Competition gun for carry purpose?

[32icon]

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.

 

[OKFC05]

What pistol are you talking about?
"Made for competition" could be anything from a Shield (IDPA/BUG) to the smaller Pro Series guns on up to full size 1911s. One shooter in our club carries an expensive custom 1911, and nobody is going to tell him otherwise.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

I think that you need to look at three things.

1. Is the ammo appropriate? This may not be the most important thing, but it does have to have appropriate penetration, whatever exactly that is.

2. Can you carry the thing concealed? And get it out of the holster or whatever safely and expeditiously?

3. Is it safe in anticipated use? Meaning will you be likely to make it discharge only when you want it to kill the intended target?

IMO, if it passes those three tests, it is probably not only acceptable for defensive carry, but probably superior.

At one time, I think that a few folks considered a Colt Gold Cup NM a superior defensive carry option. Even today, I would hardly badmouth a Les Baer for the same purpose.

What were you planning on getting?

 

[federali]

Accuracy and Reliability

Another fly in the ointment is that highly accurized target pistols tend to be more prone to stoppages because of the tighter clearances and tolerances. It's the reason that a stock GI Model 1911 sounds like a child's rattle when you shake it.

Regarding guns for self defense, it's always better to err on the side of reliability than accuracy.

 

[Arik]

Typically no but it depends on the gun. Carry guns are usually concealed and your not trying to impress bad guys with aesthetics.

Most competition guns will not be as forgiving with a wider selection of ammo. You may get stuck having to practice with expensive ammo.

But it all depends on what gun you're talking about and how much it has been customized

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[32icon]

What pistol are you talking about?
"Made for competition" could be anything from a Shield (IDPA/BUG) to the smaller Pro Series guns on up to full size 1911s. One shooter in our club carries an expensive custom 1911, and nobody is going to tell him otherwise.

I'm looking at a Canik TP9 SFX. I've heard great things about it and if I like it once it hits the market in the next month or so, I'll buy it.

 

[32icon]

I think that you need to look at three things.

What were you planning on getting?

Thank you for the input. I'll definitely consider your input. I'm looking at the TP9 SFX (9mm). It hasn't come out yet, but it will in the next month or so.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdxc1qzgUzk&t=82s[/ame]

 

[32icon]

Regarding guns for self defense, it's always better to err on the side of reliability than accuracy.

Makes sense. I wanted to be sure before I did anything. Thank you!!!

 

[32icon]

Most competition guns will not be as forgiving with a wider selection of ammo. You may get stuck having to practice with expensive ammo.

But it all depends on what gun you're talking about and how much it has been customized

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Wow. I didn't know that I may be stuck with practicing with more expensive ammo. That's a no-go for me. Lol. It's a 9mm. Here's the link [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdxc1qzgUzk&t=82s[/ame]

 

[Arik]

Wow. I didn't know that I may be stuck with practicing with more expensive ammo. That's a no-go for me. Lol. It's a 9mm. Here's the link Canik TP9 SFX competition ready handgun on a budget :SHOT show 2016 - YouTube

Like I said....need to know what gun and what mods. The more expensive ammo has nothing to do with caliber but the prices within the caliber youre buying. 9mm can cost $10 a box of $15 a box or more.

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[michaelt]

Would you drive a NASCAR on the street ? I think not. So why would you carry a race gun as you concealed pistol

 

[Rpg]

Back in the good old days of IPSC, competition guns were carry pieces.

What you used for competition had to be useable for edc.

For example, Ross Siefried carried the same 1911 Pacmyr guiding in Africa that he used to win the international IPSC championship.

Although I don't compete any longer, I regularly carry the 1911's I competed with in the early '80's.

 

[32icon]

Would you drive a NASCAR on the street ? I think not. So why would you carry a race gun as you concealed pistol

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*

 

[OKFC05]

I'm looking at a Canik TP9 SFX. I've heard great things about it and if I like it once it hits the market in the next month or so, I'll buy it.

Yeah, they're all great in the pre-release publicity.
A new model from Canik with no track record and no idea what to carry it in concealed leaves me totally cold. Plus it is huge and has all kinds of extended controls to catch on a carry holster.
The one Canik I did shoot seriously needed some work to be acceptable to me.
I wouldn't buy one. Good luck.
Please report back on how it works out if you buy one.

 

[Will Carry]

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.

 

[32icon]

Yeah, they're all great in the pre-release publicity.

Please report back on how it works out if you buy one.

I haven't made a decision yet, but if I do decide to buy it I'll certainly let you know. Thank you for your input.

 

[32icon]

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.

Wow. Good to know. Thanks for responding!! Happy shooting.

 

[Arik]

If they simply added the red dot and flared magwell it shouldn't be too bad. I have no interest in any of them but I also haven't heard much bad things in the way of reliability.

However, the extended mag release and the charging handle would be definite no. The mag release can be bumped easier than a standard one and the next thing you know you pull the gun and the mag drops out or doesn't load the next round. The charging handle will get bumped into everything and the flared magwell adds length to a grip that's already full size and harder to conceal

Needing work to be acceptable is different for everyone. Was it a function problem or just things you didn't like?



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[32icon]

Needing work to be acceptable is different for everyone. Was it a function problem or just things you didn't like?

This is all good information and very useful for me. At this point, from all of the input that was given on this forum, I will not buy it for carry. Also, I like that the SF Elite model has ambi mag release ([ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18o_4ru8CQE&t=5s[/ame]). The competition model does not. Plus the elite is smaller and probably better for carry. But the competition (SFX) is soooooo nice looking.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Competition guns used for practical competitions can be carried by anyone for defensive purposes, even the largest of them, if you're comfortable carrying a service sized handgun and can conceal it if required.

When I was shooting cowboy action there was always someone who wanted to carry his Single Action Army .45 for defensive purposes. Trust me when I tell you that a cowboy action competitor can very easily carry his revolver as his defensive pistol and be quite successful at it, especially if it's not super tricked out. If it's too tricked out then it starts becoming less safe for self defense but I, for example, could easily have carried a Ruger Vaquero .45 for self defense if I wanted to lug that tank around. CAS shooters are fast and accurate and, as a rule, carry large calibers. No problem - just not particularly practical IMHO.

But modern pistols like 1911s (they're modern if you want them to be ), Glocks, SIGs, M&Ps, all sorts of guns used in competition are easily transferable to defensive use. Same for revolvers if you're like me and prefer wheelies.

Can you shoot it accurately?

Is it safe?

Yes and yes means yes you can do it.