Help With My First Handgun

snwbrdr202

snwbrdr202

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Mar 9, 2009
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Morning everyone! I am thinking of "pulling the trigger" on my first hand gun. I know I could post this topic elsewhere, but since most of us share similar interests in cutlery...I thought there might be some good suggestions and advice here. I am looking for a durable, low maintenance 9mm semi-auto as this weapon will be primarily used for fun/recreational purposes; not so much tactical. Price cap is around $800.00 or so. I was really leaning towards a Glock 19 or a Ruger P95, but I am completely open to suggestions.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, PLEASE THROW IN YOUR 2 CENTS! I really want to hear everyone's opinion. Thanks for any help in advance!

:):thumbup:
 
You'd be hard-pressed to find a better combat handgun than the Glock 19.

Glock19ToMankind.jpg


All joking aside, it strikes the best balance of size, weight, capacity, reliability, and any other factor you can think of. The only time I would suggest something else is if it doesn't fit your hand, but the new Generation 4 version may solve that with interchangeable backstraps.

My wife's only pistol is a Glock 19. Here is mine, which has an OD frame, in its Del Fatti ISP-SS (IWB) holster:

isp-ss-g19-1.jpg
 
Many guns would do well, but I would suggest the Glock. They're on the upper end of durability and low maintenance.

The 19 is great, but for recreation (if size is not that big of a concern), take a look at the 34 as well.
 
1911 they make them in a 9 but u should buy american u can feed one of ur own and help the country more people should try to buy us made all but 2 of my firearms r made in the us and the 2 were made in spain and I bought them becouse they my mom was in the airforce and I was born in spain airforce base it is good to help ur own kind instead of some kid in a sweat shop maken 1 dollor a week so some rich guy can get rich but I love the 1911 and have several
 
Even more than your handgun, make sure that you get a good holster if you are planning to carry. Seriously. Best handgun in the world won't make up for an Uncle Mike's Walmart POS nylon holster.
 
I really love my Glocks, and have carried/shot them a ton. But in an effort to give another perspective... How much shooting have you done before, and will there be anyone else shooting the gun you end up getting?

Here is my thinking on this: If it's yours and just yours, go for the glock if you want. but if you are going to possibly ever take the wife/girlfriend or kids (if you have any of those) out to the range with you, I think it would be much smarter to get something with a manual safety. The Springfield Armory XDM is probably one of the nicest guns I have ever gotten to shoot. It hase several things in common with our beloved Glock, comes in 9mm with really great magazine capacity (19 rounds if you live in a state where they allow that flavor) and has almost every passive and manual safety you could want.
Easy to use, ACCURATE and a lot of other plusses.
Well there's my 2 cents. Handle them all, go somewhere that is knowledgeable that isn't going to try and push one brand over another and if possible find a range that you can shoot them both at. The Bullet Hole in Kansas City area is pretty great, they will let you rent a range gun to shoot, and might have both an XDM and glock in every flavor.
 
The best safety is the one between one's ears. No Glock has ever discharged without someone squeezing the trigger. And, I cannot think of many (or any) revolvers with a manual safety.

In the end, it's all about the OP, specifically what he needs/wants in a handgun, which may or may not parallel how the rest of us feel.
 
i think the glock is the way to go.i settled on one and have been very
happy with it.:thumbup:
 
I have several Glocks and I like them. However I prefer my S&W M&P as it just feels better in my hand and I like the way it shoots just a bit more. I did not like the springfield XDM as it just felt too high stacked...lots of people like them just not me.

I recently purchased an Browning Hi-Power and LOVE it. It has similar looks to the 1911 in a 9mm package and it shoots very well.
 
A Glock 19 is a very good choice. I prefer the 17 as I like fullsize glocks. You may also consider a smith and wesson J-frame. I have a stainless and aluminum "bodyguard" which is a five shot 38 special which can fit into a front pants pocket and yet is still large enough to handle comfortable.
 
I've owned just about every model glock there is, and I will say if I had to get in a gunfight, i'd take my XDM 9mm over all of them. I heart will always belong to the 1911 though, but if you're looking to spend in the glock price range, I'd get the xdm.

4691482128_ff0f744b27_b.jpg
 
I have owned many HK USPs, Glocks, Berettas and Sigs in 9mm. They are all reliable, well-built pistols and will serve you well. The two 9mm pistols that I enjoy shooting the most are the Browning Hi Power and the HK P7.

If you ever venture into .45 ACP, the 1911 IMO is a really fun shooter and to me feels better in the hand then any other pistol I have shot (trust in John Moses Browning my friend). :)

bhp1.jpg


psp1.jpg
 
i have worked on a lot of guns over the years and glocks seem to be the most trouble free of them all. i would check out some of the others that were suggested.
 
Sigs and Glocks are the only auto's(center fire) I've still got.

I also liked the HK USP, and may pick up another one day.


Stick with one of those, and you can't go wrong, IMHO.
 
For a recreational shooter who wants low maintenance, definitely Glock. They essentially don't need cleaning. Be aware that you cannot shoot bare lead ammo, has to be jacketed.
 
Glock 19.

Put some tritium sights on it -- Ashley Big Dot 24/7 are nice.

Get a NY trigger installed on it.

Perfect IMHO.

OR...

Go to a gun shop and pickup a Glock, Sig, S&W M&P, Springfield XD or 1911, or any other reputable brand of handgun.

Whichever fits your hand best -- buy that one.

A pistol is a defensive weapon. As long as it is 9mm or bigger in caliber it doesn't matter -- they are all the same. HITS are what count -- a gun that fits your hand well will enable you to HIT best.

-Stan
 
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