[CAnnoneer]

I took a basic handgun class and joined a shooting club more recently. Although I have been reading about firearms since I was a kid, it is only now that I get to have some real practice. So, it seems appropriate to share my first impressions and gather comments, advice, etc.

Glock 17. I chose this one for the handgun class since a friend of mine is a glocker and I have read only nice things about their quality and durability. However, I was surprised to find I really disliked it. Something felt really wrong with the balance, the handle was too small, accuracy was bad, the kick felt uncomfortable, the muzzle flash was too strong, it generally felt like a rough toy. What I did like was the feel of the slide finish, and the sights.

After the class, I decided to take several rentals (free with membership) for a familiarization tour. I started with the smallest caliber and crept up after I established a level of comfort with the current model.

A long-barrel .22 Ruger MkII proved a joy to shoot - accurate, light trigger, nice grouping, good handle, okay balance, fast target reacquiring, $2.40 for a box of 50 rounds. On the downside, it felt too light - it felt like it had no stopping power whatsoever. It might kill, but it would not stop. Nice for plinking/practice, probably next to worthless as a weapon.

Next, I tried a revolver 0.22 S&W. Too small handle, large flash, spitting carbon to the left and right of the cylinder, so-so accuracy SA, pretty bad DA, poor balance. A distinct disappointment next to the Ruger MkII.

Then a got a small Beretta 38sp. VERY accurate (all 50 rounds in the 10 at 21 feet and I am a newbie), compact, comfortable, fast reacquire, virtually no flash, good trigger, barrel axis close to palm pivot made kickup very small. I think I am in love! I felt like I was launching the bullets down a rail from my index finger to the target. One complaint though - barrel too short. Can't wait to try the full size 92FS. Must be the fixed barrel blowback action.

Then I tried a Ruger T89 9mm. Heavy but comfortable, solidly built, good balance, supercomfortable no-slip grip, felt like an extension of my forearm. Acquire, aim, fire. For a 9 mm felt little kick. Small flash, large bang, very good accuracy - 3 or 4 scatterers out of 50 rounds. Very satisfying - felt like a diesel locomotive at one's fingertips. Sub-beretta accuracy is the only complaint.

Glock 35 with long barrel and what looked like a compensator proved a disappointment due to two consecutive failures to feed the rounds properly. Worn-out mag? The old marine was just as puzzled but gave me another .40 Glock to finish the ammo. I did not like the .40 very much, at least not in Glocks - a sharp startling kick is unpleasant especially with an uncomfortably small and narrow handle. Poor accuracy, crappy balance. I just have no empathy with Glocks.

Finally tried a Ruger T90 .45acp. Big bang, flies all over the place, accuracy is so-so, probably because I am not accustomed to taming such a beast yet. Other than that, all the good stuff said about T89 held true here too.

All shooting was done in the Weaver stance. I am a 6'1", 245 lbs male, large frame.

Conclusions:
1) Don't like revolvers
2) love the accuracy and feel of Beretta
3) love the sturdiness and feel of Ruger T89
4) don't like .45, .22
5) like 38sp, 9 mm

So, what do you guys think?

[logical]

I think the Beretta must be .380 auto, not .38 spl. What model was it?

[Majic]

Beretta does make a single action revolver now, but I don't think that's what you were shooting. The .38 spl you mentioned is probably .380acp.
As you are a new shooter shooting several different handguns I wouldn't worry about rating accuracy right now.
Find a model that feels right in your hand. Make sure it's chambered in a caliber that you are comfortable with. Load up on ammo and practice, practice, practice.

[ChickenHawk]

First, Welcome to THR. And please don't interpret the rest of my replay as a contradiction my opening comment! :)

I happen to like Glocks and own 4, but I know tons of people who dislike them for their own valid reasons.

That said, I don't think I've ever heard reasons like yours before, so I'm not sure how to respond.

G17- Something felt really wrong with the balance, the handle was too small, accuracy was bad, the kick felt uncomfortable, the muzzle flash was too strongI've heard many complain about the G17 grip angle, but never that it was "small." I'm guessing you have really big hands? You might consider checking out guns with larger grips like the H&K USP (which is also a very nice handgun).

As for the "kick" I personally find that barely noticable in most 9mm but especially in the G17. I think you may be limp-wristing which would also explain how you had two FTFs with the G35. Try keeping your wrist a bit more rigid and absorb recoil with elbow movement instead. You'll find your time to reacquire your sights go way down as well since you just have to lower your arm back down with your wrist/grip position still in place.

I'll bet your accuracy issue is also related to any grip issues you may have. Most find the G17 to be a pretty accurate gun. Personally, I can put 100 rounds through a hole the size of your fist at 15 yards (which is accurate enough for me). But, there are many who agree with you on that point so it's obviously a very individual measure.

Muzzle flash? Were you shooting at night? :rolleyes: I don't think I've ever noticed a muzzle flash with a G17. I'm assuming it was not a compensated barrel (holes/slots in the barrel to reduce recoil).

Ah well. Keep shooting. the bottom line is to find whatever works for you in all these areas. That's why there are so many to choose from, right!

Good luck,
ChickenHawk

[CAnnoneer]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions!

The beretta was a 38, but I am not sure about the sp or acp. It looked like a Cheetah 86 (compact) but with all-metal body and a yoke on the front of the barrel like the 92FS. I'll check next time I am at the range and report more accurately.

Indeed as a newbie, it is probably best to stick to the most comfortable and practice a lot. I'll make up my mind after I try the 92FS, but chances are it will be a beretta or a Ruger T89 for practice. Both the 38 and a 9 mm are not too kicky. Btw, the old marine on the range said the berettas tend to break their locking blocks because the company did not have experience with bigger rounds until they dealt with the 9 mm. But this one was a 38. I am confused again.

Yes, I agree it is probably the tightness and size of the wrist. My glocker friend recommended a soft grip because it allows him very accurate rapid fire, but I think the trick is he squeezes in front and relaxes the back, so the gun recoils but does not pivot. For me it is something difficult to master quite yet.

Another problem is that if I grab the glock handle to rest well at the seat of my palm, my fingers stick out on the other side too much, so it is uncomfortable to pull the trigger with the soft tissue of the third digit of the index finger, as I was instructed to do for maximal sensitivity. So, to pull the trigger well, I end up twisting the wrist grip out of position. So, I agree, that may very well be why the glock 35 choked on me, and why my accuracy sucks with the glocks. It's really a pity because my friend has all three 9mm versions and swears by them.

As far as balance goes, glocks have a polymer frame, so most of the weight feels top and forward for me. If I could put in a big mag, that might balance it out for the initial shots, but I live in People's Republic of Cullifawnya, so more than 10 is a big no-no.

The range I go to is an indoors one, so it is quite dusky. That may explain why the muzzle flashes look like a big deal to me. The glock 17 specifically produced these 2-inch blue sparks that I did not see any other one do, not even the compensated 0.40 glock 35. All the ammo except the rimfire .22 had been reloaded by the range company, so could that be the reason?

Anyway, many thanks to all of you guys for the comments and tips!

[Ala Dan]

Another big ole hearty welcome to The High Road! :)

First, you must decide what function the weapon of choice is too serve?
Normally, for a beginner I recommend a long barrel .22LR caliber revolver;
but you've already stated you don't like revolvers of any kind, its that
correct?

And, shooting factory ammo from a Beretta .380 ACP would get quite
expensive in a hurry. A few people here on these forums may handload
for their .380's; but I don't. I find a lot more enjoyable shooting time
can be had with handload's fired from my .45 ACP's.

The Ruger P89 (9m/m) and P90 (.45ACP) are solid choices, both for home
defense and occassional target practice. You said, you ruled out the G-17
cuz it didn't feel right; well these Rugers should fit you well my friend. :D

[odysseus]

Cannoneer - Welcome to the board!

...now I am getting my popcorn heated up! :D

[Majic]

Cartridges will confuse you for a while, but the Beretta shoots the .380acp. In math there is no difference, but in the gun world there is a difference in .38 and .380.
You sometimes have to take what you hear at ranges with a grain of salt. The old Marine was pointing out a recent problem that have been corrected. He was also wrong as Beretta have been building some form of 9mm since 1915. They started making a pistol that uses the same 9mm cartridge you see today in the 1950s. Except for a redesign problem (the locking block) in a pistol that was quite popular and had been built for many years Beretta never had any problems with the various 9mm cartridges.
To sort out some of your confusion the .380acp (what you have been calling a .38) is a shorter and weaker round than the 9mm. They use the same diameter bullet and the 9mm uses a heavier version of the bullet.
In time these things will make more sense to you, but a lot of cartridges will have you confused.

[mattw]

wow this many replys and not one person telling you to try a 1911 if you don't like glocks? i guess i'll do it :D A good GI style 1911A1 is the perfect anti-glock in terms of ergonomics.

getting a 1911 is my answer to everything. don't like glocks? get a 1911! girlfriend left you? feeling down? get a 1911! got a promotion at work? get a 1911!