Please help a rookie pick a semiauto (vanity)

me ^ | 7/4/02 | me

[newwahoo]

I need help picking a weapon from FR's firearms gurus!

Here's the deal:

1. The choices consist of the Glock 19, Sig Sauer 226, or (boo) S&W 5946. I know you all have your favorites but these are the options and they're not going to change.

2. Money is not an issue, nor is ease of use. If one is more work but worth the effort then its worth getting. I'll just have to invest the time and energy. My life is worth it so thats ok.

3. Concealment and weight are not critical. Reliability and my confidence level are far more important to me.

4. As you could probably tell, I'm already leaning against the S&W for political reasons. I'm going to need a real compelling reason to carry one of their guns.

Thank you for your opinions and experiences.

[Willie Green]

I'll see how they each fit in my hand on Tuesday.

I had assumed you already had.
"Try before you buy" is a must.
It may even cause you to consider other alternatives.

[newwahoo]

"I've found I prefer the Glock. It fits better in my hand, shoots very nicely, and is very reliable (approx. 4,000 rounds and only 2 FTF's)."

I'll have to see about that part. I guess one's reaction is as unique as one's hand. I'm just going to have to see for myself. MikeJ seems to have a good test that I'm going to try.

[MP5SD]

I agree with your service rep. I have two gunsmiths who work for me. An AD is an excuse often used by the poorly trained to justify their action.

[newwahoo]

"OK...well that makes it far easier then --- SIG SAUER. Are you restricted to the P226, or can you choose other Sigs? The P229 in .357Sig is a great (and smaller) alternative to the P226, although they're both fine rigs."

Just the 226, its another part of the decision thats beyond my control- I guess I'll count another SIG vote on your behalf.

Thanks for the advice.

[newwahoo]

"That would be the "Accidental Discharge" willies.

There have been a significant number of ADs with the Glock. Glock (I know the regional service rep here) swears it ain't the pistol . . . but the trigger pull IS awfully light. It may be that the idea that it's a DA (double action) gives the folks carrying it the idea that it's "safe" and they thus take risks that they wouldn't take with a 1911, for example."

Thanks. Actually I think they beef up the trigger pull around here. Its definately the majority weapon around here, but the lack of a safety (and steel!) seems to make me a little nervous.

But if it fits better its getting the call.

[Uri’el-2012]

SBprone;newwahoo

SBp>"I think SIGs are wonderful, and that strange trigger on the Glock with its light trigger pull gives me the AD willies"

newwahoo>Sorry to be a idiot but what exactly are the "AD willies"?

48 posted on 7/4/02 8:25 PM Mountain by newwahoo

The stock trigger on a Glock is 5.5 lb. pull.

A "New York" ( 8 lb. pull) trigger is mandated in many LE departments.

LibertyNetwork

also see Top Glock

[AntiDemocrat]

Forget the others...go with a Walther P99. Tell them, James Bond sent you.

[newwahoo]

Thanks. The link really made it clear how close the two manufactorers are. They both seem to know what they're doing.

Its sad because I wish I could go for the S&W. What a great history that company has. They just don't seem to make first class products and their recent political history stinks. Its a shame because I'd really love to see the S&W name live on. I don't have nearly as much of an emotional attachment to the Sig and Glock names.

[Willie Green]

But if it fits better its getting the call.

I didn't realize that your restricted selection was job related.
But this one sentence actually settles the issue for you.
The one that you'll have the most confidence in is the one that "feels" right when you shoot.
You'll never develop confidence and control if the fit ain't right.

[newwahoo]

"Wahoo, I'm curious . . . why 9mm? My dad fought in WWII (N Africa and Italy), and he said he saw plenty of GIs survive being shot with a Luger, but he never saw a live German with a .45 hole in him. And even though we have to consider the current Pope's great holiness, he STILL took 4-5 9mm rounds at almost point blank range and not only walked away, he has lived many, many more years in relatively good health until recently."

Well mom, I'm brand spanking new NYPD to be honest. I just have to make the best of the tools from which I have to choose. I wish I could pick and choose, but I'm part of a team. Considering that last September this team showed the world what its really made of I'm not really in any position to object.

[newwahoo]

"Sorry, when you said "rookie", I didn't connect this was a job issue..... I'm not a Glock fan, though this is only because the handful I've shot didn't feel comfortable. I don't own Sigs but have a lot of time with them and they feel good to handle and shoot... Go with what feels best."

No its my fault. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I was hired by "New York's Finest"- The greatest local LE department in the nation if not the world. 9-11 was just another laurel on the head of my predecessors who have been to policing what the Yankees have been to baseball. While I I wish I had some additional options I can live with what has been issued.

When I hear the qualifications of my superiors and learn about the cases they've cracked and the crimes they've prevented over the years I understand how great it is to "be a part of it, NY, NY". I don't want to be anywhere else. We are the major leagues of LE.

[newwahoo]

"It may even cause you to consider other alternatives."

Wish I could, but this is purely a professional decision. I just get to pick from amongst the choices given to me.

[TC Rider]

Buy the Glock.

I shot the Glock 23 and Sig 239 before buying. The Sig was a dream to shoot, but I like the simplicity of the Glock, there may come a time when Mrs TC would need to pick up the weapon, and I doubted she could keep the presence of mind to deal with manual safeties, decockers, etc.

I bought the Glock last August and have probably pumped about 1500 rounds through it with 1 failure to fire, and that was a factory reload.

In response to the Glock critics on the board, I'll make this observation, more Chevy Luminas have been involved in fatal collisions than Corvettes. It has nothing to do with the relative safety merits of the vehicles and everything to do with market penetration.

Many Metro Police Departments went to Glocks at the same time they were recruiting women and making affirmative action hires. Someone dumb enough to have a AD with a Glock would have probably had one with a Sig, 1911A, etc.

I attended a one day tactical training workshop last year with about 15 others. Probably 6 or 8 Glocks, 3 or 4 1911 and a assortment of Sigs, Berettas, etc.

When the instructors put the pressure on to stress us while shooting, the 1911 owners and shooters with decockers were the ones struggling with controls while the Glock shooters were puttig lead to targets. The instructors were trying to simulate the stress of a real live fire situation.

My backup gun is a Ti 38sp snubby, same operating rules, pull the trigger, it goes bang.

To get a good quality holster, the various kydex and Fobus models do a great job of covering the trigger guard.

[newwahoo]

"Forget the others...go with a Walther P99. Tell them, James Bond sent you."

LOL. They'll tell me thet Commish Kelly is just sending me for a command discipline. Believ me, I'm all in favor of evryone being able to choose whats good for them, but I'm a public servant. The voters, through their representatives, have basically chosen both my firearm and my way of life (including the laws that I have to enforce- not all of which I agree with).

I'm just going to have to agree to disagree when I think they're wrong and hope things change down the road.

[cryptical]

Count me as another vote for the SIG. I own a 229 and 239,
and I've got my eye on a 226 for my next purchase...

[newwahoo]

"I didn't realize that your restricted selection was job related. But this one sentence actually settles the issue for you. The one that you'll have the most confidence in is the one that "feels" right when you shoot. You'll never develop confidence and control if the fit ain't right."

I guess the fit is it. All I can say is that I have total confidence in my training program. 5 full days of basic qualification and maintenance training. 7 days of advanced and tactical training plus another week of paintball and laser-based tactical street training and tutoring. I've got a lot of work to do but from what I can see my company of recruits looks like its going to take its instruction deadly serious-maybe a product of not growing up around firearms. Nothing is taken for granted.

[TC Rider]

Here's something that may interest you: Sig vs. Glock

Interesting comparison. He mirrored many of my thoughts when I shot a Glock vs a Sig at the range. I had never shot either before and didn't carry any predjudice one way or the other.

I would argue with him on the ease of dissassembly and cleaning and a few other minor points, but I think his views were based on his long term familiarity with the Sig. Sights are pretty easily changed on either weapon.

[newwahoo]

"Yeah, but their undeniably brilliant history/repuation was built on their double action revovlers, not their semi-autos. "

Very true. You still see some old timers with their revolvers but thts not an option for me.

Gotta run.....good luck with your new gig at the NYPD. ....and stay safe!"

Thank you! I look forward to serving the overworked taxpayers of NYC as well as all the people that come to visit. This isn't the easiest time to start "on the job", but I can tell you that my class MUST be amongst the most patriotic and dedicated in the history of the NYPD. We know the deal (basically that NYC will remain a huge target) and we're doing it anyway. Screw Osama and his momma.

[newwahoo]

Thanks. All input appreciated! This is my life we're talking about here!