Still waiting on the FID, but in the meantime, I'm planning a purchase.

 

Originally I was going to get a 9mm to go with my .22. .22 obviously for most target shooting, 9mm to keep things interesting. However, I've been told that if I get into competitive shooting a .45 makes more sense (there are NRA competitions that require a .45). I wasn't planning on a .45 for 3 reasons. First, and most important, bullets are more expensive. Second, I assumed that increased recoil would make rapid fire shooting more difficult. Third I probably incorrectly assumed they were less accurate.

 

Now I'm reconsidering. I don't want to get a 9 only to discover it limits competition. From a strictly target perspective, is there a distinct benefit of a .45 over a 9mm? For example, High Standard 1911 vs CZ-75b.

Still waiting on the FID, but in the meantime, I'm planning a purchase.

 

Originally I was going to get a 9mm to go with my .22. .22 obviously for most target shooting, 9mm to keep things interesting. However, I've been told that if I get into competitive shooting a .45 makes more sense (there are NRA competitions that require a .45). I wasn't planning on a .45 for 3 reasons. First, and most important, bullets are more expensive. Second, I assumed that increased recoil would make rapid fire shooting more difficult. Third I probably incorrectly assumed they were less accurate.

 

Now I'm reconsidering. I don't want to get a 9 only to discover it limits competition. From a strictly target perspective, is there a distinct benefit of a .45 over a 9mm? For example, High Standard 1911 vs CZ-75b.

 

Surely someone will come up with a better answer, but here's my 2 cents

 

Yes, ammo is more expensive, no matter how you look at it.

 

Recoil will depend on the gun. I'm sure there are 9mm guns out there with more recoil than some 45's. My only pistol is a 9mm Beretta, but I have no trouble shooting 45's. I shot a Springfield and it felt no different and rapid fire was, again, no different.

 

In terms of accuracy, you'll find that most guns are way more accurate than you (or me). I don't believe caliber has anything to do with accuracy.

 

Either way you go, good luck and I hope you find something you like. I went out to Sunset Hills and shot some of their guns, including the Springfield. There's one or two places in Jersey where you can rent guns. Alternatively, check the meetups forum and maybe try someone else's guns before you buy.

I would get a 9mm.

 

Much cheaper ammo, can shoot more since it's cheaper, and very minimal recoil.

 

Most competition matches require 9mm as a minimum. I haven't heard of any comp's requiring .45, maybe for like special 1911 shoots or .45 shoots, but other than that, for IDPA/USPSA/ISPC etc, 9mm is fine.

 

Plus 9mm is good for target shooting for the above said reasons as well. .45 just gets expensive quickly to shoot for target.

 

I have a 75b and I love it. More accurate than most of us can shoot. I would highly suggest it.

The reason competitive shooters use the larger calibers is to make Major Power Factor. The scoring for Major is more forgiving of off center hits. However, it also depends on the division in which you shoot. If you are shooting in Production, go with 9mm since there is only Minor Power Factor in Production. The idea is to shoot in the division that is best suited for your pistol.

I couldn't make up my mind so I bought a 40 lol, has a nice snappy feeling I love... And I'm just as accurately with it as my 45 next though will be a 9

Interesting.

Right now the range where I shoot as a guest (again, waiting for FID) has a competition where you choose 3. One must be a .22, one a .45, the other your choice. You can participate with only a .22 and a .45, but not a .22 and a 9mm. I'll check around other ranges and see if they have 9mm comps.

Still waiting on the FID, but in the meantime, I'm planning a purchase.

 

Originally I was going to get a 9mm to go with my .22. .22 obviously for most target shooting, 9mm to keep things interesting. However, I've been told that if I get into competitive shooting a .45 makes more sense (there are NRA competitions that require a .45). I wasn't planning on a .45 for 3 reasons. First, and most important, bullets are more expensive. Second, I assumed that increased recoil would make rapid fire shooting more difficult. Third I probably incorrectly assumed they were less accurate.

 

Now I'm reconsidering. I don't want to get a 9 only to discover it limits competition. From a strictly target perspective, is there a distinct benefit of a .45 over a 9mm? For example, High Standard 1911 vs CZ-75b.

 

Get a 9. Put in for more permits. Practice with the 22 and 9. When more permits come in decide if you think you want a 45, or just stick with what you have.

It all depends on what you want to do. If you start to get into serious action shooting you are going to want a .40 or .45 because you'll want major power factor for the scoring break. 9mm and 22 will be the cheapest to feed, but 9mm and .40 are not that far apart in price.

 

More important than the caliber is going to be how the particular gun shoots for you. When you find what you shoot best you might also find that you are somewhat limited by that calibers are available on that platform.

Ok, but if I don't plan to do "practical shooting" or anything with stages and moving parts, just plain old target shooting, is there any benefit to a .45?

 

It all depends on what you want to do. If you start to get into serious action shooting you are going to want a .40 or .45 because you'll want major power factor for the scoring break. 9mm and 22 will be the cheapest to feed, but 9mm and .40 are not that far apart in price.

 

More important than the caliber is going to be how the particular gun shoots for you. When you find what you shoot best you might also find that you are somewhat limited by that calibers are available on that platform.

Interesting.

Right now the range where I shoot as a guest (again, waiting for FID) has a competition where you choose 3. One must be a .22, one a .45, the other your choice. You can participate with only a .22 and a .45, but not a .22 and a 9mm. I'll check around other ranges and see if they have 9mm comps.

 

What you are describing is essentially NRA Bullseye Competition or 2700 (are you shooting at Citizen's R&R Club?).The 2700 comes from the fact the three courses of fire (slow fire, timed fire and rapid fire) each worth 300 points are fired with three catagories of weapons - those being rimfire, centerfire and .45 (3weapons x 3 courses of fire x 300 points per course = 2700 tptal points possible).

 

Most people choose to shoot the centerfire portion with the same gun they use for .45. This allows for more consistency and costs less money than having a specialized centerfire gun. The S&W model 52 is such a gun. A semi-automatic made strictly for bullseye and intended to shoot .38 Special full wadcutters. There were some National Match 1911's also made for .38 Spec wadcutters.

 

Bullseye used to be contested with revolvers with the three most prevalent being the K-22 (now the model 17), the K-38 (now the model 14) and the model of 1950 and later the heavy barrelled model of 1955 (now the model 25). Bullseye is not as common as it once was, given all the action gun sports, but it does wonders for teaching the fundamentals as far as breathing, sight picture and trigger control - things often overlooked by shooters that enter directly into the action pistol games.

 

As to your original question - go with the 9mm, unless your .22 is suitable for bullseye and you intend to dedicate yourself to that endeavor - then you'll want a target .45 so you will have a suitable battery for that sport. Far more likely you will get bitten by the action pistol bug, and a new (or old) shooetr is better served by the cheaper to shoot, lower recoiling, 9mm in that case. Same goes for general plinking - get the 9.

 

HTH.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Was going to write something, but then decided Bob wrote it far better. =)

 

+1 to 9mm. More practical all around until you decide what your "game" is, at which point you will decide if you want to go 9mm, 40 for USPSA Limited/L10, Single Stack, or even Revolver.

btw, now that my wedding planning is over, if you are in Central Jersey, will be happy to take you out to the range and let you shoot whatever you like. There is a good list.

 

Same thing, I would invite you to go and watch a USPSA or IDPA match so you can see some gun games in action, and see where you interests may be. Talk to the competitors, they will be happy to share their wisdom with you.

Ok, but if I don't plan to do "practical shooting" or anything with stages and moving parts, just plain old target shooting, is there any benefit to a .45?

 

I can reload .45ACP with lead SWC bullets and it's cheaper than the other calibers I reload (9mm and .40S&W). Plus, the recoil is less than a .40S&W and the hole is nice and clean. I also shoot the 2x4 matches and nothing beats a SWC for cutting a board.

 

PS: Shoot a USPSA or 2x4 match and try to go back to "plain old target shooting". Ask, Maks and others, it's an addiction.

Thanks Bob and Maksim, really great advice.

I am in Central Jersey for the next week, then moving to Jersey City and applying for my FID. Seems like 9mm is the overwhelming choice. I really do like the CZ. Just want to be sure I don't end up "needing" a .45 to compete in the year and get stuck with more guns and less money that I need.

You cannot go wrong with a quality pistol such as a CZ. A CZ will get you into the game. Once you see what's going on at the matches, see what others shoot and try out different pistols; you can add to the collection. Shongum is about an hour and a quarter from JC so you can shoot our matches. The Tenafly range is much closer.

I'll look into both, thanks!

 

You cannot go wrong with a quality pistol such as a CZ. A CZ will get you into the game. Once you see what's going on at the matches, see what others shoot and try out different pistols; you can add to the collection. Shongum is about an hour and a quarter from JC so you can shoot our matches. The Tenafly range is much closer.

If you want a cynic's view on the whole thing:

 

.45ACP - Ancient, super slow cartridge that only old timers and fudds use.

 

9MM - Popgun cartridge for little Sally and friends to shoot off after watching My Little Pony.

 

.40 S&W - Neutered version of a good cartridge that is guaranteed to turn your gun into an anti personnel explosive device.

 

I kid, I kid. I'm gonna say start off with a 9MM like a CZ and get a .45 later.

Get a 10MM.

Ok, but if I don't plan to do "practical shooting" or anything with stages and moving parts, just plain old target shooting, is there any benefit to a .45?

 

 

Don't discount practical/action shooting out of hand. While static practice is good for learning the fundamentals, you will eventually grow tired of just standing in one spot and putting holes in paper in another spot. You'll want to "spice things up" a bit and that's where USPSA or IDPA comes into the equation.

 

As Maks suggested, attend a match before making any decisions. There is an IDPA match this Sunday in Somerset. Not sure where you are in Central Jersey (or even if you are still in CJ) but vjf915 and I will be going to the match - you are welcome to ride along. PM me if you're interested.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

Don't discount practical/action shooting out of hand. While static practice is good for learning the fundamentals, you will eventually grow tired of just standing in one spot and putting holes in paper in another spot. You'll want to "spice things up" a bit and that's where USPSA or IDPA comes into the equation.

 

As Maks suggested, attend a match before making any decisions. There is an IDPA match this Sunday in Somerset. Not sure where you are in Central Jersey (or even if you are still in CJ) but vjf915 and I will be going to the match - you are welcome to ride along. PM me if you're interested.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

 

I have work on Sunday or I would be going to that. Gotta try that out too.

 

Like the 2 posters said. Standing and shooting gets boring for some people. Especially after you try some USPSA or IDPA

Don't discount practical/action shooting out of hand. While static practice is good for learning the fundamentals, you will eventually grow tired of just standing in one spot and putting holes in paper in another spot. You'll want to "spice things up" a bit and that's where USPSA or IDPA comes into the equation.

 

As Maks suggested, attend a match before making any decisions. There is an IDPA match this Sunday in Somerset. Not sure where you are in Central Jersey (or even if you are still in CJ) but vjf915 and I will be going to the match - you are welcome to ride along. PM me if you're interested.

 

Adios,

 

Pizza Bob

This..In all honesty unless you get "The Bug" and really start getting competetive, shooting USPSA or other matches with a 9 will do JUST as much good for you. The point is to get out there, Move and Shoot, and get comfortable with your weapon doing something other than static shooting at an non-moving target.

+1

 

Well perhaps not for a first centerfire pistol.

 

Get a 10MM.

Still waiting on the FID, but in the meantime, I'm planning a purchase.

 

Originally I was going to get a 9mm to go with my .22. .22 obviously for most target shooting, 9mm to keep things interesting. However, I've been told that if I get into competitive shooting a .45 makes more sense (there are NRA competitions that require a .45). I wasn't planning on a .45 for 3 reasons. First, and most important, bullets are more expensive. Second, I assumed that increased recoil would make rapid fire shooting more difficult. Third I probably incorrectly assumed they were less accurate.

 

Now I'm reconsidering. I don't want to get a 9 only to discover it limits competition. From a strictly target perspective, is there a distinct benefit of a .45 over a 9mm? For example, High Standard 1911 vs CZ-75b.

 

 

If I were you I'd get both. There are pros & cons to each but I certainly like shooting both calibers.

What about getting a .40S&W pistol and a 9mm conversion barrel? The .40 will bump you up to major power factor and the 9mm conversion can be used for cheaper practice/plinking. You will also be practicing on the same platform.

 

Can you use 9mm conversion barrels in a 40S&W pistol in USPSA or IDPA competitions? As stated before, if you shoot the production division, it's all minor power factor so most people shoot a 9mm as it may be more accurate or quicker to get back on target due to less recoil. However, if you can't use conversion barrels, then you may want to get a production 9mm pistol.

What about getting a .40S&W pistol and a 9mm conversion barrel? The .40 will bump you up to major power factor and the 9mm conversion can be used for cheaper practice/plinking. You will also be practicing on the same platform.

 

[insert incorrect statement here]

Jon, all factory 180 gr that I tested, federal, and winchester, hit major. By a good margin.

 

If you look at uspsa production rules, has to be original caliber.... But in reality.... ?

 

But your best bet is to keep a production gun a production gun. Simply shooting for pf does not make sense as limited and limited 10 are typically optimized for the division. Not simply a production gun that meets base requirements.

Get a 10MM.

 

Or a G21SF and an extra 10MM barrel.

Interesting.

Right now the range where I shoot as a guest (again, waiting for FID) has a competition where you choose 3. One must be a .22, one a .45, the other your choice. You can participate with only a .22 and a .45, but not a .22 and a 9mm. I'll check around other ranges and see if they have 9mm comps.

 

That's bullseye. There's rimfire, service pistol, and centerfire.

 

Other than bullseye you don't need a .45 for anything in particular. My opinion of bullseye is that I'd rather watch paint dry. The gear race side of it has progressed to the point that if your gun can actually fire more than one round without a malfunction, you aren't "serious" about your gear.

 

It.

 

 

is.

 

 

 

very.

 

 

 

very.

 

 

very.

 

 

sl

 

 

ow.

Raz-O, whew, glad to hear you say that was thinking I was the only one, while I'll give credit where credit is due, I can say there is no desire on my part to ever participate in it.

 

Harry

How can you say this is not the most fun you have seen ever with a pistol in the hand?

 

 

 

It is absolutely much more fun than