Future firearm owner needs some input

sixstrings101

sixstrings101

Joined
Jan 2, 2007
Messages
1,113
I have always loved gadgets and such. but my 21st is coming up and im looking into purchasing my first handgun. I have been looking into some of the .45, .40 or .357. Any input on the differrent calibers would be appreciated. I like the double action of the usp, and do other makers use the double action? oh another important feature..can it be formated for a lefty
the firearms i am considering are the
sigsauer 226,229
hk usp
walther p99
any comments would be appreciated

six
 
I think you'll find it's largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer large caliber (.45) and others the 9mm. Some prefer the "plastic" guns (Glock, etc) and others prefer the more traditional (1911).

The best thing is to find a shooting range that will rent you different guns and calibers and try as many as you can afford. What's important is what works for you.

Good luck!

PS - So, you're a guitar player?
 
thanks for the advice the 1911 was another model i forgot to add

and 10 points on figuring out the my name. ive been playing since about '96.
 
I like the double action of the usp, and do other makers use the double action?
Click to expand...

Double action guns allow you to pull the trigger without cocking the hammer prior to firing (many double action guns don't have hammers). Although it is simpler to not have to cock the hammer before each shot, the force required to pull the trigger is significantly higher. The HK USP is double action/single action, which means that it can be fired as a double action or cocked and fired single action (unless you buy one of the double action exclusive variants without a hammer). All of the guns you are looking at are double action. The USP is unique because it is not only both double and single action capable, but it can carried safetied with the hammer cocked, allowing a faster draw and fire.

I asked a similar question in another thread to see if I should get the Glock 21, HK USP, or 1911. I got a lot of good, varied responses that pretty much indicate that I should just try them all out because some people have different sized hands, prefer different features etc.
 
All three pistols that you have listed: Sig,HK Usp,Walther p99 are excellent choices.

As for caliber I like the old .45 and/or .357.

But I'm just stubborn(and would trade them all for 10mm's in a flash).

Carry what you'll carry.

Take your time ,your on the right track.

Oh and try a Glock (mine takes whatever abuse I can dish out to it better than anything else I own) it's my EDC.

Here's JUST my .45's:
P3110061.jpg
 
What are you planning to do with your firearm?

If you plan to own primarily for carry I would steer you away from the USP full-size because it is fairly thick, boxy and heavy. Bad things for concealment. However if you just want a gun to shoot at the range and so on the USP is very good and extremely lefty-friendly. It has hands down the best left-handed magazine release on a stock model I've ever owned.

I second the recommendation that you find a good gun store/range and rent some guns and try out a few calibers and sizes before you buy.
 
care to elaborate on 10mm?:confused: im obviously a newbe, but i have fired my share of hunting rifles, shot guns and for whatever reason skipped over 9mm and the first pistol i fired was a .44 mag
 
The caliber argument rages always.

I agree with those who proclaim, "I wouldn't be caught dead carrying anything less than a .45."

Yeah, you probably won't be caught dead carrying anything less than a .45. You'll probably be caught dead carrying NOTHING because you left your heavy, bulky .45 in the safe that day. What good is your beautiful 1911 with its expert tuning and night sights and special grips and all that custom work if it's sitting in the safe?

You can argue all day about "stopping power," but the gun ain't gonna stop nobody if it's in your safe. Better the .22 Beretta that you're carrying than the .50 DE sitting in your safe.

So, as you think about caliber, think about what you'll actually be willing to carry.
 
Gollnick said:
So, as you think about caliber, think about what you'll actually be willing to carry.
Click to expand...

i guess all the more reason why i should get over to the store and feel them out

a desert eagle is definately out of the question, but im a rather big guy so weight isnt really an issue
 
I can and do comfortably carry my G30 90% of the time, it is not such a burden as some might have you think.

However for crowded areas where people might bump/jostle my Glock I carry this,yes it's a Ladysmith .357,no that doesn't bother me...:)

P4200051.jpg
 
Sixstrings:

Check into the Glock 29 in 10mm. It is the subcompact version of the Glock 20, and sizes out about as big as the Glock 19, which happens to be a good blend of heft and concealability for most adult males. I have both, and they conceal well, even in summertime, if that is what you are planning to do with this firearm. If you have not shot much, the 10mm may be a bit lively especially in the G29 size, due to it's relatively short grip. I recommend at least a pearce grip extension on the magazine for your little finger; it helps a lot I find. But the 10mm is a good, potent caliber, somewhere around .41 equivalent, I believe. But really, I echo the sentiments of the previous posts: try a bunch and see what calibers and ergonomics work best for you (especially being a lefty). You may find yourself a 1911 fan (they are fun to shoot), or a Glock fan (they are fun to shoot, after you've left them in the mud, and run over them with your truck:D ). Or you may like something completely different than either of these (big ol' Dirty Harry revolvers:eek: )
 
i like the 226 personally, my buddy had one that spent 3 hours under muddy water when i sunk his truck. funtioned fine afterwards.

right now i carry my 1911 when im in casual dress, my luger if im going out to some place fancy or dinner, and my old model 10 military & police revolver the rest of the time. i perfer the model 10 to any of the other pistols that i own. its a ex vietnam era police pistol imported back to the use through century arms, she was alittle rusty but fuctioned fine i buffed it with a home made buffer (old heater motor) and took it to the range, the target is from 25 yards. shes more accurite than my semi autos and easy to handle.

theres no need to carry your expensive guns every where you go, carry something that you dont mind loosing because if you do have to use it your going to loose it atleast temperarly and the police dont handle the guns as kindly as we do. the model 10 below was 200 bucks and its as reliable as a gun can get.

if i scratch it or drop it no big deal, ill just buff it back out. some of the defensive pistol courses ive taken require you to fire your main gun and toss it on the gravel range and pull out your secondary and fire it. its funny watching people shoot there 2000 1911s and then having to drop them. several weeks back i was practicing and threw the model 10 clear under a car lol.

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IM a big fan of Sig but I also have a USPF in .40. The one advantage to the H&K is you can carry it cocked and locked like a 1911. As others have said, go to a range that rents guns and handle and shoot the ones that catch your eye.Be sure you give CZ a try as well.
 
i guess i have to go rooting around some stores and pick some more brains on this subject. my premace behind this is to get a feel for firearms and shooting. as well as have some fun;)
 
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