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Newly Minted Pistol License- What should I try out?

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Snowblind

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Feb 15, 2011
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Like it says on the box, I literally just got my license last Friday (yes, here in Mass, we need licenses, it's terrible), and this has been the first opportunity to get some shooting in since I moved to the state.

The range I joined has a nifty rental service that's free for members, so I got a newly minted membership as well to see what I might like.

I have a lot of experience with rifles (owned since I was 18), but have fired only a few pistols (THANKS NY) all of which were in .22 LR. I tried out the following today:

S&W M&P 9
HK USP 9
Ruger LC9
Glock 19

Of those, I actually liked the Ruger the best. The sights and ergonomics worked for me. I hated the M&P 9's trigger, and could barely hold the Glock 19 on account of my huge hands. USP was ok, liked the trigger, but did not shoot well with it. Ironically it was also the only gun to jam (stovepipe), but none of the firearms appeared to have been cleaned... ever...

Going of that info... what should I try tomorrow? What might I like?
 
After re-crawling the existing threads, I wanted to make a quick note to distinguish my intentions from the CCW thread- I'm really just looking for feedback on what might be similar to the SR9, or just fun to try out for someone new to pistols.
 
Definitely try a 1911. Just be carefull, they are addicting! Maybe try an XD of some sort and a Sig. As long as you are experimenting, try a nice wheelgun too!
 
That cz p-07 is a top-notch firearm. I can't stand Ruger triggers, I'm all glocked out after 2 G26s, 2 G17, 1 G22' and three G19s.... Finally 100% Glock-free, and I've never shot an M&P. In that $400-$600 price range, look at the CZ P-07, CZ75 (any version/size), and the Walther PPQ.
 
The CZ P07 looks awesome. I'm big into modern-looking pistols. I'll admit, I'm horribly inconsistent with my appreciation of classic arms. I don't care for the look of the AR-15, but love classics like the Garand, but also don't care for the look of the 1911, but love the look of stuff like the USP or M&P.
 
The S&W M&P 9 was very comfortable until I tried to pull the trigger. It's sort of like a jack-in-the-box. Besides having to pull it 15 miles, it goes off *somewhere* between mile 11 and mile 15. Not for me. Nope, nope.
 
Snowblind said:
The S&W M&P 9 was very comfortable until I tried to pull the trigger. It's sort of like a jack-in-the-box. Besides having to pull it 15 miles, it goes off *somewhere* between mile 11 and mile 15. Not for me. Nope, nope.
Click to expand...
There are several different M&P9's and the triggers feel different.
"I think" the ones without a thumb safety have better triggers but I'm not sure...

In any case, if you really like the S&W M&P9 but hate the trigger you can always buy a drop in replacement or replace some parts form the many sources on the net like Apex Tactical.
 
You don't like the Glock 19 because of your large hands, yet you liked the Ruger best? Did you shoot the Ruger LC9 or SR9?

If you like a larger gun, and you're looking for a range/home defense pistol, try the Baretta 92.
 
Ruger SR9, SIG P226, CZ85, Glock 17, Browning Hi-Power, and a whole lot of others come to mind if you want to check out full size 9mms.
 
All of them.

My favs (in no particular order):
1911
Hi-Power
Sigs (226 and 2022 at the top of that list)
 
RE: "I'm really just looking for feedback on what might be similar to the SR9, or just fun to try out for someone new to pistols."

SR9c, SR40, SR40c, Glock 19, BHP, Glock 26, Glock 17, FNS-9, FNS-40, XDM-45 for a few. If you experience lever is low, a full size 9mm might be a good starting point.
 
CZ75B would be my 1st choice, I'd also look at a Springfield XD 4" service model
 
F-111 John said:
You don't like the Glock 19 because of your large hands, yet you liked the Ruger best? Did you shoot the Ruger LC9 or SR9?

If you like a larger gun, and you're looking for a range/home defense pistol, try the Baretta 92.
Click to expand...
I made a mistake in my first post. I tried the SR9 ( the bigger one!)

I could not find a happy place for my long fingers on the Glock 19.

The same hands though were unhappy with the HK USP's ergonomics. The slide release was just short of my thumb and I had to significantly alter my grip to hit the mag release. I guess I have ill-designed hands for this sport!!
 
well, if the Glock 19 was too small, the 17 might be worth trying? I have small hands and don't really notice a difference between the 19 and 17 as to where I grip, so it may not help.

I also am in the "I hate the M&P trigger, even with APEX" club, wish I wasn't. Everything else about the M&P is nice.

For 9mms, definitely try a Sig (P226, 229, 2022, whatever), and a CZ 75 great guns if you like DA/SA. XD is also worth trying if you like the SR9, kinda similar grip though I've never liked the XD triggers myself.

Don't know if they still make them the same, but my father's Walther P99 is one of the better 9mm's I've ever shot.
 
well, if the Glock 19 was too small, the 17 might be worth trying?
Click to expand...
There's also the Gen 4 Glocks with interchangeable back straps. You can make the grip bigger, smaller, or the same size as the Gen 3s.
 
Since you didn't like the M&P 9 you may not like the trigger on a Kahr. Although they pull 15 miles as you say, you will find that they go bang at the same point consistently. Long pull triggers have given me a steady hold that I may not have developed with other triggers.
 
I'm mostly a revolver guy but lately I've been shooting as many semi-autos I can get my hands on. Problem is, I have yet to find one I really like other than the 1911.

I have been shooting a G19 but I'm not crazy about it. I don't like the Rugers and the Sig P226 and P229 just don't feel right in my hand. The Springfield XD is a nice fit in the hand but I'm not happy with the way it shoots. I guess what I'm saying is, I'm really a revolver guy but for the 1911... (not that there's anything wrong with the 1911 in the least!)
 
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