Pistols

[LoneStarSoldier]

I'm in the market for a handgun. I'm looking at Glocks, SIGs, Berettas, Springfields, etc. Anybody care to share what they shoot and why?

[Mr_Loki]

Slingshot.

[bigtex]

My first bit of advice is not to buy a model you haven't shot before. Some ranges will have guns you can rent, or you can go shooting with people who have pistols you want to try out before you settle on one. Each person you ask will have a different opinion on which manufacturer makes the best handgun and which caliber reigns supreme. It all comes down to this: which platform best allows you to quickly and accurately put rounds on target?

Personally, I do my best with an M9A1 (Beretta 9mm). I've shot a wide range of pistols from .38 specials to Desert Eagles, and I'm most comfortable and consistent with the M9 (more or less the same as the 92FS). If I had a bigger budget I may have sprung for the more expensive Sig P226, but the M9 had a good price point and since I'm not a SEAL the M9 will be my standard sidearm after I get my commission.

The blog Gear Scout just ran a good article for people looking into 1911's a few days ago that's worth checking out.

Whatever you end up getting- practice is the key. Going over the fundamentals of proper aiming, breathing, grip, and stance will make the tool in your hands an effective one.

[Chris36]

Anybody care to share what they shoot and why?

Fish in a barrel.........because they can't get away.

[LRSU_Dog]

I like to shoot the breeze - and sometimes I will do it while shooting from the hip, I once thought about trying to shoot for the moon, then found it easier while talking nonsense to shoot the works.

The previous post from BigTex sums it up. You can get opinions - but that gets you no where. Do your best to find a shoot club and see if you can try different handguns; I have a friend who luvs to shoot Glock, I personnaly do not and prefer other weapons I have shot. So now that you know this, all you know is one person you have never met knows someone who loves Glock handguns, while that person does not. You can also read reviews, and other than qulity and craftsmanship points, you still do not know how the gun shoots while in your hands as you look down the sights...

You have to find a hangun that fits you, and there is a long list of versions and calibers that you have to choose from and sample - it should be a fun journey as long as you shoot staright and keep your powder dry.

[LoneStarSoldier]

Thanks. I've shot a Glock often and I like the light weight and sights, however I DON'T like the fact that there is no external safety aside from what they call a safety on the trigger. I also recently qualified with an M9 and I liked it. Most of the people I talk to prefer a Glock and, for the most part, I can see why. But I think it would be a better bet to have a pistol that has that double-action capability as well as a hammer. Granted, a SIG P226 can also fit that category but I've never fired one and I agree with bigtex in the fact that I should shoot a handgun before I purchase it. Also, I may elect to conceal carry whatever handgun I get, so size might be an issue so the Glock 19 may be a better choice than the Glock 17, 21 or SIG P226 or M9. I just have to shoot around and see what I like.

[Yard Sale]

Why are you looking for a handgun? Answer that question first, then look for a platform to fit that purpose. If you have several different missions in mind, then you might end up purchasing several different firearms.

I'm a fairly big guy, living in a region that requires a jacket for most of the year, and I mostly just shoot IDPA, but I also keep self-defense and concealed carry in mind. I use a Les Baer 1911 Premier II (45 ACP) and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the heck out of it, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily the right gun for YOU and/or YOUR purpose. I feed it handmade custom loads through Tripp Research cobra magazines (8R-45-RG-BPA with alloy bases). A smaller guy in a warmer climate might not be able to get away with concealed carry of a 1911 and might want to look at something smaller.

I'll also probably be looking for a single-action revolver this winter so I can start shooting SASS next year. That looks like loads of fun! (pardon the pun)

If you're going to shoot handguns and plan to be proficient at it, you should seriously look into reloading your own ammo. I EASILY blow through 200-300 rounds every week just by myself. Some weeks I've even fired over 600 rounds. That could get ridiculously expensive if you're only buying factory ammo, especially if it's 45 ACP.

Also, if you reload, you can customize your loads and experiment a little to find what bullet (manufacturer/brand, type, shape, weight), powder (manufacturer/brand, type, weight), and primer combinations work best in your specific gun. While there is a bigger upfront cost because of the tools you'll need to purchase, you'll be able to shoot more for less and you'll make your money back fairly quickly.

Don't buy junk (guns or reloading equipment). It might be cheaper in the short term, but you might regret it in the long term. Quality, consistency, dependability, and accuracy are much more important considerations than price for me, and there are some cheap guns out there. This doesn't mean buy the most expensive gun you can find, but rather find the best gun for the value. If you have to save a little more and wait a little longer, do it, it's worth the wait.

Finally, when cleaning your pistol, I recommend that you don't use anything that's as hard or harder than the steel of the firearm. I use bronze cleaning rods and brushes and avoid steel cleaning tools. A scratch in the barrel is not a good thing and it's completely avoidable. I also use a plastic wrench for the recoil spring plug/button instead of a steel one to avoid marring the gun. I go through a lot of plastic wrenches, but they're pretty cheap.

The bottom line is that when the feces hits the rotating oscillator, I want to have 110% confidence in my firearm, the magazines feeding it, the ammo being used, and my proficiency.

[saxman425]

FWIW - I have the Walther P99AS. AS is the "Anti-Stress" model which has a DA trigger for the first shot and SA trigger for all subsequents shots to prevent accidental discharges in stressful situations. It has an internal trigger with a decock button on the slide. I love that it comes with three interchangable backstraps as well that let me fit it to my hand. But the thing I loved the most about this pistol is that from the first time I picked it up, it was (and still is) the most acurate pistol I have ever fired. Now, I do not go to the range all the time or have a lot of training (yet), so it may not be as impressively accurate to someone with access to higher quality models and years of training, but it works great for me.
The only dislike I have is that it is not sized well for CC. It doesn't seem to be any larger than comprable pistols, but they have come out with a single stack CC version that I have my eyes on.
Of course, as others have said, with pistols, everyone needs to find one that fits them.

[HR NCO]

If your are going concealed with the glock, check out the glock 26 or 27.

[CivilianNYC]

I recently purchased a 9mm Glock 17. I LOVE IT! Great weight, Minimum recoil, Easy to clean and simple to strip. I would go with a Glock. Plus the Metal slide and Plastic grip base is a nice carry combination weight wise.

[bigtex]

In regards to caliber, make sure you consider the cost of ammunition and what you're willing to spend for an hour out on the shooting range. 9mm is about half the price of .40. Practice develops muscle memory so the more rounds you can [correctly] sling at a paper target the better off you'll be.

Another great military benefit in Texas is you don't have to pay for processing or background check on your CHL- leaving just the cost of the class.

[Fstbk272]

1911, Nuff' said.

[rat4spd]

If your are going concealed with the glock, check out the glock 26 or 27.

+1 on the G27. $400 LEO/Military Glock discount.

[Wobbly Emu]

Kimber ProCarry II in .45 cal. Concealable, hard-hitting.

[LRSU_Dog]

Isn't there anyone who wants to get in touch with thier inner pirate? I mean talk about presence, .50 cal ball and black powder pistol... Talk about making a statement, arrrgggh

[Chris36]

DL-44 Heavy Blaster Pistol

[RedLeg]

but the M9 had a good price point and since I'm not a SEAL the M9 will be my standard sidearm after I get my commission

In all of the units I've served in, only the commander is issued a pistol.

Lonestar, what is it you want out of a pistol?

[LRSU_Dog]

In the majority of Conventional units that would appear the standard - that officers, especially the Commander are the sole personel who carry sidearms - but this is not the rule. Of course SOC units carry both a rifle and a sidearm with few exceptions, there are situations where NCOs fall into that category of dual carry, and over in the sandbox it can be a free for all based on who has how many weapons in thier unit to issue.

[HR NCO]

and over in the sandbox it can be afree for all based on who has how many weapons in thier unit to issue.

it was almost half my unit that carried M9 over there. That being said, I wouldnt purchase an M9 soley on the fact that I may carry it while deployed.

[Cardinal03]

S&W M&P 40 compact for conceal carry

[paleoranger]

I carry a SIG P220 as my duty weapon and love it. I have shot thousands of rounds through it and my previous 220 and have had almost NO issues with any kind of malfunction. I am also a SIG armorer and have seen them stripped down to bare bones. It is by far one of the best guns I have ever shot.

As a backup/off duty I carry a SIG P-232 (.380). There are definitely smaller and better ones out there.

Do spend some time shooting a rental or a buddies before making the plunge. See whats good for you and then pick. If you really are carring it concealed to protect your life or others, make sure you have the right tool for you, and know how to use it.

[Thundergrunt]

Lonestar

I can give you my little 2c. It comes down to what feels best to you. I dont want to hi jack your thread cause you have a topic that will generate a million of answers. For me I am Sig Fan, then Springfield next I have found they are the most reliable and don't lose performance after a long time. I have a Sig 220 .45 for my service weapon as a **** Tech and it is the POO!! straight out of box it is great, then when you tune it up alittle WoW!! I Have a P226.40 at home. I also am a Machine with the Springfield XD 4" .45 that is my HD gun. As for concealed carry I use a SIG P6 single stack 9mm with +P+ ammo. I personally hate Glock and Taurus. Smith & Wesson have a good piece with their M&P but I dont shoot them as well as Sig or Springs. Just like ranger mentioned If you have a Range close and a couple $ spend a morning and try out some of the Guns some of us mentioned and all the calibers, one type of round will feel totally different in one gun than another. I am a .45 guy dont like .40 too much find it a little snappy but that is my OP. Some people cant shoot 9mm but rip with .40, you just have to try it. Hope it helps. if you have any more ?'s you can PM me.

SGT. E

[A.L.NJ11B]

I own both a sprinfield xd-9 and fnp .45 and love both weapons.

[Polo08816]

Glock 19, S&W M&P45, and Sig P239 all present here. Had a great day at Range 14 (Fort Dix) yesterday.

I love the Glock 19. I love its ability to make follow-up shots a piece of cake. I did have a chance to shoot the Sig and it's noticably more accurate than the Glock 19 due to it's lighter trigger in single action mode.

[Chaplain4me]

Nice video, LT.