Disadvantage shooting ,40 at IDPA?

[Charlie.40]

My first and only gun is a G23. I picked the .40 a year ago after deciding it was the best all around round and since I only carry concealed, liked the idea of the extra rounds and its size.
I really enjoy shooting and want to join IDPA to be able to practice in defensive shooting and for fun,
The only problem is that I see that the majority seem to shoot 9mm's because of the faster recovery, etc, etc.
Yes I believe in training with what you carry but I don't want to be left in the dust because I'm shooting .40 while everyone else are shooting nines.
I hear about "downloading" your load and all that but I need to stick to factory loads for now until I mature more as a shooter.
I guess I can't have it both ways.
Should I but another gun for competition?
Any input would help.
Thanks



:cool:

[DannyR]

Charlie,

Theere is nothing wrong in using your G23 in IDPA. You will be competitive. I highly suggest using American Eagle 165-gr FMJ or Blazer 165-gr FMJ ammo due to their reduced recoil.:)

[Joe D]

Charlie, nothing wrong with a .40. A .40 loaded to a 125-130 pf is, in fact, softer shooting than a 9mm loaded to the same pf. I shoot a G34 in SSP and a G35 in ESP. I load the 34 with a 147 gr. bullet and the .40 with a 180 gr. This may not sound right, but I have let other shooters fire both guns.

[Clyde]

Nothing Wrong with a 40 S&W. Practice, Practice :):)

[Don At PC]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with shooting the G23 in IDPA. I am not an expert but have shot a couple IDPA matches with my G23 and feel I was just as competitive with it as anything I could have chosen. I really like the way it fit my hand, it was smooth from the holster, it was accurate. My personal view is: if you are shooting IDPA for true practical experience and the G23 is your normal carry gun then it is the best choice. IF you are shooting IDPA as purely a game and are only interested in winning then it may not be the best choice. I have even shot mine in a few Steel matches and also shot my G17/34 in the same steel matches and had a better score with my G23 than any of the others.

[Charlie.40]

This is really what I'd hope to hear. I rented the G22 last weeekend and compared it to my G23. It shot very good I thought at first; I liked the better sight distance and thought at first that it maybe was a bettter shooting gun. The slide felt a bit heavier which made it feel a bit better.....and so I thought.

When I picked up my G23 after, it felt like a glove! Probably because I'm use to it. I was able to shoot as good and even better and believe it or not, recovered faster.
I know the nine is 'easier' to shoot but I would rather carry a .40 and yes I would rather if possibe practice with what I carry.
I was sold a box of 180gr Hydrashocks when I picked up my new gun and have been shooting 180gr ever since. (I shoot the best with Winchester white box).
So, am I understanding this right? I can shoot my G23 at IDPA and not have a disavantage.
If so should a switch to 165gr.?
Joe D, you're saying that a 180gr has actually less recoil than a 9mm +P?
I know that I'm asking to many questions it's just that I'm eager to start parcticing with what I intend to compete.
Sorry for the length of this response,
Thanks for the info.

[Joe D]

Charlie, my G34 and 35 are set up for competition use only. I use a 13 lb. recoil spring in both of them. I do not know what the actual ft. lbs. of recoil would be, but the .40 is softer shooting. The heavier weight bullets feel softer in all of my guns. I shoot a 147 in 9mm, 180 in .40 and 230 in .45. The same softer feel holds true when I load the .40 and .45 to Major PF for IPSC.
I let a new shooter (female),that I am training, fire my G34 and G35 the other day. She remarked that the G35 was the easier of the two to shoot because it had less recoil.

[Flexmoney]

You can shoot full-power ammo in USPSA competitions as well. Neither IDPA nor USPSA is tactical training. Both are good for gun handling skills. If you shoot USPSA in Limited or Limited 10, then you will be on equal footing with everyone power-wise. And, you likely will get to shoot more.

Each is a game, each has it merits.

[Charlie.40]

i guess I'll start with my G23 and take it from there. DANNY R I just picked some boxes of 180gr and 165gr to make sure that I'm not missing out on something.
Actually FEXMONEY, I was looking into GSSF; but when I realized that there's only 1 match a year 6 hours away made me look into IDPA.
I thought the IDPA was better for regular entry level civilian to start.
Am I right?
Thanks:cool:

[Fireglock]

Charlie,

Try the GSSF match in Jax, make a weekend out of it, you'll like it.

[Charlie.40]

FIREGLOCK I'll probably go to Jax to get it out of my system but I only wish the GSSF had more activities down here in South Florida.:cool:

[Fireglock]

I'll go along with that Charlie. :)

[Flexmoney]

Charlie,

You will have your hands full no matter what competition you shoot. Competition is an eye opener. You will see folks doing thing that appear nearly impossible. Most importantly...you can learn a ton.

I'd hate to see this thread turn into an IDPA vs. IPSC thread. I'm not going to say one is better than the other. IDPA's scoring system is certainly easier to learn...though anyone that has made it as far in scool as Jethro from The Beverly Hillbillies can figure out the scoring in IPSC (it is a bit on a pain at first).

Heck, I could go on and on about the pros and cons of each. Bottom line, it doesn't matter much. The most important thing in either game is to watch the front sight lift out of the notch (no flinch). Be able to call every shot.

The easiest game to start on might be a Steel Challenge type match. If there are any in your area be sure to check them out.

Just remember, they are all games. Have fun.

[Charlie.40]

Just came back from the range and had a great time. I just reieved a box of indoor range paper IDPA targets that I ordered. I figured to start practicing with the correct targets from now on,
Compared both (180gr and 165gr) and the difference was a lot less than I had anticipated.
Like I stated before I've been shooting 180's from the 'get go' so I am comfortable with it even though the 165 did kind of feel slightly 'smoother".
Thanks for all your answers and advice!

[jamgusmc]

I am glad I saw this thread!!! I also have a G23 and one of the things I want to do is compete!!! I only have owned it for about a month.. so the same question was going thru my head!!

[GaryNH]

Have fun with it! First day I took my 27 to the range there was a bowling pin shoot going on and I said what the heck! Stood up to the 1911 crowd, watched them clearing their jams, and had a lot of fun.

Gary