Switching gears, first handgun.

quattrokid73

quattrokid73

Joined
Nov 2, 2007
Messages
427
Hey everyone,

A few weeks ago I made a post on Mini 14's. While my brother is planning on getting one of those, I am now planning on getting my first handgun.

I've decided now is as good a time as later, and the longer I wait, the longer I'm paying into rental guns at the range and not getting used to one firearm.

I've shot a decent range of guns and have narrowed it down to:

Sig, Glock, H&K in 9mm or .40

I cannot CCW in CA, where I go to school, so the gun will be with me during summers and possibly in my Apt in San Francisco :barf:

I like the trigger more on the Sig 2022 but the grip more on the H&K P30...

That said, I feel like it's easier to get used to a grip than a trigger, and the P30 costs 300 more...

Either way, for my first gun, I'm thinking 9mm is a better idea? More time at the range getting better and safer.

Sig's just exude quality to me, and they're stylish to boot. The H&K is really badass, but so pricey.

I probably won't CCW much when I'm at home in PA, but a compact (ie. not full, not subcompact) seems to be a versatile choice.

What are your thoughts and experiences?
 
You can't go wrong with a Glock 19. It was my first centerfire handgun, and many years, and many guns later, it's still my favorite. It's very comfortable to carry and shoot, and represents a huge amount of firepower for its size. If you don't mind the Glock trigger, I'd say "go with the 19".
 
quattrokid73 said:
Sig, Glock, H&K in 9mm or .40
Click to expand...
My first centerfire pistol was a Glock 17 (9mm) and I could not have been happier with it (and still am, for that matter). It fits my hand well, 9mm practice ammo is (relativly) inexpensive and with good, modern combat loads the 9mm is a perfectly good self-defence pistol. That said, all the pistols you listed are quality items and both 9mm and .40S&W are proven SD rounds, so you can't really go wrong with any of them.

I like the trigger more on the Sig 2022 but the grip more on the H&K P30...
Click to expand...
Is there an actualy problem for you with the H&K trigger (too heavy, creep, breaks badly?), or is it just that the Sig is a little smoother? A rough trigger pull will often smooth out after a few hundred rounds as the bearing surfaces wear in and even a bad trigger can often be fixed with a bit of careful gunsmithing, but the grip will not "break in" and there are limits to the modifications you can make on most autopistol grips, so I tend to think a comfortable grip is very important to start with.
 
Get a 9mm or .40 Glock and plenty of extra ammo. Soild gun, lots of holsters, and great CS.
 
moonwilson said:
You can't go wrong with a Glock 19. It was my first centerfire handgun, and many years, and many guns later, it's still my favorite. It's very comfortable to carry and shoot, and represents a huge amount of firepower for its size. If you don't mind the Glock trigger, I'd say "go with the 19".
Click to expand...

G19 as well here w/ tactical light and night sights... damn fine gun there. it will last you a lifetime. good for concealment and home defense. not to mention it holds quite a few rounds just in case you need it
 
rmc85 said:
Get a 9mm or .40 Glock and plenty of extra ammo. Soild gun, lots of holsters, and great CS.
Click to expand...

.45 or 9mill for cheaper and more available ammo... .40's imo are not worth the extra $$.. besides its about shot placement
 
I'm partial to Glocks based on the reliability and ease of operation under stressful situations. The trigger is designed to prevent accidental discharge should you find your pulse racing at 3am. Also partial to .40 due to better stopping power while maintaining higher capacity magazines. Glock 23 or a 27 depending on your preference. If you don't plan on carrying I'd say the 23 should be fine.

.40 is really quite managable on a Glock frame.

The benefit I see from 9mm is the cheaper ammo.
 
TrickyVic said:
How about a 9mm 226?
Click to expand...

Sigs rock as well.. though what i didnt like about the 226 was that its not as easily concealable as the G19 and its heavier than the G19.. thats it.. no standard accessory rail as well. atleast i couldnt find one without paying extra $$ for it.. $500.00 for g19 was avg price 4 years ago when i bought mine.. glad i did
 
Glock 9mm is super reliable and durable unfortunately it points poorly for me. I'm an old KH fan [P7s] but they are expensive but super reliable and durable. The advantage of the New HKs and also the S&W M&P [which has gotten a good rep] is that they have interchangeable grip panels so you can pick the ones that fit you best . My experience with SIG is limited but they also are very durable and reliable.
 
If you're looking for new and money is not (evidently) a real concern, I'd go with the Sig in 9mm.

9mm: plenty powerful if you can do your part, fun to shoot, cheap to get plenty of range work in.

I assume you've already tried and ruled out the CZ 75 (and variants) lineup. That's my personal favorite if price is an issue.
 
IMO the Colt Mk IV in .45ACP is the finest production handgun in existence. Only 7 rounds, true, but really, if you're in a zombie killing situation, you need longguns.
 
hung-solo said:
.45 or 9mill for cheaper and more available ammo... .40's imo are not worth the extra $$.. besides its about shot placement
Click to expand...

I like .40 the best for carry. I get good stopping power and get to have 13+1 in my G23 with a extra 15 rounder as backup.

I don't know about you but I haven't seen ANY 9 or .45 in months where I am. I just don't like the feel of shooting .45 and the ammo cost more than .40 cal. While shot placement is a huge factor in stressful situations people miss...IIRC they say its a 20-30% hit rate for most people in a fire fight.

You think .40 isnt worth the money and I think .45 isnt worth the money. Its all about personal taste...

Happy hunting to the OP!
 
"Everyone has an opinion and like a certain part of the human body, most of them stink." :D

Go to a gun shop (good luck in SF:rolleyes:) and handle the various firearms that interest you. You will have to go out of town. I have been to shops in San Rafael and Novato when visiting family. I understand that there is a new shop in Pacifica. Look on the internet.

Here's a short list of brands that feel good to me.

Glock, Springfield Armory XD, any 1911 type, the smaller SIGs, CZ and S&W.

You pays your money and takes your chances.
 
I'll be buying in PA and primarily using in PA. I may or may not bring it to SF. First and foremost, my roommates would have to be comfortable with a gun in the apt. Just as with bringing the first gun into my household, I've got to have all bases covered.

Do you guys know what is required to bring my gun from PA to CA? Obviously i can't CCW, but in terms of owning it and having it at home...The other issue is travel...I don't know what's required for TSA...
 
quattrokid73 said:
Do you guys know what is required to bring my gun from PA to CA? Obviously i can't CCW, but in terms of owning it and having it at home...
Click to expand...
Your best bet is probably to check here ( http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/ ). There don't seem to be any special restrictions on possetion of a handgun in CA, although there may be more stringent local laws so check for that. Someone from CA may have a better handle on the relevent laws.

quattrokid73 said:
The other issue is travel...I don't know what's required for TSA...
Click to expand...
If you are flying, it is legal to carry a gun in your checked luggage ( http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1666.shtm ). Unfortunatly you need to notify the airline when you are checking your bag that it contains a gun, and they may tag it indicating there is a gun inside (which could provide a red-flag for theives). I have heard that it is legal to tag the case which the gun is in, and then put that (tag and all) into another untagged piece of luggage but its best to check with the airline first.

If you are driving, I believe all states make allowances for people transporting guns through on their way somewhere else. It just has to be unloaded, and locked in the trunk or somewhere not readily accessable to the driver.
 
Last edited:
I prefer the G19 because of the availability of mags and parts. The ease of home repair if needed as well as super reliability.

It does not point well for me but with some traing and my .22 conversion kit for cheaper shooting I am now used to tbe grip angle and sort of prefer it but the jury is still out. Untill a platform offeres the same ease of parts replacing at home I am choosing glock for my CCW tool of the day :)
 
Since this is your very first handgun I would reccomend the Glock 19 as well. Versatile, indestructible, reliable, and fun to shoot. I'm personally partial to the .40 but that is mostly taste as with modern ammunition and your marksmanship, the 9mm will perform to any expectation.

One of the main reasons I say Glock over the other fine models you suggest, is the .22 conversion kit. If this is your first firearm I always suggest a .22 to begin with as this is the perfect calibre to learn fundamentals and you can do this on the Glock platform without having to lose muscle memory.

My .02 and worth every penny you paid for it...
 
It looks like I will have no problem bringing the gun into CA. I just can't carry.

At least I'll have it in the Apt and can still get range time to stay trained.



When I get home in 2 weeks, I'll try a few things out and see what feels best.

Great point on not being able to change a grip, but being able to break in a trigger.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top