Looking for a Competition Pistol

yibomb · Dec 8, 2015

I am having a really hard time picking a pistol. I dont want to spend thousands on a 2011 but I dont mind spending $600-700 for get a good competition gun. I dont mind spending that extra $100 dollars on a gun that is optics ready because i would rather have it and not use it than need it and not have it. There are kits out there that remove the rear sight and puts a base to mount a optic on but i would like to have both irons at all times. My list is; Gen3/4 g34 w/ or w/o M.O.S., S&W M&P9L Ported C.O.R.E., Gen3/4 g19, And Rock Island Armory 1911. On Saterday I went to my range and rented three 9mm; S&W m&p full 9mm,gen4 g17,gen3 g19. I liked the g19 and S&W the best. I plan on getting a gen3 g19 down the road when I obtain my carry lisence. g19 was nice to shoot(also shot the best 10 yard group) and felt decent with the grip. The S&W had the best grip by far and I liked the trigger itself but not the spongy feeling. But i have been reading alot of bad review on the S&W M&P 9mm in all sizes. Guns blowing up ,barrel crowns/rifling getting beat up within 500 shots, spungy trigger, stories about how S&W did a bad job on barrel fit(the S&W I tested had a really bad barrel fit i could shake the gun and the barrel would move around), and the list goes on. But the Glock doesnt have a clean record either but the problems listed are small things like dual recoil springs are not as good as the gen3 and shell extractions hitting the shooter's face. One of my main questions is has S&W fixed all the problems with their guns? All I know is they switched to a 1:10 twist. TIA

Prices on Pistols:Buds Gun Shop
Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series $533
Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series C.O.R.E $599
Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series C.O.R.E with Ported slide(10 ports) and barrel(2 ports) $682
Gen 4 G34 $635 Gen 3 G34 $595
Gen 4 G19 $542 Gen 3 G19 $504
Gen 4 G34 M.O.S $699
Rock Rivers Armory G.I 1911 $406

drmitchgibson · Dec 8, 2015

Glock 34

jtischauser · Dec 8, 2015

I would hesitate to buy a Glock 34 or an M&P Pro 9. The optics ready guns are cool but their really isn't a huge spot for them just yet in competition shooting. I'd suggest pick the 34 or 9 pro. Upgrade the sights and trigger, then dry fire 15 minutes a day for a year, buy lots of ammo, take TDSA AP1, and shoot as many matches as you can. You'll be A Class in no time.

Don't buy any gun with ported slide if you plan to shoot competitions. That thing will get its ass handed too it in USPSA Open and really only fits in 3-gun Open division.

racnsoonr · Dec 8, 2015

You'll want the longer barrell no matter which direction you choose. G-19 is a great carry gun, not good for competition. You can change out the guide rod and recoil spring in a glock and buy drop in trigger parts to improve the trigger. Don't believe everything you read on the web...most folks here actually shoot and compete in matches. There are plenty of M & P's out there and they work just as well as a glock imo
I'd suggest coming to a match or two to see the different classes and equipment in action..in person before you buy

jtischauser · Dec 8, 2015

If bet $ you can get somebody to let you shoot there guns at a match if you ask.

hunter_dmw12 · Dec 8, 2015

im no pro but i shoot the smith pro 9L core and like it for 3 gun. I dont have to worry about putting in on safe when dumping it. It gives you the option of having an optic or not. put an apex trigger in and run the crap out of it. one of our great sponsors Make Ready Pro Shop has mag wells and extended base pads. Tony can hook you up with everything you need. Like JT said go to the range and someone will let you shoot what they have and see what you like

Burk Cornelius · Dec 8, 2015

yibomb said:
Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series $533
~~Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series C.O.R.E $599~~
~~Smith&Wesson M&P9L Pro series C.O.R.E with Ported slide(10 ports) and barrel(2 ports) $68~~2
~~Gen 4 G34 $635~~ Gen 3 G34 $595
~~Gen 4 G19 $542 Gen 3 G19 $504~~
~~Gen 4 G34 M.O.S $699~~
~~Rock Rivers Armory G.I 1911 $406~~

drmitchgibson · Dec 8, 2015

http://oakhillguns.com/pistol/cz-usa/cz-75-sp-01-shadow-9mm-custom.html
Raced up and ready to go

yibomb · Dec 8, 2015

Thanks for all the imput guys, I will try talking to my chiropractor(has been shooting 3 gun,uspsa for years)and see when some local competitions are. I really like the sound of shooting a gun before I buy it. My main goal now is to go to a local match and see whats up. I have also been watching alot of "Hot Shots" on youtube.

Jesse Tischauser said:
I would hesitate to buy a Glock 34 or an M&P Pro 9. The optics ready guns are cool but their really isn't a huge spot for them just yet in competition shooting. I'd suggest pick the 34 or 9 pro. Upgrade the sights and trigger, then dry fire 15 minutes a day for a year, buy lots of ammo, take TDSA AP1, and shoot as many matches as you can. You'll be A Class in no time.

Don't buy any gun with ported slide if you plan to shoot competitions. That thing will get its ass handed too it in USPSA Open and really only fits in 3-gun Open division.

What is TDSA AP1? I still want a gun with a ported slide, and is optic ready but time will tell. Correct me if Iam wrong, doesnt the Glock 34 have a huge port above the front of the barrel?

I also plan on building a dueling tree and burn up some plate for 8" Circles, 12" Circles, 5.9"x11.2" Rectangles, maybe some 18"x24" Rectangles. I am a welder so I have vast amount of steel to my advantage.

Burk Cornelius · Dec 8, 2015

yibomb said:
Thanks for all the imput guys, I will try talking to my chiropractor(has been shooting 3 gun,uspsa for years)and see when some local competitions are. I really like the sound of shooting a gun before I buy it. My main goal now is to go to a local match and see whats up. I have also been watching alot of "Hot Shots" on youtube.

What is TDSA AP1? I still want a gun with a ported slide, and is optic ready but time will tell. Correct me if Iam wrong, doesnt the Glock 34 have a huge port above the front of the barrel?

Yes, but it's not a barrel port, it's just the slide cutout

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hunter_dmw12 · Dec 8, 2015

this is just a thought but the xdm 5.25 has the cut out slide. My wife shoots one in 3 gun and USPSA limited division. I dont get to shoot it much because it is her gun and the only time i get to touch it is to clean it and test ammo. it comes with a match grade barrel. add a powder river trigger and it is a good gun to shoot for a long time.

ShaneP · Dec 8, 2015

TDSA is a firearms training company here in Oklahoma. It may not be the best for you, since you're located in Washington, but perhaps someone in your area knows of a good firearm instructor. Essentially what he was saying is get some good training.

Tech · Dec 8, 2015

I don't know if anyone clarified this yet, but a factory ported barrel (not slide) m&p or Glock,etc. Will put you in open class with inferior equipment compared to the $5k+ guns in that division. If you are OK with that is your perogative. If not stick with a non-ported barrel gun.

Professor · Dec 8, 2015

So I can run my C.O.R.E. with a ported slide and an aftermarket non-ported barrel and not be force into open class?

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drmitchgibson · Dec 8, 2015

XDm 5.25 is a good call. Ready to rumble right out of the box.

Matt1911 · Dec 9, 2015

Professor said:
So I can run my C.O.R.E. with a ported slide and an aftermarket non-ported barrel and not be force into open class?
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Yes, as long as you're using iron sights.

yibomb · Dec 10, 2015

I wasnt able to go to a match. But I was able to go to a Gun Shop with range that had the Glock 34 Gen4 and S&W M&P9L Pro Series. I had the Glock with no back strap but still had trouble with the grip, I have small hands and a screw in my wrist so was moving my grip seemed like every few shots. It seemed to shoot a little nicer than the G17 but still not used to the trigger saftey so acuraccy wasnt the best but it was a nice shooting gun. One of the main things I noticed was the Glock felt like it had alot less snap than the S&W. The small backstrap was on the S&W and I enjoied the new argressive backstraps. Overall I still really like the feel of the S&W much better than the Glock. I also really liked the new sear they put in the pros, made the trigger very nice but still had some squish. Sence the gun is a rental I bet the thousands of rounds its shot had to do with this. I am purchased the S&W M&P9L Pro Series for $600 shipped with insurance to my FFL(too many Chisrtmas package thieves out there) who is conveniently my co-worker. Still need to practice, but I plan on just shooting steal and paper out in the mountains with my new shot timer when it arives. Will post a picture too. Thanks everyone

Matt1911 · Dec 10, 2015

I've done trigger jobs on the stock M&P internals, and can get it pretty nice, but the full Apex kit with forward set sear and aluminum trigger is definitely worth the money. It makes a world of difference for a competitive pistol.