Which Semi-Auto Pistol & Caliber????

N

nailcreek

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Sep 21, 2003
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I'm kicking around picking up a new (for me anyway) semi-auto pistol for carrying around in the woods ~ "plinking" and maybe as a noisemaker if a bear gets too curious when I bowhunt . The "home-defense" thing doesn't count in this one ~ a Rem 870 with OO Buck does however :D

I already have a Springfield M1911 and find it a little heavy. I'm not enamoured with the Glock, frankly finding it kinda f'ugly :barf: . I do like the Walther P99, but it's a bit expensive ... Any suggestions for a lighter carry pistol, reliable to a fault, not picky on ammo types or brands and reasonably priced for what you get??

Secondly ... suggestions on caliber? 9mm is pretty popular, but is .40 S&W a better bet? I'd like an auto-loader equivalent to something between the 38 Special and the 357 Mag. Oh ... the 45 ACP is a bit more than I suspect I need.

thanks! :)
 
I like threads that help other people spend money.

Please consider a Ruger GP100. It is a very nice pistol for the price add would serve you well.

If you are sure that you want an auto, you might try having a look at the baby eagle in a 9mm.

You ruled out my favorite, the 1911 group.
 
If you are looking for something lightweight, slim, and easy to carry, I would recommend a Kahr P9 or P40. The P9 is an 18 oz. 9mm with a stainless steel slide and polymer frame. It holds 7 rounds in the magazine and has a double action only trigger. The trigger pull is smooth and relatively light. The P40 is basically the same pistol weighing an ounce more, holding one less round, and chambered for the .40 S&W round.

I have a P9, and it is my favorite 9mm. Mine was purchased new from a dealer at a gun show for around $425. It came with a hard case, a lock, 2 mags, and factory Trijicon night sights.

A word of caution: Kahr recommends that you break in their pistols with at least 200 rounds before relying on them for self-defense. They are manufactured to very close tolerances and the parts need to wear in a bit before the pistol is 100% reliable.

Good luck in your search!
 
Any suggestions for a lighter carry pistol, reliable to a fault, not picky on ammo types or brands and reasonably priced for what you get??
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HK USP .45

However, some might argue that the USP is slightly over-priced.

For what you get, I would say no.
 
The weight difference is negligible, but is most noticeable when you're using a unbalanced carry method... before you drop a few hundred on another pistol, try a different holster... perhaps something slung over a shoulder, or a wide military type pistol belt.
 
I'm a big Glock fan so of course that's what I'd recommend but since you don't like them I'd check out the Springfield XD or the Walther P99.
The Walther P99 is a great choice if you like DA/SA handguns. I had one and it was amazingly accurate. I sold it because I don't like DA/SA. If you're looking for a striker fired pistol then check out the Springfield XD.

Since you may have to use it on a bear I'd choose the .40 S&W. It gives you a heavier bullet with a little more power. You can also get fairly cheap plinking ammo for the .40 at Walmart, Winchester 100rd White box for $14.
 
BOILER said:
If you are looking for something lightweight, slim, and easy to carry, I would recommend a Kahr P9 or P40.
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I second boiler's suggestion for Kahr. I'd own two of them if they were on the Massachusetts AG "approved consumer protection" list. (Glock, Springfield Armory, Kimber, Les Baer, etc. are all NOT on the list so don't let the list scare you--it's more about gun control than safety).

I'd get the PM9 for carry since at 14 oz. it's the smallest, slimmest, best-made pistol with serious power. It actually prefers hotter loads! Check out the www.kahr.com website for the slim dimensions. You won't believe it.

I'd also get an elite K9 or Target 9 for IDPA and because the stainless looks so good with wood grips.

Kahr is the Sebenza of pocket pistols and is known for their first-rate products. You must lube them well and not limp-wrist them through break-in, though.
 
I own semi auto pistols from all the popular brands - I have quite a few of them. If I were going to get rid of all but one, the one I would keep is my H&K USP in .40 S&W caliber.
 
First of all, why an auto? Don't get me wrong, I like autos, but one of my favorite "woods" pistols is a Ruger Sheriff's Model Vaquareo in .357.

I 'm a big fan of the 1911, and own several in .45, .40, and .38 Super. Several companies make compact versions of the 1911, and you might consider one of them. As for caliber, I'd go with .40. If I don't love the .45 so much, it'd be my favorite.

If it's just plinking you want to do, it's hard to beat a Ruger Mk I or II .22. And ammo sure is cheaper.
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Ed T said:
I like threads that help other people spend money.

Please consider a Ruger GP100. It is a very nice pistol for the price add would serve you well.

If you are sure that you want an auto, you might try having a look at the baby eagle in a 9mm.

You ruled out my favorite, the 1911 group.
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I have a baby eagle 9mm and I love it. Its very accurate and shoots very well. Replacement parts aren't easy to find though, and I still haven't found good aftermarket grips. Good luck.

Mark
 
bladefoolish said:
I 'm a big fan of the 1911, and own several in .45, .40, and .38 Super. Several companies make compact versions of the 1911, and you might consider one of them. As for caliber, I'd go with .40. If I don't love the .45 so much, it'd be my favorite.
.
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What Bladefoolish said: Look into a Light Weight Commander style 1911. Also try MM´s suggestion of trying a different carry mode or holster style. A stiff gunbelt can make a noticeable difference of the perceived weight.


Steve
 
For what you mentioned, how about an HK USP compact .357 SIG? Or a Sig Sauer 229 in .357 SIG? Either of these would be plenty of puch in a light gun, and both a fine weapons. However, my personal choice would be either one of my 1911's or Glocks, but I noticed that you hate Glocks.

Someone mentioned good advice above. Check out a lightweight Commander or possibly a Defender since you are already a 1911 fan, and your .45 ammo and possibly mags(in the Commander) would be compatible.
 
Do you reload? If you save your brass after shooting, consider how difficult it is to find brass in the woods if you use a semi-auto. I prefer semi-autos and carry a Glock, but when I go into the woods, it's always a Ruger revolver on my side.
 
I'm a big fan of the Sig Sauer P-226. It's 9mm, holds 15 in the mag(pre-ban) super accurate.
 
Wow.....I don't stop by often, but in this case, it just in time for the correct answer. :D

Sig 239 in (Pick your flavor) 9mm/.40 S&W/.357 Sig.
 
I know you wrote you didn't like the look of Glock's, but you need to ignore the looks and see their performance and value. They have the attributes you want:

"lighter carry pistol, reliable to a fault, not picky on ammo types or brands and reasonably priced for what you get".

If you think you might run into a bear the only semi auto caliber besides .50 AE I would choose is 10mm with Double Tap ammo. If you get a Glock 20 with a pre-ban magazine you have 15+1. I would choose the 220 grain FP load. Ballistics: 1125fps/ 618 ft./lbs. If you want a smaller package get the Glock 29.
 
Check out the Sig P245. Lighter and more compact than your 1911, but you wouldn't have to fool around with a new caliber.

P239 or Kahr would be good, too, for something smaller. 9mm is "something between the 38 Special and the 357 Mag" ('course, technically, so is a .45).
Get a case of hardball, and plink away...
 
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