Posted on 08/01/2013 7:57:08 AM PDT by circlecity
Looking for advice on which pistol to buy. After my first child was born 30 years ago I sold my pistol so as not to have it around the house. Now I am an empty nester and would like to get back into having a few handguns. After so many years I consider myself a newbie so all advice on which handgun to purchase is appreciated.
For my first gun I would like a 9mm autoloader. I intend to use it primarily for shooting at the range and for personal carry. Eventually I will also purchase a revolver to use as my primary carry weapon - but for now I'm looking at an automatic. I'm looking to spend between $450-600.
CZ P-09 for 20 round capacity or if you want something you could eventually carry the CZ 75. Both are 9 mm semi autos.
$600 does not buy as much as it used to. For $400 you can probably pick up a Ruger P95. I saw a couple on gunbroker.com. For $600 you may be able to acquire a Springfield Armory XDM in 9MM. We have the XDM in .40. A great weapon. Also a P85 9MM.
It's largely a matter of personal preference and comfort. I recommend that you find a gunshop / range in your area that will allow you to test several different models and manufacturers before you buy. Perhaps the accumulated experience here will enable you to narrow your test selections to five or six.
CZ-75 Compact: all steel, soaks up recoil. Hard to find.
Glock 9mms have a 50 rd. drum. It looks cool on a pistol.
As I always say go SIG Sauer P229 in Sig .357. It makes a helluva crack at the range, looks mean as hell, and packs a fine enough punch for personal protection.
>> Get one of these. Use it. Every day:
OK. What goes in that hole at the top of it?
There are a whole lot of very find semis in your price range. Ones that I have actually shot that I like: the Kahr PM-9 mentioned above, Glock 17 and 19 (I own a 19), Springfield XD (I think it was an XD-S?), Ruger SR-9, baby Bro's Sig-Sauer (dunno the model), and a Czech CZ-75 that seemed to fit the hand pretty nicely and shot like a dream. There will be LOTS of FReepers with a personal favorite. Good luck!
Weight training is not the same as grip training.
Throw away preconceived notions of what you'll like and what you won't like.
Try many different models. Find what YOU like; what fits in YOUR hand. Swapping factory grips for aftermarket can make a big difference.
When you find something you like, see if you know anyone who has/had one (here or in the real world); ask about reliability and longevity.
Many many guns are solid. Everyone has different hands. If someone tells you toe only go for a single type of gun ignore that advice. No one can tell you what fits your hand the best.
Go to a gun show or store with a good selection. Try the grips of every gun you can. Narrow it down to 2 or 4 that you like. Go research those on the internet and come back and buy. Decide based on that.
I like Glocks. Hard to beat a G19 or G23. But for concealed carry, something like a Ruger LC9 or Kahr PM9 is a lot more practical. Have heard some good things about the new Walther PPQ, and the S&W Shield too, so I would check them out.
Huh? That is silly.
Many autos don’t require that much grip strength.
if you want big go with Smith & Wessons New .500 Magnum Revolver
>> Cant go wrong with a Glock sub-compact (G26, I think).
We got a G26 for Mrs. Tick. Also the 12 round extended mag. She loves it.
It’s a little too small for my hand though, and with the factory 10 round mag I have a hard time hitting *anything* with it.
I heart my G17, although it’s not readily concealable. More of a range-and-nightstand thing.
I disagree. Do lots of heavy deadlifts without using straps and your grip strength will quadruple at a minimum. Grip strength is ultimately a function of powerful forearms.
I don’t know anything about guns nor do I have any...
I liked both, got both. I used to carry the Sig 229 .40 everyday for about 6 years. Wifey got me an XSE LtWt Commander .45 for XMAS. It's my new every day carry. She says the Sig is hers now.
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