A first semi-auto for a wheelgunner

[chorlton]

I recently got my CHL and although I carry a wheelgun I used a Glock 17to qualify. This was also the first time I'd used a semi. Half way through qualification I realised I was point shooting, and I really took to that Glock. My one problem was that with the over-use of gun lube and my clammy hands, I found it difficult to lock the slide back fully.
For the first time, I'm entertaining the thought of getting a 9mm compact or sub-compact. My one requirement so far is that the slide is easy to operate in all conditions. It looks like HK's USP might satisfy that requirement, but I'd like to hear some opinions.

 

[stu454]

Glock 9mm slides are typically easy to cycle; how clammy and lubed up were your hands??

A Glock would be fine, though. And I'm no lover of Glocks. The HK's are pricier.

 

[NG VI]

HKs have a very easy slide to retract.

And if you liked the 17 you shot with, how about a 26 or 27? That was my first Glock (27) and it's a superb pistol. If you liked the 17, I think you'll get way into a 26. Try to find a place to rent one or someone to shoot with who has one nearby.

 

[chorlton]

Thatnks for the G26 tip. Having thought about it, I don't want to place too much importance on the slide issue which only occurred with one greasy weapon. Another one functioned very well in freezing temps on the range, and thats what really counts.

 

[NG VI]

yeah they tend to work, if you do go the compact or subcompact Glock route, something I did to my 23 and 27 was to swap out the serrated import-point "target" trigger with the smooth faced one from the fullsize models. Feels way better. And then I used a half round file and reshaped the safety bar so it was more agreeable with the contour of the trigger and my finger.

Took all of ten minutes. One punch and one file. Major improvement.

 

[Snubster]

Also started with wheelguns. Currently like Glock the best for my transition. Daily carry is a G19. Also have a G26. Still often use revolvers as a 2nd or 3rd gun.

 

[JAguirre]

In my experience Glocks are very easy to cycle the slide back. I have a Ruger P-95 that has around 10K rounds down range and it is very very easy to cycle the slide back, but Im sure that has something to do with the round count and being broken in. So keep in mind, that in general whatever you pick will become easier to cycle with more rounds fired.

 

[NMGonzo]

Sig Sauer

Pick your poison.

 

[W.E.G.]

 

[Bullseye_shooter]

My two favorite 9mm's have to be the
STI GP5 or GP6 --- check this out!!! http://www.stiguns.com/guns/GP5/GP5.php
the GP5 is more suited for concealed carry, really nice
and the CZ SP-01 Phantom --- 19+1 mag cap, full-size though
both are polymer

 

[Tilos]

chorlton, Try this...

If you were turning the gun sideways and grabbing the rear of the slide between your thumb and weak hand trigger finger (known as the sling shot grip), try this instead.

With the gun upright and pointing down range, grab the top rear of the slide between your finger tips and palm of your weak hand to rack the slide.
I'm sure there's a name for this but I call it the clamshell grip.

NEVER point the gun to the left or right and rack the slide!!

Tilos

 

[dfjaws]

Glocks and HK's don't require much lubrication. They are meant to be run dry. As far as what gun... I have an HK P30 and I love it. It's definitely a world away from Glock in terms of ergonomics.

 

[aka108]

Star M30 if you can find one.

 

[bobelk99]

A 165 post thread on slide release:

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=508540

 

[vector248]

Look into the Browning Hi-Power, another would be a CZ-75B.

 

[RatDrall]

I vote cz75b.

The G26, with it's captive dual recoil spring, is harder to retract the slide.

 

[LiveLife]

My one problem was that with the over-use of gun lube and my clammy hands, I found it difficult to lock the slide back fully.

Not sure where the Glock was lubed, but I only put a SMALL drop of lube on each of the slide rails, striker release, and top/front of the barrel. That's it.

Also, Gen2/Gen3/Gen4 surface texture is much more aggressive than Gen1 and less prone to sweaty palms.

The G26, with it's captive dual recoil spring, is harder to retract the slide.

Recoil spring tension on Gen3/Gen4 is much harder than Gen1/Gen2. The subcompact spring tension is higher than the full size.
However, with some practice, retracting the slide is very doable (I regularly recommend and train female shooters on G26/G27 and they adapt to operating the slide well - I tell them to imagine crushing their ex-boyfriend/ex-hubby's **** while racking the slide. Works everytime).

 

[zombie1210]

Sig. Pretty much point and shoot.