All you experts, help me choose a handgun... :-)

[trooper]

Which handgun do you see yourself happily keeping forever, even when you've given the rest of your guns to your grandchildren in (one hopes) the gun-friendly days of the distant future?

If I only knew...

Arc Angel, thanks for your detailed advice (and again many thanks to all of you who shared their opinion). So far I've narrowed my choice down to a 9mm as a first gun. All those other "must-haves" will eventually follow, believe me...

Since I will most likely buy a used gun my choice will partly depend on what's available. I guess I wouldn't go wrong with any of your suggestions so I'm not worried about that. Anyway, I'll let you know how my quest turns out...

Busdriver,
let me see what I can do...


Regards,

Trooper

 

[Checkman]

Trooper-

I'd go with the Hi-Power. Though the trigger job isn't as nice as other models and it dosen't lend itself to "tweaking" it' s a fine handgun. It was designed as a combat handgun and it is that. I'm not a big fan of 1911's, but I like the BHP. They got it right with the BHP. I've owned mine for twelve years and I've never had any problems.

 

[Majic]

I don't understand your statement Checkman. What is it about the Hi-Power they got right that was missed in the 1911? They are different designs, but both have been successfull handguns in service for decades.
Many Hi-Powers have had trigger/action jobs, been tweaked, and customized over the years. Yes it is a fine handgum designed for combat, but so is the 1911 and many others.
The 1911 problems comes from the quality of the manufactors, plus all the various companies building it. A well built 1911 with quality parts following the original design specs will have no problems just as the Hi-Power. The Hi-Power also has it's clones, but not all of them are top shelf products either. Please explain your point unless it's just a persoanal opinion?

 

[Checkman]

Majic -

It's a personal opinion. I've never like the brushing, toggle etc. I can remember having one heck of a time putting my 1911 back together in the Army (back when I was a tanker - late 80's - one of several MOS's that I had) and that experience turned me off to Mr. Browning's famous handgun. My father is a 1911 fan and owns several of them. But I have no luck with them. I know that it's mostly mental, but I just don't care for it.

This however is not a slam on the model. I know that it's capable of great accuracy, reliablility, and so on. However I prefer the BHP design. My favorite semi-auto would have to be Sig though. I own two of those and I find that I shoot them very well. Once again it's probably mostly mental, but I trust my Sigs. Incidentally I carry a Sig as my duty gun, but I work with several officer's (also with my agency) who carry 1911's. I have no problem with them backing me up. Hopefully this clears things up. Sorry that I didn't make that clear in my first posting.

 

[Majic]

No problem, we all have our likes and dislikes. I was asking because it seems recently comments made by some are taken out of text or misunderstood and arguments have developed. Hopefully clarifying one's opinion will eliminate some of this and some 1911 owner won't take offense of you choosing the Hi-Power over the 1911.
I've admired Hi-powers and will purchase one, but in research I see that the choices and history is mind boggling. One day though the right model will reveal itself to me.