Posted: 5/10/2002 1:08:56 AM EDT
| I'm thinking about coming into the world of handgun ownership. I'm an CAR15 shooter, but that sucker is a little conspicuous to haul around. The guys down at my local gun shop suggested something in a .40 Glock, but I was thinking of something like a 92SF. What do y'all think? |
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The first thing I'd suggest is for you to hold and shoot as many as possible. You'll find that, just as in rifles, there is emormous variation in grip angle, width, height, location of controls, ease of dissasembly... One of the biggest differences will be in the grip angle. For example, the 1911, BHP, SiG and Berettas will have similar grip angle while the GLOCKs use one that is very, very different. You should also try shooting revolvers as well as pistols. The revolver is a great introduction to hand guns. It will be more accurate than the pistols and has the simplest manual of arms. In general, they are also less expensive and there are tons of great used revolvers out there. |
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I assume you have fired a handgun before and don't have to mention "a .22 is the best to start with". Now with the disclaimer out of the way, I feel either a beretta or a glock are the best choices. The reason is they are reliable, most folks shoot them well, and decent used ones can be found for reasonable money. I have several glocks, people either like them alot or hate them alot. I have owned a beretta 92 I shot it well but never really liked the gun. I sold it to buy my first glock. I have owned a sig and shot it well but still like the glocks better. Find someone or someplace where you can try a few pistols then make your choice. |
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For a first handgun I'd suggest getting something big enough to have a decent sight radius and comfortably handle recoil. I think a duty handgun that is fairly popular is a good way to go. Glock/Beretta/Smith and Wesson should all be okay. You need to try them out and see what you like. The grip angle of the Glock is better for natural aiming of the gun (I think the Luger is similar) You don't have to "break" your wrist to aim a Glock-hold it and point and it should be pretty close on. Glocks also have the barrel closer to your hand than a lot of other guns. Do you want a safety? I don't think this is important. Keep your finger out of the trigger guard, particularly when drawing the pistol, and you will be fine. But this is one main reason to not get a Glock. I like 'em 'cause you pull 'em out and start blazing-simple. Action? Glock has a mediocre trigger pull, but it is the same each time. 1911's generally are sweeter and the same each time. Other double action/single action guns in my experience, are long on the first pull and short on the rest. This causes some people to have a "flier" because of the difference in trigger pull. I have a Beretta 92 and it's okay, but I like my glocks better. It is easier to find hi-caps for the Beretta. A Beretta would be just fine if you like 'em. The only real disadvantage of a .40 is it is tougher to get inexpensive ammo ball ammo to practice and play with. 9mm is really easy to get cheap and .45 is okay too-I'm not sure about .40 since it has never been a military round. The .40 and 9 Glocks do have a smaller grip than the .45 and 10. I have a .45 Glock and the grip is big-I don't mind it but a lot of people don't like it at all. The gun does need to be properly seated in your hand. I'd look at a Glock in either 9 or 40 in the full size or maybe the compact but not a miniglock right away. |
| I just have to insert a plug for EAA (the steel-framed ones). I have a 9mm Witness, and it's every bit as well-made as any of the bigger-name guns, but is a lot cheaper, and hi-cap mags are cheap, too. As Aimlees said, how it fits your hand is important, and for me, nothing is more comfortable than a "Witness." If a Beretta is for you, try out a Taurus; they are almost identical in design, with the exception that the Taurus pistols have a frame-mounted safety. Glocks are, in my experience, really accurate, and while I can shoot pretty well with 'em, they just aren't my kinda gun. As everybody says, try out a bunch, and get what you like. |
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If you don't have much handgun experience I would suggest a .22lr Browning or Ruger to start on. It's much easyer to start small and move up without obtaining the habit of FLINCHING. After all most of us start shooting the .22lr before we move up to the 30-06. After that I would suggest trying as many different handguns in varying calibers as possible to find what you LIKE. |
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I think Glocks are pretty cool. First off, which caliber? 9mm...inexpensive(relatively) for plinking, wide variety of defensive +P, +P+ ammo, least recoil compared to bigger calibers 40Cal...No experience, can't comment .45ACP...for those that think bigger is better(I love it and wish I could carry it on-duty!) 3 glaring negatives for me: more expensive to shoot than 9mm, less magazine capacity, bigger kick. The major redeeming factor? Big freakin' holes in your target! |
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One thing no one has asked....what are you going to use it for? Plinking and fun shooter = .22 revolver/auto, .38 revolver. Plinking, competition, defense = 9mm/ .38 revolver Defense = 357 magnum revolver (4" barrel min.),9mm, .45 cal. There is my short to the point answer! 
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At SD ranges there is almost no difference. When shooting at those (under 21 foot) distances, the most accurate pistol I have is my SiG 230.  The SiG 230 is a 380 but with today's hot ammo from folks like CorBon and Triton, it ain't you daddy's 380. It is a fixed barrel so that if you can point your finger at something, you'll hit it with the 230. As distances increase, the longer barrel and sight radius of a full size pistol will make accuracy better. So it's all in what your emphasis is. If it will be a sport pistol primarily, SD second, then a revolver willl be the most accurate foloowed by the full size pistols and finally the compacts. If it will be a SD primaily and sport second, then the order would be revolver, compact pistol and fullsized pitol. |
The guy behind the counter at my gun shop convinced me to give .40cal a try (by not charging me range time), so I took a USP40 and a box of ammo, and I think I liked it better than the 9mm. Negligible recoil difference with armscor ammo, and I feel a little better with a bigger bullet. I'm glad I don't have to justify the purchase to anyone though. The USP ain't cheap. |