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Handgun Choice - Help Please
2oakes

Posted on 01/06/2003 10:27:26 AM PST by 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


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: banglist; defense; handgun; sport
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To: 1Old Pro
I've got a stock heavy barrel MKII and love it. It is my primary bullseye practice gun, about 500 rounds a week. All the different models are on the Ruger website. It's more accurate than I am (although that's not saying a whole lot.) The 22/45 is also a good choice, because the grip configuration is very similar to a 1911. Can't beat them for the money.
61 posted on 01/06/2003 11:06:13 AM PST by Tijeras_Slim
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To: El Gato
What recoil? With all that weight, old slabsides doesn't recoil much.

Agreed. Heavy recoil with a .45 is pretty much myth. I have an alloy frame .45 (Taurus PT-945) and the recoil is still minimal, absolutely nothing like a .357. I don't think I'd want to have a .45 in an ultra-light polymer gun though.

62 posted on 01/06/2003 11:08:12 AM PST by arm958
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To: 2oakes
Welcome to America.........
Pistols are a personal preference depending upon training, hand size, wrist strength, and use.........If you like it shoot it, shoot it , shoot it. Join a club, take up skeet, enjoy a liberty that your previous country took away; but help us in fighting the Liberals!!
63 posted on 01/06/2003 11:09:03 AM PST by Bodacious
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To: xsrdx
Nothing wrong with SIGARMS but if you want a DA pistol consider the HK USP series, probably my second choice for "one gun".

Also, the nice thing about the H&K USP series is that you can carry it locked in single-action mode also if you want. One of the features I've always liked about that pistol is that you can carry it in either SA or DA depending on personal preference at the moment.

And I second the H&K USP recommendation. Excellent pistols and great performers.

64 posted on 01/06/2003 11:10:19 AM PST by tortoise
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To: Tijeras_Slim
At least nobodys replied with something like: "Any pistol you want as long as you handload Starline brass with CCI large pistol primers, over 4.6 grains of Unique and a Keith Bullet! :-D

LOL!!!! (I had to restrain myself, really I did.)

65 posted on 01/06/2003 11:11:02 AM PST by AnAmericanMother
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To: Maigrey
Ping for later.
66 posted on 01/06/2003 11:11:49 AM PST by Maigrey
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To: ArrogantBustard
"What did you shoot back in your UK days, before they went completely nuts? Any particular reason you can't find it here (USA)?"

I was pretty competent at small bore rifle (captain of college team and national competitions), was ok with Berreta side by side at sporting clays, and had a few enjoyable evenings shooting my uncles 1911 and S&W .38 revolver at a practical range under Brighton seafront.

Then Michael Ryan did his trip with an assault rifle and the college club got shut down (despite the lack of crime committed with .22 single shot), then the handguns were taken, and clays are still tough to find space for.

Mind you could pay $1000 for a day of pheasant shooting if you knew the right people and went to an estate day...

Think I left the UK just in time...

*** Don't let it happen here ***
67 posted on 01/06/2003 11:12:04 AM PST by 2oakes
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To: 2oakes
*** Don't let it happen here ***

We hear you loud and clear.

68 posted on 01/06/2003 11:13:37 AM PST by arm958
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To: rintense
Pinging W. Michigan!
69 posted on 01/06/2003 11:16:43 AM PST by ASA Vet
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To: 2oakes
*** Don't let it happen here ***

We're trying, we're trying, believe me!

I have an Army issue .38 Enfield and a .455 Webley still chambered for its original caliber (a lot of them over here have been modified to take .45 ACP with half moon clips).

Have you considered the Webley? Although you would have to reload for it, think of the advantages . . . huge cloud of flame and smoke intimidates the opposition, enormous lead pill albeit travelling about the speed of a fossilized snail with lumbago, and if you empty the cylinder you simply smite the opponent over the head with the empty gun and knock him unconscious . . . (g) Actually, I love my Webley, people laugh when I sit down to the piano but it's a surprisingly accurate revolver and absolutely no recoil (because it weighs a ton. You'd have to carry a brick in your other pocket so you wouldn't tip over . . . )

70 posted on 01/06/2003 11:17:51 AM PST by AnAmericanMother
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To: xsrdx
When you do, they are the finest pistols on earth, but don't expect to join the club for less than about $1500, or a pair of Glocks.

While the choice between a Glock type pistol and an non plastic 1911 is a personal choice (I own both types) that I won't argue with anyone, a 1911 does not cost 1500 bucks. You can buy a fine used piece for less than a third of that and a new loaded springfield for about 600 bucks with night sights. I never had a problem with my 1911 failing in any way. No FTF, FTE, and have used junk and top end mags with it.

You can convince people that Glocks are better than 1911s without pretending the only ones on the market are top end custom jobs that cost more than a teenager's auto insurance premium.

71 posted on 01/06/2003 11:19:41 AM PST by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
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To: big ern
You can convince people that Glocks are better than 1911s without pretending the only ones on the market are top end custom jobs that cost more than a teenager's auto insurance premium.

Bravo. And Ditto. Well said.

72 posted on 01/06/2003 11:23:13 AM PST by FateAmenableToChange
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Comment #73 Removed by Moderator

To: 2oakes
David,

Glad you relocated to the US. Welcome! Stick with the Sig Sauer P226 since you already are attracted to it. I have three Sigs, two in .45 and one in 9mm. All run perfectly every time they are fired. All have thousands of rounds through them with NO work having been done other than cleaning (at least occasionally.)

Take a handling skills & personal defense class if you are serious about such use. The IDPA is a good organization but you need training, not just the games and competition. I recommend going to Gunsite in Arizona. Serious people who know what they're doing. Run a Google search for "gunsite."

Glad to answer questions anytime (use freepmail.)

Regards, Todd
74 posted on 01/06/2003 11:24:47 AM PST by toddst
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To: arm958
I don't think I'd want to have a .45 in an ultra-light polymer gun though.

That's pretty much what I've got in the Witness, and I love it. The porting reduces muzzle flip and I believe the polymer frame absorbs or at least streches out, the recoil. Wintess is a CZ-75 "clone" although with polymer frame and in a compact configuration.

75 posted on 01/06/2003 11:24:59 AM PST by El Gato
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To: 2oakes
I was pretty competent at small bore rifle (captain of college team and national competitions)

Did you ever get a chance to fire those fine old Enfields? They have quite a following in the U.S. I started the reloading hobby with .303 British and a well-used 1941 Lee Enfield No. 4, MK I.

76 posted on 01/06/2003 11:26:25 AM PST by arm958
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To: xsrdx
Huh? You're spending too much on your .45s!

I have bought old military junkers for a couple hundred in perfect (but rattly) working order. I don't think I've ever spent more than about $600 for any of 'em, on some I've sunk a hundred or two into customizing, but nowhere NEAR $1500! That's stratospheric!

77 posted on 01/06/2003 11:28:08 AM PST by AnAmericanMother
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To: 2oakes
Kel-Tec P11 9mm.
78 posted on 01/06/2003 11:29:20 AM PST by Bay Minette Redneck
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To: arm958; El Gato
Agreed. Heavy recoil with a .45 is pretty much myth.

Compared to what? No, 45ACP is not that hot, but it certainly recoils MUCH harder than 9mm, and somewhat harder than 40SW.

Anybody that can shoot a full house 45 well, will usually shoot a 9mm or 40 better, at least where speed is a factor.

79 posted on 01/06/2003 11:29:55 AM PST by xsrdx
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To: 2oakes
*** Don't let it happen here ***

doing what I can...

As you may have noticed, it's possible to rent a gun by the hour to shoot at indoor commercial pistol ranges. Look 'em up in the Yellow Pages. Since you've some experience with the 1911 and revolvers, you might start there. See what else they've in the rental case, and try them, too. I played that game for several months before finding "true love" with the XXXXXXXX pistol. That was the one that felt like it was designed to fit my hand. And I can shoot it quickly and accurately. With any luck at all, you'll have a similar experience. It might even be your old buddy the 1911. It wasn't for me, though.

80 posted on 01/06/2003 11:32:06 AM PST by ArrogantBustard
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