Help Me Choose My First IDPA Gun

IDPA That I Can CCW

  • XDM

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • XDM 3.8 Compact

    Votes: 1 4.5%

  • M&P Pro 4.25"

    Votes: 11 50.0%

  • P-07 Duty

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • P-01

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • SP-01 Phantom

    Votes: 2 9.1%

  • CZ 75

    Votes: 6 27.3%
  • Total voters
    22
  • Poll closed .
M

Mercenary

New member
I am really wanting to get into competitive shooting and a friend of mine just told me that there is a relatively local place that shoots IDPA. Since IDPA is geared towards real life scenarios I would prefer to get a gun that is not too big for CCW that way I can use it for both. I have a few concerns about some of my options in regards to their size and CCW. So far here they are:

XDM - is this too big for CCW?
XDM 3.8 Compact
M&P Pro - too big for CCW?
CZ P-07 Duty
CZ P-01
CZ SP-01 Phantom - too big for CCW?
CZ 75 - too big for CCW?

Unfortunately my LGS only have a XDsc, Standard M&P, and CZ 75 for rental so I cannot really try them all to see which one I like best.
 
I don't get into the pious platitudes about "real life."
IDPA is competition, I use guns suitable for competition and within the rules. Not that I would care to wear a full size gun all day under concealment, I have other stuff for that. Compact guns I will occasionally shoot in a match for familiarization, but not when I care about scores.
 
XDMs are considered single action, and are regulated as such and are allowed only is ESP. So if you want to shoot esp, then this is a viable coice.

M&P pro is usually 5" i think not 4.25. If i had to pick a gun for IDPA out of these, it would be this by a longshot. It fits all the requirements needed to shoot SSP.

CZ's are iffy. You cant have a full length dustcover so that rules out the railed versions like the sp-01. Ive also heard that some of the CZ's dont meet weight requirements needed for IDPA. Theres another issue ive heard of but I cant think of it right now.

you dont have to carry your IDPA gun, but a large gun isnt difficult to carry so long as you have a good belt and holster.

I vote M&P.
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Excellent information for a newbie. Very informative. I didn't know about the full length dust cover rule. So that pretty much eliminates all the CZ's except the 75, right??

Do you think the XDM has what it takes to compete in the ESP class? What am I likely to run up against there, tuned 1911's :( ??
 
You can back door some of the long dust cover CZs if they make weight; which calls for the lightest available grips and magazines. Not worth it to me, the CZ75 is a fine shooter.

SA is now offering the XDM 5.25 that seems directed at IDPA ESP and IPSC Production. The most common non-1911 I see in ESP is a modified G34. But I think an XDM or S&W Plastic M&P Pro can equal it. If you can.
 
Yeah, yeah, Glock 19 that's it.
Shorter sight radius and shorter butt make it harder for him to get good scores and beat me.
That's what he needs, all right.
 
4" M&P 9mm with a Apex competition trigger kit. Will work for both IDPA and USPSA Production, yes small enough to carry for CCW. Fiber front sight, all black rears. M&P has a rail so you can get a TLR-1 and it'll be a good Home defense gun as well.

Best of all worlds actually. You can do the same with a Glock 19/17 but I personally prefer a M&P.

hope that helps!
 
I think your IDPA and also CCW requirement needed another catagory.
None of the above.

Out of the ones listed I would go with the M&P Pro. Great choice for IDPA, A little big to concealed carry well. If I were limited to your list I would make it work for CCW. I have an XDm, and I have been thinking about getting an inside the waistband holster for. I could see what I can do with it over the Winter.

Another one not listed would be a Commander size 1911. A little more CCW friendly.

Another one not listed would be a 3" K Frame Revolver. Be different from the pack, and shoot a wheel gun.

I carry almost daily. I also shoot an Outlaw IDPA match almost every month. I shoot multiple guns in the match. Normally some combination of the ones listed below. I also concealed carry the same guns, switching around.
My main gun for the Match is my S&W 64 in 4" carried in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake. I also shoot my 625 in a 3" carried in a Lobo Model 1, My 1911 full size carried in a Rafter S Askens Avenger, and I am going to start shooting my 310 Night Guard carried in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake when Ray gets it shipped to me. I also shoot my S&W 610 4" which I have a Lobo Enhanced Pancake ordered for, and my XDm 40 in a Serpa. I also shoot my 638 in BUG which in our Outlaw Match shoots on the same course of fire as everything else. I have a Lobo Model 1 for it also.

You might go to a match, and look over the gear. Paying attention to anyone whose gear looks like they daily carry it.

Bob
 
I got to shoot a XDM 5.25 :D All I can say is nice, very nice. When I can swing it $ wise it will be my next purchase.
 
Well, being a long time IDPA member (about three months now) and attending three matches already, I've noticed a few things. 95% of the competitors shoot competition guns with five inch barrels. I asked a few competitors if that was their everyday carry gun. Response: No, one of my competition guns.

I'm in it to learn and improve my self defense skills and shoot my carry guns. I ain't never going to win in the SSP division anyway. I go to enjoy myself, get the minimal amount of "procedurals", and try not to shoot myself or anyone else :D

Lots of fun but shooting factory .45's is getting a bit expensive. I have shot my sons M&P9, great dependable accurate gun. Good luck!
 
Most of the guns listed in the poll are not especially popular in IDPA. Most people who are shooting plastic guns want to shoot in Stock Service Pistol division, and the XDs are not SSP legal. The CZ-75, in its many variants, has a bit of popularity, also in Enhanced Service Pistol as with the XDs, but most people do not like the DA/SA trigger - and as noted, some models have trouble making weight - preferring either true single action, or the similar trigger seen on most modern striker-fired pistols. The M&P would probably be my choice, as it's SSP legal, and the triggers, while OK from the factory, can be modified to give very nice, smooth, consistent, single-action style breaks.
 
The XDm can compete in esp, you wont be shooting against crazy raceguns or anything, it would just be better if you could shoot SSP with it is all.
 
Yeah, yeah, Glock 19 that's it.
Shorter sight radius and shorter butt make it harder for him to get good scores and beat me.
That's what he needs, all right.
Click to expand...
I thought he might be serious about ccw by reading his post.
 
Are you a new shooter?

Have you been in any IDPA match before? if not, you can go and see what guns people use there and ask them.. probably you will see glocks, 1911, m&p, xds and other.. in that order.

the people there usually is nice and they can answer any question do you have.

I use my m&p9 and I've been doing well.. last week I put hard sear and usb,the trigger feel better now..

but if you are new to IDPA/shooting dont worry so much about the trigger for now..

I have a g19, and after 1 year I like more the glock trigger.. short reset and there is not any false reset as in the m&p9...

probably you would end buying a 2nd gun after a while hahaahaa..

after some time if you really like it and want to go deep with idpa/uspsa, with trigger jobs, sights, upgrades,etc.. I dont know how easy is the the CZ series. to modify and buy parts..

once I hold a cz75 and was very comfortable in my hand as my m&p too.

the g19 is for me a little easier to cc than m&p, the grip is larger and with the g19 you can do very well anyway...
 
I really get a kick out of all this. Go to any IDPA match and look at the guys in the parking lot as they get ready to leave. Most are stcking 5 shot J-Frames in their back pocket, but during a match all they can talk about is "real life" and this will "save your life" stuff. Please guys, and ladies, it's a game. Real scores are not "down 1 or 3" he who is in the morgue, lost, just that simple. it's a sport, treat it as such, be safe and have fun. Just my opinion.
 
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