[Lupinus]

So two hand gun's now. But both are a little up there in age.

The Mauser 7.65 is more a collecting gun then a weekly take the range shooter. Plus I don't particularly like it has just a firing pin and no hammer, also the magazine release is crap and annoying. Basically nice to polish and display, but overall I'm not fond of it.

I also have a S&W .38 special. Nice weapon but it is old. The action work's fine but the exterior, and as I learned recently a little in the barrel) has some shallow pitting. I've shot it a bit, but it is about time to retire, especially now that I have discovered some pitting in the barrel.

So I figure it is time for a new gun. I defiantly want an autoloader. Here is some guideline's for what I am after-

Something compact. I don't want some pocket gun little toy that someone will laugh at. But I don't want a hand cannon. Something that again isn't a pocket gun but something that if I get a CCW (which I plan to do in the future) can be concealed without great levels of difficulty.

Decent caliber. Again I don't need something that count's as a hand cannon but I do want something with a caliber large enough that god forbid I ever have to actually shoot someone with, will do the job without question and make any of his buddies think twice about following their fearless leader down a one way road. Also, I want a caliber that can be bought/reloaded at a reasonable price and isn't worth it's weight in gold. I'm thinking something along the line's of 40 S&W? Though this area is where I'm about most open to suggestion's.

Accurate and shootable. I want something that is decently accurate and that is comfortable/fun to shoot on a regular basis. I want something I can take to the range on a regular basis and that is fun to shoot. Not something that will sit on a shelf or in a holster and will only be used minimally because it is something that suck's to shoot but will get the job done.

Simple and Reliable. I am a big fan of KISS, keep it simple stupid. I would prefer something that is easy to service myself and that can be torn down and all that with a minimum of difficulty and doesn't have ten million little small piece's when it come's time to strip it down for a really good cleaning. Or on the same token ten million little piece's, each one is one more piece to break.

Common. I don't want a gun that is fairly rare and that I will have to hunt for part's and piece's should it need repair's or I want to buy additional mag's or something of the like.

Affordable. I'm not rich. I'm not after some 100 dollar piece of crap, I believe in paying a little more for something that will last forever rather then saving a few dollar's now for something that will break in a year. But again I'm not rich so something that is reasonably priced.

Magazine capacity. I am looking for something compact and concealable so I don't expect to be able to use a mag that will hold like 13 round's. But I do want something with a decent magazine capacity.

I'm open to most any suggestion. So with a decent mix of what I have laid out what would be some of your recommendation's? I prefer American or European. (over Russian for example) Why? No real reason, same reason I prefer American made car's I suppose, just a personal preference.

[kevin387]

Going by your criteria I have been able to narrow it down to a few dozen guns that would fit the bill.

I'm sure someone will echo this sentiment but I would suggest going to a range that rents them and try a few different ones to see what you like both in ergonomics and caliber. Then you might be able to narrow it down to a handfull or two of guns that you have a preference for.

[Pietro Beretta]

CZ75 Compact 40 or 9 Most Cost effective
XD Sub-Compact 40 or 9 More Cost Effective
XD Service Model 40 or 9 Same as above
GLOCK 26 or 27 Pricer than the others.

You can find some good used Sigs for a good price.

Their are a few more to throw out there, but here are my suggestions.

Like the above post said, you need to go to your local range, and try out their guns to see what one fits you best.

[JDGray]

Ruger is about as inexpensive with great quality as it gets. I have 3 handguns, all rugers, all exellence firearms, with zero problems. My favorite is my P345, 429.00 nib, but I have seen online for 359.00 also seen P89 9mm for 310.00 Go to a gun shop and hold and point them all, see what fits ya. JDGray

[lyricsdad]

CPO Sig p226 9mm.

[Lupinus]

Thank's guy's

Like the above post said, you need to go to your local range, and try out their guns to see what one fits you best.
I plan to. But wanted to get some opinion's to narror it down a bit. Plus I might go to the range and try something and like it. That I bring home and announce my new gun and get "You bought one of those piece's of sh*t?"

As said there are dozen's, which include while I wanted to narror it down. Renting a few gun's is fine, but renting a few dozen could get mighty pricy.

No one's mentioned baretta or S&W I always figured them for good gun's?

[Woody_in_MN]

Here's two:

CZ 75B Compact. Here's a tip, the promag clip for the same gun in a 40SW, will work in the 9mm, and hold 14 rounds.

Taurus PT911 - You don't hear a lot about this gun. It's a little bit smaller than the CZ75 Compact. It fits my hand well, and is easy to handle, especially the slide cocking. If I had to sell all my guns, and just keep one, I would keep the PT911.

9mm is the way to go. Powerful, and the only thing cheaper is 22 rimfie.

- w

[BamBam-31]

Sounds like a Glock 19 to me, although I prefer the ergos on the CZ P-01 better.

[Lupinus]

So I've looked around a bit at cabela's and midway for ammo, and hand's down the 9mm is going to be (not surprisingly) the cheaper.

But is the 40 S&W any better then the 9mm or vice-versa with the exception of price. Or all and all are they both about equaly good?

Or is this one of those endless constant which is the better ammo debate's?

[Black Majik]

Hmm... pretty broad requirements asks for a broad list of answers.


Autoloaders that are compact, possibly for CCW that are chambered in non-wussy calibers, and that dont require huge magazines that looks like the gun is taking a dump.

- CZ 75 compact (does this come in .40? I dunno my CZ's all too well)
- Glock 23
- SA XD 40 SC
- Colt Defender
- 1911 commander series: These are not that small but they're thin and have proven very effective for concealed carry. SW1911Sc for example
- Sig P229 .40/SIG P245/SIG P225 (9mm)
- Walther P99 (older series) .40

That should get you started. Those models either come in .40 as requested. The 1911s are in .45 ACP.

I listed the P225, because it is simply one awesome fantastic CCW gun even though it is chambered in 9mm. Plus its fun to shoot!

[Lupinus]

I know it's pretty broad but hey im easy to get along with lol.

And 40 S&W is more of a idea more so then a requirment. I think I would prefer it but the avaliblity and price advantage od 9mm might get the better of me.

[BamBam-31]

I really think that .40 cal is a difficult caliber to start learning on. Unless you've already developed good shooting fundamentals (meaning no flinch), I'd stay away from the .40 due to it's rather noticeable muzzle flip.

If you do a search, there are lots of threads debating the pros/cons of this and that caliber. The consensus is, however, that shot placement is more important than caliber, meaning a 9mm shot in center of mass is better than a .45 shot in the foot. Therefore, buy a caliber you can shoot accurately and with confidence.

Plus, with 9mm Speer Gold Dots, you're doing plenty of damage as is. Go 9mm, it's cheaper on the wallet for practice. :)

[Pietro Beretta]

Here is the CZ75 Compact in 40S&W:
http://www.cz-usa.com/01.detail.php?id=63

Or a RAMI

[DirksterG30]

CZ P-01 - compact frame, 9mm, 14+1 capacity, DA/SA:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/dirksterg30/CZs/P-01fromsidewM-3SMALL.jpg

[nero45acp]

SIG P239

Accurate, reliable, easily carried, and is simple to take-down and clean. Substantial enough that it's a pleasure to shoot at the range. Available in 9mm, .40S&W, and .357 SIG. Personally, I'd go 9mm, as it is an effective, low recoil, and very affordable cartridge.

http://www.sigarms.com/products/classicpersonalsize-models.asp?product_id=43#

nero

[1 old 0311]

I got a new S&W PPK/S that fills the bill. Small, flat, 7 rounds,stainless, reliable, and oozes with class. Plus it has a lifetime guarantee. You can pick one up for 450-475.

Kevin

[Lupinus]

I havn't tried them yet but right now based on research I've been able to do online, I am leaning twoards a 9mm springfield XD Service model. Maybe when I turn 21 and can get a CCW if that isn't easy enough for me to conceal and I like it I can get the same basic gun in a shorter version with the 3 inch compact model.

But the price is reasonable and at least comparible to the other's. It has a good mag capacity. And it should, based on look's, fit well into my hand.

Plus it is American. If it is a toss up between an American and forign made object I always choose american unless the forign made has a lot in it's favor.

Though I am wondering what this USA trigger thingy is. Never heard of it.

[Erinyes]

I've gotta pimp the High Power here. It's a little heavy, but it's pretty flat, so it conceals well. It's also probably on the upper end of what you may want to spend, but they're very well built, and even with the mag disconnect they still have decent triggers. They're available in both 9mm and .40S&W, and are 13+1 and 10+1, respectively.

[Northslope Nimrod]

CZ......Choose your poison from there. I like the PCR or P-01.
Hi-Powers are great but more $$ and you must like cocked & locked. I have a Hi-Power & a CZ. Love them both.

[Pietro Beretta]

Im surprised no one mentiond this before I.

XD's are from Croatia, They are imported by Springfield.

[Lex]

Get the XD in .40 (if it fits your hand/feels well). It has a lifetime warranty from SA, ammo's cheap, can drop in another barrel and easily convert it to 9mm, etc.

Lex in NC

[Lupinus]

Les-

Right now that's what im thinking of but Im thinking in 9mm since ammo is cheaper to both buy and reload. If I like it I can always get another in .40.

Right now Im still debating between the compact or service model's however.

[el44vaquero]

Springfield GIs run around $450 NIB. Although you are warned that 1911s are very addictive.

[P. Plainsman]

The compact CZs are a good bet.

Also, until you got to "decent magazine capacity," I was thinking of one of the standard-sized steel Kahr pistols -- a K9 or K40. Kahr's "standard" frame is compact and concealable. They get good marks for shootability, with a smooth DAO trigger. However, they're single-stack guns that use 6- to 8-round magazines. You should be able to get one NIB for $500-$550.

I had a SIG. Though otherwise a fine quality pistol, it was not especially accurate, so I sold it. Others are very happy with the accuracy of their SIGs. I would say they are a brand worth looking into as well.