Handgun Choice - Help Please

2oakes

[2oakes]

I am trying to choose a handgun for a variety of purposes - target, practical pistol and also for home defense.

I used to shoot a bit when I was in the UK until they took our guns away, but since moving to the US and gaining citizenship, I wish to take up shooting again.

I have been pointed to the Sig Sauer P226 which fits my hands just fine (the Glock 21 is just too big) but would like to seek the opinions of other Freepers before buying.

Thank you

David

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Ruger and Browning are great. I just like the feel of Smith wheel guns. The closest thing to them is a Tauris, made in Brazil, I think, which is a pretty good copy.
I also own a Colt Python 6 inch blue revolver. Its rugged and a good shooter, too but it doesn't seem as sooth as a Smith.

[Brasky]

First off you should think about getting more than one gun. Each situation is different, think about a .22 cal pistol cuz the ammo is cheap. For heaiver caliber I like the glock 17 for reliablity.Think possibly about a shotgun for home defense, close quarters etc.. And lastly git yourself a good AR-15 or knock-ff for a rifle. Just my 2cents.
Rock on.

[toddst]

Thanks for the link. It's my opinion the "compact" design is what's causing most of the problems. What I especially don't like (per the article) is the "it jams when it's dirty" comment. That's the exact opposite of my experience with the P220's and the P225 in 9mm.

All three Sigs could care less whether they are dirty. None have ever jammed for me and most are dirty much of the time (I'm lazy.) In fact, I only clean them when I'm going to carry one for personal protection. Other than that, they get cleaned when I get around to it.

[Shooter 2.5]

My son put slim grips on his Springfield Compact because of his small hands. I'm left handed so the slide release and the mag release are right there.

I did have trouble with my Springfield jamming. I sent it back to the factory and it loads anything now without a hiccup.
The reason we like 1911's is because of parts, the bells and whistles, it's in .45 and it's a single action. It fits our hands and take the slide release off and it becomes a modual design. I have two slides for my Para-Ordnance.

One more thing. The proper place to put the shooter's thumb is directly on the safety. There's no way a person can forget about to take the safety off.

[Mulder]

You can't go wrong with the Sig 226. If you want something smaller to carry, try the Sig 229 or Sig 239. Both are great guns.

If you want to spend a little less, try the Springfield XD models. They can be had NIB for about $400, have gotten some very good reviews from shooters.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Wow, can us girly men use our Wingmasters in pistol competition too? I'm ready to start tailoring my loads. Gotta admit, racking a pumpgun in the dark ought to make a burgular wish he'd chosen a different house to rob.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

You're correct on the thumb placement on top of the safety. That's where it's supposed to ride but when it's in my quick access safe it's their for my wife to use and she does not train with it so I leave it off for her.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

The only problem I've heard of with Glocks other than the frame cracking issue with a certain model is the occasional problem with extractors fracturing.

You will find with 1911s that the most common problems are found in the non- fullsize models and it's always an extraction problem.

Now you will have manufacturing problems with certain 1911s but that's not a design issue but a quality control issue.

[AnAmericanMother]

I certainly haven't had any trouble with the P245 jamming when dirty. I will often put 100 rounds through my pistol at a sitting (or a standing, or a Weavering, I guess :-D ).

Since I came up in the days when corrosive powder was still a real possibility if you shot cheap ammo, I still clean 'em on the kitchen table as soon as I get home, and run the bore with a Tri-Flon wetted patch about 2 days later to get any additional deposits that have sweated out of the grooves. But 100 rounds will get them pretty dirty, and I've never had a problem.

[maxmanta]

If you're set on a 9mm, you won't go wrong with the P226. They're extremely reliable and relatively light. Also, they have all the accuracy that a casual target shooter could want.

I personally don't care for aluminum framed guns and my personal choice for a 9mm is the Browning HP (known in Europe as the GP or P-35).

[Mr. Mojo]

It [the 1911] also offers what some of the newer weapons do not and that is the thumb safety which takes no extra time to use but offers an extra level of safety should you have your weapon taken from you and the loser perp isn't familiar with the weapon.

I like (frame mounted) thumb safeties for that very same reason. By the time the perp figures out how to work the thing, my knife will be sticking in his neck.

The CZ 75 (in .40) is a helluva nice weapon. It has a frame mounted thumb safety (like the 1911), it can be carried in condition one (again like the 1911), AND it has a DA/SA option. Plus, the ergonomics are nearly identical to the very comfortable Browning HP.

[Colonel Jim]

Stick with a 45, its the standard of care for home intruders!

[Colonel Jim]

Be sure you check out the Kimber 45 Ultra Carry. Its sweet! I love mine and its Ultra Conselable and has a small grip and all the knock down power of a 45 APC and its fun and pleasent to shoot and quite acurate.

[AnAmericanMother]

All right! Another .303 British fan!

I collect SMLEs and reload for them all. I save my brass by keeping a brass box for each rifle and neck sizing only. I have a couple of different Mark IIIs and a No. 5 Jungle Carbine (with the special hard rubber recoil concentrator on the butt - boy is that a nasty rifle to shoot!) but my favorite is the No. 4 (T) Long Branch. It was reworked by Holland & Holland & still has the original serial numbered scope and matching box. The scope is small and blurry for those of us who are used to modern optics, but it is an extremely accurate rifle.

Just keep your headspace gauges handy. :-D

[July 4th]

I don't shoot handguns (not yet, at least), but I have a friend with the CZ75 compact. He absolutely loves it, and the price is right too. It's probably where I'll start when I decide to start shooting, since I like the way it feels, and the grip is a bit easier for me to manage.

[Mr. Mojo]

1911 .45, which is a fine choice if you don't mind considerable recoil

My Walther PPK .380 ACP has a much bigger kick than my Colt 1911 .45 ACP. The 39 ozs help considerably, as does the well thought out ergonomics. I think the 1911 (and .45s in general) get a bad rap in this regard.

[Travis McGee]

First of all, WELCOME TO AMERICA! We need all the freedom seekers we can get!

[Travis McGee]

Man, you are in the U.S. of A. now! Don't limit yourself. Get SEVERAL. A gun for every occasion! Shotguns, semi automatic rifles, bolt action rifles, pistols, revolvers!

AMEN BRUDDA!!!

[Mr. Mojo]

The compact CZ is nice. Too bad they don't make it in .40 cal. Buy it soon .....I think those prices are gonna take off.

[nomorecameljocks]

My vote(s) for an experienced shooter familiar with semi auto's, I suggest a Glock model 22 with hi capacity mag for all around use. If less experienced a S&W model 686 4" with lots of practice with wadcutters and 125 Gr JHP's for defense. If really serious, a S&W model 37(2"airweight) for concealed carry and a Remington 870 with folding stock, extended magazine tube, and #4 shot for home defense-might want to back up the #4 shot with OO buck to finish off the wounded or hammer potential escapees.