Okay.

Tooling up to go 3 gunning this summer.

Rifle: M4
Shotgun: Benelli M1 S90
Handgun???

Help me pick a hand cannon for this sort of action.  I do like the 1911 styles but cant shoot them to save my life.  Kind of fond of the polymers though.

I guess I need something thats reliable and can follow up shoot quickly... Obviously my own skill is the major limiter here but looking for the best start.

My Cash Cap is $800-1000, and I dont mind my guns getting "used" [read really beat up]

Glock 35.

If you look hard you can find a STI .40 at @$1000.00.  That would be the tops, but if you got a new Kimber .45 with adj rear sight and a magwell, 5 Wilson 10 rd mags and a good Bladetech holster you will do just fine. Also take a look at the S&W 1911's, I think the Dough Koning model.

Edit: If you spend a little time with the 1911, maybe get with one of the A class or master class guys for a little one on one you will never go any other way for a match gun. Some people do very well witha glock or other model, but they can stll kick your ass with a 1911. jmho

Quick question: Why are you guys reccomending .40 or .45?

Wouldn't a smaller caliber like 9mm be preferable due to less recoil and larger mag capacity?

tagged

Quoted: Quick question: Why are you guys reccomending .40 or .45? Wouldn't a smaller caliber like 9mm be preferable due to less recoil and larger mag capacity?

In USPSA a Limited gun has to shoot .40 to make major.  Even in Open 9MM can't be loaded to high pressure to make Major.

SA XD 5' "Tactical" in 40 or 45.

Glock 34 or 35 depending on what caliber you want.

Depends upon what clubs you shoot with. I would reccomend training with USPSA power factor accepted gear. Many clubs do not require PF proof and shooters are using 9's. Nine can make major. It is a hastle, imo. If you cannot shoot a 1911, try a glock 22. You may be able to rent one or borrow one to try[glock]. If neither work for you, instruction will be invaluable.

Get a nine G19 or G17, I use the 19 with G17 mags its still legal.

You want as many rnds you can get, as possible, less reloading.

Quoted: SA XD 5' "Tactical" in 40 or 45.

I shoot an XD40 4" and I love it.

I shoot a Beretta 92FS in my 3 Gun Matches. Yes, the 9mm allows for quicker recovery for me as well. The matches I shoot in, they never mention "major" or "minor" power factor. Must be a TN thing, we just load up & shoot the course & have fun!!!!    

My .o2

Glock 17.

Go with something reasonable, someting you would use in a real situation.

You won't make major powerfactor, but ammo is cheaper and you will shoot more.

Rifle: any M4, add accessories as needed, a
Shotgun: converted Saiga 12 w/ 8 round mags (10 round mags coming soon
Pistol: Glock 35, Para-Ordnance P16, CZ IPSC or Tactical

My Choices
Rifle: 7.62x39 Krebs KTR-03S AK
Shotgun: converted Saiga 12
Pistol: CZ SP-01 9mm

Sounds like with your big guns your going to be shooting either limited or tactical which (correct me if I am wrong) doesn't have  a max capacity on the handgun. You most likely will want a .40 or .45 for major scoring. Alot of 3gun shooters are also IPSC shooters so they just use thier IPSC gun (minus the optics). Para Hi-Cap 1911s are popular in both 40 and 45 but any Hi-capacity large caliber handgun will work. (Glock, XD, HK, etc)

I usually shoot in HeMan class with a PTR 308, HK pump shotgun and a single-stack 1911 (10 round limit). Just got a new AR so I'm in the process of putting together a new setup for Tactical class. I think I'm going to go with the Winchester SX2 Practical for the shotgun and either a Para  1911 Hi-Cap in 40 or the new XD 45ACP tactical .

The Saigas are interesting, but it will put you in Open class against some really good shooters with expensive toys. The Saiga MAY be competive against the speedloaders if you can find enough hicap mags, but a CZ vs an STI Open gun with Optics is outclassed. as is an AK vs a tricked out JP AR. Not to say these aren't good weapons (they are) but things are different in open class.

Where can I get a rule list for USPSA 3 gun matches.

I have to say that my ignorance caught up with me here, majors minors and the like

The 3 gun thing is still getting sorted out. Once club might do it a little differently than another, but most in my area seem to be on the same page.  Besides the IPSC website, checkout

http://www.3gunrules.com/gettingstarted.php

and

http://www.brianenos.com/forums/  there is a 3 gun specific section where alot of top 3 gunners post.

You can never go wrong with a kimber. Custom II for around $650 new. Kimber Pro cdp I for around $800 used, i think there is one in the EE right now. I have a pro cdp myself and it is accurate as hell and easy to shoot.
-jls7

Glock 34
www.glock.com/g34.htm

The choice of handgun depends on what you shoot well. I have a STI double-stack 1911 in .40S&W, but others may prefer Glocks. As the pistol is a comparatively minor part of most 3-gun matches I've shot, just use whatever you have confidence in. Hi capacity helps a lot.

Caliber choice depends on the rules you are shooting under, IPSC vs IMGA. If IPSC - or if you will shoot a lot of pistol matches - then you should consider a major caliber pistol (.40, 10mm or .45) as they score higher. If you are shooting IMGA rules (which govern most matches these days), then there is no power factor system, and a 9mm will give you more shots with less recoil. If you are going to shoot "Heavy Metal" class, then check your local rules - most require a .45 pistol, but some mandate single-stack 1911 only in this class.

Lastly, on holsters, I would err on the side of retention and robustness rather than pure speed.

Hope this helps.

Glock FOUT-TAY with dem BEEMZ and big CLIPS

or for real, maybe a Kimber Custom II for $639.95 at AIM

http://aimsurplus.com/acatalog/Kimber_Custom_II_.45acp_1911_Pistol.html

While I am certainly a huge 1911 lover, might I point out the 8rd mags are highly handicapped in a 3 Gun match??????

A hi-cap is the way to go, IMO.

Quoted: While I am certainly a huge 1911 lover, might I point out the 8rd mags are highly handicapped in a 3 Gun match?????? A hi-cap is the way to go, IMO.

Just as I said.

Nobody listens to us.