Need Advice on Weapons Purchase

Marine Inspector | 02/09/02 | Marine Inspector

[Marine Inspector]

Hello Everyone,

I am currently in the market to purchase a personal handgun, and would like some advice on what would be a good choice. The only requirements I have are that it must be a .40 S&W and be small and concealable. If you have any experience with a weapon that looks like it would meet those requirements, please post and let me know.

Thanks,

Marine Inspector.

[ASA Vet]

Hum, Annette is a fox and much better than you deserve,
but I'm sure you're aware of that.

[archy]

Well, the reports of .40 caliber ammo related problems with Glocks have caused me to go with the 9mm versions of their handguns, though the FBI seems to be happy with theirs.

Since you're a former Marine, you're presumably at least generally familiar with the M1911A1 in .45 or the Beretta M9 service handgun in 9mm, both pretty good choices, but neither in your required caliber.

I believe if I were you, I'd give a hard look at the Beretta M96 in .40, as used by the Border Patrol- you should be able to run around a few of their folks in your neck of the woods- or perhaps the Korean Daewoo DP-51 in .40 S&W, which has a very handy *double action-plus* feature which I'm quite fond of, though duty holsters for it can be a bit scarce.

Some favour the .40 SIG handguns, though I've long been partial to their single-action P210-4 9mm, though that was long before the development of the .40 S&W cartridge. There are also some .40 ultra-concealable handguns around, but those I've so far examined and fired haven't shown me enough robustness and reliability for me to be comfortable with them.

You wouldn't happen to be left-handed, by any chance? That can change a few things for some folks.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beretta 92FS Border Marshal semi-auto pistol--made in USA by Beretta USA. The Border Marshal is a special collector's edition from the Beretta Elite Team Pistol series. It has a heavy-duty Brigadier slide with removable tritium night sights, radiused back strap, rubber grips, a 4.7" barrel, weighs 35.3 oz. empty, and has a capacity of 15+1.

Shown here is the 9mm Parabellum version, but it also comes in .40 S&W (the Beretta 96). It is a favorite among law enforcement officials such as the INS who chose it to be carried by Border Patrol Agents. The M9 variant was chosen by the US military because of its unsurpassed reliability, inherent accuracy, and ergonomic design.

Given its longer barrel and sight radius, heavier slide, and superb craftsmanship, this is an excellent target gun at 25 yards, 50 yards, and beyond.

[Marine Inspector]

I work for INS, and the Baretta 96 is what I carry. I'm looking for something smaller for me off duty, and for my wife, when I'm at work.

Right now the top three are the Glock 23, the Sig 229, and the H&K USP 40.

Price wise the Glock wins, and price is a big factor.

Thanks for the advice.

Marine Inspector

[MarkL]

For what it's worth, I've got a Star FireStar, and it's a very concealable handgun. I'd say that it's about the size of a .380, and I bought it, hoping that MO would pass a CCW Law (it failed :-( )

Anyway, for what it is, it's reasonably accurate, but it's a real bear to shoot. I would guess that 3 magazines of full power .40S&W is enough for a day at the range. I found that the recoil would force the edge of the "beavertail" into the bone to the side of the web of my thumb, (slightly) bruising the bone. Of course, a padded glove would take care of that, but if I wasn't going to have one on all the time, I didn't want to practice with it (it would change my grip, and possibly my point of aim).

Anyway, it's an all steel, SA semi-auto, that I've found to be reliable with everything from LSWC reloads to commercial HPs, including Black Talons, Federal (damn, I can't remember the name off hand, but it's the one with the "post" in the hollow point), and Corbon loads. Again, it's not what I'd consider to be a "fun" gun, but then that's why I've got a Power Custom Grand Master in .44Mag.

Here are some reviews:

http://www.seark.net/~jlove/firestar40cal.htm

Well, that was about the only review that I was really able to find. I do know that Jeff Cooper was going to set up his Granddaughter with one, but I don't know what ever became of it... I can't seem to find either Interarms or Star on the Internet, and I suspect that the Firestar may be out of production...

Sorry, but I still think that it's a great handgun for CCW.

Mark

[donozark]

We were not talking about the Rowans. And yes I know about Volkmer-McClure AKA FOPA.(which slipped in the "machine gun ban" at the 11th hour).

From THE AMERICAN SPECTATOR, p.61.Feb.1997-"...Meanwhile, pro-gun Democrat Harold Volkmer was defeated by his own statement that his constituents should pay higher taxes. His Republican replacement is both pro-gun and pro-taxpayer."

Trust me, I KNOW Harold Volkmer!

[MarkL]

This is exactly what I mean about misinformation. I stated that I cancelled my membership to the Republican Party. I.E. I don't send them money anymore. I never said I would not vote for the Republicans. I always vote, and I always vote Republican.

But I don't have to send them my money.

Be careful... From that post, Nov3 may now infer that since you no longer give money to the RNC, that you've become a card carrying member of the Communist party!

Jeez!

Mark

[Pistias]

causing limp wrist type jams

What, like so?

[donozark]

RE:post132. Not exactly sure about "range developement." However, NRA has been instrumental in passing range protection laws. Since 1994, 44 of 50 states have passed same. Unfortunately, some localities have tried to over ride such statutes via municipal law. Most states can't do this, however. A search of NRA.org will bring up further info and map of states which have passed such laws.

Actually, if NRA did not have to fight "politics" all the time, and the "antis," I would think this is something that could be done. We have 4.3 million members. Just think what an $100 "assessment" from each would accomplish toward this end! Other areas we could venture into also. Unfortunately, we are mired in a political fight, never-ending...

[Jolly Rodgers]

It may be easy to go shooting where you live, but that certainly is not true everywhere. Nevertheless, my point stands. Helping more young people get involved in the shooting sports will have a much greater political impact than lobbying corrupt politicians ever will. The money that I would have spent for an NRA membership is far better spent buying a couple extra boxes of ammo and taking a neighbor kid along to introduce him to safety and the fun of shooting.

[Jolly Rodgers]

I would have loved to see the look on their faces, when you made that comment. Classic. LOL.

The caller actually became angry.

[TJFLSTRAT]

GLOCK 27

[TJFLSTRAT]

GLOCK 27

[Pistias]

The money that I would have spent for an NRA membership is far better spent buying a couple extra boxes of ammo and taking a neighbor kid along to introduce him to safety and the fun of shooting.

Agreed--do it yourself. Always works better, and you're sure it's done right.

Ahoy!

[Nov3]

Be careful... From that post, Nov3 may now infer that since you no longer give money to the RNC, that you've become a card carrying member of the Communist party!

No I would infer that he was a loudmouth that did nothing to further his beliefs but carp about others who tried.

[Nov3]

Be careful... From that post, Nov3 may now infer that since you no longer give money to the RNC, that you've become a card carrying member of the Communist party!

No I would infer that he was a loudmouth that did nothing to further his beliefs but carp about others who tried.

[Marine Inspector]

No I would infer that he was a loudmouth that did nothing to further his beliefs but carp about others who tried.

So, now I have been accused of carping about other people beliefs?

Please point out the specifics?

And don't lecture me about furthering my beliefs. I've done more for this country, then you'll probably ever do. How much active duty service do you have? How many times have you go to the front lines and faced the enemies of the US?

You have the right to sit in that chair, and spew lies, because guys like me have take action to defend those rights, and I don't mean sitting in a chair and sending a check to the NRA.

You're a joke.

[PatrioticAmerican]

#88 - I hope you are right.

[Nov3]

Please point out the specifics?

You don't do squat but vote. You state that organizations that are out there in the forum working for conservative causes are unworthy of your support. The inference that the NRA is intellectualy dishonest is the low. The NRA has fought for your rights and you have taken a free ride on the backs of your fellow citizens who took the initiative to do something. You and the rest of the loudmouth NRA and Republicans do nothing are real credits to this forum.

[Shooter 2.5]

" Helping more young people get involved in the shooting sports will have a much greater political impact than lobbying corrupt politicians ever will."

You have got to be kidding me? Are you going to try to claim that the NRA of all groups DOESN'T help young people?? Did you know that the NRA is there helping the Boy Scouts and the 4H clubs? Did you know that they run a summer camp for kids at the Whittington Center? That they have a separate youth magazine and I think it's called Frontsight. They have scholarship programs and kids drawing contests, for Chr!st's sake. They sent young people on Washington D.C. trips.

If you want to know where to shoot, pick up a copy of the NRA magazine, Shooting Sports U.S.A.. They have 12 pages in the back that list the monthly matches across the country.

[Shooter 2.5]

I took these pictures at one of the matches I go to all the time. The club is affiliated with the NRA, TSRA and the CMP. Every month they have a youth day but these kids are not part of that. These kids and others who are not in the picture are actual competitors at High Power Rifle. I have another picture of their targets but the .223 holes didn't show. You do not have to be a member of a club to compete.