YAGT Reco me a pistol

[rudeguy]

In 56 days I will finally be able to legally own and carry a pistol (yes, the state of MI calls them pistols and not handguns). I have plenty of experience with rifles and shotguns but my pistol knowledge is limited.

I would be looking for something small enough to carry but have enough stopping power in case I did ever have to use it. Ease of cleaning is always a big point with me.


Any input is appreciated.

 

[jlee]

How small? It's possible to carry a full frame 1911, but not the most comfortable unless you're a bigger guy (then it's likely not too bad).

FWIW, I go between a Glock 36 and a Ruger LCP. Glock 19/26 will have cheaper ammo (9mm). I have yet to shoot one, but I have also heard really good things about the Springfield XD series.

My next gun will probably be a suppressed Walther P22, but that's just because it's awesome and cheap to shoot.

 

[spacejamz]

here is the summary of the bazillion other RECOMMEND ME A GUN THREAD we have here.

1. Go to local range which rents hand guns and try several guns.
2. Find out which one feels best in YOUR hand.
3. Buy this one.
4. ....
5. Profit.

 

[rudeguy]

here is the summary of the bazillion other RECOMMEND ME A GUN THREAD we have here.

1. Go to local range which rents hand guns and try several guns.
2. Find out which one feels best in YOUR hand.
3. Buy this one.
4. ....
5. Profit.

I understand and appreciate that but I would like to have some information before I go in.

Jlee: Small enough to carry and not have anyone notice. That p22 actually looks pretty nice. 22LR sounds interesting too...

 

[jlee]

I understand and appreciate that but I would like to have some information before I go in.

Jlee: Small enough to carry and not have anyone notice. That p22 actually looks pretty nice. 22LR sounds interesting too...

You don't want .22lr as a carry gun...try for 9mm at least.

Concealment is more about the holster than the gun - you could hide a full frame .45ACP if you really wanted to deal with it.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Make sure you get a few extra clips for it.

 

[Bulk Beef]

Maybe a few extra magazines too.

 

[rudeguy]

You don't want .22lr as a carry gun...try for 9mm at least.

Concealment is more about the holster than the gun - you could hide a full frame .45ACP if you really wanted to deal with it.

I'm freaking giddy that I get to shop for a holster.

.40 is what I'm leaning towards. I'm not opposed to a .45 but I don't think I need all that.

 

[Patterner]

I'm a fan of the Glock 20, and the G29 is plenty small.

Of course, it's an oddball ammo size (10mm) so that may limit your selection of ammo.

And definitely get some extra magazines.

 

[jlee]

I'm a fan of the Glock 20, and the G29 is plenty small.

Of course, it's an oddball ammo size (10mm) so that may limit your selection of ammo.

And definitely get some extra magazines.

A Glock 20 is also massive.

 

[tasmanian]

Glock 21. Its a pretty good gun, and in a sticky situation you can use it as a grenade.

 

[jlee]

Glock 21. Its a pretty good gun, and in a sticky situation you can use it as a grenade.

Hah. I like mine, actually.

 

[Patterner]

A Glock 20 is also massive.

True, which is why I also mentioned the G29, which is the subcompact version. :sneaky:

 

[SpatiallyAware]

My favorite carry gun is my kel-tec p32, mainly no holster is required with the clip. It looks like a knife from the outside (although I wear a jacket over it anyway)

That being said, it is a small round.. But personally I think glocks and XDs (I've owned both) are too thick.

My next gun will probably be a single stack (ie rounds are straight rather than staggered in the magazine) 1911, although I won't go full size.


http://www.kimberamerica.com/products/pistols/eclipse/eclipse_pro_II/

 

[alkemyst]

Budget?

You also have to narrow down full size or compact.

$3000+ Awesome 1911
http://www.edbrown.com/classic.htm

I like ParaOrdinance. Glocks don't feel right in my hand...to boxy.
$1200 for .40 or .45
http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_pxt.php

ParaOrd compacts
http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_hawg.php

True concealed carry designs
http://www.para-usa.com/new/product_conceal.php

I'd figure out your budget and then the nicest handling gun to you, then shoot it a few times.

You don't need to spend a lot for a handgun, but the more expensive guns usually are well worth it.

 

[foghorn67]

Yes, there is some good advice here. I've posted asking the same.

And yes, first narrow your choices by comfort, then report back with a select few.

Here is what I am going through.
-XD series are nice budget guns. I don't like a couple of things about them
Made in Croatia. I know quality is quality. But I like any investments to go towards the American working guy when it comes to firearms. (Leaving out cheap Russian rifles and ammo, hehe.)
You can't go all willy nilly with the gun cleaner/oil on the slide when doing a routing field strip/clean. If you do, you have to get about 10 qtips and go to town on it to remove the oil. Otherwise the next time you fire it, the carbon will gum up the firing pin.
Really prone to this. Easily preventable, but annoying.
Servicing requires sending it in to Springfield (they don't sell spare parts). However the lifetime warranty almost negates my reservation about this.

Arggh, but I really want one. They feel just right to me.
My only other thoughts are a traditional M1911 type. These guns are genius. They hold very well in all sorts of hand sizes. I love how the recoil is manageable for a large-ish caliber.
H&K USP.

Berretta 96. Those feel nice too.

 

[exdeath]

Go to a range and shoot various models, buy the first one that you simply pick up and point with your finger and hit the X without trying.

Also don't choose a caliber based on perceived coolness, stopping power, etc. anything 9mm and bigger is sufficient to drop a person.

Have you ever fired a .40 or compared it to 9mm or .45? .40 is a violent round with more recoil than 9mm or .45. The best of both worlds also gives you the worst of both. Shoot them all first and pick the one that feels right for you in the right gun.

Also don't get caught up in accuracy, finish, etc. Get the one that will still work after dropping it in the mud.

My personal favorites are the Hk USP and Sig P226. My carry weapon of choice is the Hk USP in .40. It is the gun that did for me what I opened this post with: 2 in the x ring at 15 yards after not having have fired a handgun in years.

 

[alfa147x]

I shot a Taurus 24 7 pro a couple of days ago and liked it very much. Would ATOT recommend one the OP? I would but it's only the 2nd handgun I have fired

 

[IGemini]

Yeah, budget helps. As with others said, 9mm or larger at least, and try out a range.

Single-stack 1911 models are reasonably concealable (and ubiquitous) for a large-caliber pistol, though you can find .40S&W rounds that hit with comparable force.

H&K USPs handle nicely but the compact might be more desirable to conceal, depending on your size. They (H&K in general) also tend to be more expensive.

If you want to keep the cleaning simple (and not going with .22LR), there's the Walther P99, which is really easy to field strip and clean. Oddly enough, I seem to find .40S&W models that are cheaper than the 9mm lately.

 

[exdeath]

^ The Hk USP Compact is still rather large and bulky. It's still a full size USP frame, just with a 1" shorter barrel.

 

[Zargon]

4th gen glock 19 is a great carry gun

you need og xbox sized hands for the USP too

taurus makes some great very affordable guns too

 

[alfa147x]

Yeah, budget helps. As with others said, 9mm or larger at least, and try out a range.

Single-stack 1911 models are reasonably concealable (and ubiquitous) for a large-caliber pistol, though you can find .40S&W rounds that hit with comparable force.

H&K USPs handle nicely but the compact might be more desirable to conceal, depending on your size. They (H&K in general) also tend to be more expensive.

If you want to keep the cleaning simple (and not going with .22LR), there's the Walther P99, which is really easy to field strip and clean. Oddly enough, I seem to find .40S&W models that are cheaper than the 9mm lately.

I need to shoot a P99 one day... It's a gun that in theory would fit me best.

 

[exdeath]

you need og xbox sized hands for the USP too

LOL, any coincidence that I have a USP and also think the Droid X is just perfect size?

 

[IGemini]

Hehe, love how I never had trouble with classic XBox controllers.

It was a rather dubious honor that a P99 in .40SW was my first handgun to fire...the gun itself is pretty solid, though exdeath is right, it's a violent round.

 

[exdeath]

It was a rather dubious honor that a P99 in .40SW was my first handgun to fire...the gun itself is pretty solid, though exdeath is right, it's a violent round.

Momentum is what is responsible for recoil. Now take most of the velocity of the 9mm and most of the mass of the .45 and you get the recoil of the .40, if that's any indication

It's a very awesome round, just very unwieldy for an unsuspecting first timer. As much as I swear by it, I have to admit that I can get better accuracy from a 9mm or .45 when rapid firing even with the big heavy clunky dual recoil spring USP.