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

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Here you go.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Where do you live?

[dirtboy]

I don't know much about handguns, but I figure it's important to buy one that is really big, scary and military-looking, just to pi** off the gun grabbers.

[BCR #226]

I've been shooting for over 27 years. I'll give you my personal choice then tell you what you should do.

I love SIG's. I feel that I can rely on them at any time in any conditions. I carry a SIG 226 as my CHP gun.

Now, I would recommend that you go out to a gun store and check out various handguns. Find what feels comfortable and if you have the opportunity, try that particular model out before you buy. Make sure the recoil is okay and the gun feels good when shooting it.

Personally, I'd recommend you stick with the 226 if it fits your hand good.

Mike

[2oakes]

Michigan - currently with a white top-coat

[Tijeras_Slim]

Seems from your post you are interested in an automatic. In a 9mm/.40 I would reccomend either the Walther P99 or CZ75. In .45 the venerable 1911 Government Model (or variant thereof). All these will fit medium sized hands.

PS: Betcha this thread goes at least 400 replies. You might want to be a bit more specific on the main intended use of the weapon.

[Texas Mom]

Try the Glock 27.. It's referred to as the Mini Glock. Have had one for years and love it. My son who is a Deputy Sheriff uses one as an off duty weapon and my other son the Pilot got one for when the Pilots will be armed.. ( soon I hope) My hands are small and I can't handle the larger weapons. If you want to go really small I would recomment the Baretta Tomcat. I have them both. Both are good as a Concealed Weapon.

[paul51]

I have been pointed to the Sig Sauer P226

Got my vote

[snopercod]

For target practice, .22 ammunition is much cheaper than what you will need for home protection. The "Hydra-Shock" ammo in .38 or .357 Magnum ain't cheap.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

You just can't go wrong with a 1911-A1 unless you live in a very warm climate such as Florida where the clothes get smaller and the weapon gets harder to carry concealed.

It 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.


Others know much more than I and I don't carry the 1911 everyday but I do carry a weapon that has the thumb safety: the .45 cal Taurus PT145 but it's trigger is very long and not as smooth as a 1911's.


This thread is going to be at least 100 replies on a slow day and will go over 200 normally. Could go 500 if enough folks are homebound today.

[Blood of Tyrants]

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.

Is it possible that a person who will not shoot it very often will be needing it for self defense when you are not around? If so consider getting a double action .357 revolver with a 4" barrel.

[snippy_about_it]

Here are some previous threads asking the same question you might want to take a look at.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/757093/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3aa8d6d10b79.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b2637e14c11.htm

[P8riot]

I have an older (pre-ban) Smith & Wesson Sigma SW9F (full size) in 9mm with two pre-ban 17 round mags and an internal lasermax sight I'd let go for about $450.

[2oakes]

"You might want to be a bit more specific on the main intended use of the weapon."

Semi-auto - yes.

I would like to become proficient at the range. I would like to take part in Action Pistol / IDPA (International Defense Pistol Assoc) events which are staged defense situations, but I dont want something that would not be of use in a home defense situation.

Some IDPA divisions require stock weapons, with a power floor which requires at least a 9mm. Others can have more custom parts.

I would hope 100% for plinking / practice / competition and 0% for personal defense, but you never know.

Many thanks for your help

[xsrdx]

Practical pistol and home defense? Glock 22 or 23 would be my first choice for "one gun".

Nothing wrong with SIGARMS but if you want a DA pistol consider the HK USP series, probably my second choice for "one gun".

You'll get a bazillion recommendations for the venerable 1911 .45, which is a fine choice if you don't mind considerable recoil and the sometimes finicky reliability of production 1911s. Kimber and Springfield make affordable 1911's with decent reputations.

[cryptical]

Can't go wrong with a SIG. If you want a little more power than 9mm, on some models of 226 you can get a 357 SIG barrel as an upgrade. Check around at http://www.sigforum.com/ for more info.

[AnAmericanMother]

I strongly recommend going with the .45 ACP, either a Colt Model 1911A1 pistol ("Old Slabside"), a Kimber if you're flush with funds, or the Sig-Sauer (either the full size P220 or the compact P245.) (I don't have a Kimber but I have the other two . . . I've shot a Kimber but can't justify the expense right now!)

The .45 ACP cartridge is accurate and easy to reload, and the Colt pistol is a natural pointer, accurate, easy to strip and clean, and impossible to destroy. It can be left in its natural "rattle trap" military state so that it will fire even if doused in mud, or it can be fine-tuned and tightened up to superior accuracy (at the cost of some reliability), and just about any level in between. When tuned up, there is no better large caliber target pistol (I competed with one of mine for several years), but I understand a lot of the combat pistolero crowd have gone to the DA pistols since my time. If you prefer a DA, I tried the Sig and the Glock but preferred the Sig.

I am not a fan of 9mm, never have been since my WWII vet dad told me that he saw a number of American GIs in N. Africa and Italy merely wounded by the 9mm Lugers and Walthers, not necessarily dangerous wounds either . . . but he never saw a live German with a .45 hole in him. To be absolutely accurate, this could have been because any German able to ambulate was leaving the vicinity as fast as he could hobble, but I don't think so. . . . Besides, the tapered case on the 9mm makes it a bear to reload.

[1stFreedom]

1911A1 !

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Well then, you should hook up with dan from michigan and get active in getting a CCW in your state because your long white coat is very effective for concealing your new pistol.LOL

Also, use this URL to find gun related topics in FR. You reply to Bang_list in the reply column like my first reply and it bumps that thread to the bang_list.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/involved?group=152