Handgun Recommendation ?

I have been reading this thread over and have observed many good points made, but in my experience, productive practice of good repeatable habits is the key. I have been a LEO for twenty years next month and a firearm instructor for many of them. I carry a Glock both on and off duty, but there are many fine pistols out there. The key is practice and more practice till you are comfortable that you can depend on your own skills to save your life and those of your loved ones. Pick a firearm that you are comfortable with in terms of size and recoil, and reliablity and get to a range with a decent instructor. Put in your time and develop your skills and then go on from there.
 
I appreciate the input guys. I have been searching out the recommendations and checking them out on line. Like I said, there is a gun show soon.

I do carry with one in the chamber, but not with the Glock. That was my main reason for starting this thread. The Glock is not my primary carry, but I wanted it to be.

The main thing said so far that has me thinking is 'why would I be comfortable with a revolver and one in the chamber'. Double action maybe ? Anyway, this has me thinking that I am being overly paranoid about this.

I will be heading to the new range I found to try some different handguns. I'll be taking the Glock with me too.

Mr. maximus otter - I do realize that you were not being insulting, but yours is the only post that I felt being talked down to. I did ask for honest opinions though. When I said I was a "decent" shot I was being modest. This post was about one of the many guns in my safe.

I'll check in again and let you know how the range time went.

Alex
 
Modern DA revolvers incorporate some variation of the "Safety Hammer Block" introduced in the late 1800s. This interposes a solid block of steel between hammer and frame, making accidental discharge by dropping the weapon (in hammer-down mode) next to impossible.

Note that this does not apply to single-action revolvers of the Colt SAA design, which are notoriously prone to such discharge if there is a round under the firing pin. A few modern SA revolvers (notably Ruger) have managed to incorporate a hammer-block device.
 
tortoise said:
With respect, unless one can provide hard data on this, and likely one cannot, this needs to go onto the pile of baseless statements.

The staggering majority of carried-loaded-handgun-hours in the United States are with Glocks and the number of negligent discharges, (I admit, without a hard figure to quote) is statistically insignificant. What we can know with certainty is that hundreds of thousands of American Police Officers carry Glocks twenty-four-seven and the incidents of NDs are rare enough to be well known for their occurrence. -In other words, the exceptions that prove the rule.
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Just to stir the pot, I'd like to point out that Glocks came into fashion recently and while lots of departments carry them, there are lots that carry Sigs and other pistols. Also, the military carried 1911's as sidearms for almost 75 years, through 2 world wars, korea, and vietnam. I don't know as the number of glocks has passed the 1911's ;)

They are both good guns for different reasons. Carry what you like and works for you.
 
BlackDPlus said:
maximus otter - I do realize that you were not being insulting, but yours is the only post that I felt being talked down to.
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I apologize. That was not my intention.

maximus otter
 
weldon said:
...I don't know as the number of glocks has passed the 1911's ;) QUOTE]

Absolutely weldon, however the current number of Glocks in daily service easily exceeds the current number of 1911s in service. There are nearly a million law enforcement officers in this country (six or seven hundred thousand, I've read) the number usually given is that around half carry Glock. That gives the manufacturer a steep margain over the remaining companies who divvy up the rest of the market, Sig, Smith, H&K, Ruger, Kimber, Colt...

As you say, with the military, and especially WW II factored in, no pistol may ever exceed the 1911 in total carried ever, but in today's hands, its no contest as to round the clock carry in the U.S.

Related and to the point of the original question, those military 1911s were carried (by policy) hammer down and without a round in the chamber. None of those Glocks (by policy) are. :)
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Well, here's my thought on pistols with a manual safety:

I think that, to some extent, they are a "crutch" for poor weapon handling skills.

When many police departments switched from the 1911-style pistol to the Glock, you had more than a few accidental discharges.
The only way that was possible is for the officer to have his finger on the trigger before he was ready to shoot.
You see, the 1911's manual safety and grip safety had allowed the officer to improperly handle their pitols and develop the bad habit of "fingering" the trigger without a target in the sights.

And here's another reason I don't care for a manual safety on a pistol:

A friend told me this story...
He owns a large patch of woods and had some trouble with some folks camping/partying on his property (the real problem was the trash they left behind, the huge bonfire that they made, and the trees they cut down).
He tells me that one time he goes down and asks the group to leave.
To make a long story short...
They had been drinking and were getting aggressive and one pulls a knife and threatens him.
He pulls his pistol (a CZ-75 btw) and he disarms the one with the knife and escorts them all, at gunpoint, off of his property.
After they were gone, he was going to put the safety back on and re-holster the pistol--but when he check his pistol he saw that the safety was already on.
During the excitement of the confrontation he had FAILED TO TAKE THE SAFETY OFF!
Had the guy with the knife attacked him, he probably would have been killed.

Just some food for thought,
Allen.
 
I have a Springer 1911 now, but I had an H&K USP in .45 for a long time. Very well made and easy to use. The P7 is great engineering, but expensive and discontinued now. The P2000 compacts look very nice.
I've handled Glocks and they just aren't for me. I'm paranoid enough to like an external safety on a DA pistol, but the Glocks I held just weren't comfortable.
You should practice with your Glock and get good with it, before you make your decision. The gun you have is better than the one you want. :)
 
One gun (that I haven't fired yet) that has throughly impressed me from handling it is the CZ-75 B, check it out. Oh and BTW you can carry a 75 B either cocked and locked or in DA mode without the safety on (you can't have the hammer down and the safety on) And I'm NOT trying to hijack your thread but if anyone out there has one perhaps they'd share their experiences.

Also check out the HK USP and the Beretta 92/96 series, and despite what most folks think I happen to really like the 3rd Generation S&W pistols, also FN/Browning hi-powers and Colt 80 series are all proven winners.
 
CZ's are ok, i have 1, or did have one for a while, i have heard quality on them can vary some, it kinda reminded me of a little smaller berreta '92, with all the same pro's and cons.mine was acceptably accurate and pretty reliable, heavy trigger though, FIE IIRC made a chopped version i always kinda wanted to try, never did though.
 
Have you looked at the Springfield XD's? Polymer frame, similar in size and weight to the Glocks but has a safety system similar to the 1911.

Personally I've carried the gamut from revolvers to 1911's to Glocks and now I carry a Glock just because of the maintenence, it's about as maintainence free as they get. It wasn't really an issue when I was shooting a more often as I would clean and inspect after each session but since I've been married and had a kid, I just don't get to the range as much and constant carry tends to wipe the protective oils from the outside of my guns and they ....rust...so I carry a Glock. Really you should carry what you feel comfortable with, that's the key.

Rob
 
i love revolvers.

i detest auto pistols...

the browning hi power is the only exception. I can't recall knowing anyone who had one that didn't love it.

not having fired the CZ, I can't opine about it, but the owners sound a LOT like browning owners in their praise.

I'll always, ALWAYS, recommend a .357 with a 6 inch barrel to anyone hasn't one already. Too big to conceal effectively, too small to kill an elephant (probably), too expensive to plink with, and too valuable to leave in the truck .. other than that, perfect. :p
 
I've been a big fan of Sigs for years. The 220 is a fantastic pistol that feeds everything. It would be my first choice were it not too large for my short fingers :) Regardless, in any variation Sig is a player.

The HK Compact is a great pistol as well, very good design but large for a ccw.

Any DAO design (or revolver) is preferable for a newcomer to shooting. Most are not going to spend the quality time and training to safely master a Glock or 1911.

If you are not comfortable with the platform, change to whatever makes you comfortable.
 
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
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This opinion comes from Korean war army service.

Semi-autos require positioning to aim.

Revolvers are pointed ,not juggled onto target.

It is almost impossible to accidently discharge a revolver.

Revolvers always have a round chambered,eliminating, Did I or didn't I chamber one ?

Practice enough that your revolver becomes an extension of your hand.

Caliber & load to fit your purpose for carrying .


Uncle Alan
 
uncle Alan said:
This opinion comes from Korean war army service.

Semi-autos require positioning to aim.

Revolvers are pointed ,not juggled onto target.

It is almost impossible to accidently discharge a revolver.

Revolvers always have a round chambered,eliminating, Did I or didn't I chamber one ?

Practice enough that your revolver becomes an extension of your hand.

Caliber & load to fit your purpose for carrying .


Uncle Alan
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I agree!!! Sig Sauer p229/.357 DAO. :D
 
BlackDPlus,I can't shoot a glock very well due to the fat grip frame on them.I do much better with a 1911 or S&W (J or K frame) revolver so that what I carry.Go to Braverman's in Wilkinsburg and handle what they have to offer.Find a firearm that fits your hands and you will be much happier I know I am.YMMV.tom.
 
Springfield XD, Service Model. Pick your caliber. Same size as the Glock 19, but completely different ergonomics and a grip safety.

The main problem I have with the Glock is a very simple one: When I look down the rear sights, I see the top of the slide and not the front sight.

Other problem is that the grips are all wrong and grip angle feels weird.

XD, same grip angle as a 1911A1, points naturally. It does have an issue with the finish, but if that's a problem get the slide Gunkoted and you'll still have paid only as much as the Glock costs.

I have a pair of Service sized XD40s and love them.
 
Thank you all VERY much for all of the contributions, answers, and suggestions to my questions. It's appreciated.

Well, I went to the range like I said I was going to. I realized that I do like my Glock. Other interests and commitments have taken the place of all the shooting that I used to do. I will be spending more time there. Just like a lot of people said. Practice, practice, practice.

I also realized that my complaint of me not being accurate or consistant enough wasn't fair. Shooting just the 19 by itself showed me that my groups were nothing to be embarrased about. I would tape my target holes and take out the same holes again and again. I realized that I was comparing it to my .357 (L Frame) which has a silky trigger and uses hand loads.

As far as having one in the chamber ? That's how it's being carried now. I think I was more worried about someone else touching it than me having a ND.

Not only am I keeping it, but I'm having night sights installed. I checked out a lot of nice guns at the show and realized what I have is pretty darn good. Guess that's why I bought it in the first place. What did I buy at the show ? Just a couple of hi-caps for the Glock :D

Deputy Tom - I see you're from da burg. Thanks for the recommendation of Braverman's. I've never been there but I went to school with JR. I think he's worked there forever.


Alex
 
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