Friend asked me what .45??

[click clack]

This will be his first handgun purchase. He's not new to firearms; we go to the range alot and some hunting but he mostly shoots his Dad's guns. Hes been wanting his own pistol for sometime now and asked me what he should look into. He was originally leaning towards .40 cal but realized he might as well just go .45 with a little convincing on my part He's looking to spend around 500 and with that budget I showed him these http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...Inc./USED+SIG+SAUER+P220+POLICE+TRADE+w+1+MAG
But havent heard a whole lot about them. I mean I know its a sig but then again Ive never bought used...and i would feel awfully stupid if he got the gun i suggested and it ends up being a lemon

Were planning a trip to LGS soon so he can hold and get the feel for a few others and of course I had to throw it out to you guys to get the THR approval/pointers Besides the heavy hitters like Glock, M&P, XD, etc any others I should point him to?

 

[MachIVshooter]

The P220 is an excellent handgun, but your friend needs to decide for himself if he wants a large, traditional double action metal framed gun, or something else. If he's completely open, I don't think the P220 would disappoint. But he should handle a few different styles/models and do his own research before plunking down the cash.

 

[basicblur]

Purpose of the gun (range toy, SD, etc), and why 45?

For what it's worth, I usually recommend 9mm to new shooters, but most folks over the last few years approaching me have been interested in SD/HD in these 'interesting' times in which we live.

Over the years as SD ammo has improved, I've tended to move down in caliber size - went from 45 to 40 to currently 9mm.

 

[Auto426]

The best bet is to let him get his hands on as many different guns as possible. It's very hard to pick a gun for someone unless you know them and you know what they like.

Also, I would suggest letting him shoot a few different calibers to get a feel for what he wants. .45 ACP is a great round, but it's not for everyone. It's also more expensive to practice with compared to 9mm or .40 S&W.

 

[jim243]

45 ACP (auto) is a fine caliber for a first handgun. In that price range, I would recommend the Stoeger Cougar in 45 Auto. Great gun for the price.

Jim

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger-cougar.php

 

[tarosean]

PX4, FNP, are some others in that price range...

 

[chris in va]

I had a Sig 220 for a few years. Once I used it in IDPA competition, it's shortcomings came to light.

Hard DA pull, single stack, high bore axis, fiddly controls, lack of SA first shot.

It never failed me but I finally realized there are other options available and sold it.

 

[OARNGESI]

im suprised no one has recomendeda entry level 1911

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ This. He's gonna want one, anyway, and the Rock Island Armory G.I. can be had for under that price point. Of course, it does depend on the gun's intended use, and whether or not he is used to (or wants to get used to) the 1911 S/A operation.

 

[spiroxlii]

I'm not the world's best shot with a pistol, but if you put an XD in my hands, it seems to turn me into a crack shot. I know some people say the same thing about Glocks and 1911s. I owned a 1911, and I shoot my friend's .45 Glock frequently. Maybe it's just the way my hands are shaped, but my groups are always best with the XD.

 

[Big_John1961]

I can find nothing wrong with my 4.5 XDM. Flippin' sweet shooter, accurate, reliable and a blast to shoot. Very happy with the purchase.

 

[cor_man257]

I think your on the right track already.

If hes already used to shooting handguns, just doesnt own one I think letting him handle them and deceide is best. Just try to know a bit about a few different guns before you go so you can tell him the differences if he isnt used to them. Some guns are better tailored for range, some are better suited for CCW. I assume he'll pick based off what he wants it for.

Comfort
Sights
Trigger Pull
Double Action/Single Action
Weight
Options

They are probably all things you shoud get familiar with so you can help advise him on the truth of things rather than what the gun store expert tells him. Just tell him what you know about a gun, and what you think of it, why you think that, and he will choose what he thinks and why. As long as your giving him facts about it he can handle it himself (as you said he is already a shooter jsut not an owner). Gun store people often dont know much, so be ready for his questions or he might wind up buying into the hype about the legendary Glock7 or some other equally ridiculous nonsense.

 

[basicblur]

It's also more expensive to practice with compared to 9mm or .40 S&W.

Yup - he needs to compare ongoing cost of ownership, not just the cost of the gun.
Have him stop by his favorite ammo store and compare prices in order to get an idea how much it's going to cost him down the road, 'specially if he plans on shooting it bit.

9mm Federal at my local big box store is $11.97 / 50 - I seem to remember 45 being around $10 a box higher (almost double the price), but I think 45 has come down a bit lately?

Anywho...
I've shown a number of folks at the gun store that came in looking for an LCP the LC9 for comparison, then directed them to the ammo shelf to compare 380 to 9mm ammo prices - you can often see the light go on in their head.

AFA SD, I've always compared round count to caliber, which is one reason I now tote a 9mm most of the time. BG tactics are always changing / evolving, and there seem to be more cases of multiple attackers these days.

Last guy I helped with a purchase ended up with an XDSC9 - he laughed and said when a bunch of his son's friends met up with him for a little shooting (they all had 1911s), and after they were empty, they just kept looking at him and finally asked "does that thing ever run out of ammo"?

'Course, there ain't nuttin' wrong with an XD45!
The XD45 compact has been on my wish list for way too long...

 

[click clack]

lack of SA first shot.

Can't you cock the hammer manually??

We went to one of the smaller shops in town (one w/o a range) and held a couple. He liked the XD, SR40, and the PPQ. So hopefully the other LGS with a range will have those for rent....Personally i hope he ends up with the PPQ

 

[9mmepiphany]

Can't you cock the hammer manually??

There isn't any need to. In Action pistol competition, it is slower and not anymore accurate or faster out of a holster to the first shot.

It is just learning how to do it correctly. Learning to correctly press a DA trigger will make you a better SA shooter

 

[jehicks87]

I agree, the .45 is the most expensive of the "common 3" to shoot.

As far as which firearm to purchase, I'd look at the S&W M&P .45, the Glock 21, and the Taurus PT1911. All good guns, all around that price point.

 

[NYGlock]

I have a Glock 30SF and my father has a Sig P220. We both like the Glock better (lighter, higher capacity, lower bore access, consistent trigger, better for concealing), but he is in MA and can't easily get a Glock. He's finding that it has taken a while to become proficient with the Sig, but what was initially a disappointment is becoming a favorite. Practice is the most important part though, and as others have noted, that can become expensive with a .45 - and reloads are not recommended in Glocks. I also don't think that you can go wrong with an XD or M&P.