Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Handgun opinions (vanity)
4/26/2010 | SnakeDoctor

Posted on 04/26/2010 7:56:18 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor

Although I own a couple of guns, they are mostly heirlooms or antiques, and don't get much use. I am in the market for a good all-purpose defensive handgun -- for home defense, target practice, concealed carry, and general training. I don't have a CHL at this point, but want to begin training to get one. I have had several models recommended to me -- HK USP Compact (45 or 9mm), Kimber 1911, Walther P99, Sig Sauer P229, Glock 19.

I went out shopping a bit this weekend at a local dealer. I was inclined to go with the Barrett 50 cal, but it isn't quite concealable enough (haha). Based on recommendations and reviews, I am leaning toward the HK USP at this point (though I am undecided on whether to go for the 9mm or the 45). From what I have heard, the HK USP is pretty-well the top-of-the-line for defensive handguns. The dealer also pointed me toward some new HK models that are supposedly upgrades on the USP -- the HK45 (the 45 version) and HK P30 (the 9mm version).

So, for FR gun enthusiasts -- what are your recommendations? Is the USP the appropriate choice for a general all-purpose handgun? Is it an appropriate weapon for beginning a training program? Would the Sig, Glock, Kimber, Walther or another model be a better choice? Would you recommend going with a 9mm or 45? And, for those that have tested both the USP and the HK45 or HK P30 ... are the upgrades on the newer models worth the additional $200-$300 price tag?

Thanks.

SnakeDoc


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist; handgun
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 301-304 next last
To: SJSAMPLE

some people don’t like the long trigger sweep- i can’t stand glocks because of that and because the handle isn’t comfortable to me, but i’ll never put down their price, light weight, ease of use, and reliability.


41 posted on 04/26/2010 8:24:07 AM PDT by absolootezer0 (2x divorced, tattooed, pierced, harley hatin, meghan mccain luvin', smoker and pit bull owner..what?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor; Eaker

I know someone who would recommend 40 over the 45 or the 9.

Ping to you, Eaker.


42 posted on 04/26/2010 8:24:46 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

Get a Walther P22 and use high velocity ammunition.

1) ammo is far cheaper and actually available now.
2) little to no recoil so the female members of the family are more inclined to use it to learn.
3) high velocity 22 comes out of it at 2,400 FPS or so. If you are ever needing a firearm for defense, odds are you are going to empty the mag at the target anyway. It will put them down.


43 posted on 04/26/2010 8:26:39 AM PDT by HD1200
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: absolootezer0

What are the better holsters to use for concealing a larger gun in the summer? Paddle holster? A shoulder holster won’t work ... I don’t wear a jacket that often.

SnakeDoc


44 posted on 04/26/2010 8:26:55 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor ("The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant [...] that even a god-king can bleed.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

http://www.chuckhawks.com/handgun_power_chart.htm

Handgun Cartridge Power Chart - Condensed Version

By Chuck Hawks


45 posted on 04/26/2010 8:27:25 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ((B.?) Hussein (Obama?Soetoro?Dunham?) Change America Will Die From.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Tarpon
I can drop my 26 in my jeans pocket and you can’t tell it’s there

You must have HUGE jeans. I openly carry my Glock 26 whenever I'm in PA, and usually switch to my Kel Tec P3AT when I'm CCing in the PRNY because I don't have a shirt big enough to cover it in my OWB holster. Of course, I could get an IWB holster but then I'd need new bigger jeans.

46 posted on 04/26/2010 8:30:08 AM PDT by Dan Nunn (Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise. -The Great One)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

Also, the Walther P22 is far lighter and easier to conceal on your person than a big old 45, 40.

If you really think you want more firepower, move to the Ruger LCP .380. Small and lightweight, but has a bigger kick.


47 posted on 04/26/2010 8:30:50 AM PDT by HD1200
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

HK is great just the mags are expensive.

They are all good firearms. What fits your hands and budget, including magazines, means the most. I prefer a heavier caliber like the 40 or 45, especially for general purpose work. My daily carry is a Kimber Ultra Carry 1911. It is a 45, small enough to conceal extemely well, and it shoots like a dream; decisive trigger pull, smooth action, accurate, points well, etc.


48 posted on 04/26/2010 8:31:36 AM PDT by CodeToad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor
A few years back my son, who at the time was part of Marine Recon told me they were using .9mm and there were so many complaints with the stopping power they went back to the .45’s. They way he put it was, “you might as well throw the .9mm at them, because it was about as effective as shooting them.
The .45 is heavy and stops most anything, but it's heavy and the mags hold less rounds (probably don't need too many though)
The guy who gave us our CCW class suggested the .40 cal as almost the perfect caliber. It had stopping power and the mags held more rounds.
49 posted on 04/26/2010 8:31:43 AM PDT by Recon Dad ( USMC SSgt Patrick O - 3rd Afghanistan Deployment - Day 188)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

depends alot on how you wear your shirts. a good IWB paddle holster is great, it’ll hold tight to your body. but you’ll really want to wear a tshirt under it- that leather will get very sweaty if its right against your skin. my preference is a belly band. holds the gun very close to your body, and i find them very comfortable.
theres also a few companies that make “concealed carry tshirts” they have a pocket under you arm made for your gun. they conceal very well.

if you wear big hawaiian shirts, shoulder holsters work fine.


50 posted on 04/26/2010 8:34:49 AM PDT by absolootezer0 (2x divorced, tattooed, pierced, harley hatin, meghan mccain luvin', smoker and pit bull owner..what?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Recon Dad

Navy Seals said the same thing and went back to the 45.


51 posted on 04/26/2010 8:35:34 AM PDT by painter (No wonder democrats don't mind taxes.THEY DON'T PAY THEM !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor
All the firearms you mention are excellent weapons and up to the task of self-defense...it largely boils down to what you shoot the best, and best serves your personal needs (i.e. concealability, clothing you're going to wear with it, your personal size, recoil tolerance etc.)

Personally for me, I've found it hard to go wrong with the handgun lineup from CZ.

52 posted on 04/26/2010 8:35:45 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Vendome
Would recommend a Serpa Holster

I second the recommendation of the Serpa Holster. I first bought a Fobus paddle holster and I usually ripped the gun out from my pants with the holster attached. That would be incredibly embarrassing at the least, and possibly life-threatening if I ever needed to use my Glock 26.

53 posted on 04/26/2010 8:37:15 AM PDT by Dan Nunn (Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise. -The Great One)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Recon Dad
The guy who gave us our CCW class suggested the .40 cal as almost the perfect caliber. It had stopping power and the mags held more rounds.

i'm a big fan of .38 super. not a very popular cartridge but it shoots a slightly heavier 9mm bullet a couple hundred fps faster. very comparable to a .357 mag.
54 posted on 04/26/2010 8:37:48 AM PDT by absolootezer0 (2x divorced, tattooed, pierced, harley hatin, meghan mccain luvin', smoker and pit bull owner..what?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor
For when those zombies just refuse to leave you alone.....


55 posted on 04/26/2010 8:38:42 AM PDT by VeniVidiVici (We will secure the borders ..and . never again bring forward another amnesty bill - Ted Kennedy '86)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor
Look at the belly bands, I use it winter and summer!
Mine hold 2 pistols and 2 extra magazines.
56 posted on 04/26/2010 8:40:21 AM PDT by HuntsvilleTxVeteran ((B.?) Hussein (Obama?Soetoro?Dunham?) Change America Will Die From.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

If you plan (as you should) to get good training and to practice to proficiency, then consider a semi-automatic.

Find a dealer with an in-house range and try before you buy. Without getting into an argument over 9mm tactical tupperware, etc., you are getting a tool intended to, if necessary, keep you and your family members alive. Not a place to get a mouse caliber or an “bargain price” compromise.

A really good place to start is a Sig P239 in .40 S&W caliber. Slightly more expensive than similar competitors. If you decide on it, spring for a pair of Hoague grips (about $10).


57 posted on 04/26/2010 8:40:34 AM PDT by LoneStarC
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SnakeDoctor

Airsoft, 6mm. Extremely lightweight, reusable ammo, no waiting period or checks. The only trade-off is that the stopping power isn’t so hot.


58 posted on 04/26/2010 8:41:38 AM PDT by Sax
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pontiac

>> If you have a shooting range available that will rent these weapons for practice I would recommend going there and trying each of them. (it would be worth traveling some distance to find a range that rents).

That’s a fantastic suggestion. Anyone know of a good rental range in the Houston area where I can test-fire the USP Compact (45, 40, 9mm), HK45 and HK P30, 1911, Sig P229, Wather P99, Glock 19, .357, Springfield XD, etc.?

How much do rentals usually run?

SnakeDoc


59 posted on 04/26/2010 8:42:31 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor ("The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant [...] that even a god-king can bleed.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Sax

Haha. You’ll get an intruder to go ... “OWW! What the hell, man!?”.

SnakeDoc


60 posted on 04/26/2010 8:43:19 AM PDT by SnakeDoctor ("The world will know that free men stood against a tyrant [...] that even a god-king can bleed.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 301-304 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson