3djedi Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) I'm looking for a pistol for USPSA Limited. I compete once a month in USPSA and once a month in IDPA (I use a Walther PPQ for that). I was planning on an M&P pro 5" .40 as a cost effective way to compete. However, I've been drooling over the STI's lately and almost ready to bite the bullet. I have a few questions: 1) Which one would you go with Eagle, Edge, Tactical 5.0 and why? I'm leaning edge but the tactical looks sweet! 2) How much tinkering and maintenance is required to keep these things going? I don't have the time to clean it everytime I shoot and I don't really want to "tinker" to make it work. 3) Would the M&P be more practical and durable for my situation? 4) Are there any 140mm magazines available? I can't seem to find any in stock online. I was thinking about getting the Dave Dawson EDGE. Looks like it has everything out of the box that I need to compete except for the magazines Anyway, if it were you tell me which way you would go. And if you think STI then which one would you choose? Thanks!!! P.S. since you guys probably love your 2011's do you end up carrying a similar pistol for CCW? Edited July 23, 2013 by 3djedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38superfan Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 From what i've read on here (don't have my own 2011 yet) a Dawson tuned edge is a great place to start. You can also scour the classifieds for a used limited class blaster for a better price. Nothing wrong withthe M&P but I'd go with a used 2011 first. That's just me though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaosshooter00 Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 As an owner of a handful of 2011's, I love to work on my guns and "tinker" to my heart's content. That being said, the Dawson's run right out of the box, but I have to agree with 38superfan, look around the classifieds and see what's out there. I have a buddy that's all M&P, all the time and he works on his for function more than I work on mine for fun. I thoroughly clean mine around every 2K rounds, rest of the time it's a bore snake and a wipe down. Good luck and shoot safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sthrngnr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I have had all three, and went the M&P route first as well. I wish I would have just bought an STI off the bat or a custom 2011. I like the eagle because its versatile in USPSA,3 gun, and IDPA. Just picked up a tactical that the dust cover has been shortened to 3/4. The best thing to do would be to try out some different models. Most guys I have shot with were happy to let me try out their 2011. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 I don't think the edge is idpa legal, is it? I heard the eagle is.... I've also read that you have tinker with the mags to get them to run reliably. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atbarr Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 I think the Eagle is legal with a bushing barrel. But, I've been wrong before. Very wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegunnerd Posted July 23, 2013 Share Posted July 23, 2013 Depending on the gun and the caliber yes some mags need to be tinkered with. I would go to shooter's connection and check out their selection and email them for suggestions. I a lot of 40s no tuning is necessary , but with some guns and mags it is. If you plan on shooting IDPA get a gun with a bushing barrel not a bull barrel . That would be the eagle. As work on your gun, it depends on what kind of shooter you are. Do you want a 2# trigger ? do you want it super smooth ? lighter hammer and better springs ? it's all stuff that can be done in the future. Basically a stock edge with a trigger job is sufficient to get started in my view. You may have to tinker with mags. but that's the bare minimum for a 2011. If you're planning on doing a few things to it, though you might look into a custom gun and save time and over the long run .... money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 23, 2013 Author Share Posted July 23, 2013 (edited) I plan on going .40 for whatever I get. I don't mind doing upgrades....I was planning a lot if work on the m&p. But spending that much on the Dawson edge and mags I don't want to upgrade anything until at least next year. I just want to be able to run it and not have any problems out of the box. No malfunctions. Edited July 24, 2013 by 3djedi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G34 CORDY Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I would get a STI Edge, after messing with the M&P trust me you will wish you just bought a STI to start off with. Or if you have the extra money you can get a custom built for a few hundred more than a tuned edge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3djedi Posted July 24, 2013 Author Share Posted July 24, 2013 What would be the difference between a bull and bushing barrel? I was planning on running the ppq for idpa as its the gun I carry. The uspsa limited gun is just for fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forgetful Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) Eagle with bushing is the only legal for idpa option. Honestly if you're going to buy new I'd get a custom since after you spend money on a sti "upgrading it" it's about the price of some of the value custom jobs. If you can get a good price on a used eagle I'd do that too. Edited July 24, 2013 by Forgetful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G34 CORDY Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) Bull barrel doesn't have a bushing (thick heavy barrel) more weight out front Bushing has a thinner barrel and bushing. Not as heavy Edited July 24, 2013 by G34 CORDY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thegunnerd Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 http://www.shootersconnectionstore.com/STI-50-Edge-40-DT-Mag-Release-Fiber-Optic-Front-Sights-Stocked-Item-P966.aspx Comes with a fiber sight , drilled and tapped mag release . I'm a big fan of shooter's connection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warpspeed Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 (edited) For a USPSA only gun, the Edge is what you want. Or at least an Edge-type gun - full dust cover, full profile slide, bull barrel. If you want something that will run right out of the box, I would strongly suggest getting one from either Dawson Precision or Brazos Custom that has been tuned by them. Strongly. Dawson calls it a CRP Edge, Brazos a High Performance Edge. Read this: http://www.brianenos.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=177668 Edited July 24, 2013 by warpspeed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PKT1106 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 http://www.shootersconnectionstore.com/STI-50-Edge-40-DT-Mag-Release-Fiber-Optic-Front-Sights-Stocked-Item-P966.aspx Comes with a fiber sight , drilled and tapped mag release . I'm a big fan of shooter's connection If you go this route, call and make sure it comes with at least (1) 126mm mag from the factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenden Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 140mm mags are hard to get right now, I've had some backordered since January. I bought a Dawson CRP Edge last year to run in Limited, 2k rounds so far and has run really well out of the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoNsTeR Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Brazos has tuned 140 mags and bare 140 tubes in stock. 2) How much tinkering and maintenance is required to keep these things going? I don't have the time to clean it everytime I shoot and I don't really want to "tinker" to make it work. You don't have to clean an STI every time you shoot it, but you do really need to know how it works and be willing to give it what it needs to run well. I've seen dozens of STI owners struggle with the same problems match after match and not approach solving those problems in a systematic way. If you want something you can just buy and shoot and not worry about it... keep walking. You might get one, and if you get a tuned Edge or a custom gun from one of the real pros you'll have a good chance of getting one, but it's still a roll of the dice. The 2011 isn't a good platform for dabbling. You need to commit to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdnok Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Brazos has tuned 140 mags and bare 140 tubes in stock. 2) How much tinkering and maintenance is required to keep these things going? I don't have the time to clean it everytime I shoot and I don't really want to "tinker" to make it work. You don't have to clean an STI every time you shoot it, but you do really need to know how it works and be willing to give it what it needs to run well. I've seen dozens of STI owners struggle with the same problems match after match and not approach solving those problems in a systematic way. If you want something you can just buy and shoot and not worry about it... keep walking. You might get one, and if you get a tuned Edge or a custom gun from one of the real pros you'll have a good chance of getting one, but it's still a roll of the dice. The 2011 isn't a good platform for dabbling. You need to commit to it. Kinda agree, My STI's have been very reliable but they DO need some tinkering from time to time and my custom guns are very reliable as well however 1 or 2 needed some tweaking to make them work right. I would advise an M&P or Glock to get started as after a few mods for trigger and fiber front sight they are good to go, then sell it after you get comfy with an STI at some point down the road. It's not like you will lose a lot since a good competition M&P or GLock will retain a lot of value. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theat Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I started shooting IDPA this year with a XDM 5.25 9mm. Then I found a good deal on a STI Trojan 9mm. The XDM has become a safe queen. That being said,I would get the Edge to start with. Just my 2 cents. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glandry51 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I started off with an M&P and quikly went the way of the Edge. I have the Dawson CRP Edge and it has run perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm300 Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 I clean my 2011 about every 2k rounds, it takes about an hour. If I cleaned it more it would take less time. I clean my mags every time they hit the ground. My current 2011 is from Akai and I would not hesitate to recommend a gun from him. I case gauge every round that I shoot and when loading plated stuff for local matches I have a fair amount that don't make it and I use them for practice. The gun runs it all. If you shop and are patient you can find a good custom gun at a good price on this forum. I would not spend the money on a new semi custom. I have run pretty much stock mags with Dawson base pads and Grams springs/followers with some slight tuning and have zero trouble with them. I have 4 that are about 6 months old and have had zero failures. There are a couple of good mag tuning threads on this forum. All you need is a vice with some soft jaws, a non marring hammer and some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xdmeister Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 Dawson CRP Edge is the way to go for uspsa. As for idpa it isn't legal but most people will pick one sport or the other. And mags are here: http://www.powerfactorshooting.com/product_p/sti-mag-combo.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumzer Posted July 24, 2013 Share Posted July 24, 2013 My M&P was an absolute disaster. delivered with a lousy crown, very poor slide to rail fit and a badly machined breech block area that prevented chambering of every 3rd or 4th factory load. although customer service was great, the product was terrible. It was going to require as much tweaking to run as the sti and would still never deliver the same kind of accuracy. i know i am in the minority, but my experience was lousy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowboy1629 Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I've had real good luck with Brazos high performance Edge and the 4 mag package deal from them. The gun and mags just run and run! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hax Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I don't shoot idpa but I would think you would want one gun to shoot both competitions with so you get proficient with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now