Which caliber for competition? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Teach · 03-16-2006, 08:24 AM

I hope to start competing (IDPA) before too long and I plan to use my XD9SC at first (my only handgun right now), but to eventually move to a tactical model for competition. I'm figuring a .40 will be sufficient, but wondering if a .45 would be better. I'd be able to afford to practice with the .40 more as ammo's cheaper.

Is there a viable reason to go for the .45 for IDPA, or would the .40 be just as competitive?

**Hooz** · 03-16-2006, 08:39 AM

Why not go for the XD-9 Tactical? You get even cheaper shooting, the ammo will work in your SC, less recoil for faster follow-up shots, etc, etc.

That's what I plan on doing. I love my XD-40, but the 9mm seems much more logical for a competition gun.

bobert1 · 03-16-2006, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hooz

Why not go for the XD-9 Tactical? You get even cheaper shooting, the ammo will work in your SC, less recoil for faster follow-up shots, etc, etc.

That's what I plan on doing. I love my XD-40, but the 9mm seems much more logical for a competition gun.

GOOD ANSWER, GOOD ANSWER

mcb · 03-16-2006, 08:59 AM

Does IDPA have a minimum caliber for some divisions? In USPSA 40 cal is the minimum caliber to be scored major in Limited and Limited-10. My not be an issue in IDPA.

mcb

**Old School** · 03-16-2006, 09:23 AM

9mm is fine for IDPA, that is what I run with. IN USPSA, 40 gives you most options, as you can run in both Production and Limited 10/Limited.

I prefer 9mm!

OS

dsglenn · 03-16-2006, 09:37 AM

IDPA does not have a limit on caliber size, but speaking from experience the 45cal will score easier because it makes a bigger hole. I shot 40cal for the 6 years that I shot in IDPA. I like the 40cal. If I was to shoot IDPA again with an XD it would be with a XD40 tactical, with competition trigger, DGR with a 12-16lb spring, and handloaded lead rounds. I would use a 155grain semi-wad cutter lead bullet with 4grains of powder. That'll give you low recoil and a fast smooth operating comp gun. Oh and after you shoot pick up as much 40cal brass that you can, makes reloading even cheaper. That's how I shot all 6 years but from a 1911 and a glock 35, and the gun outshot me evertime. I believe you would shoot in ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol) with the XD in IDPA.

dsglenn

**R Dub** · 03-16-2006, 06:08 PM

One benefit of .45 ACP in IDPA is you could also shoot it in the CDP Division. Should you decide to shoot IPSC/USPSA in Production Division the caliber doesn't matter since it is scored Minor PF only. Should you decide to shoot Limited or Limited 10, the .40 & .45 will allow you to shoot and score Major PF where the 9mm would be scored as Minor PF and you will lose points for any hits that are not in the A zone.

mikeb · 03-16-2006, 06:41 PM

The XD 45 ACP would fit either Enhanced Service Pistol or Custom Defensive Pistol. The only difference would be in CDP you could only load 8 in the mag and 1 in the pipe just like the 1911's, where as in ESP you could load 10 in the mag and 1 in the pipe.
Mike

AKM · 03-16-2006, 06:58 PM

I chose 45ACP because it gives me the flexibility to shoot ESP or CDP (or both if I really want to burn some ammo). I'm also a dyed-in-the-wool ACP fan from my early teens. I find the ACP is as cheap to shoot as 40 if you reload, so cost isn't a factor for me.

**jnclement** · 03-16-2006, 11:40 PM

I went with the xd9 service. That Blazer ammo at Academy for $3.68 was just too hard to pass up. I shoot substantially more because of it. I think they have gone up to $4.68 now. The only guy I shot IDPA with that used the 9mm Tactical didn't think he shot it as well as his service model, and sold it.

03-16-2006, 08:24 AM	#1
Teach XDTalk Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Oneonta, AL Posts: 54	Which caliber for competition? I hope to start competing (IDPA) before too long and I plan to use my XD9SC at first (my only handgun right now), but to eventually move to a tactical model for competition. I'm figuring a .40 will be sufficient, but wondering if a .45 would be better. I'd be able to afford to practice with the .40 more as ammo's cheaper. Is there a viable reason to go for the .45 for IDPA, or would the .40 be just as competitive? __________________ XD SC 9mm

03-16-2006, 08:39 AM	#2
Hooz XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Hilliard, OH Posts: 1,920	Why not go for the XD-9 Tactical? You get even cheaper shooting, the ammo will work in your SC, less recoil for faster follow-up shots, etc, etc. That's what I plan on doing. I love my XD-40, but the 9mm seems much more logical for a competition gun. __________________ XD-9 Tactical : XD-45 Tactical Member: IDPA, USPSA, ASSA, NRA, GOA

03-16-2006, 08:59 AM	#4
mcb XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North East Ohio Posts: 2,036	Does IDPA have a minimum caliber for some divisions? In USPSA 40 cal is the minimum caliber to be scored major in Limited and Limited-10. My not be an issue in IDPA. mcb __________________ If at first you don't succeed; RELOAD _ _ _ _ My web site

03-16-2006, 09:23 AM	#5
Old School XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 7,580	9mm is fine for IDPA, that is what I run with. IN USPSA, 40 gives you most options, as you can run in both Production and Limited 10/Limited. I prefer 9mm! OS __________________ Visit www.pistolgear.com for all of your XD needs!

03-16-2006, 06:08 PM	#7
R Dub XDTalk 3K Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Last Frontier Posts: 3,577 Blog Entries: 1	One benefit of .45 ACP in IDPA is you could also shoot it in the CDP Division. Should you decide to shoot IPSC/USPSA in Production Division the caliber doesn't matter since it is scored Minor PF only. Should you decide to shoot Limited or Limited 10, the .40 & .45 will allow you to shoot and score Major PF where the 9mm would be scored as Minor PF and you will lose points for any hits that are not in the A zone. __________________ Need XD Accessories? Support the XDTalk Sponsors. They support us! Need some competition? IDPA / USPSA

03-16-2006, 09:37 AM	#6
dsglenn XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: North Carolina Posts: 180	IDPA does not have a limit on caliber size, but speaking from experience the 45cal will score easier because it makes a bigger hole. I shot 40cal for the 6 years that I shot in IDPA. I like the 40cal. If I was to shoot IDPA again with an XD it would be with a XD40 tactical, with competition trigger, DGR with a 12-16lb spring, and handloaded lead rounds. I would use a 155grain semi-wad cutter lead bullet with 4grains of powder. That'll give you low recoil and a fast smooth operating comp gun. Oh and after you shoot pick up as much 40cal brass that you can, makes reloading even cheaper. That's how I shot all 6 years but from a 1911 and a glock 35, and the gun outshot me evertime. I believe you would shoot in ESP (Enhanced Service Pistol) with the XD in IDPA. dsglenn

03-16-2006, 06:41 PM	#8
mikeb XDTalk Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: central ky Posts: 42	The XD 45 ACP would fit either Enhanced Service Pistol or Custom Defensive Pistol. The only difference would be in CDP you could only load 8 in the mag and 1 in the pipe just like the 1911's, where as in ESP you could load 10 in the mag and 1 in the pipe. Mike

03-16-2006, 06:58 PM	#9
AKM XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,511	I chose 45ACP because it gives me the flexibility to shoot ESP or CDP (or both if I really want to burn some ammo). I'm also a dyed-in-the-wool ACP fan from my early teens. I find the ACP is as cheap to shoot as 40 if you reload, so cost isn't a factor for me. __________________ Liviu Librescu - În veci pomenirea lui. U.S. Army/Marine Snipers - Making the World a Better Place, 175 grains at a time.

03-16-2006, 11:40 PM	#10
jnclement XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: West Texas Posts: 2,390	I went with the xd9 service. That Blazer ammo at Academy for $3.68 was just too hard to pass up. I shoot substantially more because of it. I think they have gone up to $4.68 now. The only guy I shot IDPA with that used the 9mm Tactical didn't think he shot it as well as his service model, and sold it.

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