Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

In addition to switching to FOW and doing new things, thinking about one of these for IDPA competition.
1. Beretta 92 with D spring (8lb DA / 4lb SA), hogue grips, and adjustable sights (aka existing confirguration just confiscated by She Who Must Be Obeyed - I like your pistol...zoinks!)

2. S&W M&P competition model
http://gunsgunsguns.net/smith-wesson-mp9l/
The S&W costs about $150 more

3. Springfield XDM is similar to the S&W.
http://gunsgunsguns.net/springfield-armory-xdm-5-25-competition/
I really like the looks of this, buts it a dern ferrener pistol (Croatia but owned by US).


The Beretta has a higher first pull but lower and crisper secondary shots (most of them). As importantly it weighs about 10oz more. The S&W has a better sight out the front and good barrel, but mushier trigger. I may have to get an ATEK trigger for it, but the S&W 9mm conceal I shot would have been fine with practice. Springfield XDM very similar to the S&W and the Glock 34. I don't know how good its trigger is. Both the S&W and Springifled XDM were effectively designed for this type of competition. I believe the Springfield actually falls into the SA style classes actually.

thoughts? If wishes were fishes I'd get a double column STI, but don't have $2,500 burning a hole in my pocket.

I say XDM, from what I've heard it's very good.

Makarov wrote:I say XDM, from what I've heard it's very good.

Indeed, I've heard good things about it as well 9and the design reminds me of my old dirtbike). I guess the real question comes down to DA/SA with better weight and crisper trigger, vs. DA only and less weight to absorb recoil.

No disrespect Frazz, but in light of what's happened in California, let's lay off the gun talk for a day or two. And I speak as somebody who is supportive of citizens arming themselves against criminals and tyrants.

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:No disrespect Frazz, but in light of what's happened in California, let's lay off the gun talk for a day or two. And I speak as somebody who is supportive of citizens arming themselves against criminals and tyrants.

He's obviously doing it on purpose. It's what he does, troll.

ifStatement wrote:

Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:No disrespect Frazz, but in light of what's happened in California, let's lay off the gun talk for a day or two. And I speak as somebody who is supportive of citizens arming themselves against criminals and tyrants.

He's obviously doing it on purpose. It's what he does, troll.

A few boos from the peanut gallery...

1. If you'll notice those are all competition pistols or workups (albeit at the cheaper, stock funny car level vs. your Formula One type).
2. Its my freaking birthday and said once all the probate stuff for my parents had passed I was going to finally freaking start competing, and thats coming to end game now. i've given up 40K for FOW, become a versty member, and now I want to spend my valuable thursday nights losing what little hearing I have left spinning yarns with fellow rednecks.
3. The Wife and Daughter took too much of a shine to my current Beretta and "volunteered" I should give it to them, after Genghis Connie obliterated a pumpkin with it.

<link redacted; posting bare images or YouTube videos qualifies as "spam" under Dakka's ;forum rules. --Janthkin>

I've never actually been fully conversant in the IDPA rules but simply from a mechanical and comfort standpoint I would say go with what you know.
The Beretta is what you are familiar with and requires little to no learning curve to bring to competition. If you want to be competitive RIGHT NOW, that's what I would go with.
If you want to do it "right" I have a different suggestion. I'm not nearly as familiar with XDs as I am Glocks, something about being a certified repairer for one and not the other I suspect. I will say that the MP, XD, and Glock all being striker fired are not DAOs in the truest sense. They have more in common with a cocked and locked 1911 than a DAO. I know a guy in Bland MO that does quite possibly the best Glop trigger jobs in the US. It's the closest thing to a 1911 trigger in a polymer frame.
If this is a longterm endeavor for you you can throw some time and a modest amount of money here's what I suggest:
Take a stricker fired pistol, get a trigger job and a mess of spare parts and go at it. I personally would buy a used Glock trade in and put LWD 17L frame and barrel on it and have the trigger done: the Glock 34 isn't built right, just look at it the frame contact the barrel above the rail.

I looked at the Springfield XDM 3.8 sub-compact not too long ago, but ruled in favor the Glock 19(:p) -- I just didn't like the way the trigger pull felt on the XDM. Still seems like a good gun, mind you, and I'm certainly not against looking into one in the future.

Also, lol @ 'Genghis Connie'. I'd also suggest the term 'Wifissar'(commissar wife).

Thanks guys.

Genghis Connie got the name "Genghis" when she threw a fit in a pizza joint/game room and had to be carried out over my head as she was undulating like a snake. At that point I could see her at the head of ten thousand tumen conquering all the known world.

Since then my opinion has not changed.

Knowing feth all about firearms I am only qualified to provide the following opinion.

I don't like how the XDM looks, I find the grip particularly hideous to look at.

Ma55ter_fett wrote:Knowing feth all about firearms I am only qualified to provide the following opinion.

I don't like how the XDM looks, I find the grip particularly hideous to look at.

I think it looks 'pretty nice'.

My taste in firearms aesthetics has changed quite a bit -- I used to think Glocks looked hideous and AR-15s were 'meh', but now I think the former has a certain charm, and the latter awesome-looking. Weird how that happened.

Myself, I would probably go with the M&P. Can't say I am a fan of the XD lines, and I sure as heck don't like DA/SA triggers, high bore axis, decockers ATTACHED to DA/SA triggers, or down-is-safe thumb safeties...and the beretta is 4-for-4 there in most variants.

To be fair though the 92F does feel..."Smoother" during recoil than the competition, for lack of a better word.

SOFDC wrote:Myself, I would probably go with the M&P. Can't say I am a fan of the XD lines, and I sure as heck don't like DA/SA triggers, high bore axis, decockers ATTACHED to DA/SA triggers, or down-is-safe thumb safeties...and the beretta is 4-for-4 there in most variants.

To be fair though the 92F does feel..."Smoother" during recoil than the competition, for lack of a better word.

Thats my big issue. The first DA shot is longer and harder pull, but the follow up shots are much better and a heavier pistol for recoil. Plus there are less first shots in the competition.

Vs. a M&p/XDM type trigger, which is creepier (without modification), and a lighter pistol overall.

I wonder if STI Trojans in 9mm are IDPA compatible. They are also in the price range.

Have you considered a big ol CZ75 or a variant? That might fit the bill better than any of the others if you want a metal frame.

SOFDC wrote:Have you considered a big ol CZ75 or a variant? That might fit the bill better than any of the others if you want a metal frame.

I have. The CZ shadow fits the bill well. However at a cool grand, I might as well change my name to Pablo and make a run for the border, as the Wife will use her newly appropriated Beretta on my ass, or just run me over a few times. That is family tradition.

There's always the option of getting the standard 75 for about half that, give or take, and then piece by piece adding DEM-SPESHUL-GUBBINS on in small doses.

Seems the slow trickling in of parts gets past the women creatures far easier than a lump sum going out the door.

SOFDC wrote:There's always the option of getting the standard 75 for about half that, give or take, and then piece by piece adding DEM-SPESHUL-GUBBINS on in small doses.

Seems the slow trickling in of parts gets past the women creatures far easier than a lump sum going out the door.

This is a true statement. Remember young laddies these words of wisdom.

I've never been a fan of Beretta pistols, I find Glocks much more "pointable"
That said, when I used to compete (Back in the day as it were) I used to use a S&W.
I say go to a gun shop, fire each one, see what you like best.
I can usually tell within a mag or so of ammo if I'm going to get on with a pistol.

Fair points.
I've shot a regular XDM and M&P. Both had mushy triggers to me, but I liked the feel of both. I'm not a super fan of the Beretta either (untweaked). None of them are up to my Kimber, or even my .22LR plinkers.

I wonder how SIG triggers are (226) now.

I'm in the same market for a pistol Frazz. I've fired them all at the range one after another and I'll be going with the Springfield XD(M) 5.25" in 9mm. I found the Baretta grip to be too fat, and the DA trigger is absolute balls.

Filthy Sanchez wrote:I'm in the same market for a pistol Frazz. I've fired them all at the range one after another and I'll be going with the Springfield XD(M) 5.25" in 9mm. I found the Baretta grip to be too fat, and the DA trigger is absolute balls.

Again good points. The Springfiled comes with adjustable sights. I don't think the M&P version does.

I like my Berreta's. I would vote for another 92.

Nicorex wrote:I like my Berreta's. I would vote for another 92.

Well one advantage there is that the females are familiar with a 92, with compatabile magazines in case the Zombie Games start. They are excellent for the 50 yard tactical zombie course. Braaaaaiiiiiiinnnnsssssssssssssssssss.

Ive not shot either of those guns, but I have some minor opinions. My oldest broho has a M&P .40, and it looks pretty similar to the one you posted. I can say, that once your grip is right and you get used to shooting, the M&P can be an incredible shot, Ive made some decent long shots with my brothers a few times, and Im by no means a pistol shooter

BUT

Ive also been eyeing some Springfields for my next pistol as well. Its basically come down to, either a 1911, or the Springfield XD in 9mm. Infact, this very gun
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/2SPXDM9231HC-1.html


Ive never shot it, but I held one once in a store, and it felt pretty nice. But thats it, saying it feels nice doesnt mean it shoots nice

And of course, there's never a range with every gun you could ever want to rent and make a comparison. I know my Beretta can put rounds into a quarter sized target at 7 rounds (I do that to bug guys playing tacticool that try to show off and get annoying at the range)

I don't know about the M&P, but know my S&W 29 is target quality accurate, and it still might blow your head clean off, if you feel lucky...punk.

Frazzled wrote:Fair points.
I've shot a regular XDM and M&P. Both had mushy triggers to me, but I liked the feel of both. I'm not a super fan of the Beretta either (untweaked). None of them are up to my Kimber, or even my .22LR plinkers.

I wonder how SIG triggers are (226) now.

Same as they always have been, you need a green spring and an SRT to make them livable.

Its like everyone on the planet besides 1911 (and Walther) have sucky triggers. Why Baby Jebus Why!?!?!

Again maybe just need to see if STI's 9mm 1911 is IDPA usable and if there's a decent competition in the actual tourney, as this is all the equivalent exercise of wanting to hang at the pool hall on thursdays.

(and Walther) my ass . Walther and Smith share the same gakky triggers.

AustonT wrote:(and Walther) my ass . Walther and Smith share the same gakky triggers.

YOU MUTHA!!!!*
*and by that I mean I respectfully disagree.

Now this is based on a German made PPS that was very smooth with a good break, like a good revolver. I fell in love with it. I don't know about other Walthers, but most reports have that they have pretty good triggers.

I've heard the CZs have pretty good triggers but not shot one nor even seen one.