Pistol decocker or not?

[ducklab]

Looking at buying my first pistol and wanted to know if I should get the decocker model or the plain model. The gun will be mostly used for target and when I get comfortable with it enough uspsa. It will not be a carry gun.
Just looking for opinions if you like them or dont use them.

[FC]

What pistol? A decocker is a handy feature to have.

[h20hunter]

Decocker messes with my mind. Just can't get used the hammer dropping on a chamber with a round in it. I have never ever ever heard of it not functioning properly but it still freaks me out.

[ducklab]

It would be for a cz 75.

[FC]

Decocker messes with my mind. Just can't get used the hammer dropping on a chamber with a round in it. I have never ever ever heard of it not functioning properly but it still freaks me out.

Get a Sig then, you can ease the hammer down with their decockers.

Ducklab, I can't imagine buying a new gun that was SA/DA without a decocker unless it was a revolver, try both and see what you like.

[high country]

I had a Sig 220 and my bud had a p93 both had decockers. I agree it is wired when the hammer falls. Not for me.

[runamuk]

The decocker on the sig takes a little getting used to but is a pretty cool feature

[Biggerhammer]

Decockers are for " SISSIES "  We all come with, most often than not, two decockers. Our thumbs! 

[Bofire]

I do not like them but then I do not like da/sa pistols or Sigs or CZs either and yes I have owned them.
Carl

[Biggerhammer]

I do not like them but then I do not like da/sa pistols or Sigs or CZs either and yes I have owned them.
Carl

Try the Sig Scorpion 1911, it will change your view of the typical Sig stero type.

[Blacklab]

Have one on a colt series 90 double eagle I like it an have had no problems.

[300rum]

If it is for USPSA, you won't need a pistol with a decocker, you can, but you won't need it.  Unless you practice (dry fire) a lot, you will be at a disadvantage starting out with a DA/SA pistol.

If you are starting out in USPSA I would suggest a Glock 17 for your first pistol and I would suggest getting a used police trade in if you can, you should be able to buy one under $400.  You may also want to look into GSSF and possibly join.  It has been awhile since I checked but they used to give a pretty steep discount to buy a Glock (if you must have a new one).

A G17 will put you into production division and it is the cheapest way to start in USPSA and still be somewhat competitive.  I would also suggest having a trigger job done, which you can do yourself or buy a kit and do yourself.  The only thing that you have to be carefull with is that the trigger is production legal (look up Vanek Custom).  You will probably also at some point want to change the sights and that is also easily done.  Throw in a new recoil spring and you will be good to go.  The trigger, sights and spring are not required though and you will do fine learning with a box stock G17.

The reason that I suggest a G17 is that the other striker fired pistols (XD, M&P) may have subtle things good/bad about them but when you start out you will have no way of knowing what you like and what you will want in the future.  A used G17 is about the cheapest way to get into the sport.  Once you shoot a few 10k rounds you will begin to know what you might like/want.  Then you will get your hands around a $4k 2011 custom race gun and you will immediately know the difference between a high end pistol and the also rans.  You will be able to sell the G17 for what you have into it when you are ready to move to a different platform.

If you don't reload 9mm is cheaper than the other calibers and is the place to start.  As far as mag holders go, get the cheap doublestack mag holders from Uncle Mike's that hold two mags (most sporting goods dealers carry them if they carry Uncle Mike's, or take a look at Amazon).  As far as a holster, get a cheap Fobus or Uncle Mikes Kidex holster to start out.  You will want four mags on your belt and another mag to start with.  At times you can find new mags for sale around $20 on Natchez, etc., you just have to shop around.  Make sure that the mags are Glock OEM and not the cheap Korean ones.   

Don't hesitate to go to your first match, do it right away.  There will be plenty of novices there too, you won't be the only one.  Some clubs make you go through a safety check prior to your first match so you may want to call/email before you go.  You will also want to read the rule book which is at USPSA.org.  Pay attention especially to the DQable offenses.  Don't try to be fast, just be safe and slow, and walk and have lots of fun.

One more thing.  They will ask you what division you will be shooting in.  With a G17 you will be shooting minor and I suggest you shoot in "Limited Division" your first few times, not in Production Division.  In Production Division you will only be able to load your mags up to 10 rounds and start with 10+1.  Forget about Production Division (at first) and shoot Limited Minor your first few matches (at least) so that you can focus on being safe and hitting targets instead of mag changes.  Eventually, after a match or two, you will get the hang of it and then go tear up Production.       

[ducklab]

Thanks for all the replys. Specially 300 rum. Your reasonings make me put the glock back on the short list. As for uspsa thanks for the advice im really just trying to have more fun with shooting sports and its reassuring to know I wont be the only newbie at a shoot. As for the decocker I guess I will hold off on that idea now that Im still not sure of what gun to buy.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

If you are only going to use it for target and USPSA then don't get the decocker. I reccomend you get a CZ-75 SP-01 Shadow... They are awesome guns!

[300rum]

You will hear a lot of wild things about Glocks but the fact is that they are very accurate and they run real well in a stock configuration.  Dave Sevigny and Bob Vogel (youtube them) shoot or have shot pretty much box stock Glocks for some time and they are pretty amazing with them.  In Vogel's case I believe the only thing he changes is the springs but am not 100% sure on that.  Glocks have been imitated but I just haven't seen anything that beats it other than just personal preference, without going to a full on custom 1911/2011.  You will have an oppurtunity to shoot a lot of other platforms at the range (if you just ask nicely) and can try the xd's, M&P's etc.  After you find out what you like, you can sell the Glock and get most or all of your money out of it.

I should put in a disclaimer that I don't shoot a Glock in competition, I shoot a 1911 and  I am having a custom 2011 done.  My wife shoots a G34 though and I have shot it thousands of times myself.  One of these days I will shoot production but right now I am having fun in Singlestack/Limited.

As far as being a newbie, we all were at one time.  One of the biggest mistakes I see is people who are intimidated and don't show up just because they think they may embarrass themselves or show up with the wrong equipment.  You will see 9 year olds all the way up to guys in their mid-80's.  It is a great sport.

Oh, another thing.  Bring at least 200 rounds to your first match!       

Thanks for all the replys. Specially 300 rum. Your reasonings make me put the glock back on the short list. As for uspsa thanks for the advice im really just trying to have more fun with shooting sports and its reassuring to know I wont be the only newbie at a shoot. As for the decocker I guess I will hold off on that idea now that Im still not sure of what gun to buy.

[coachcw]

my px4 storm has a decocker kinda scare you when that hammer drops!