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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:34:18 AM EDT
[#1]
You can pretty much tell by price.
Too many brands to list, and the best is always debatable. If you want a hangun, generally, most people are served best with either a 9mm, .45 or a .38 revolver. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:43:21 AM EDT
[#2]
For reliability and accuracy?
You can't go wrong with: HK Wilson Combat (or any other first rate 1911 shop) Glock SIG Walther Springfield Armory (1911 or XD series) Beretta FN 1911s tend to be some of the most accurate pistols out there. I know it was for me. Some 1911s can be finicky and it gives them an undeserved reputation. They are fantastic pistols to shoot. I've owned the following pistols USP .45F Walther P99 .40 Walther P99 9mm USP .45 Tactical Springfield TRP Operator. My TRP Operator is up for sale right now and I have a USP Compact 9mm that I'm picking up on Friday at the gunshop. I wasn't unhappy with any of them per se. I just get the itch to try something new every so often and sell my old pistol since I don't really need it. I'm pretty sure I will be keeping the USPc 9mm permanantly. It's very comfortable to me and has a decent capacity on ammo and HK makes some of the most accurate/reliable firearms in the industry. The best thing to do is to see what is comfortable for you and what you shoot well. OH and one last thing. I do not care for Glocks one bit, but anybody that bashes them and calls them a piece of shit isn't a very objective person and probably shouldn't be listened to. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:43:49 AM EDT
[#3]
too broad of a choice
decide what gun fits YOUR hand and needs and go from there overall, a G19 (out of the box) is tough to beat for all around.... |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:44:10 AM EDT
[#4]
Best - HK, Wilson, SIG, Les Baer, STI, Kimber, Smith & Wesson, Colt
Midrange - Ruger, Kel-tec, Springfield, Taurus, Walther Low end - Glock, Jennings, Lorcin, Hi-Point |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:52:51 AM EDT
[#5]
While Colt and S&W are NOT the handguns they once were, most would consider them as top tier.
Also in this category I'd place: Glock H&K Sig Sauer Beretta Walther Kimber Springfield Armory Ruger Taurus to name just a few (note: no custom 1911 or other type SA makers here but believe me there are plenty that will fall in this category). There are far too many handgun manufacturers to list them all but here are a few to avoid: Lorcin Engineering Raven Arms Bryco Arms Jennings, (Note: Davis Industries, Phoenix Arms and Sundance Industries, which are all owned by Jennings' relatives) I'm sure there are others that should make this list too......, but these are the most common ones. Mike |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:57:24 AM EDT
[#6]
Kahr makes some good guns too and should be in the top tier list.
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Posted: 1/25/2006 10:57:55 AM EDT
[#7]
You are going to put a Ruger of a Glock??? You must be nuts!!! The H&K is not all its cracked up to be. Their trigger pulls suck.
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:06:07 AM EDT
[#8]
well, if you see Jimenez,RUNAWAY!!
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:37:49 AM EDT
[#9]
1st gun for a newbie, G19 is a good choice. MOST important is what feels good in your hand and what make /caliber you shoot accurate with. Guns are tools. They are very applicational. (Different needs with unique requirements) Get what is most productive for you and deadly for the BG. Be safe. Respect the damage they could cause. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:39:01 AM EDT
[#10]
It is impossible to blanket rank the brands as there have been reputable gun companies that have sold crap guns, and less than desirable companies that have designed and sold some remarkable guns. A person can be served well by any of the recommended brands here. I suggest making a "thing" out of it and going to gun stores and fondling guns, and while you are at it, find a gun store that you like as well. Also check the hometown forums, there are fairly regular meets of the texas ar15.com guys/gals, and I an sure there is shoot nearby you where you can check out and shoot some of the guns. You do not seem to show any preference between autos and revolvers. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:45:53 AM EDT
[#11]
Find a range that rents guns and blast away. You can narrow your search on what to buy and what you can handle. One guy may love one gunmaker but you may not. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:49:36 AM EDT
[#12]
First off go and handle all that you can, find the one that fits you the best and that is the TOP TIER gun for you. Asking for opinions on this topic will go now where quickly as you can see.
The best handguns are listed below. MFG: What you feels good to you Caliber: What you shoot well The rest is just noise. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 11:54:04 AM EDT
[#13]
+1 on all counts  Very personal/subjective decision, IMHO. I have nearly a hundred from which to choose & my primary carry-gun is a G19 because it fits me and my needs best. 
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Posted: 1/25/2006 12:03:15 PM EDT
[#14]
I have several (8) handguns to choose from and years of choosing from them and my primary gun is the Glock 29 when I can wear a jacket and a Kahr PM9 as my all the time carry gun. When I have the G29, the Kahr is still on me.
That's just me though. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 12:33:05 PM EDT
[#15]
Man, I haven't seen CZ on here. Those are at least midrange or higher.
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Posted: 1/25/2006 12:58:50 PM EDT
[#16]
Glock under Ruger and Kel tec? |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 12:59:55 PM EDT
[#17]
One mans best is anothers ain't good enough.
Edited to Add....... Ed Brown Rock River Arms Wilson Combat Nighthawk Custom Les Baer Springfield Colt Kimber |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 1:03:10 PM EDT
[#18]
 really???? Glocks are one of the best handguns you could buy... Jenning-glock Your a Crack head....
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Posted: 1/25/2006 1:03:58 PM EDT
[#19]
i'm not sure, but i think that glock is ranked that low b/c of kBs! 
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Posted: 1/25/2006 1:31:13 PM EDT
[#20]
+1 I like being able to count to ten with my fingers. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 1:59:50 PM EDT
[#21]
Thanks for the quick replies.
I'm interested in an Auto Pistol. Are there any cons of buying used pistols? Is there any chance they have a bad record? |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 2:04:14 PM EDT
[#22]
As long as it's by a reputable manufacturer, buying used is usually not a bad thing at all. I rarely buy firearms new nowadays. Many used guns are in great condition and much less expensive than new. My vote for an all around pistol (if it fits your hand well) is a full-size or compact HK USP 9mm. EDIT: My spelling/grammar sucks today. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 2:29:31 PM EDT
[#23]
High quality and great performance:
Beretta, Colt, CZ, FN/Browning, Glock, HK, Kahr, Kimber, SIG, S&W, Springfield, Walther, and the semi-custom 1911 shops like Baer, Brown, Wilson, etc. Good quality and good performance (occasional problem): EAA Witness, FEG, Desert Eagle / Baby Eagle, Kel-Tec, Ruger, Para Ordnance, Taurus Spotty quality & performance (though you may get a good one): Armscor, Bersa, Charles Daly, Auto-Ordnance, Firestorm, Rock Island Armory Poor quality & performance (you can almost count on having problems with it): Accu-Tek, Cobra, Jennings, Lorcin, Hi-Point, Intratec, Llama Keep in mind this list is not all-inclusive, and even good makers put out a few lemons & poor designs from time to time. If a gun isn't listed here, a good rule of thumb is you get what you pay for most of the time. For used guns, personally I have bought most of my guns used and have had almost perfect luck with them, but you have to know what to look for. Guns with excessively worn, mismatched parts, visible modifications, etc., are more of a crapshoot. Dirty guns can actually be good deals sometimes, because often people will sell a gun that is malfunctioning because it's dirty. Again, it all comes back to knowing what to look for. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 3:33:19 PM EDT
[#24]
ALPHAGHOST was spot on with the fact that a handgun needs to fit your hand.  There are several 9mm automatic handguns that I recommend that you try(a rental range is perfect for this):
My recommendation is to goto a rental range and try at least 3 of the 4 above out. See which one fits your hand. Then try the Equipment Exchange Handgun Section for some of the dealers that support this board. It is in their best interest to treat you right if you identify yourself as a board member. Individuals also will have a selection available for sale there also. Remember that all interstate sales will have to go through an FFL dealer and all state/local laws apply. Might want to go look at http://www.summitgunbroker.com/ for some good deals on police surplus and factory refurbs. Also, http://www.topglock.com/ has great bargains on Glocks. You can also get the CDNN Investments PDF catalog at http://www.cdnninvestments.com/dowournewcat.html for some dynamite good deals. You may wish to take a couple of classes on firing a handgun at a range to get a better feel for what you're getting yourself into. Good instruction when you're starting out is invaluable. Be safe. Have fun. Be accurate. And always be safe. wganz ¶ |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 3:37:02 PM EDT
[#25]
Nor is a Springfield 1911 midrange while a kimber 1911 is best. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 4:18:08 PM EDT
[#26]
No, I believe you are the crackhead.
I was referring to XD's, but you are right, a Springfield 1911 belongs right up there at the top. |
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Posted: 1/25/2006 5:03:13 PM EDT
[#27]
I don't have a whole lot of experience with handguns due to the fact that
I have only had the following: Springfield 1911A1 loaded (still have it) 3 Glock 17s ( still have one) Top 10 1 Glock 19 (still have it) Top 10 Taurus mill. Pro .40( still have it) top 10 Taurus 689 .357 (still have it) Walther PPK/s (still have it) Kel-Tec .380 ( still have it) Beretta .22 (still have it) On average I shoot about 1,000 to 4,000 rds through each one I have a year. They are not allowed to fail. I love to clean them. Sometimes I shoot them just to clean them. Yes, I am wierd, but I like me. .......and now what ones I can remember having... HK USP .45 top 10 Sig 220 top 10 Sig 226 top 10 Sig 229 top 10 Sig 239 top 10 Springfield 1911 GI Taurus Pt 92 FS top 10 Taurus Pt 92 Taurus PT 22 Taurus PT 940 Taurus Pt 945 3 Rossi .38 Sp. Beretta Inox .40 2 Beretta 92s top 10 Bersa .380 CZ 75 CZ .32 cal Desert Eagle Jericho EAA Witness Llama .380 Llama .45 Llama .45 wide body Llama .45 two tone Feg P9R Feg 9HP Glock 26 Hi Point 9mm High point .380 Pheonix 22 Ruger P89 Ruger P93 2 Ruger P95DCs Ruger mark 2 3 S&W Sigmas S&W 669 ( I think it was) S&W 29 S&W 19 2 Walther P22s 2 Cobray 9mms Cobray .380 2 H&R 9 shot wheel guns 2 DC9s 2 Tech 22s 2 Iver Johnsons numerous other junk guns like Jennings, Davis, ect. I am about as content as I can be with the ones I have now though. 
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Posted: 1/25/2006 5:17:13 PM EDT
[#28]
For your very first gun to be used for recreation as well as protection I would stick with a revolver
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Posted: 1/25/2006 9:40:57 PM EDT
[#29]
Out of the ones I have had.
I like: Colt Kimber H&K Ruger Walther Ed Brown RRA P.S. I would put Ruger over Glock but they are both good and it's close. With the ones I have had the Ruger was a little better gun. YMMV |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 2:40:31 AM EDT
[#30]
Never fired a gun before...home defense, in the car and to carry concealed?
It may not be the brand so much as the type of action...how it works. Once you become more familiarized with each type, SA, SA/DA, DAO etc., then you can better decide which brand name to go with. Some brands only come one way, for example, Glock, once a round is chambered, all that is needed is a simple pull of the trigger to make it fire. A 1911 or SA type, once a round is chambered, the manual safety should be placed "on" as it is now cocked...this is refered to as "cocked & locked" where you need to flick the safety "off" before firing. The SA/DA types, like Beretta and Sig, once a round is chambered, it should be "decocked" with the first shot being an intentional long trigger pull to get off the first shot, with the remaining shots fired from a fully cocked position. "decocking" can be scary the first few times on the Beretta 92FS or other guns of this type as the hammer drops as if to fire, the Sig decocking lever lets the hammer down slowly, which some find more comforting. There are variations amongst each type, just to complicate matters. Getting back to brand names, Springfield, for example, offers entry level automatics all the way up to custom models at around 3 times the cost of base models, making direct comparisons between brand names misleading. As said, some actual "trigger time" may be in order, not only to choose an action type, but caliber, overall size and brand name. As you never fired a gun before, I chose to start more from scratch, rather than name off various brands that do essentially the same thing...I hope it helps. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 4:15:32 AM EDT
[#31]
Glock "Low end" I think you fell one two many times down those stairs !!!! |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 4:28:15 AM EDT
[#32]
Its rated right where it should be, with its similar in quality brothers. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 5:42:56 AM EDT
[#33]
I dont know why you hate glock pistols so much! Ignorance, I guess! |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 6:15:49 AM EDT
[#34]
+1000
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Posted: 1/26/2006 8:19:41 AM EDT
[#35]
I dont hate glock pistols at all. I just post over-the-top flame bait to get you glock kool-aid drinker's to get your panties in a bunch. I own several glocks and shoot them all the time. I am just perfecting my skills as being a glock troll. You fellas seem to take it to heart the most of any fanboy. Its the same thing when I go into a tech forum like anandtech and go to the ATI video card section, and post stuff about how much they suck (they really do suck in real life though, totally serious there). But yeah, when you see me post in a glock thread about how much they suck, just wait for the crybabies to show up. They always do. That said -  
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Posted: 1/26/2006 8:29:51 AM EDT
[#36]
Well at least you admit your a troll! Dont really have anything else to say! |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 8:32:48 AM EDT
[#37]
a geeky troll too!
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Posted: 1/26/2006 9:42:04 AM EDT
[#38]
C'mon guys we're all 21+ here for the most part. Let's stop the arguing.
Does anyone like the Taurus Millenium Pro? I saw it new Gander Mountain for $300 (10+1). It felt really nice in my hand. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 9:56:40 AM EDT
[#39]
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE $&*#$@ KIDDING ME....why in the world would you put Glocks in the low end of the market. Where else can you spend $450+/- on a new pistol and it be 100% reliable out of the box and with accuracy to boot.
I have carried one every day for sometime and trust my life in the use of them. I would rethink your response. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 10:00:25 AM EDT
[#40]
I don't have the Pro, but I do carry the PT-140 (original millennium) as my full-time carry piece. It never fails, feels good, but does kick a bit
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Posted: 1/26/2006 10:01:56 AM EDT
[#41]
If I was a new shooter, I would rent A Glock and a 1911 and pick the one that was ergonomically correct for me (while an experienced shooter coaches on stance and grip) and buy either a Series 1 Kimber, a Loaded Springfield or a Glock 19. I would buy a decent holster, magazines and several thousand rounds of ammunition, and sign up for a 3-5 day shooting class.
If you just start shooting without instruction, you will spend considerable time and money trying to break the bad habits you obtain. If you must, rent borrow or beg a gun off of someone and take the class before you buy the pistol, so you can have more knowledge before you buy. The easiest weapons to learn would be single action only autos like the 1911 and the double action autos with light trigger pulls, like Glock and Kahr. For all but the best shooters, double action first shots from Sigs, Berettas and HKs tend to be throwaways. Autos are best for personal protection, and easier to shoot, but the manual of arms is more complicated than a revolver and they require more care to use safely, and more maintenance. For that reason alone I suggest taking a class. It is very easy to accidentally injure yourself or others with a handgun, more so than with a rifle. I want to re-itterate my recomendation on training. It is amazing how much one can learn in 3-5 days with a good teacher. Thinking back to the days when I had not attended a shooting class, I was a fool to think I knew anything about shooting. Guns, sure--I knew those. But not shooting. Buying a handgun and getting training is a serious investment of money and time, but anything worth doing is worth doing right. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 10:16:40 AM EDT
[#42]
Here is another one  
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Posted: 1/26/2006 10:29:54 AM EDT
[#43]
 I'm sure this thread's author, a first-time poster who asked a respectful and legitimate (albeit very broad) question, really appreciates you making a half-dozen posts (never mind the reactions/responses) in his very first post on this board in the interest of "perfecting (your) skills as being a glock troll." Bad form, IMHO. 
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:15:25 PM EDT
[#44]
Holding a Glock is like shaking hands with a fucking 2x4. Racking the slide feels like driving over train tracks. The trigger is shit. HK makes a much, much better polymer pistol in the USP if you're interested in plastic and wanting to keep all ten of your fingers.
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:17:33 PM EDT
[#45]
Yea ignorance alright... if ignorance suddenly means common sense, I agree completely. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:29:57 PM EDT
[#46]
 Everyone will get over it. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:37:50 PM EDT
[#47]
Wow! That was a good one, slick! |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:40:49 PM EDT
[#48]
Thats your opinion, and HK makes a fine pistol. But that doesnt mean that glocks are crap, there fine pistols as well, just not for you. Now do u really think glock belong with a lorcin or a jennings? By the way, enough with all the tired ass KB bullshit. You dont think there hsas ever been a HK the KB'ed. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:52:32 PM EDT
[#49]
I'm sure the original poster didn't know that his question would start such a shit storm. How about instead of arguing where you think GLOCK should be placed on HIS list you make your list and place GLOCK where you think it belongs. Best is subjective and this poor guy is just trying to get info on what he should look at and what he should AVOID. I swear sometimes some people on here argue for the sake of arguing.
To me this list seems pretty good. quote]Quoted: High quality and great performance: Beretta, Colt, CZ, FN/Browning, Glock, HK, Kahr, Kimber, SIG, S&W, Springfield, Walther, and the semi-custom 1911 shops like Baer, Brown, Wilson, etc. Good quality and good performance (occasional problem): EAA Witness, FEG, Desert Eagle / Baby Eagle, Kel-Tec, Ruger, Para Ordnance, Taurus Spotty quality & performance (though you may get a good one): Armscor, Bersa, Charles Daly, Auto-Ordnance, Firestorm, Rock Island Armory Poor quality & performance (you can almost count on having problems with it): Accu-Tek, Cobra, Jennings, Lorcin, Hi-Point, Intratec, Llama Keep in mind this list is not all-inclusive, and even good makers put out a few lemons & poor designs from time to time. If a gun isn't listed here, a good rule of thumb is you get what you pay for most of the time. For used guns, personally I have bought most of my guns used and have had almost perfect luck with them, but you have to know what to look for. Guns with excessively worn, mismatched parts, visible modifications, etc., are more of a crapshoot. Dirty guns can actually be good deals sometimes, because often people will sell a gun that is malfunctioning because it's dirty. Again, it all comes back to knowing what to look for. |
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Posted: 1/26/2006 12:58:35 PM EDT
[#50]
Thanks Combat Jack! You have alot of posts by the way.
I plan on going with some experienced gun owners ( adults who are around 50 years old and experienced) to range. They are going to let me shoot some of their guns so I can decide which one I want. I was pushed to buying a gun, because of some recent circumstances (people were in my front yard and tried to steal my wheels.) I couldn't really do anything, but my brother called the cops and they caught one of them. I've never seriously thought about buying a gun until now. Now I am excited to go shoot for the first time, and I can see it being hobby as well. |
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