelectric]

CZ TS (in .40 S&W if you want to be competitive) is for the Standard division and G17L for Production. IPSC rules for firearm modifications are a lot more strict than USPSA for Production guns so I'd read the rules very carefully before making any modifications. Also, trigger pull has to be 5lbs minimum.

Why .40?

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

If you are shooting competitions in CA, then you are going to shoot USPSA, not IPSC. USPSA is the US branch of IPSC, but it does have a slightly different ruleset. Both the CZ TS and the G17L are not legal guns for the Production division, so you'd have to shoot Limited-10.

Production is the easiest division to get started in since you can compete with relatively stock guns using cheap ammo (9mm). If you want to go the metal gun route, then the CZ SP01 would be a good one to look at and is a great gun once you install a set of fiber optic target sites and the CZ Custom short reset trigger kit. On the plastic gun side, a Glock 34 is typically easy to find and is pretty much ready to go out of the box. Mags are also inexpensive and easy to find.

Really, the best thing you can do is go to your local match, check out what the sport's all about, see what everyone else is using, and then make a decision. If you already have a handgun and enough mags, I'd just shoot what you've got to start and then you'll be ready to make a more informed buying decision after.

[IVC]

Most divisions have major and minor scoring and .40 is the usual minimum for major scoring, so Limited and Limited-10 are dominated by .40 (Limited is a USPSA counterpart of Standard division in IPSC, but as others pointed out, you'd be shooting USPSA.)

The exceptions are that you can shoot 9mm major in Open (if you load it hot enough to make the power factor) and that Production and Carry Optics divisions use only minor scoring even if you shoot major power factor, so almost everyone shoots 9mm.

[IVC]

Also, where are you located? I can show you many different competition guns if you are in my area.

Note that this is a shooting section and has nothing to do with the politics sections and/or any disagreements over there we might have had. I would be more than happy to help you out and let you try any of my guns.

[digelectric]

If you are shooting competitions in CA, then you are going to shoot USPSA, not IPSC. USPSA is the US branch of IPSC, but it does have a slightly different ruleset. Both the CZ TS and the G17L are not legal guns for the Production division, so you'd have to shoot Limited-10.

I did have them mixed up and didn't realize the rules were different. I'll pull up the USPSA sheet and check it out. Thanks for that!

[digelectric]

Also, where are you located? I can show you many different competition guns if you are in my area.

Note that this is a shooting section and has nothing to do with the politics sections and/or any disagreements over there we might have had. I would be more than happy to help you out and let you try any of my guns.

We've had disagreements??

[digelectric]

Most divisions have major and minor scoring and .40 is the usual minimum for major scoring, so Limited and Limited-10 are dominated by .40 (Limited is a USPSA counterpart of Standard division in IPSC, but as others pointed out, you'd be shooting USPSA.)

The exceptions are that you can shoot 9mm major in Open (if you load it hot enough to make the power factor) and that Production and Carry Optics divisions use only minor scoring even if you shoot major power factor, so almost everyone shoots 9mm.

Got it. I hate .40 so I'd be inclined to do 9mm or jump to .45 or 10mm.

[digelectric]

Production is the easiest division to get started in since you can compete with relatively stock guns using cheap ammo (9mm). If you want to go the metal gun route, then the CZ SP01 would be a good one to look at and is a great gun once you install a set of fiber optic target sites and the CZ Custom short reset trigger kit. On the plastic gun side, a Glock 34 is typically easy to find and is pretty much ready to go out of the box. Mags are also inexpensive and easy to find.

I don't mind dropping some cash on an SP01 or G34, both are great guns and I'm a huge CZ and Glock fan. Plus... I have used up my "I need all these guns for when the zombies come" excuse with my wife, so saying I need something "special" for competition will probably work (at least once).

If I went with the SP01, what sights do you recommend?

[digelectric]

Also, where are you located? I can show you many different competition guns if you are in my area.

Note that this is a shooting section and has nothing to do with the politics sections and/or any disagreements over there we might have had. I would be more than happy to help you out and let you try any of my guns.

I would be honored to take you up on that if we live close. I'll PM you in the next few days.

[Mazdaspeed Jon]

I don't mind dropping some cash on an SP01 or G34, both are great guns and I'm a huge CZ and Glock fan. Plus... I have used up my "I need all these guns for when the zombies come" excuse with my wife, so saying I need something "special" for competition will probably work (at least once).

If I went with the SP01, what sights do you recommend?

Here is the trigger kit you want for the SP01: https://czcustom.com/cz-parts-all/tr...igger-kit.html

For the sights:

Here is the front sight: https://czcustom.com/cz-parts-all/fr...1mm-blade.html

And you have two options for the rear:

https://czcustom.com/cz-parts-all/front-and-rear-sights/cz-rear-sights-all/cz-75-competition-rear-sight-standard-dovetail.html

or

https://czcustom.com/cz-parts-all/cz-75-tactical-rear-sight-standard-dovetail.html

[rdtompki]

what are you shooting now? Give it a try with what you have; you will be better able to decide on a path forward.

[Shellback76]

All,

Been wanting to try IPSC but I am a noob. Before participating I'll probably check out some matches to see what's what.

I haven't decided what I'd shoot but I'm keen on CZ and Glock so I'd probably go with a G17L or CZ TS. I'm in CA so my options are limited to on-roster models. Since I haven't shot competition before, what's the best way to go about deciding which platform to use? I think they're both outstanding in their own way. Glock is substantially cheaper to start with, but I'm hoping other experienced shooters can weigh in on the factors that I should consider.

Thanks in advance

If you are in SoCal, you are welcome to join my squad. Most of them are newbies. We shoot at gopherflats...check it out and search for the sked. Let me know. We also have our own Timer.

[digelectric]

what are you shooting now? Give it a try with what you have; you will be better able to decide on a path forward.

G19
CZ 75b
CZ P01
G20
G30sf
XD9
XD9sc
S&W 627

I shoot them all pretty well, my least favorite is the full size XD9. Suggestions?