Did I make the right choice?

[WarMachine]

Well, I have lurked this place for a long time now so I figured it was about time I made a post.

I recently got a very good deal on a LNIB Glock 22 (one that I didn't want to pass up) which I have since thrown on a pair of Heinie's and a 3.5lb connector. I passed on the extended slide stop as those things had to have been spat from Hell's maw.

I have intentions on shooting in production division but as I won't be getting major scoring (leave it to me to overlook the details, I'm still kicking myself about that one), I'm starting to think I should have just gotten a G17 instead. One problem is that I don't reload at the moment so I am currently running factory ammo which is a bit "spirited" to say the least; I hear that downloaded .40 is more controllable.

In everyone's opinion, would I be putting myself at a disadvantage by shooting .40 in Production without reloading? Should I just keep the equipment I already have, or should I look at trading for a 9mm? I understand that the shooter behind the gun is the most important factor in all of this, but I just want to work up from a solid starting point.

I suffer from a chronic case of buyer's remorse whenever I put down money on anything more than 100 bucks, so all of this may just be a manifestation of my faulty mental wiring.

Your thoughts?

[mscott]

Minor .40 is real nice to shoot, but why not just shoot what you have in Limited? Find a way to purchase some reloading equipment and it will pay for itself very quickly.

[boo radley]

Lots and lots of options.

Without putting another dollar into your gear (assuming you have mags and holster), you could shoot Limited 10 (major pf) and be at no disadvantage; possibly an *advantage*, with an easier reload vs. single-stacks.

You could buy 2-3 mag extensions (@$30), and shoot Limited.

You could buy a G17/G34 'upper', and some 9mm magazines, and switch back and forth -- a couple hundred cheaper than a 2nd gun.

You could just go ahead and buy not only a 2nd Glock, but also reloading equipment. You'll get there, anyway.

There are also some 40/9mm conversion barrels. They're not Production legal, but I can't imagine anyone noticing or caring, if you shoot one while you get your 40 reloading squared away.

Or, just keep shooting Production? The 40 makes a larger hole, and handling the snappier pistol will be good for the soul. <grin>

Edited July 8, 2007 by boo radley

[uscbigdawg]

Honestly, I'd say drop a lighter recoil spring in there and tune up the trigger and done.

After that, spend a little coin on reloading equipment and you'll pay for the pistol in no time flat. Since you'll eventually go to a G17 or G34, get either a 550 or 650, but order it setup for 40. Then just get the conversion goodies when you buy the new blaster.

No remorse. I did the same thing and love my G22.

Rich

[38superman]

Do you carry this gun?

If so you made the right decision.

Personally, I'd much rather have a .40 for self defense.

Think of it as a carry gun that you can also shoot in competition.

Invest in reloading equipment.

If you're going to shoot in competition you will do this sooner or later.

The sooner the better.

This gives you the flexibility to download the 40 for production and ramp it up for limited or L10 (or carry).

How can it be the wrong choice to have a gun that can go in three different USPSA divisions and on the street?

Tony

Edited July 8, 2007 by 38superman

[AustinMike]

I'd shoot it in Limited (in fact, I do shoot a G22 in Limited.) UMC ammo seemed the softest feeling to me, that made major. If you want to shoot Production and you have to shoot factory ammo, see if you can find any Monarch green box stuff. Academy sells it here. It's reloadable brass and I want to say it was like around 140PF when I chrono'd it. It was a real powder-puff feeling .40 load, perfect for Production. That said, I'd be planning to get a Dillon as my next purchase, if you want to keep shooting .40.

[vrmn1]

You are fine with what you have to shoot production. Yeah you are taking a bit more recoil but so what. You can always get 40 mnior stuff to shoot if you want. Or pick up some reloading gear and roll your own. And so maybe down the road you can pick up a 9 then it will seem like a walk in the park.

The key is front sight, trigger control and follow thru. Everything else is just everything else.

[ranger]

I agree with comments above - one other option is to contact a commerical reloader and purchase "minor" 40 S&W that is specifically made for shooting Production Class.

The Glock 22 is a great pistol that can shoot Production, Limited, Limited 10, and may be one of the best self defense pistols.

Have fun!

[Aircooled6racer]

Hello: I have a G22 and just got a G34. I will be shooting both in IDPA and USPSA matches. I will then make up my mind if the 40 is softer than the 9mm loads for minor. If I was you I would buy a reloader. I love my Square Deal B and have loaded alot of rounds through it. I would start collecting brass right now even 9mm. The day is here when you can reload 9mm for the same as buying it except you can custom taylor it to you. Hope this helps. Thanks, Eric

[JFD]

If you find yourself finishing in 2nd place all the time, then maybe you would want to switch to minor ammo. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.

If you did start reloading, then I'd go with minor ammo just because you can.

If you plan on being a lifetime Production shooter, then maybe a G17 would have been a better choice, but the G22 gives you a good pistol for 3 divisions.

[G-ManBart]

There are actually quite a few people who prefer minor 40 over 9 in Production. Some of those folks think that 40 feels softer and you get a bigger hole which can sometimes give you the next higher scoring ring. I'd think you could get minor 40 from one of the ammo manufacturers geared towards competitive shooters without much trouble.

[glockrocker]

In everyone's opinion, would I be putting myself at a disadvantage by shooting .40 in Production without reloading? Should I just keep the equipment I already have, or should I look at trading for a 9mm? I understand that the shooter behind the gun is the most important factor in all of this, but I just want to work up from a solid starting point.

Your thoughts?

I would not change from your G22 to a 9mm if you are just trying to get a softer feel. The factory ammo is going to have a similar feel in both guns, and I don't think you would be putting yourself at any kind of disadvantage one way or the other. That being said.....

A G34 is ideal for production IMO. If you shoot allot and continue to buy factory ammo the savings in the 9mm vs. .40 ammo will add up pretty fast. If you want a soft shooting pistol, start loading your own as everyone has suggested. Get a G34 and run 147 gr bullets around 135 pf. Shoots about as soft as anything else you will find. Same concept holds true with a G35 using 180-5 gr bullets around the same pf. Locally I have found 9mm brass to be half the cost of .40, but that does not seem to be the case online. Point being, if your budget is limited 9mm is somewhat cheaper. Nothing wrong at all with using what you already have either, but it seems like you don't like the feel of the factory ammo in it. If you can, try loading your own ammo and you may not need (want) another gun at all.

[WarMachine]

Thanks so much for all of the replies you guys. I figured I was just being stupid in all of this, but it always helps to get the opinion of those who know that they are talking about.

I'll check out some the ammo suggestions, and I will begin to research some reloading equipment to see where I stand. Also, there seems to be no reason to restrict myself to just a single division.

Again, I appreciate your time.

[Flexmoney]

I suffer from a chronic case of buyer's remorse whenever I put down money on anything more than 100 bucks, so all of this may just be a manifestation of my faulty mental wiring.

Your thoughts?

You will save a lot more than that by shooting 9mm off the shelf...or reloading...or BOTH.

If you are going to shoot factory 40, it will make Major...so I'd shoot it in Limited-10 or Limited.

[Flexmoney]

Oh...and if you are going to start reloading...don't even think about any other press than a Dillon.

[Joseph796]

If you find yourself finishing in 2nd place all the time, then maybe you would want to switch to minor ammo. Otherwise I wouldn't worry about it.

If you did start reloading, then I'd go with minor ammo just because you can.

If you plan on being a lifetime Production shooter, then maybe a G17 would have been a better choice, but the G22 gives you a good pistol for 3 divisions.

Atlanta Arms makes a 40 S&W 180 gr. Minor load with a 130 PF. This load is very, very soft. You will probably have to change/lighten your recoil spring to 12 or 13 lbs for reliable cycling. Atlanta Arms is the company that makes the loads for Sevigny - 9mm 147gr.

[uscbigdawg]

Read my mind. Atlanta Arms are great people. Have supported the sport and reload not only for Sevigny, but for the Army Marksmanship Unit seemingly forever.

Rich

[Gdaym8]

The only benefit to 40 in production is if you reload. If not, KKM has conversion barrels for about $125. If you change out the barrel you will need to change the ejector ($10), the extractor ($25) and mags (obvious). The conversion barrels are not production legal, but most people dont care unless it is a level III match or better.