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I am shopping for a new gun to carry (I am required to carry at work) and to shoot in IDPA. Currently I carry and shoot a Sig 229 in .40 caliber, which I have had since 1997. I love my Sig but not the first 10lb trigger pull so I shot a Glock 21 which is a .45 and did quite well with it but being a polymer gun its recoil is noticable after a 100 rounds or so. I have thought about a 9mm but prefer a larger caliber to carry and I am adamant about shooting my "carry" gun. I shot an XDM45 and did better with it than the Glock but has fewer holster options. I may go to a 1911 but I am not used to flipping off safetys and they are more prone to malfunctions than plastic guns (IMHO). I am open for suggestions.

Brian Mobley

I went through the same process a while back. I went with a Glock 19. I carry it & shoot in competitions with it, IDPA & some other IDPA style matches. I did add night sights to replace the stock sights. We compete in low light conditions & the stock sights were not useful. 9MM is cheaper to shoot for practice. I also think the stopping power of 9MM JHP is sufficient, especially with the 15 round capacity. I also carry a Kel-Tec PF9 as backup or if my wardrobe does not allow for the larger 19.

Brian, curious what line of work you're in that requires you to carry? LEO? Or something else?

As for a good gun for dual use carry and IDPA with a caliber above 9mm, I'd STRONGLY recommend a Smith & Wesson M&P45 .... I LOVE MINE. I'm a decent IDPA shooter after about 10 matches over about 6 months, and actually shot three seconds FASTER (overall time) with my M&P45 than my M&P9 when I shot both at a classifier match (classified Sharpshooter with both - a few seconds shy of expert). The .40 S&W is a great caliber too (one I've carried for years), but if you get semi serious about IDPA I think it's a liability because it doesn't qualify for CDP class (.45 only) but shooting in SSP or ESP class you're competing against guys using 9mm with powder puff loads. If you're just doing IDPA for fun/practice, then don't worry about it. But if you're wanting to compete - a .40 is behind the curve in SSP & ESP mainly for the fraction of a second longer to reset for a follow up shot vs. a 9mm.

Regardless of which M&P you prefer, if your job allows, also strongly recommend trading out the M&P fire controls with a kit from APEX Tactical. Relatively easy self-install using the free YouTube videos they produce to walk you through it. I went with simply changing out the sear and striker block and left all the factory springs in both my M&Ps, this gives around a 4-pound trigger pull. But the DCAEK kit adds some springs that raise this pull weight back into the factory 6 or 7-pound range while keeping the added APEX parts benefits of overall smoother trigger action and more definite trigger reset point.

Hi Austinrealtor,

I work at The Arm's Room in League City as the Director of Firearms Training. We not only have a 15 lane indoor range but we sell, rent and work on all types of firearms including fully automatic weapons. The owner requires most employees to carry a gun openly as a deterrent effect.

I have shot the M&P Pro 9mm and liked the gun but did not care for the trigger. Your suggestion about a trigger change would probably help that.

As far as caliber, I would prefer a .40, .45 or .357 Sig as opposed to a 9mm but that brings the added muzzle flip. I shoot IDPA for fun but would like to "step up my game". I also recommend IDPA for anyone who is trying to improve shooting skills without spending a fortune.

Thanks for the feedback,

Brian Mobley

CHL Instructor

CHL Holder for 14 Years

I carry an M&P 40 and shoot it in IDPA try one.

If you love the 229, why not have the trigger spring changed to lighten the pull?

@Brian - I want your job

try the M&P45 with the trigger job - I think you'll like it and you can compete in all three IDPA semi-auto divisions with it (though you must download to 8 rounds per mag for CDP - stupid 1911-centric rules ) .... I've heard quite a few stories of top-level shooters winning CDP division at regional meets with M&P45s, and shuttin' up those 1911 fan boys

@baldeagle, I have sent it back to Sig and they polished, lubed and installed a Short Reset Trigger which helped but they said it was the best they can do. I have heard horror stories about letting outside gunsmiths work on a Sig. How hard is it to change springs?

@austinrealtor, you are right, I do love my job most of the time and the Company has been very good to me. TAR is family owned and operated which helps but there are days of being muzzled and other mistakes which can test anyones patience.

Thanks again,

Brian

remember, the best "carry" gun is the one you have on you.

NRA Patron Life Member

Brian,

It was good to talk with you last Monday night. My Niece loved every second of the match!

Next time I'm at TAR, I'll come talk to you. I have both the 9mm and .45 acp versions of the M&P. I shoot the 9mm for IDPA and the .45 is my EDC. Apex Tactical produces some aftermarket parts for the M&P pistol line that GREATLY enhances the trigger. As a matter of fact, they are set to release their new FSS (Forward Set Sear) and trigger combo on May 16th. The installation of these parts will eliminate almost all pretravel and overtravel, and with the addition of their USB (Ultimate Striker Block) remove the "gritty" feeling.

Cheers!

Why rule out 9mm? The chances a CHL holder will be involved in an armed conflict are pretty small. If God forbid something did happen, 9mm is more than sufficient to stop just about any target. Especially with two well placed shots in the "zero down" zone.

That said I carry a Glock 17 and use it for IDPA frequently. And the low cost of 9mm ammo allows me to shoot at least a couple times a week.

Check out Bruce Gray at http://www.grayguns.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
He is a very well known Sig Smith on the Sig Forum web site
He might have a package that will work for you

Brian Mobley wrote:I am shopping for a new gun to carry (I am required to carry at work) and to shoot in IDPA. Currently I carry and shoot a Sig 229 in .40 caliber, which I have had since 1997. I love my Sig but not the first 10lb trigger pull so I shot a Glock 21 which is a .45 and did quite well with it but being a polymer gun its recoil is noticable after a 100 rounds or so. I have thought about a 9mm but prefer a larger caliber to carry and I am adamant about shooting my "carry" gun. I shot an XDM45 and did better with it than the Glock but has fewer holster options. I may go to a 1911 but I am not used to flipping off safetys and they are more prone to malfunctions than plastic guns (IMHO). I am open for suggestions.

Brian Mobley

S&W M&P

I've got a couple in 9mm and a couple in .45. Piece of cake to shoot. I've "retired" my 1911 from carry duties after I got my M&P. Shot my first IDPA-style match this weekend using my M&P w/ Big Dot sights.