Posted: 12/25/2007 7:07:59 AM EDT
| So as a christmas gift, my father has offered to buy me my first handgun and rifle. He didn't really clarify a budget, but basically laid out everything he owns for me to to put my hands on (G19, Sig P226, Kimber Tactical Pro II). I really liked his Kimber, but his P226 was also nice. I wasn't particularly fond of the grip on his Glock, so I think those are out of the question. I'm really open in terms of caliber (but don't want anything less then a 9.... as I college student, I can buy myself a .22, so I figure I should take advantage of the fact that he's willing to get me something nice), and I'm looking for something that's quality,and will last for awhile. Though I can't CCW or even possess the weapon where I go to school (meaning I'll keep it in FL for the next three years), I'd really like something that is versatile, and that I can carry a few years down the road. I don't really know much about the XD, HK's, or M&P's, but while I'm down here with him, I can bum his ammo so saving money for that isn't a concern...any advice or thoughts? Also, does anyone know anything in terms of P226 vs. P229?? |
Im assuming, youve shot some/all of your dads firearms at one time or another? So you should know how you like or dont like them. As far as ones you havent shot, its a guess. I have the XD45 and like it alot. I want to get the XD9 too. The new FN45 looks interesting. Sig mades a great gun too and i dont think you could go wrong with any of your choices. NO HKs and M&Ps in my safe, yet. I just handled one of the new Ruger SR9s and its appears to be a well put toeaghter gun. theres an rag article that i will need to readup on the new SR9. The price beat the Gs too so, you could put the saveed $$ into something else or ammo. You could always go for a gun that has 22LR convesions and or can be converted to a smaller caliber too. from what ive been seeing, there will be an XD conversion soon. There are already conversions for the 1911, glock, BHP, and B92. As far as quality, it will depend on your luck and how you treat them. sometimes parts will break, thats just the nature of things. you can carry anything you like, but if its CCW, then its a dif story. Most likely you will opt for something smaller once you figure it out. If youre going hunting togeather, i would expect a rifle caiber that can do the job. |
Go shoot a piss pot full of guns BEFORE you decide on what you want. Many indoor ranges will rent almost anything modern made so you can get a feel of what you like or don't like. What feels great in the shop may not feel so great under recoil. My .o2 
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bob- actually, thats my plan. We have an indoor range about 3 miles away, so I figure I'll take my dads guns, rent an XD, USP, and a few others and make my choice...ill post pics once I make the decision (and they'll look pretty good with the knives i got as gifts today) |
What he said. And get a .22 before anything else. It's not a collection without a .22 of some sort, plus, for $15/550 or whatever it is now, you can't beat it. |
You may also want to consider a revolver as your next handgun. Semi auto pistols are great but revolvers are also cool, easy to maintain, and fun to shoot. My first revolver which I got a few months ago was a S & W 686 Plus 4" barrel. I just go off when I shoot that mofo! .If you are looking specifically at a pistol, I would suggest a Sig Sauer or HK in .45 ACP. |
I didn't like the grip angle on the Glocks I tried. Then I shot an XD. Wow! Big difference. I now own a XD45. 14 rounds of .45 ACP goodness! This pistol has not failed in over 800 rounds. And it is quite accurate! I can suggest the XD line in any caliber with a clear conscience. I CCW with mine, too. |
+1 on what Bob said. Also, your tastes may chage over the years, too. I used to be really comfortable with double action autos but over time and with experience I will only carry single actions. It could easily be the other way around. The key is to get a quality gun that you like and are comfortable with NOW...and shoot the PISS out of it! p.s. ( don't forget to change recoil springs every now and then ) |
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Update.... So I finally hit the range today, and got my hands on about 9 different guns. Put 75 rounds each through a Sig 228, USP9, Glock 17, beretta 92, XD9, M&P 40, XD45, USP45, and Kimber 1911. taking into account the fact that the guns were all from a range (and thus not in 100% condition), I had two FTE's from the 1911, and the Mag fell out of the M&P 40 while I was firing the weapon (this was the first time that something like that had happened while I fired a gun, and thus proved extremely disheartening). I was really impressed by the XD45, as it seemed to be the most manageable of the 45's I fired but I felt the recoil on the XD9 was a bit more then it should've been. Right now, I'm between the USP9, beretta 92, and sig226. One concern I had with the 228 though was the trigger...it felt "mushy" in a way, as the pull was incredibly soft up until the end where it was a quick snap. I really preferred the XD trigger, which I felt was a bit more solid, that said, what would everyone model of pistol in 9mm should I look at which has a bit "crisper" of a trigger?? |
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HK's seem to me to have the best trigger feel, but it is subjective person to person. My sigs all have good triggers but then I have 1000+ rounds through them and have taken good care with them. Question is, which one did you hit center with the best on the first shot with a da/sa pistol? If you are going to depend on the gun for ccw/self defense then the first shot is what counts. Of the 3 9's you listed for choices I would put them in order of usp9( experience from my usp45c shows consistent first round center hits, same for the sig(trigger gets better with use, I have a texas dps trade in 220 with 15k rounds through it. Changed springs and lubed. Has the smoothest trigger of all my guns and ultra reliable), Beretta would be my last choice( bad experence with one that shot 5 ft low at 10 yards  , besides the gun is just to bid for the round).Sticking with the 9mm is good based on the current ammo pricing which will only get worse as time goes on. |
my choices, in this order HK USP9 Sig P226 Beretta 92 if you wanted one, i'd consider opting for a USP w/ the match trigger upgrade if you can find one |
my once XD9 did have a little more muzzle flip than my glocks, beretta M9/92 series, and BHP; felt recoil was about 'avg' i'd say to other poly guns std XD9s imo remain very controllable and easy recoiling HGs imo |
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I have both the XD9 and XD45 in tactical. I can't say if either has a noticeably greater felt recoil but then again I use a pretty tight grip for both (train the same, hold the same). I'm just going to toss the Sig Elite series in the mix. If you can get your hands on a P226 Elite or P220 Elite to just try out the trigger, you might find yourself in heaven. If not, the P226 is not a bad choice. I have one that's a joy to shoot. |