Not so much survival Firearms, but I need a little help.

F

Fonly

Joined
Sep 24, 2006
Messages
5,010
Hey guys,

Well, while im waiting for my ristricted firarms license to go through, I've been looking around at some handgun's.
What I wanted to ask was, what would you guys buy as a first handgun if you could go back, but have the selection of today?

This isnt so much as a defensive tool, its going to be for target, and informal competitions(more less a shooting group, that casually visits the range) and If push came to shove, a home defensive tool.

I've been looking at a few as it is now, and glock being off the list as they are ileagel in canada, I've been looking at sig, taurus and mainly firearms with a barrel length over 4 1/3", and that have a clip capacity under 10 rounds, as thats another rule, also, nothing in .32, or .25, but I doubt you would recommend on in that caliber anyways.:rolleyes::D

Just before we get into this, I want to make it clear, I am well arware of the firearm laws in canada, and I am not looking for a edc gun that can get me out of a fight at the local kwiki mart at three am, just a solid, reliable handgun that you think would make a good first time user.

One other thing is, I dont have my mind set, but I would like to stay with double action, not DAO, but just DA, Im not a fan of single action, but you might be able to convince me.:D

Thanks for the help guys.:thumbup:
 
Fonly said:
and glock being off the list as they are ileagel in canada,
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when did this happen? i live in Canada, and my local gun store has a pile of glocks for sale.

but i recommend the Browning Pro 9. nice inexpensive little gun, double action, and i think it looks pretty darn cool too.

best of luck with your search
 
In a DA, I like my Sig 226 but not sure if the barrel meets your length requirement. For target shooting, my favorite semi-auto is probably the SA 1911. I've got everything from a plain jane Springfield GI with only a couple mods, to some Gold Cups with moderate upgrades, to a full race gun. Of course, unless you reload you'll probably save a lot on ammo by sticking with a 9mm.

DancesWithKnives
 
matthew krissak said:
when did this happen? i live in Canada, and my local gun store has a pile of glocks for sale.

but i recommend the Browning Pro 9. nice inexpensive little gun, double action, and i think it looks pretty darn cool too.

best of luck with your search
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Thats what I was told by my instructor, Ill look into it more.
 
DWK2 said:
IOf course, unless you reload you'll probably save a lot on ammo by sticking with a 9mm.

DancesWithKnives
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Which I dont, and is why yes I would like to stick with 9mm, There really isnt alot avalible locally aside from 9mm, so if I go a different route, Ill be ordering in.:rolleyes:
 
Fonly said:
I've been looking at a few as it is now, and glock being off the list as they are ileagel in canada, I've been looking at sig, taurus and mainly firearms with a barrel length over 4 1/3", and that have a clip capacity under 10 rounds, as thats another rule, also, nothing in .32, or .25, but I doubt you would recommend on in that caliber anyways.:rolleyes::D
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Given your restrictions, I would probably go for one of the Colt 1911 clones. IMO the main advantage of the smaller calibers (9mm, .357sig, .40S&W) is larger magazine capacity, and if that isn't an option you may as well go for the larger round.

I know you said you were looking for a double-action, but the main advantage of DA is the percieved greater safety when carrying it with a round in the chamber. For a target gun, or a home defence gun, I think that is less of an issue. Plus, most of the DA autos I know of (even the larger calibers) are designed for large capacity, double stack mags so you would end up with bulky grips and blocked off mags.

Plus if you are looking at a target gun, the 1911 design has a lot of potential for accurizing, and there are also kits for converting them to .22LR and back, for cheap target practice ammo.

Just my 2c. ;)
 
I have some customers in Canada that have Glocks, some with barrels that extend past the slide.....has something changed?

Regardless, you have several options. If I list any that are not allowed by Canadian laws, please point out which one and why the law disallows it.

You did not stipulate semi-auto or revolver, so I presume you're open to either one.

If you do not reload and this gun is mainly for recreational use, with a possible role for home defense, it would be difficult to improve upon a .357 double action revolver as an excellent, general purpose, all around, tailor-it-to-your-needs gun.

The one that springs to mind is the Smith and Wesson 8-shot Model 627 with 5" barrel. As you likely know, a .357 can also fire .38 Specials with aplomb, even if full house magnums loads are in the next chamber.

S&W makes several revolvers with 5" or greater barrels. I'd also consider .45 acp or .44 magnum, if you are so inclined.

For auto's, since you can only have 10 in the magazine, you might as well have 10 large bullets instead of 10 small bullets. The XD-45 (in 5" configuration) or the Smith and Wesson M&P in .45 ( it has a 4.5" barrel) might be worth a look. The M&P Pro 5" is currently only available in 9mm, but at least it would be cheaper to shoot.

The XD is available in a 5" version in both 9mm and .40. The newer XD-M has a 4.5" barrel in 9mm and .40, but magazines are likely more difficult to find, especially in a 10 rd capacity. It also runs $100 or so more than the standard XD

I personally don't favor Taurus autos for much of anything, altho their 24/7 is supposed to be improved over previous guns.

The new Sig 250 is now available in "full size," which has a 4.5" barrel. The draw here is, you can buy a different upper and make it another caliber. There are shorter ones available, but that won't matter to you. It's a pricey way to go about getting multiple calibers with ONE serial numbered frame, but it might be worth it to you. Magazines are expensive, but are of excellent quality.

Several Sigs are of traditional DA design and have a 4.4" barrel, such as the 226 Elite, available in 9mm and .40

Para Ordnance makes several 5" versions that utilize the LDA (Light Double Action) lockwork, for a very nice DA only pull if it turns out that doesnt bother you.

Tell me if anything listed here interests you.

.
 
Hmm... well... for target shooting DA's are not ideal given that they generally have poor triggers. I'd go with a single action. Sig has a good reputation, but I owned one that was a complete 'jam-o-matic'... I'll never buy another one due to that fact and the high sight radius (not to mention a very poor trigger pull for target shooting). They just sit very high in the hand and are not comfortable for me to shoot.

A 1911 model would be ideal. The .45acp can be expensive to shoot. If you can find a 9mm 1911 the ammo be much cheaper and it will have less recoil. :thumbup:

Also consider a Browning High Power in 9mm. They are fantastic pistols, but you may have to get the trigger worked on by a gunsmith, as they are generally heavy from the factory affecting ability to fire accurately.

Reconsider the Double action. For target practice it really is not ideal and will probably frustrate you in time.
 
Awesome guys, this is great.

As of right now, I cant find anything online to back up the glocks not allowed in canda, nothing offical anyways, Ill have to ask my instructor to clarify is there were specific models or not, I heard " no glocks" so Ill find out.


As to the whole DA, or SA like I said, im not sold on DA, just yes, saftey wise its stuck out in my mind, I would also like to take this on any trips into the mountains, or when I do my ranger training, I will be permitted either way, but a Revolver would be nice in that sense that they are all ready NOT frowned apon where I reside. Its not uncommon to hear of people taking a .357 bow hunting with them, there have been many Kitty attacks latley, and its nice to have some thing extra.

But one thing is, I want it to be comfy, weights not a huge deal, Im not looking for a Desert Eagle or anything, though someday I will get one:D

Some thing fun, easy to get ammo for and reliable. From what I've been told, a S&W in a smaller model, or a product from the SIG line, and glock if avalible and something on the 1911 platform is going to be the best bet, sound good?
 
matthew krissak said:
but i recommend the Browning Pro 9. nice inexpensive little gun, double action, and i think it looks pretty darn cool too.

best of luck with your search
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To the best of my knowledge, the Browning Pro 9 is no longer offered. The FN-P9 is the same firearm and still available.

With that said, I'd get a Ruger Mark II or III. They're a hoot to shoot and accurate as all get out. You'll love it.
 
local gun shops around here stock glocks as well.? is it an alberta only thing?

personally for a first pistol i'd pick up a ruger mark III,

beautiful gun, fires fairly well, and the ammo is cheap (.22 calibre is fine for target shooting)

if i was looking for something with more "beef" i'd go and pick up a tauras raging bull or "the judge" (not quite sure if judge is available here).

a colt 1911 is also on my list.

if your looking for something in 9mm i think the new springfield xD series is supposed to be fantastic.

cheers

JC
 
jca21 said:
local gun shops around here stock glocks as well.? is it an alberta only thing?

personally for a first pistol i'd pick up a ruger mark III,

beautiful gun, fires fairly well, and the ammo is cheap (.22 calibre is fine for target shooting)

if i was looking for something with more "beef" i'd go and pick up a tauras raging bull or "the judge" (not quite sure if judge is available here).

a colt 1911 is also on my list.

if your looking for something in 9mm i think the new springfield xD series is supposed to be fantastic.

cheers

JC
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the reason I want somthing a little more up is that I dont know the next time Im going to be able to fork over the money to get one, this way I can get a solid gun, that is going to last, and take care of stuff, I hope that made sense:o

I've used many .22 pistols growing up, my uncle hade a browning that was a great gun, and accurate, but Im just looking for a little more style.:thumbup:
 
Fonly said:
the reason I want somthing a little more up is that I dont know the next time Im going to be able to fork over the money to get one, this way I can get a solid gun, that is going to last, and take care of stuff, I hope that made sense:o

I've used many .22 pistols growing up, my uncle hade a browning that was a great gun, and accurate, but Im just looking for a little more style.:thumbup:
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i'd say go for the 1911 then.

on another note i didnt know you could carry pistols while hunting in alberta?

over here in bc you need to go through hell and high water to carry a pistol. you need to apply for a transport permit in the city you live in, then declare the pistol and show papers at the rcmp station of the city you arrive at. you also need to have a wilderness weapons carry permit in order to legally carry anything around here for wilderness protection against animals. you're not allowed to hunt with pistols over here i believe.

long rifles and shotguns are a diff story.

good luck on your gun purchase.

JC
 
I didn't mention it because I was trying to keep my SA list short, but I also like the old Browning Hi Power. Mine is Belgian made and shoots great. Only drawback is the all-steel construction makes it a bit heavy for carry. But for target, that can be a positive attribute.

DancesWithKnives
 
OK... this thread sucks because it has no pictures! :D

Here is my Belgium made Browning Hi Power. It is a Beauty. :thumbup: (Please excuse the knife porn;))
02595fb8.jpg


1911's kick *ss too!
IMG_0926-1.jpg
 
If I lived in Canada... I would carry a rifle. But this thread isn't about long guns... at a minimum I'd carry a .357 mag (left) or preferably a .44 mag (or bigger). You may just have a chance to kill the critter that kills you.
IMG_1703-1.jpg


Again... sorry about all the knife porn... ;) :D
 
I have an XD40 and a Ruger GP100 .357.
If I could keep only one it would be the GP100.

It's a very flexible weapon. You can shoot lower powered .38 Special
rounds or very high powered .357 rounds from the likes of Double Tap and Buffalo Bore.
Whether self-defense, shooting paper or shooting deer, it's hard to beat the
versatility of a .357.
 
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