Originally Posted by
GyroF-16
Here’s my take...
I haven’t found barrel length to effect inherent accuracy in the 3-10 yd range for the shorter guns that I’ve tried. In fact, I shot a compact gun in SSP for close to 10 years because it was my daily carry gun. Now, I would agreee that a shortet barrel will often make it more challenging to be accurate quickly, and since IDPA requires 2, and sometimes more, hits on each target, rapid follow-up shots are helpful.
So, all things being equal, a longer barrel is better.
But all things are not equal... CCP requires that you load 2 fewer rounds in each magazine. And, as I mentioned in my earlier post, that usually drives one more required reload per stage. Now, my best shot-to-shot splits with a slide lock reload between the shots averages just under 3 seconds. So, a question to consider is whether, when shooting CCP, your shot split times for ALL THE OTHER shots will be quick enough to offset the additional 3 seconds that will be inherently added to your run due to an additional reload. Otherwise, shoot SSP and save that 3 seconds.
Ultimately, as has already been said, you’ll be most competitive within CCP, but your overall match standing will be higher if you compete in SSP.
Just decide why you’re shooting (improve familiarity with your gun, practice more slidelock reloads under pressure, have fun, win your division, etc.), then pick a division and just go shoot.
And, as I said before, you can compete in CCP in one match and then try SSP in another so see which you like the best. The only difference while shooting will be more, or less, reloading on the clock.