Buying first pistol for carry, any advise?

Get a glock, reliable, light weight, and comes in almost any caliber. The best part is anyone can shot it with literally no instruction, no confusing safeties, or other little buttons to get in the way. This would be a good consideration, because in life or death situation, the gun will be always ready to go, just put in a clip and rack the slide.
 
I'm a Glock and Sig armorer. I've owned and carried Sig 220, 228, 229, 230 & 239s as well as many Smith & Wessons. When I became a Glock armorer, I sold my Sigs and now carry a laser sight equipped Glock 23 on duty and a 26 off duty.
I'm also a firearms instructor and have never failed to see shooters scores improve after switching to Glocks. We recently recovered a stolen Glock that had been thrown in the Colorado mountains where it remained throughout a bad winter. The leather holster it was in had all but desintegrated around it but upon tearing it down the internal parts were pristine. The insurance company that paid the victims' claim donated it to the Dept. and it is now in service. Draw your own conclusions.
 
Originally posted by Richard K
I'm a Glock and Sig armorer. I've owned and carried .... We recently recovered a stolen Glock that had been thrown in the Colorado mountains where it remained throughout a bad winter. .... and it is now in service. Draw your own conclusions.
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Amazing. I've read several stories like this. Convinces me that I have the ruggedest brand out there. I've shot Colts, S&W, Beretta, H&K, and Glock. The Glock is the easiest to use, but only by a slight margin over the Colt (Gov't Model). I believe the reason the Glock is so easy to get good scores is because of the trigger. If you set it, it feels very much like a Series 80 Colt trigger.

I will say this, though: you'll never find a pistol that breakes down for detailed cleaning easier than the Colt "Guvmint". I just wish the 10mm cartridge hadn't gone the way of the buffalo. I would have liked to have a Glock 20.
 
There are a number of great handguns out there. I like Sig's a lot, but their concealable version is in .380. I have the SigPro in .40 (linked scan is my pistol).

But more to your question, I really like the Glock 27 (that's in .40; linked scan is also mine) for concealability. It is a tad thicker than I'd like, but length and height are perfect.
 
I will risk swimming against the Glock tide here. I have no critisism of their quality- Glock performance is legendary- but for me they simply do not point well. I know this can be overcome with practise and training, but why bother when my Berretta or Browning come on target effortlessly?

During my years as a lisenced vendor, I learned NOT to impose my personal tastes and preferences on my customers. I only carried quality firearms and had no reservations about any customer's INFORMED selection.

I would repeat and stress what others have already stated in this thread: Try everything you can get your hands on. Consider holstering, reloading and safety operation. Pick the gun that best suits your grip your mode of carry and your anticipated use.
 
Firearms selection is something that's hard to give a complete picture of in a Forum string. Sort of like asking what the best car is. :D

Needless to say, you've gotten some great feedback . . . you can't really go wrong with any of the pistols that have been suggested.

By trade, I'm a Firearms Instructor/Armorer. I'm factory trained to work on Colt, Beretta, Glock, Heckler & Kock, Ruger, Sig and Smith & Wesson firearms . . . any of which make quality products (some better then others in my opinion).

The best advice I can give you echoes some you've already gotten. Get what fits you.

Key things to check are:

Low bore axis. The lower the centerline of the barrel is to your grip, the lower the muzzle flip will be. (What most people mistakenly call "recoil")

The shorter the trigger reset, the faster your follow up shots will be. Also the shorter the reset, the more likely you are to get more accurate follow up shots. To check trigger reset, assure the pistol is unloaded, dry fire the pistol and hold the trigger to the rear. <u>Holding the trigger to the rear</u> (simulating proper trigger follow through), cycle the slide. Now, let the trigger go forward until it resets (aka you can fire again). You'll hear an audible "click". The shorter the reset, the better. (On some pistols there is a "false" reset click, make sure your seeing the real deal (Keltec P32s come to mind).

Make sure you can reach the trigger. Simply place the pistol in your hand and align the pistol to your forearm. It should be a straight line. <u>Now</u>, move your finger to the trigger. Can you reach the trigger? (first pad with single actions and first crease with Double actions) Personally, I have medium to smaller hands, and can tell you that there are some designs that I can not use properly. Not my fault . . . not the guns fault. I choose designs that I can grip properly and don't have to "make due with".

Note that these tests can be done in a gun store, without firing a shot.

As hard as this sounds to do, let price be one of the last things to make your decision. I can sum this up by asking "How much is your life worth?" Remember, your looking for <u>a piece of life saving gear</u>, not a place to scrimp a few dollars on. ;)

Let us know what you decide

John
 
Good words John. And excellent advice/description, regarding the trigger reset.
 
{When I became a Glock armorer, I sold my SIGs...}

Boy, does THAT sound familiar. As someone weaned on the 1911A1, honed on the S&W K-frame magnums, and a firm believer in walnut and steel, I was initially very suspicious of this "plastic fantastic", when we first saw it in the 80s. Hah; little did we know then just what a true genius Gaston Glock is. FWIW, I don't think he knew either at the time...{BFG}

Time and experience can indeed change even the firmest of convictions. In the vernacular of my youngest daughter, "Glocks rule!""

Steve
 
Yeah Steve, when my dept. switched from revolver to autos (more years ago than I care to remember) I showed up for the week long transition course with a Sig 220, an S&W 3913 and a Glock 19 (Glocks had just come out). Took a LOT of razzing about the Glock from instructors as well as fellow students ie. Tupperware gun, buckets of water brought to refill it etc. By the end of the week and after being top shooter with the Glock, most were asking where they could get one, how much etc.
 
I bought one of the first Glock 19s in Maryland in the early 80s.

I was actually on a waiting list and paid full retail.

I have no regrets.

I like nite sites and with the 17 round mag; it feels great in my hand!
 
FIRST off--I do not want to detract from the statements made or the percieved quality of the Sig, Glock or HK's. They are all very well made, high quality firearms. But......

In a "give vs. get" world, I believe that they are all seriously overpriced. (Flame proof suit zipped up now) Although they are indeed very high quality, there are others that can do the job just as efficiently. And do it very well, thank you. What you wanted was an accurate, reliable sidearm, that was also compact. I assume (And yes, I know all bout the word "assume") that you want something affordable to purchase as well as to practice with.

My suggestions would be one of the Ruger centerfire handguns, (ALWAYS reliable; sometimes accurate, IMHO they feel blocky) or a Makarov.

I was searching as well. Handled hundreds (literally!) of handguns, and settled on the Mak. At a delivered cost of $125.00. Why?

I had cost considerations. I've heard the argument that you shouldn't scrimp on defense, but when you analyze the individual making the suggestion, the advice can be flawed. Does that person own a volvo? Burglar alrms? Fire alarms? Bug out bags? Life insurance? "Protection" can go on and on, but you still have to eat and pay the rent. Just try to argue with two daughters that need braces!

The Mak is reliable, reliable, reliable. Period. About the size of a PPK, and ammo costs about $5.00/box/50. My price limit was $500.00 and I bought the Mak.

Oh, ok, either the Mak or the CZ75 .....I forgot about the CZ75. Also excellent. But that's another post.
 
I completely forgot about the C75!!

IMO, it is probably one of the best pistols in the world, regardless of cost. Well, based on what I've read. I've never shot one. So my opinion is really worth a hill of beans. But, it is well respected, and I have other Czech arms that are incredible.

Not sure about the Makarov. The one that I did handle was a little unimpressive. And isn't the caliber a little short on even the 9mm? With the size of the full-caliber guns out there lately, I wouldn't go less than 9mm unless you have physiological reasons.

Oh, and by the way, I don't have a bug-out bag, no Volvo's (I drive Jeeps, and an old Mustang), and little life insurance. I just appreciate quality firearms. The CZ is an excellent firearm, again from what I've read. And the Mak as well, even if it is a lesser caliber (and I'm not sure on that).
 
Yep, I gotta admit, as much as I love this Makarov, I wish I would have remembered the CZ75. In all likleyhood, my next ceterfire semi-auto will be a CZ. I have two questions, however:

1. Why do we all overlook the CZ? I heartily agree, that it's one of the finest auto's available, but I'll be damned if I remember them when I'm gun shopping! Maybe we need to talk to their marketuing dept. I think some consumer test samples may be in order.

2. Is the CZ available in .40?

The 9mm is OK, but the Mak isn't too far behind it. If I move up someday, I want to move up bigger.
 
but the GLOCK 19 is about the same size, lighter, more powerful and higher capacity with NO external safties.
 
Yes, the CZ comes in .40, it also comes in .45.

http://www.cz-usa.com/pro/prod_a.html

While it is a pretty passable firearm, as are it's clones. However, it's not my cup of tea.
  • * Trigger reach is tooooo long. My fingers are about half an inch or more too short the the DA trigger pull.
    * Inverted slide rails give precious little purchase area for malfunction clearances
    * Weighs more then two small children
    * I personally don't care for the DA/SA systems. First shot (aka "the most important one" usually flies wild

Just my opinion

John
 
You guys are recommending a Glock as a "First Pistol For Carry" ???

Yeah right...what a buncha dorks!

Emphasis on "First Pistol"...c'mon guys. :rolleyes:

IMNSHO, a "First" should be something a little more safe than a "The safety's in the trigger" handgun...that is, if the person carrying it ever needs to use it...as a "First" handgun...

Start out with a revolver dude, a midframe S&W in .357....shoot .38's through it til you're comfy, then move up in power. Then...only then, think auto...then practice your ass off with it. Carry a Glock empty until you get comfortable with it.

When you've shot it enough, and you're comfortable with the carry and trigger set up, then carry it loaded, if you have the permit.

My rational behind saying this? Unlike you guys, I'm but a novice shooter. Hell, I bet I've only owned 25 or so handguns, including Glocks, carried various models for 15 years, and shot 50,000 some-odd rounds through them.

So, I'm just a beginner, but nonetheless, I still think the choice of a Glock for a "First Carry Gun" is a bad choice... :(

Neophyte: "My son's coming up on 11, and we're thinking about getting him his first dog...what type of dog should we get?" Talking heads nodding in agreement: "A Rottweiler, definitely a Rottweiler..." :rolleyes:
 
Originally posted by Melvin-Purvis
...Start out with a revolver dude, a midframe S&W in .357....shoot .38's through it til you're comfy, then move up in power. Then...only then, think auto...then practice your ass off with it. Carry a Glock empty until you get comfortable with it...

Neophyte: "My son's coming up on 11, and we're thinking about getting him his first dog...what type of dog should we get?" Talking heads nodding in agreement: "A Rottweiler, definitely a Rottweiler..." :rolleyes:
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Come on Mel. :rolleyes:

That's old school talk.

What's the difference in a revolver and a Glock; neither has an external safety.

Practice is what's important.

In another 10 years they may not even be making revolvers. :)

Why carry a Glock empty? :confused:

Do you mean without a round in the chamber?

I think this is the first time we've disagreed. :eek:

I do agree with you on the dog; they're hard to beat.
 
Sorry, farmboy; not in my experience. Feels "blocky"? That's a polite way of saying they are generally an ergonomic disaster. Sometimes accurate? You got THAT right...

And I'm having trouble following your logic on buying a cheap defense pistol. Okay; for your basic yuppie who doesn't know anything about guns, doesn't WANT to know anything about guns, and will buy a piece, load it, and throw it in a drawer or glovebox; yeah. It doesn't matter what that sort of person has.

But for someone who is serious about being able to defend himself and his family, and will exert the effort needed to become proficient, a quality weapon is worth every penny. This is a very subjective topic, of course. But a workman is only as good as his tools...

Steve
 
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