Handgun Recommendation ?

B

BlackDPlus

Joined
Dec 14, 2000
Messages
195
Hi all,

Sorry for another 'what gun should I get' thread, but I'm sure you guys have some good info.

I have a Glock 19 9mm that I'm not comfortable with. I did some research and thought this was the one for me, but it turns out I don't like it. Size wise I think it is just right.

I'm a decent shot, but don't get consistant groups. I could work on this, but there is something else I don't like. I can't get past the idea of not having an external safety button.

My biggest problem is that I can't bring myself to carry with one in the chamber. I know it's safe and all but I think I just mentally need that extra measure of safety.

My opinion is that you need to be totally comfortable with your gun. I'm not. And, not having a round in the chamber isn't right with me either.

My other carry is a Firestar M43 9mm. I'm very happy with this one. Small in size but a bit heavy. I doubt that I will ever need extra capacity magazines, but that is one of the things I do like about the Glock.

A friend is recommending Sigs. I do like the 228. I've never owned a gun with a de-cocking lever and once again I would really like to see a button for a safety.

I'm also thinking of the possibility of getting a .45. There will be a gun show here in 2 weeks and I'm thinking of trading the Glock.

How about hit me with some ideas and recommendations.

Also, am I being silly about the Glock ?

Thanks in advance.
Alex
 
You might want to try a HK USP in either 9 mm or .45. Polymer like the Glock, but has external safety, decocking lever, etc. It is sized more like the Glock 17, but there is a scaled down version that is more similar to the 19.

Are you being silly about the Glock? I very much agree that you must feel very comfortable with your carry piece, etc. Do what seems best to you.
 
Perhaps you should go do some training (or more training), with the gun(s) that you have, so you feel more comfortable with them/it, before you go buy another gun. I am trying to help. I am NOT trying to insult you or anything, honest.
 
Have you ever considered a Browning Hi-Power? It's another John Moses Browning design, like the 1911, a single-action like the 1911, and the standard capacity magazines hold thirteen rounds. That's another thing that you could do at a gun show, try handling as many handguns as interest you.

GeoThorn
 
I carry a .45 cal H&K USP on-duty. It is a very nice gun and shoots great. My department went with the decocker-only models, and I heartily endorse that decision. I do not want or need a safety on my handgun. We used to carry Beretta 9mm which did have a safety, and you constantly had to check the gun to make sure that the safety was off. When you're under the pressure of a gun fight, the last thing you need is to worry about whether a safety is on or off. (Don't forget that most revolvers don't have safeties either.)

For home defense, I have a .45 cal Sig P220 for my main weapon. (The rifles and shotguns are in the gun safe.) The Sig is also an excellent gun, although the slide release is not as easy to use as the H&K's. I do like the Sig's all steel frame better than the H&K's polymer one.

If I was buying a gun, money was not an issue, and size was not a huge consideration, I would buy an all stainless Sig P220 with night sights and the built in laser (it goes right in with the slide spring). http://www.sigarms.com/products/classicfullsize-models.asp?product_id=40&product_name=P220
http://www.lasermax-inc.com/products/lms-2201.php

By the way, for my last gun purchase, I chose a Taurus total titanium .44 special. It has five shots and a ported barrel. The gun is light as a feather and corrosion proof, which makes it a dream to carry. (The bullets actually weigh about the same as the gun.) With the ported barrel, recoil is not bad and accuracy is respectable. http://www.taurususa.com/products/product-details.cfm?model=445SH2C&category=Revolver

These are my opinions, developed over 22 years as a Police Officer who carries a handgun on a daily basis. Take them for what you think they are worth.

-Chris
 
I'd recommend going to a shooting range and trying lots of guns there, just to see how they sit in your hand while shooting them. The ranges around here let you pay a flat fee and you get to shoot any of the guns they have in the case. The other thing is I'm going to second the training. As for the external safety, there are two schools of thought, one is you'll forget to disengage it when you need it... which is bad. The second is the bad guy who gets your gun will not know how to disengage it, which is good. If you are going to get a gun with a safety make sure you practice with it to keep the bad from happening.
 
Yes, you ARE being silly about the Glock. The Glock is one of the BEST combat handguns on the market, and has been for quite awhile. The Glock pistol has proven itself to be totally safe with a round chambered as long as the operator remembers to follow basic safe gun-handling rules...Number one being that ALL guns are loaded ALL the time, and number two is to keep the finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

Are you sure that you don't have a problem with "automatics" in-general? Maybe something like a Ruger GP-100 .357 magnum revolver would suit you better?
 
I don't know how big a glock 19 is, but you might consider a taurus 24/7. They look pretty nice to me, and seem comparable to a glock. Don't see a hammer, so it might even be striker fired like a glock, but it is double action only, polymer frame, manual safety. Looks like a neat gun to me, and I've seen it get some good reviews. Available in 9mm, .40, and .45 too :)
 
Thanks for the replies already. I hope to see more.

H&K and Browning were already on my list to look into. I appreciate the recommendations.

TheKnifeCollector - I know you're not. I'm open to all opinions. I don't shoot/train as much as I used to.

weldon - I just found a range not far from me that rents different pistols to try. I'll be heading out there soon to see what I like.

glockman99 - That's what I want. Honest opinions. I do carry the Firestar with a round chambered. I don't think it's autos in general that bother me. I have a S&W .357, but it's a little on the large side. I did look at the Ruger. I thought it would be smaller.
I understand what you mean about the number one safety rule. I'm even wondering if I'm trying to be too safe.

Matt Shade -The 19 is a mid-size. I think it's just right. I haven't considered a Taurus, but I will look into them now.

Thanks for the info. Please keep it coming.
Alex
 
BlackDPlus said:
Hi all,

Sorry for another 'what gun should I get' thread, but I'm sure you guys have some good info.

I have a Glock 19 9mm that I'm not comfortable with. I did some research and thought this was the one for me, but it turns out I don't like it. Size wise I think it is just right.

I'm a decent shot, but don't get consistant groups. I could work on this, but there is something else I don't like. I can't get past the idea of not having an external safety button.

My biggest problem is that I can't bring myself to carry with one in the chamber. I know it's safe and all but I think I just mentally need that extra measure of safety.

My opinion is that you need to be totally comfortable with your gun. I'm not. And, not having a round in the chamber isn't right with me either.

My other carry is a Firestar M43 9mm. I'm very happy with this one. Small in size but a bit heavy. I doubt that I will ever need extra capacity magazines, but that is one of the things I do like about the Glock.

A friend is recommending Sigs. I do like the 228. I've never owned a gun with a de-cocking lever and once again I would really like to see a button for a safety.

I'm also thinking of the possibility of getting a .45. There will be a gun show here in 2 weeks and I'm thinking of trading the Glock.

How about hit me with some ideas and recommendations.

Also, am I being silly about the Glock ?

Thanks in advance.
Alex
Click to expand...


No, I don't think you are silly about the Glock...beside it's rather ugly pistol too...I recommend a Czech Zbrojovka pistol in 9mm parabellum (model CZ 75) or .45 (model CZ 97). These are excellent pistols (available with many safety variations) , all steel constructions,excellent balance, very reliable and accurate. I have handled CZ 75 and it sits very good in hand (much better than Beretta M 92 with that thick and chunky handle)

http://www.czub.cz/index.php?p=32&idp=1&ids=3&lang=en


http://www.czub.cz/get_img.php?img=img/CZ_75_SP-01.JPG&width=450

http://www.czub.cz/get_img.php?img=img/CZ_97_B.jpg&width=450
 
Anyone having repeated jams in a Glock is being limp-wristed, quite literally, and not holding it firmly enough. These pistols require a very firm grip against which to recoil. If the grip is not firm enough, the recoil action is partially absorbed by the frame moving in your hand and the pistol will jam repeatedly.
 
Got anything agaist revolvers?

A mid size Smith & wesson L frame can be very safely carried fully loaded and you have more stopping power and accuracy range with a .357 mag. In the 28 years I've had my model 65 and fired it thousands of rounds with all kinds of ammo it has never had a single malfunction.

Just a thought.
 
I agree you should feel confident with whatever weapon you pick.

I would note that thousands of police agencies have adopted the Glock in various models, and that means many thousands of officers putting in untold numbers of hours on a daily basis with the weapon.
"Accidental" discharges due to safety failures are essentially unheard of. There are actually three internal safeties.

Still, we had one officer (who had been "transitioned" from revolvers) who refused for over a year to chamber a round...
 
I think the Glock is a very safe handgun and does not need a conventional safety. Having said that, I also think that it is critical to be totally comfortable with whatever you carry. If you have worked with it and still haven't been able to achieve that with the Glock don't worry about whether you're being silly or not, just sell it and buy something else.

My personal favorite, which may or may not address your concern, is the H&K P7. It uses a front-strap cocking/safety mechanism that is radically unlike anything else on the market. It manages to be extremely safe and very quick to deploy at the same time. And it's a great handgun for all sorts of other reasons too. The downside is that the things cost a small fortune. I carry a P7 every day and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Aside from that, I think you've heard a lot of good recommendations. I like the H&K USP Compacts and the Sig P229.

--Bob Q
 
I am a big Glock fan, however, I sold all my Glocks. I have little hands, so my favorite is Kahr Arms; I own two, both with night sights. I also have a S&W 342 PD; awesome little revolver. But waht is right for me, might not be right for you. I hope you find something that you LOVE!! I love the guns I have.
I too suggest going to a range and try out a variety of guns, to see what feels most comfortable to you. And then train a lot with it. That way you can try several out, and see what fits you best, with out dropping a ton of dough.
 
Get a COLT Commander with an aluminum frame if you really want to carry. It is light, slim, packs a .45 punch and it's mags are compatabile with any 1911. Also with a 1911 there's not 1, but TWO manual safeties that have to be disengaged in order to fire. Also if you really want a small carry check out the S&W made Walther ppk/s and the Sig P232, but keep in mind these are both .380s.
 
Heaven is:

A French chef
A British buttler
A German gun

Hell is:

A British chef
A German buttler
A French gun



Get youself an H&K. For carry, nothing beats the P7.
 
As I generally always carry a G-27 or my 1911...

But if you are worried about saftey (either with or without an external saftey,) then I will recommend what I do... and why I do it...

I carry my guns on an empty chamber.... Always!

I'm not an LEO nor armchair Rambo (even if I do have some of the toys! LOL!! :D ) But an old Marine MP at Quantico told me when I was on the High School Rifle Team that they couldn't carry a loaded weapon. They kept the mags full and available, but as he said; "In order to draw my weapon, it will take almost a second... If someone has that much jump on me already, I'm dead.... But give me 2 full seconds, and I'll have my weapon charged and ready to discharge." (paraphrased from the dim recesses of my old dim bulb!)

I figure that if I have to draw my weapon, in the act of drawing, I have also learned to rack the slide on the draw... Yeah, if you've already got me in your sights, I'm prolly already dead... But give me the moment to draw, and I won't have to worry about the saftey, nor will I have to worry a whole lot about the BG drawing and using my weapon... 'cause it's empty! Well, at least the chamber, so I really can't just stand there and laff for too long! :rolleyes:

If you are comfortable with the gun, that may be one solution unless you are someone who regularly goes in harms way... in which case, I think my opinion may make things worse... Good luck!
 
The Glock is a well designed, very reliable, exceptionally durable firearm. I hate the way they feel in my hand and can't shoot them well at all without considerable effort. Our department has transistioned to Sig 229Rs with the 239 approved for off duty carry. Our pistols are DAO models. I am a fan of the DAO system due to its revolver like simplicity as long as the pull is smooth and consistent. All of my Sigs have very smooth pulls of right at 10 lbs. I had my 220 converted to DAO for consistency with my other Sigs. Provided you can come to grips with the lack of a manual safety I would highly recomend one of the DAO Sigs. The DA/SA system with a decocker is also very nice, but again, no manual safety. Bear in mind that we got by just fine with revolvers for many years without manual safeties. Keep your finger off the trigger and you'll be fine. Not much of a way that 10+lbs will be applied to that trigger through its entire range of motion accidentally without a finger inside the guard.

That said, its important that you feel comfortable with the weapon. I am a great fan of the 1911 and Hi Power in the hands of well trained shooters. However, due to the single action (and relatively light) triggers a very great deal of discipline must be maintained in regard to keeping you finger away from the trigger and in practicing the proper manipulation of the safety. They are superb weapons and shoot very well, but are perhaps not the best choice for everyone.

If you want a safety on a DA pistol, I would suggest something along the lines of a Smith and Wesson 3913 (pre TSW if possible) for a compact, or a Berretta 92 for a full size gun. A CZ 75 will give you a DA first shot along with the ability to carry cocked and locked like a 1911. Basically, try to get your hands on a bunch of different styles and see what feels best. Once you find what you like, stick with it and shoot it as often as possible. Feel free to drop me a email if you have any questions about anything.
 
joeshredd said:
I figure that if I have to draw my weapon, in the act of drawing, I have also learned to rack the slide on the draw... Yeah, if you've already got me in your sights, I'm prolly already dead... But give me the moment to draw, and I won't have to worry about the saftey, nor will I have to worry a whole lot about the BG drawing and using my weapon... 'cause it's empty! Well, at least the chamber, so I really can't just stand there and laff for too long! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
Joe...Haven't you heard that when under a deadly attack that "fine motor skills" aren't very fine anymore, and that if you don't pull the slide ALL THE WAY back, and let it SNAP forward, that a round could jam going into the chamber?..To me, that's just too much that could go wrong at the wrong time.

This is why I like my fully-loaded Glock pistols...Just point and shoot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top