Which caliber for 3-gun

Troy · Apr 9, 2011

I'm thinking it's time to make a change from my XD40 to an M&P or a Glock. I was thinking about a 9mm, but in another thread there seemed to be more talk of 40s than 9mm. The power factor is not a concern to me since OKCGC is outlaw rules in 3gun and that is pretty much all I shoot, or that is all I shoot. I don't see myselft shooting anything else in the near future due to the time factor. I looked at the equipment used in IDPA and USPSA, IDPA has very few 40 cal and USPSA has many. Why is that, is it the power factor? I have an M&P40, should I just go with that or go with a M&P9 or G17. I understand the M&P Pro would be the best route, I'm just not sure I want to go there yet. I still like the idea of being able to carry the gun I shoot with in a competition, not that I carry my XD (huh, that's interesting). I'm just looking for some advice.

Spiff · Apr 10, 2011

Main advantage of .40 is you can shoot it in Limited major in USPSA and USPSA 3-gun and still not be at that much of a disadvantage in outlaw 3-gun. I'd like to get Cyrwus to build me an M&P9L for outlaw eventually, but that's a ways off.

Chambers · Apr 10, 2011

I'm going to appropriate a 9mm 2011 for 3-gun at some point.

But like Austin said, .40 isn't a disadvantage. In your situation I'd just get the 9 unless you plan on shooting USPSA soon.

Troy · Apr 10, 2011

I was really liking the idea of a nine after I shot my brothers G17 he uses for IDPA. I have loved my XD40, but the G17 was much nicer, obviously the recoil was much more manageble being a nine.

Spiff · Apr 10, 2011

I hear .40 minor (for Production and possibly outlaw) is REALLY soft.

jtischauser · Apr 10, 2011

Based on you only shooting OKCGC 3 gun your ideal gun from my perspective would be a G34 or M&P9L or Pro. That 5" sight radius is nice for the long pistol shots Pinto puts on us. I would get Cyrwus to install some good Dawson fiber optic sights, texture the grip, work the trigger down and clean it up, add a big fat magwell, then stick 2-4 extended base pads on your mags and your set.