Competition gun for carry purpose?

[Ozark Marine]

Dude, relax! It's a no brainer for you, BUT FOR ME I'm new to this and thought I would reach out to MAKE SURE I have the RIGHT info before purchasing. If you're going to be a wise guy, I'd rather you not bother responding altogether. *It's always one in the group*

A newbie asking for advice from seasoned CCW, target shooters and veteran military personal tell's a man replying to his question to quit being a wise guy and stop bothering him isn't too bright and should not be around weapons in the first place.

And yeah, I'm that one in the group.

 

[haertig]

Hi All,

I've been shooting for a couple of months now and I'm trying to determine if a competition pistol can also be used for carrying purposes? I'm interested in buying a new pistol that is made for competition even though I don't intend on competing any time soon (maybe never). I just like the aesthetics of the pistol and would like to carry it, but I'm not sure if doing so defeats its true purpose. Please let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you've only been shooting for a few months, you have no idea what you would want in a "competition pistol". That alone should stop you from even considering one.

Buy a Shield in 9mm for carry. Done. That's the pistol I recommend to all new shooters for carry. Paradoxically, that's not the gun I carry myself, but I have shot many many of them and have determined that were I starting out as a newbie, there really is nothing better. Inexpensive, not ammo picky, small, accurate, reliable. Pretty much has it all.

When, actually "if", you ever get into competition, you will want to be much more experienced and have shot many different guns, including competition ones in a competitive setting to see what fits your needs. We all have dreams about what we might want to do in the future, but I would recommend you hold off on making future dreams a part of today's buying decision.

You appear to be looking for a compromise pistol. You won't want that for competition. I have heard of Canik pistols, but never handled or shot one. I do not get the impression that they are high end pistols. That doesn't mean they are bad. But they may not really be "competition pistols" except in Canik advertising.

Wow. I didn't know that I may be stuck with practicing with more expensive ammo. That's a no-go for me. Lol.

Again, don't take this the wrong way, but if you are concerned about "more expensive ammo", then I don't really see competition in your immediate future.

But the competition (SFX) is soooooo nice looking.

That is well and good. And I have let aesthetics come into play in some of my firearms purchases. Usually this visual criteria comes more into play when you're financially secure, already have a LOT of guns, and are fishing for reasons to buy another one. Visual appeal is not a criteria for either carry or competition pistols.

Once again, don't take what I've said above the wrong way. I am honestly trying to help you. Everybody, including myself, thinks they are well informed and knowledgeable when they jump into something new. And then later, they learn they weren't quite as knowledgeable as they thought, and wasted a lot of money on lesser end stuff that they thought was higher end at the time.

 

[haertig]

If you like the looks of that Canik, and the fact that it is striker-fired, but decide you might want to go a bit higher end, check out the Walther PPQ and the H&K VP9. And since this is a S&W forum, I'd be remiss in not mentioning the M&P models. The Walther and H&K fit my particular hand better, but I am dead-accurate with an M&P, and can't discount them in any way.

These four are all larger guns, and the Walther and H&K and M&P can be had for a little over $500 if you shop around. I don't know what the Canik costs, probably less. Larger guns means you will have a real struggle trying to conceal them if that's your planned manner of carry. Size and weight matter greatly when trying to carry concealed.

As in my previous post, I really recommend a Shield for carry. S&W hit a home run with that one.

 

[32icon]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but if you've only been shooting for a few months, you have no idea what you would want in a "competition pistol". That alone should stop you from even considering one.

Hey there! I would really like to thank you for respectfully informing me of what I'm getting into. You made several great points that made me reconsider my approach. My main reason for joining this forum is to gain insight from experienced gun owners and to learn more about the S&W products. Thank you for laying out the things I need to consider and doing so in a way that is respectful and understandable. As you said, I'm not ready for a competition pistol due to lack of knowledge and experience (and probably, budget. Lol).

 

[32icon]

If you like the looks of that Canik, and the fact that it is striker-fired, but decide you might want to go a bit higher end, check out the Walther PPQ and the H&K VP9.

I currently own a M&P9 full size and love it. Since I have big hands and not comfortable with a smaller gun due to limited hand grip length and recoil, this might be an option for me. No, it's not the most concealable, but I'm really comfortable with it and have been shooting pretty good with it.

 

[32icon]

A newbie asking for advice from seasoned CCW, target shooters and veteran military personal tell's a man replying to his question to quit being a wise guy and stop bothering him isn't too bright and should not be around weapons in the first place.

I don't care who you are or what experience you have. There's a right way and a wrong way to talk to people. And I'm not going to go back and forth with you about manners and the "golden rule". That was learned in grade school.

 

[32icon]

Can you shoot it accurately?

Is it safe?

Yes and yes means yes you can do it.

All great points. I might Youtube videos on different carry guns and see what others do. At the end of the day, I know everyone is different. Thanks for chiming in. great input.

 

[Barrie]

My personal recomendation would be the Model 627 built by S&W. It is a competition gun but a revolver that holds 8 rounds either in 357 or 38 special. They average in price around $850.00 to $900.00. Good for both uses. They are also a DA type of gun. The ammo is not all that bad for the cost and these guns are extremely accurate. They definitely will take a perp down in needed to. Lots of good holsters to choose from as well for carrying purposes also.

 

[Harkrader]

I've never owned a "race gun." I have friends with wildly tricked-out guns, usually 1911's of one type or another, that would be unacceptable as carry guns because:
1. They have things that would make them clumsy to carry, such as charging handles and add-on compensators.
2. They have characteristics that make them of questionable safety or utility such as ultra-light triggers.
3. Magazine funnels and large, long magazines complicate concealment and the draw.
4. Barrels that extend forward beyond the front of the slide of an auto complicate concealment and the draw.
5. High-profile sights including optical sights that significantly raise the gun's profile add bulk and require a different type of practice.
6. Some are ammo specific. Autos used in some kinds of competition are set up to use only very light loads, unacceptable for self-defense.
7. Long barrels complicate concealment and the draw.
8. The only holsters some will fit are entirely unsuitable for carry.

I competed in IPSC/Practical Pistol and IDPA as well as Cowboy.
I used the following guns, which were my duty and carry guns:
Various 1911's.
Sig Sauer 228, 229, 220, 226, 239.
Beretta 92 full-size and compact.
Taurus 92 Compact. (The ONLY Taurus that ever worked.)
S&W 29, 28, J-frame .38.
S&W M&P357.
Walther PP and PPK 9mm Kurz.
Colt Python.
Ruger GP-100, SP-101.

For me, the SAA revolvers were unsuitable for self-defense or duty, but were superb in Cowboy competition. Same for my Colt percussion revolvers.
There were other guns that I used in one role or the other, but not in both. I competed in long-range silhouette shooting in the 70's and had a LAR Grizzly 45 Winchester Mag. Basically, it was a piece of artillery without a carriage. Totally unsuitable for carry. Same for my Sig P226 X5 All Around, a competition gun, and a P220-10, for hunting.

Sooo, depending upon your competition interests you can readily choose guns that work for self-defense carry as well. The one thing to avoid is talking yourself into something unsuitable just because it looks or sounds neat to you.

For me, race guns held little attraction. I used my carry guns even in IPSC/Practical Pistol because I competed mostly to keep up my proficiency.

 

[32icon]

I've never owned a "race gun."

For me, race guns held little attraction. I used my carry guns even in IPSC/Practical Pistol because I competed mostly to keep up my proficiency.

Awesome. Thanks for chiming in and especially listing the guns you've used for competition that also worked well for carry. I'll take a look at them!! This was helpful. Thank you.

 

[Ascension]

It looks like a nice firearm. I would caution you on buying a new model handgun and trusting it with your life. The Remington R51 was highly touted when it came out but proved to be a disaster. I bought a Smith and Wesson Sigma when they first came out. They eventually got it right, as I understand, but I was stuck with an unreliable, Glock wanna be. Ruger had to do a recall on their LCP when it first came out. They too eventually got it right. That's just my two cents. Good luck and good shooting.

Will also echo this as I have a problem child early Glock 42 .380 that has a intermittent trigger reset issue.
I also will caution on a carry gun with a super light target trigger.

 

[32icon]

It makes total sense, especially the part about a super light trigger. Thanks.

 

[tom turner]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
I've shot in many hundreds of handgun matches, and won over 100 of 'em in all sorts of calibers, autos and revolvers, stock and raceguns. It is all fun, and I highly recommend you compete after you get "pretty good."

Only at speed, and under the timer with lots of people watching will you even be able to know WHICH firearms will fit your hand perfectly. There is no way to know just by holding them, or by slow target practice at the range. The bullet leaving the rifled barrel will cause muzzle flip but also the rifling will cause the firearm to also twist in your hand . . . and if your grip isn't perfect you'll have a slight variation in your actual grip which will change imperceptably more and more with each shot at speed.

Suddenly you'll be missing badly and you may hear another shooter say, "Man, I don't understand this, for that gun is eating a single jagged hole in the paper at ___ yards, but now it won't hit anything. Practice all you want, but if the gun torques on you at speed that's what is happening . . . or at least a hard to fix thing! Trust me, I've been down that road with several centerfire pistols before.

TWO SUGGESTIONS . . .
1. First, get a decent target .22LR pistol. There's no torque and little recoil or loud boom . . . so you learn faster and don't develop a flinch. Ammo is super cheap and you'll wear your finger out reloading magazines for just a few bucks of shooting . . . and great, accurate shooting of thousands of rounds is necessary to lock in good (or bad) habits. Plus the .22 pistols can be super accurate for very little money.

2. For your second gun that's good enough for competition? Start shooting matches! Shooters are generally very friendly and will let you put their guns though the paces so you'll know if the fit is right. After you've shot with your new friends enough, you'll not make that huge mistake of buying something on emotion that turns out to suck.

Remember, at any price, the competition-quality firearms are the CHEAP part . . . it is the tens of thousands of rounds you'll send downrange that will be the expensive part. So, get good instruction from the beginning, buy a $15 brick of .22LR and you can put a lot of lead downrange, in a pistol which isn't that expensive that can put ten rounds of .22LR into a tiny jagged hole at 10 yards.

Mine's a trusty old Ruger MkII Target model, box stock and it still is a tackdriver. Browning also makes a modest priced .22 pistol, just get the long barrel versions!

Heck, I recommend that everyone start with a .22 pistol or revolver.

Good luck . . . now find great instruction and put some lead down range and you'll be just fine. All the best, Tom

 

[Ascension]

It makes total sense, especially the part about a super light trigger. Thanks.

While I love that light crisp trigger on the range my carry guns are all DAO or Double single. Reason is two fold. First off I carry at work openly everyday and if I ever do have to use a weapon in defense want that long DAO trigger on that 1st round.
Secondly it's just to easy to have an AD in particular as a newer shooter with a super light trigger.
My # 1 and 2 carry guns are both old 3rd gen Smiths in a 5943 DAO 9mm and a Double Single 4013 TSW .40.
I shoot very well with both and would not hesitate to recommend either but would go with the non DAO 5900 guns for a match.

 

[32icon]

Hi, and welcome to the forum!
I've shot in many hundreds of handgun matches, and won over 100 of 'em in all sorts of calibers, autos and revolvers, stock and raceguns. It is all fun, and I highly recommend you compete after you get "pretty good."

Whoa, Tom!! Great information and advice!! I currently have a .22 Victory. I'm waiting for Volquartsen to make lefty grips (they said they're coming out right around the new year.) I stopped shooting it for a while because my knuckle tends to inadvertently flip on the safety due to my high grip, which suits me well on my M&P 9 FS. Anyway, the grips are much bigger, will fit my huge hands, and fix this problem then I can get back into the habit of holding the grip accurately and practicing good habits.

I was just so excited for the TP9 SF Elite and SFX to come out that perhaps I didn't think it all the way through. Plus for the price, you get a lot of bang for your buck with these pistols. I guess in hindsight, I wanted something different for the range besides my current pistols (mentioned above.) I thought by having the SF Elite or SFX I can enjoy it at the range and if down the road I'd like to carry or do competition, I won't have to buy another gun. I wanted to make one last purchase for 2016 and in 2017 focus solid training in classes and range time, and ammo. I'm glad I posted this thread because a lot of helpful people have backed me off the cliff, per se. Lol. Oh and I live in CT. If I ever find $15 for a brick of .22 (other than black Friday sale at Dick's or Bass Pro) I'd probably faint! Hey, thanks again for the advise and not coming across as the "Jerk who picks on the newbie for you know...being a newbie." LOL!

 

[32icon]

While I love that light crisp trigger on the range my carry guns are all DAO or Double single. Reason is two fold. First off I carry at work openly everyday and if I ever do have to use a weapon in defense want that long DAO trigger on that 1st round.
Secondly it's just to easy to have an AD in particular as a newer shooter with a super light trigger.

This makes total sense!!! Especially being a new shooter, I want to be confident in my abilities AND I don't want to get myself in a pickle if I can avoid it. Thanks so much.

 

[sodacan]

I live in a state where concealed carry permits are practically non-existent, but if I had a choice of only one gun for competition and carry it would be my old West German Sig P220. Not very heavy, extremely reliable, well made and way more accurate than any fixed sight service pistol should be.

 

[32icon]

I live in a state where concealed carry permits are practically non-existent, but if I had a choice of only one gun for competition and carry it would be my old West German Sig P220. Not very heavy, extremely reliable, well made and way more accurate than any fixed sight service pistol should be.

I just looked it up. Looks nice! I'm fairly new to shooting and I still tense up a little with a DA pistol. I don't know why. Something about the hammer makes me question my ability to handle it. I love striker fire, but I'm sure there'll come a day when I will branch out and see what I've been missing. Lol. Thank you for sharing.

 

[soccerguy83]

Three things:

Welcome to the forum! You are starting off right, asking questions and then listening to what people are giving you for advice! That's a step ahead of so many already, it's not even funny!

I didn't watch any of the videos, so I apologize if this is an inaccurate statement. I did go look at the website for the TP9 SFX and it lists it as a Single Action Only, in the pictures etc. I didn't notice a safety, the description only lists a trigger safety that looks to be similar to the LC9s. If that is indeed accurate there is NO WAY in heck I would ever consider this for anything other than being at the range.

Lastly, you currently own the M&P9 FS, why would you not want to carry that? It is smaller, lighter, and has the same capacity (depending on model). It is a perfectly capable self-defensive weapon.

 

[32icon]

Three things:

Lastly, you currently own the M&P9 FS, why would you not want to carry that? It is smaller, lighter, and has the same capacity (depending on model). It is a perfectly capable self-defensive weapon.

Hey Soccerguy! Thank you for chiming in. Always good to hear from different people. As for the MP9, I haven't yet started carrying it, but I will once I run some defensive ammo through it and I'm confident in my ammo choice (some advice from you guys on this forum.) But although I decided to carry this pistol, I figured I'll buy the other pistol (SFX or Elite) as my last gun for the year, which would to add some variety to my collection and fun at the range. Then once I decide to switch my carry pistol, I'd have a "viable" choice to choose from instead of purchasing another handgun. Again, in hindsight I think my thought process may have been off a little, especially after others respectfully offered better guidance in this forum. But that's what I was thinking and I also will add that I was under the impression I was getting the best bang for my buck with the reliability, features, usage of the pistols and price. In my mind, I thought it was a win-win. :-/ But I wasn't 100% sure so that's why I thought I'd check with you guys to see if your thinking lines up. Lol. Clearly I was a misguided. But I'm new and I'd like to learn from other mistakes and save money in the process if I can. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts and I'm glad I didn't pull the trigger on this one (pun intended)!