which caliber for competition

[LasVegasCop]

I currently shoot in a local group called CPAAN here in Las Vegas.
I use my 1911 currently but I want to buy a competition gun and make it a race gun.
I plan on expanding to other shooting competitions including GSSF so I want my competition gun to be a Glock.

Originally I planned on the 34 9mm but after talking to others maybe the 35 .40cal would be a better choice
I wish they had a .45 long slide Comp gun.

I am not worried about the price of ammo in this case.

How many here shoot competitions and what is your Glock of choice?

[Duck of Death]

I have 2 G34 race guns others like the G17. Stick with 9mm---reason, more in the mag.

[LasVegasCop]

I have 2 G34 race guns others like the G17. Stick with 9mm---reason, more in the mag.

Have you ever shot steel with the 9mm?
Does it knock over plated and pepper poppers like the .40 or in my case .45 do?
I think that is my main concern.
Almost everyone that shoots competition with the bigger calibers say that the 9mm wont knock em down as fast sometimes causing you to shoot twice at one target..

any comments on barrels and an optic?

[WellArmedSheep]

If you're thinking about IPSC/USPSA you might want to go with a larger caliber than 9mm, since you have to worry about major/minor power factors...for IDPA 9mm would be a good caliber since everything is scored the same within a division. I've never had a problem knocking down steel with my G17, but I've never shot a match or stage that was predominantly steel...only a few poppers and plates mixed in with a bunch of cardboard for some variety.

[Duck of Death]

A 9mm major will take steel down just like a 38 super, you get up to a PF of 165 the steel WILL go down.

[LasVegasCop]

hmmm.. ok.. I guess I have to learn a little more about the minor and majors first before I decide...

[9x45]

For IDPA and USPSA Production, 9mm, for USPSA Limited, 40S&W (download to a 125 pf for IDPA). Poppers are allways calibrated to 9mm, and you don't wait for them to fall.

[LasVegasCop]

ok... I see.. I dont want to get into reloading either.
If it comes down to that I will go to a .38 Super.
So that leaves me back at my original question 9 or 40..
I guess I need to read about all the different classes and see if I would feel to limited with the 9mm, or not...

[Jim Watson]

Agree with 9x45.
If you don't handload, get the 9mm.
It will get you into USPSA Production and IDPA Stock Service Pistol or Enhanced Service Pistol with no major-minor scoring disadvantage. Everything scores Minor in Production, and IDPA requires Major only in CDP which has to be a .45 ACP anyhow.
By IPSC/USPSA rules and IDPA policy you are entitled to have steel targets set so a 9mm will knock them down and will get a reshoot if you obviously "ring" one and it does not fall.

If you get heavily into it and want to shoot a different Division, well, we all need a good excuse to buy another gun.

[LasVegasCop]

ok. I have a 21c and a 1911 to shot .45. so I think the 9mm it will be..

I think, lol

[Duck of Death]

If you want to shoot open and don't reload the G34 is a poor choice. It can be used in open but can't make major unless reloaded. If it's shot minor it will be scored minor, this goes for Limited and Limited 10. If you want to use the G34 in Production it will be fine.

[MannyA]

Get the G35, you can always get a KKM 40 to 9 conversion which works great. You can also get a 357 sig barrel and have a 3 caliber gun

[LasVegasCop]

why,oh why did I post this question.. :wow:

i think I will just get both then,, lol..

But Manny has a good option... Get the 35 and the KKM conversion.. hmmmmm

[Jim Watson]

USPSA Production does not allow caliber conversions, IDPA does not recognize them in any Division. Local club shoots seldom care or even notice, but if you wanted to enter a sizeable match, you would have to shoot the gun in its original caliber.

[ede]

for GSSF the 9mm might give you a edge in shooting less recoiling loads than the 40. for USPSA or any other game where PF is a factor the .40 would be the way to go. you can't make major with the 9mm except in open class.

[LasVegasCop]

USPSA Production does not allow caliber conversions, IDPA does not recognize them in any Division. Local club shoots seldom care or even notice, but if you wanted to enter a sizeable match, you would have to shoot the gun in its original caliber.

ok.. well I guess I just need to figure out what I want to do using factory ammo, no reloads.

[Duck of Death]

Unless I shoot my G34 Open Gun in USPSA I shoot a G26 or G17 in IDPA/SSP and USPSA/PRODUCTION usning 115 gr WWB purchased at Wal Mart. The G35 will give you more options but it will be hard to compete against a G34 in SSP/PRODUCTION unless you reload. In Limited 10 you'll be fine but in Limited you'll be round limited when shooting against the S_I guns.

I'd get the G34/G17 the ammo is cheaper and shoot SSP/PRODUCTION.