Best round for competition?

[RCKnight]

Hello, I'm wondering what would be the better cal. for competition? Should I get a 9mm or a .40? I'm told a 9mm has much less recoil, but the .40 has more knock down for steel targets. After seeing some of those guys shooting a 9mm so flat I wonder if it's better for much faster recovery. I can't decide so help me out. lol

[ezterra]

It depends which sport you're shooting. Are you talking about practical pistol competition like IDPA or USPSA? If USPSA it depends what division your going to shoot in. The .40 will be the most versatile because you could shoot it in Limited, Limited 10, and Production. Then you can load to meet the minimum power factor if you want to minimize recoil. I'm pretty sure on what I've mentioned above, but if I'm not, I'm sure someone will chime in.

If IDPA, I'm guessing you want to shoot SSP since this is a Glock forum. However you could shoot a .40 cal Glock in SSP or ESP. If you went .45, I'm pretty sure you could also shoot it in CDP as well. If you really want a soft shooting gun, get a G21 and load it to minor PF (125 PF) and shoot SSP. The felt recoil is softer than my G34 with WWB 115 grain 9mm.

FWIW, the Glock 34/35 is probably the most popular pistol in IDPA and IIRC the G35 just won the IDPA Nationals.

[Bren]

Originally posted by RCKnight
Hello, I'm wondering what would be the better cal. for competition? Should I get a 9mm or a .40? I'm told a 9mm has much less recoil, but the .40 has more knock down for steel targets. After seeing some of those guys shooting a 9mm so flat I wonder if it's better for much faster recovery. I can't decide so help me out. lol
These aren't necessarily the relevant factors. "Knock down" power for steel targets is meaningless, since ever type of competition I'm aware of requires the steel to be calibrated to go down with a minimum power .38/9mm round. If power factor is not a concern (IDPA, GSSF, USPSA/IPSC production division) then the 9mm is both cheaper and easier to shoot with factory ammo, allowing you to practice more and score higher without reloading. If power factor is a concern (USPSA/IPSC limited/limited 10/open divisions, etc.) then the .40 will allow you to make the power facotry with factory ammo in a relatively easy shooting and high capacity round. With factory ammo, you will be able to shoot the 9mm faster.

[RCKnight]

Now I just need to decide. I want to try a 9mm for competition, but I carry a .40 for duty. It's a hard decision, because I want to carry the 34 or 35 for duty as well. The only thing, my department will only supply my .40 ammo and I like a .40 for duty. I like a 9mm because I'm told it's so much easier to shoot. I'll have to rent one to help me make a final decision. I have a $1200 G22 I've built for an open class. :crazy: I thought of trying it first, but then I was told to first try the stock class. My only goals were to have fun building a Glock and to shoot better under stress. :) I guess that's going backwards.

[jobob]

The biggest advantage of the 9mm is cheap practice ammo. The recoil difference is minimal, in my opinion. I shoot a G34 in USPSA Production Division, and a G35 in Limited. Although the 9mm is certainly milder, I don't think the difference is very great. I go from one to the other, and under the stress of competition I really don't notice much change in recoil. The other day I shot a 9mm Open gun with WW white box ammo in a match, then switched to a G23 for the "carry gun" side match. No problem making the transition and I barely noticed an increase in recoil.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally posted by RCKnight
Hello, I'm wondering what would be the better cal. for competition? Should I get a 9mm or a .40? I'm told a 9mm has much less recoil, but the .40 has more knock down for steel targets. After seeing some of those guys shooting a 9mm so flat I wonder if it's better for much faster recovery. I can't decide so help me out. lol

In IDPA Stock Service pistol the 9mm is the best. In Limited IN ISPC the 40 is the best. In Open in ISCP the 38 super comp is the best. In limited 10 the 45 is the best. It depends on the game your playing.


Pat

[ryucasta]

I would agree with Alaskapopo on most of his recomendations except for Open. You can now use 9x19 for Open Major which is much more cost effective than using 38 Super.

[Alaskapopo]

Originally posted by ryucasta
I would agree with Alaskapopo on most of his recomendations except for Open. You can now use 9x19 for Open Major which is much more cost effective than using 38 Super.

My oversight I forgot about major 9mm. But 9mm usually does not feed as well in 1911's. WHich is the dominate platform in ISPC.
Pat

[ryucasta]

PAt,

Here in Southern Californai folks like Jojo Vidanes used to use 9x21 and they went to 9x19 major using the same COAL.

http://nrg.jvdynamics.com/nrg/

[elsolo]

Originally posted by RCKnight
I have a $1200 G22 I've built for an open class. :crazy: I thought of trying it first, but then I was told to first try the stock class.

Dude, you allready have a gun that will work fine. Shoot that several matches and you will soon figure out which direction you really want to go for your next gun and division.