Posted: 7/8/2009 11:54:59 AM EDT
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I'm looking to buy my first handgun when I come home to WA on leave in a little over a week.
I'm getting my CCW at the same time. This will be something I'll carry (eventually - I'm stationed in CA, and live on post so CCW isn't really possible right now). What should I try before I settle on a gun? I'm shooting for 600$, budget wise, but this is flexible. I could go as high as a couple thousand, but for that cost it better be indestructible, GPS-guided, wipe out large cities/small countries, have tits and cook me breakfast. Glocks are out. I hate the way they feel and I'm not going to buy anything that doesn't feel right. I've fingerfucked an M9 and liked it, but I didn't like the slide-mounted safety. If it has a safety I want to be able to toggle it without changing my grip. I think I want a 9mm, since that's what I've shot best with (I have pretty limited experience with handguns). My current favorite is Sig, since the ergonomics are perfect for me, and the one I've shot I shot very well, but they might be out of my price range and I hear they've gone down hill. What else should I look at? If I settle on Sig what models/features should I be looking for? |
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S&W M&P.
Glock 19,23,32,38.........its allways the new guys who want nothing to do with Glocks, that end up owning a dozen of 'em. I used to be all 1911. 
You have to shoot the Glock platform before you settle on anything, even if you hate the way it feels in your hand. If you like huge, giant, heavy guns like the M9. Check out FN's DA/SA guns and the HK USP. The FNP 45 looks great in green, is DA/SA and can be carried cocked and locked, and has a decocker. |
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Have you spent any time shooting a Glock? I am starting to warm up to the grip, but I hated it for years. Grip aside, the main thing is that I shoot my 19 VERY well! Try renting one before you dismiss them.
Sig's are amazing pistols! The only down side to them currently is that they offer what seems like 5,000 different models and variations. Try sticking with the basic P series guns. You won't be disappointed. Lastly, don't hesitate to check out the offerings from HK. They make a helluva firearm, and you may like the grip better than the Glocks. Yous options are limitless. Have fun shopping, and make sure you get what you truly want. Buy once, cry once. 
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I have giant monkey hands. M9s feel good, so do 1911s. Although, ergonomically, the P226 was just about perfect. I'm not a really big guy, though, I do want something I can conceal easily.
How much should a used P226 or P228/9 run? I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. I'll watch for the FN and H&K, but I kind of feel like I'd be paying mostly for the name with the latter. I've handled Glocks, and I just don't like the way they point. I also don't like the finger grooves on the new ones. I'm kind of thinking of a Sig P225 if they still have any around. |
| If you can't handle the Glock, try Springer XD or Smith M&P. However, if you're willing to go up a few $s, then I'd go w/a Sig. BTW, don't be fooled about the 1911 being just a "range gun". In my opinion, the 1911 is hands down the best for defensive carry...but, it does require a bit more trng and practice to stay current. |
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I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. Blasphemy! The old short-rail CZ75 is one of the most beautiful semi-auto hanguns ever created. And funny that you like the BHP, but think the CZ's look horrible - the CZ styling barrows a lot from the BHP. |
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I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. Blasphemy! The old short-rail CZ75 is one of the most beautiful semi-auto hanguns ever created. And funny that you like the BHP, but think the CZ's look horrible - the CZ styling barrows a lot from the BHP. The ones with the rails are okay looking. It's the regular ones that put me off - actually, what I think it is is the BHP-style looks weird combined with the way the frame is contoured around the dust cover area - if that makes any sense - if you chopped off the front of the slide, or put a rail on there it looks fine. I don't think the railed ones are really beautiful, but they are kind of cool. The BHP, on the other hand, is just classic. |
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i would find your local gun rental ranges and do some testing. it may be somewhat expensive, but if you narrow down your selection to one or two calibers, it shoudnt be that bad. you dont need to shoot a whole box of ammo thru each gun to find out what you life or want to try. i would go by fit/feel first and that will probably narrow down your choices.
i would rather spend money up front testing/trying some guns since once you buy, youre stuck w/it unless you happen to find someone to swap. |
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There is a range around here with handguns to rent, unfortunately they don't have a wide selection. When I went there I rented a P226 and an SA 1911 before I ran out of time.
I figure I'll go back up this weekend and see what else there is to try. One thing is, I have plenty of experience with weapons but almost none with handguns. Actually, I admit last week was the first time I'd ever shot anything pistolwise other than a .22 pistol. Even so, I was shooting 3" groups at 7 yards with the 226, and pretty much fell in love with it immediately. Now, with the .45, I was all over the place. Caught myself flinching pretty bad a couple of times. I guess I got a little excited. |
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The ones with the rails are okay looking. It's the regular ones that put me off - actually, what I think it is is the BHP-style looks weird combined with the way the frame is contoured around the dust cover area - if that makes any sense - if you chopped off the front of the slide, or put a rail on there it looks fine. I don't think the railed ones are really beautiful, but they are kind of cool. The BHP, on the other hand, is just classic. Clearly one of the uninitiated.
The short-rail CZ was the very first model produced - and for a relatively short time. The "rail" being referred to is the actual frame/slide rails, not an accessory rail. The total length of frame-slide engagement was shorter on the originals. They aren't exactly easy to come by, but are true classics. ETA2: This is one of the single greatest pistols in the entire world. 
Apparently, this exact one was up on GunBroker 2-3 months ago for the measly sum of $750. Had I seen it, I would have bought it instantly. |
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Quoted:I have giant monkey hands. M9s feel good, so do 1911s. Although, ergonomically, the P226 was just about perfect. I'm not a really big guy, though, I do want something I can conceal easily.
How much should a used P226 or P228/9 run? I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. I'll watch for the FN and H&K, but I kind of feel like I'd be paying mostly for the name with the latter. I've handled Glocks, and I just don't like the way they point. I also don't like the finger grooves on the new ones. I'm kind of thinking of a Sig P225 if they still have any around.. You may find the CZ Fugly, but you iike the BHP? I would say to you, to put aside your fugley and try one if you can find one. then see where your fugley stands. fyi, there are many different CZs. If you want a rail so it doesnt look fugley, then there are the P01s and the new P07. if you want the full size, then the SP01s are available with the rail. here are some of my CZs. the P01 is the next one CW to the last SS one. its approx at the 8 o clock position. the next one after that is the SP01 
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There is a range around here with handguns to rent, unfortunately they don't have a wide selection. When I went there I rented a P226 and an SA 1911 before I ran out of time. I figure I'll go back up this weekend and see what else there is to try. One thing is, I have plenty of experience with weapons but almost none with handguns. Actually, I admit last week was the first time I'd ever shot anything pistolwise other than a .22 pistol. Even so, I was shooting 3" groups at 7 yards with the 226, and pretty much fell in love with it immediately. Now, with the .45, I was all over the place. Caught myself flinching pretty bad a couple of times. I guess I got a little excited. i would be looking for all of the rental ranges in your area so that you can try as many as possible. also, if you have any shooting buds, i would be making a call to them also. make a day of it and have some fun. |
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i would be looking for all of the rental ranges in your area so that you can try as many as possible. also, if you have any shooting buds, i would be making a call to them also. make a day of it and have some fun. With mileage limits, plus not having a car - there's exactly one, and it's 30 miles away (which makes it a long, long time by bus). Was there last weekend. Ended up running out of time early because of the holiday. I'll probably drag myself up there again saturday. |
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Will you be in the Seattle area when you come to WA? If so, Wade's in Bellevue has a pretty good selection of rental guns. You can "rent the case" (i.e., try all the guns) for something like $14; it's pretty cheap. Well, plus the ammo which you need to buy from them . . . the ammo isn't cheap by Walmart standards, but it's not a real rip-off either.
Shoot, shoot, shoot until you've tried all the ones you like. Also, don't get too hung up on the price of the gun. A $400 gun, a $700 gun, whatever . . . it's all the same, really. Once you buy a holster, pay for your CWP, buy another holster, a Boresnake, cleaning supplies, another set of grips, targets, extra mags, ammo, ammo, ammo, ammo and more ammo . . . you'll realize that the price of the gun is pretty insignificant in the big picture! I say, get the one you like –– within reason, of course. |
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Quoted:I have giant monkey hands. M9s feel good, so do 1911s. Although, ergonomically, the P226 was just about perfect. I'm not a really big guy, though, I do want something I can conceal easily.
How much should a used P226 or P228/9 run? I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. I'll watch for the FN and H&K, but I kind of feel like I'd be paying mostly for the name with the latter. I've handled Glocks, and I just don't like the way they point. I also don't like the finger grooves on the new ones. I'm kind of thinking of a Sig P225 if they still have any around.. You may find the CZ Fugly, but you iike the BHP? I would say to you, to put aside your fugley and try one if you can find one. then see where your fugley stands. fyi, there are many different CZs. If you want a rail so it doesnt look fugley, then there are the P01s and the new P07. if you want the full size, then the SP01s are available with the rail. here are some of my CZs. the P01 is the next one CW to the last SS one. its approx at the 8 o clock position. the next one after that is the SP01 http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/9044/czwheel.jpg Quoted:
There is a range around here with handguns to rent, unfortunately they don't have a wide selection. When I went there I rented a P226 and an SA 1911 before I ran out of time. I figure I'll go back up this weekend and see what else there is to try. One thing is, I have plenty of experience with weapons but almost none with handguns. Actually, I admit last week was the first time I'd ever shot anything pistolwise other than a .22 pistol. Even so, I was shooting 3" groups at 7 yards with the 226, and pretty much fell in love with it immediately. Now, with the .45, I was all over the place. Caught myself flinching pretty bad a couple of times. I guess I got a little excited. i would be looking for all of the rental ranges in your area so that you can try as many as possible. also, if you have any shooting buds, i would be making a call to them also. make a day of it and have some fun. If you don't like the CZ, what about a Jericho? mini-deagle? same idea as CZ/BHP, but a little different. Very good looking pistol w/o the rails IMO. Ugly w/ rails. 
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I have owned sigs, springfields, glocks, and my colt 1911 in the past few years.
originally I was not comfortable with glocks at all. Now I own 4 of them and trust my life to one. they do fit different in your hand than any other gun, but once you shoot it you might feel differently. I hope you shoot a Glock 19 and / or 17 before you lay down your cash. good luck! happy shooting! AP |
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I have giant monkey hands. M9s feel good, so do 1911s. Although, ergonomically, the P226 was just about perfect. I'm not a really big guy, though, I do want something I can conceal easily. How much should a used P226 or P228/9 run? I'll keep CZs in mind, but I do find them fugly. For some reason I really want a Browning High Power, even if I've never touched one. I like the classics. I'll watch for the FN and H&K, but I kind of feel like I'd be paying mostly for the name with the latter. I've handled Glocks, and I just don't like the way they point. I also don't like the finger grooves on the new ones. I'm kind of thinking of a Sig P225 if they still have any around. Sounds like you've already made your mind up. Sig 226 is the way to go. Questions on its current quality aside, traditionally it has been hailed as one of the best - if not THE best - of the breed of double-action high capacity 9mms (Chuck Taylor and Massad Ayoob). The Browning is a good option, but maybe not the best in your situation. With the Hi Power, there's a couple issues: 1) you're gonna spend quite a bit more money than you wanted to get it operational: 2) would help to get mag disconnect removed for improved trigger, 3) the thumb safety is not easy to use under stress without modification. Keep in mind that many services world-wide that traditionally used the Hi Power are following suit with the Brits and transitioning to the Sig 226. The HK is another excellent choice. There ARE places you can find them a little cheaper used, but generally you're still up in the hi-power range $$. But if you handle one and can stomach the ergonomics of their grip, this would be a good choice. The HK manual of arms is pretty standard, with possible exception of the mag release, and there are 10 - 12 different setups an HK can be configured into. But it seems you belong with the Sig. It is a superb choice. Keep in mind, though, that the Sig does have a unique manual-of-arms that takes some dedicated practice to get truly proficient (decocker placement and DA to SA trigger transition). |
It really sucks that most gun stores don't have a good selection of HK's, because they are too expensive, but then have shelves full of Kimbers, LB, WC etc....  If you are looking for an HK give CDNN a call and see what they have. Or even Bud's gun shop IIRC.....
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Well, I settled on my first handgun. And it's not a Glock, HK,or Sig.
Unfortunately, because I'm only here for a week, I don't have enough time to go through the waiting period. So, my dad (I'm staying at home while I'm up here) is doing the paperwork, and splitting some of the cost, I'm getting it for Christmas. So I have to wait 5 months to shoot it.  And I forgot my cellphone, so there are no pics. 
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Well, I settled on my first handgun. And it's not a Glock, HK,or Sig. Unfortunately, because I'm only here for a week, I don't have enough time to go through the waiting period. So, my dad (I'm staying at home while I'm up here) is doing the paperwork, and splitting some of the cost, I'm getting it for Christmas. So I have to wait 5 months to shoot it. And I forgot my cellphone, so there are no pics. Not to be a dick, but you might want to re-word that ^ ETA: So???? what did you decide on? |
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M&P, XD, Glock (if it fits your hands), CZ. I've handled and/or shot at least one model from each of those manufacturers and l liked it. I was really impressed by the M&P. Glock has more than enough behind their name, unfortunately their frames are NOT one size fits all, XD is plenty good but somehow strikes me as being on the "low end" of the Glock/M&P/XD polymer battle, and the CZ is all metal construction.
Personally, I would lean towards an M&P9c if I were in your place. Since you seem to prefer the Sig, at least at the moment, check out the 229 and the 250, both are compact models, with the former being a metal frame and the latter being a polymer frame. The 250 is also a pretty interesting concept, you can change calibers and overall pistol size very easily with Sig's "modular" system. They aren't tiny small, but they aren't too big either. Finding a gun that does everything (range, nightstand, carry, etc.) can be a bit of a challenge. I tried to do that with a full size 1911 and came to find out it just wasn't gonna happen. |
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And yeah, I'm no lawyer, but you may be self-incriminating. Don't make the ATF's job too easy. Eh? My dad is buying the pistol, and is keeping it at least until I'm out of the army, in four years, at which point he'll probably no longer want to give it up. So, really, it is his gun.
BTW yeah sorry, forgot to mention, it's a Browning Hi Power. It was somebody's carry gun. I think it's a Mark 3. Aftermarket grips, night sights, different hammer, good trigger, magazine safety removed, came with 4 magazines. It was used, not bad shape, just a bit of holster wear. 750$. |
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my advice: rent/borrow/test fire AS many handguns that you are interested in BEFORE you buy if it were me, a glock, hands down; if you dont like em, then i'd look to the SW MP or a series P Sig (229/226) I think this is pretty good advice. You want to try a few guns before you buy. But, given what you've said in your original post, I'd take a hard look at the M&P 9. 17rd mags, really ergonomic, price similar to the Glock, and good reliability. They also have really great customer service if you ever need to interact with them. I just bought one and have found them to be a real solid piece of machinery. ETA: I missed you last post that the purchase was made. Enjoy your dads new BHP! |
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And yeah, I'm no lawyer, but you may be self-incriminating. Don't make the ATF's job too easy. Eh? My dad is buying the pistol, and is keeping it at least until I'm out of the army, in four years, at which point he'll probably no longer want to give it up. So, really, it is his gun.
BTW yeah sorry, forgot to mention, it's a Browning Hi Power. It was somebody's carry gun. I think it's a Mark 3. Aftermarket grips, night sights, different hammer, good trigger, magazine safety removed, came with 4 magazines. It was used, not bad shape, just a bit of holster wear. 750$. Oh nice! Congrats! 
BHP is great, and from what I know, they need to be broken-in a little so used is good in your case. We're gonna need pics.... 
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