Currently in the market for a practical pistol?

Question

Since my Possession Acquisition License arrived just today, I'm starting to shop for a practical pistol. I am looking for something with a full frame and chambered for 9mm, that would be suitable for IPSC shooting.

As it stands, I am considering the Springfield XD9, maybe a CZ-75 or possibly one of the Sig's. Any fadvice would be most welcome. Glock afficionados, I can respect your choice, but I am not in the market for a Glock at this time.

Thanks

At this time, I am not looking for anything in .40 and .45 caliber. I would love to get either of those, but ammunition costs are prohibitive. That is why I'm going for 9X19mm.

Realist, I appreciate your concerns regarding safety. A handgun safety course is also requirement here in Canada to become a full member of most gun clubs, and you need to be a full member in order to purchase a handgun in the first place.

Also, I am a soldier and firearm safety has been drilled into my skull for years, but it's nice to see people on the civvy streets who show the same kind of zeal as I do towards weapon safety.

Answer 1

If you are looking to shoot in IPSC/USPSA I would stay with the CZ or the full sized XD (perferably the extended model, I think they call it a tactical). weight plays dividends in the shorting sports, the more it weights (ont go over bored by added a lot of weight ie brass or lead pulgs etc) the faster the gun will track from target to target. It all so lightens the recoil / muzzle flip. You will want magizines that hold 16 or more rounds. Most courses of fire are designed around 8 to16 rounds fired before moving and if you have 16 round mags this will lessen the time spent reloading, and this is a game of least time and best accuracy. I have used a colt 1911, a Hk usp, and now use a lightly modifed glock 35.

You may wish to attend a match before your purchase to see want others are using, and dont hesitate to ask shooter what they use and why. We love to talk guns and the shooting storts. You may even be offered to shoot theirs.

Answer 2

I would go with the Springfield XD 9mm 4' or the 5' tactical. Excellent guns with great safety features and very accurate. I have the XD 9mm & XD 45.acp tactical and love them. The Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm is also an excellent gun and both Springfield & S&W have lifetime warranty. I would avoid buying a new Ruger, because the resale value on those is much less than you'll pay new. Sometimes almost half. I know of 2 90% condition Rugers on consignment different stores and nobody wants them even for $250. If you're planning on doing competitions, I don't think you want to show up with a Ruger semi-auto anyway. Might as well bring a Hi-Point if you're going for cheap guns. Matter of fact, I'd rather have a high point than a Ruger semi-auto. Their revolvers are great. I am happy you're avoiding Glock, not because they're not good guns, they're great, but they're also very unforgiving of mistakes and it's better if you wait until you've got the safety and experience down before getting them. No matter what, take a gun safety course, even if you think you know everything about gun safety, take it anyway.

P.S. Don't, I repeat don't get a S&W Sigma. I am a huge S&W fan and own a Sigma, so I can say without a doubt that they're trigger is the worst trigger on the market. Worst. You will have so much trigger creep that you'll wonder if it's going to fire at all. Yes, they OK for someone who wants it for home protection and will never use it. If you're planning on taking it to the range, you will learn you just wasted $320 on a bad model. I bought that when I was new to gun collecting, trust me, add a few more dollars and get something decent.

Answer 3

The best pistol ever made is the one that's in your hand when you need it. Everyone has listed some excellent guns with Kimber and Sig being a couple of my personal favorites. It really does come down to what you are the most comfortable and accurate with. You may be better off with a $900.00 Sig than a $3000.00 Wilson Combat. Most all of your well know manufacturers put so much into their guns and have it down to such a science anymore that they are all very reliable and rugged, it comes down to which is best for you. If you want to look at some of the upper end guns there are Wilson Combat, Les Baer, Ed Brown, Nighthawk Custom, to name a few. They are all incredibly well made guns but in the hands of just about any normal person, probably no better than a Sig or Colt when it gets down to it.

Answer 4

Without typing out a book, the Springfield XD is your best bet. I assume you are not looking at the Glocks and others because of price ? or are you aware that Glocks are not all they are made out to be ?

If price was no issue then I would say go with the HK USP series as I personally believe they are as good as it get for your task. I will go on and say that the Springfield XD shows very good numbers as a runner with the HK line, while Glock and others fall just short. I am not a Sig fan at all, I have owned,shot, and sold them for many reasons. Some seem to like them but alot seem to not ! In my opinion the CZ falls way behind the HK & XD lines.

Good Luck & Happy Shooting !!!!!!

Answer 5

I shoot ipsc steel and used to shoot idpa. I shoot an sw99. It fits my hand due to the adjustable backstrap. It has a smooth place for the web of the hand which in my mind speeds drawing and getting the gun to settle in your hand. It has a nice single action and the double action is pretty good too. The p99 is the same gun so you can use its magazines and holsters. You can use glock mag pouches.
If you are shooting production you should get a 9mm. If you are shooting ipsc/uspsa and don't reload you have got to get a nine.

I have to say if you go to the matches you are going to see alot of glocks and uspsa rules lean towards a glock with some work. I know you are not interested in the glock but you might change your mind later. I wish they fit my hand.

Answer 6

There are tons of choices out there, to be sure. If you want to get into something reliable and accurate for a great price, take a look at the Smith & Wesson SW9VE. Excellent gun for the money. If you have a little more to work with, take a look at the Smith & Wesson M&P, one of the Sigs, or my favorite; a 1911 clone in 9mm by a reputable company like Kimber or Springfield Armory.

Answer 7

That CZ pistol is a fine gun for the IPSC game. When I played around with the 9mm that was the gun I used. Never jammed and digested everything I fed it. Good value for the money.

Answer 8

I like the Ruger pistols. I have owned a 45 caliber and a 40 caliber and both were the most accurate guns i personally have ever shot.

Answer 9

You can't go wrong with the CZ75 or a Sig.

They are each a bit different, and I like the Sig's more, but the CZ75 is a great little pistol. In my experience, they both fit the hand well, and have decent triggers. I never had a malfunction problem when firing either of them.

Answer 10

I prefer a Glock for practical reasons, but if you've got the money for a Sig, then by all means, go for it. It's a fine pistol. I can't say anything against it, other than its cost. So if cost isn't a problem for you, go Sig!