Choice for first centerfire handgun

[Zerodefect]

Competition?????
Glock or 1911. I'm sure you've allready heard that.




Glock 17,22,34,35.
1911: Ed Brown, LesBaer, Dan Wesson, Fusion, SVI, STI

Shoot them stock so you can see the sights your competitors are using. Ask around, most everyone will be thrilled to show why they use what they use.

I use a plain black wide notch .150-.156" rear sight and a front fibreoptic. Usually I'll use a super thin .090" front sight, but I've been known to use thicker .110" sights from time to time.

 

[DenaliPark]

I am starting to look for a pistol. It will be my first centerfire, I have shot a few including a .40 S&W Sigma and .45 Kimber Custom II. I hated the Sigma and was quite fond of the the 1911. I am looking for a gun I can use for USPSA competition, side arm for hunting and running around the woods, and later non-concealed carry defense. The guns I am looking at are the Sig P226, Springfield XDM, Taurus PT1911AR, and Taurus PT92/99. I want something that can be used for all the above, reliable, ability for use with light bearing holster(blackhawk serpa lv2 preferably), and a big factor is price. I also cant decide as to caliber, i'm used to the big .45 but would prefer either the 9mm or .40S&W. I'm wary to the 9mm stopping power but like price and capacity. At this point I'm leaning to the Sig P226 in .40...

First of all, I would ditch any interest in the Taurus pistols, unless for some reason cost is an issue, though I find that hard to believe as you've listed the Sig P226 as one of your choices.

9mm is just as potent a manstopper as is the .45 or .40 S&W as long as you stick to the top tier ammo, further it's far less painful to the pocket book, particularly when paired against .45 auto.

I own pistols in all three calibers, all three are more then adequate for the task of personal/home defense. All things considered, I would urge you to go 9mm, it's a superior defensive round in the top loads, I particularly favor Winchester Ranger 147 gr T-series(RA9T)for defending my life, but there are other very good choices as well.

The thing is, 9mm is gonna be much more economical for you in the long run, especially v the other two, it's easier to shoot well with, and generally speaking the pistols it's chambered for carry more of it.

As to choice of pistol, I would recomend that you look first at Glock, either the G17 or G19, or perhaps the Beretta 92FS or the aforementioned P226, other good choices exist, though Taurus is not among them! You take that Taurus 1911 clone to a match and it's going to die, their good for sedate target shooting, but I wouldn't count on one to survive for very long in competition...

Here's a couple of worthy options, a Beretta 92FS & a Glock.....

 

[shaolink9]

check out the arcus 94.

 

[Goochman270]

Checked out two of the lower priced shops in my area this week
Springfield XDM9- $620
Glock 17- $555
Beretta 92FS- $560
Sig 226- $830
Springfield XD9- $405

The Sig seems to be a good ways out of my price range So im leaning for the XDM.

 

[CZ57]

Unless it has night sights the price on that XDm 9 is high @ $620. Have you looked online at Bud's?

 

[Goochman270]

I dont think we have any buds in my area, what are they selling them for?

 

[Effigy]

Don't feel tied to local gun stores if their prices aren't the best. Look around online first before you buy local. There's generally better variety and better deals to be had.

 

[Goochman270]

I checked AAFES and Academy which are usually the lowest prices, but if i remember correct one of the dedicated shops last year had them for around $580 during their up coming anual sale. But how can you obtain guns online? Licences are required correct? FFL?

 

[Effigy]

1. Find the gun you want online.
2. Call a local FFL holder, typically someone who works at a gun store. Ask then what they charge for an FFL transfer, which should typically be in the $20-50 range depending on where you live.
3. If you're happy with their transfer fee and they agree to transfer the gun to you, then you go to the online store and buy whatever gun you were looking at.
4. You need to give the online store your FFL's info. First they need the address during checkout, since the gun will be shipped to the FFL holder. Next they'll need a copy of the FFL's license; depending on the gun store, they may give you a copy to mail in or they may fax/email it themselves.
5. Once the online store has the required info, they'll ship the gun to the local FFL holder.
6. Go back to the FFL holder, pay their transfer fee, fill out the government paperwork, and you'll receive the gun you ordered. Depending on your state, there may be a waiting period of several days after filling out the paperwork before you can take the gun home.

The transfer fee isn't really a bad deal because you don't have to pay tax for online purchases. An $800 gun would have about $50 sales tax anyway if you bought it locally, so it's generally a wash buying online versus local. The key factor is whether your LGS carries the model you really want and, if so, whether the price difference of buying local is better than the cost of shipping for an online order.

 

[1SOW]

I am looking for a gun I can use for USPSA competition, side arm for hunting and running around the woods, and later non-concealed carry defense. The guns I am looking at are the Sig P226, Springfield XDM, Taurus PT1911AR, and Taurus PT92/99. I want something that can be used for all the above, reliable, ability for use with light bearing holster(blackhawk serpa lv2 preferably), and a big factor is price. I also cant decide as to caliber,

Caliber:
USPSA: 45ACP works in "Single Stack" class. Expensive ammo.
40 cal is a good caliber for limited/limited 10 Major. Ammo cost is less than .45 and more than 9mm.
9mm works in 'Production' Class Minor load--can be loaded to major load but you run into dollars for the Open Class gun. Production equipment is the least expensive.
HUNTING: I don't know about these cals for hunting.
Can you hunt with 45 ACP? Hunt what?
Can you hunt with 40 cal? Hunt what?
Can you hunt with 9mm? Hunt what?
OPEN CARRY: 45ACP is the hallmark here.
40 cal works well here.
9mm works well here with quality SD ammo.

Guns:
USPSA: 45ACP Single Stack-- A wide range of 'quality' pistols can be used.
40 cal-- In limited class you'll see a lot of high dollar custom guns and accessories (like very high cap mags)Kimber, ++++. In limited 10, you'll see a wider range of pistols including 1911 styles, the CZ 40 cal and all the brands you mentioned.
9mm--Production Class-- XDM, M&P, CZ SPO1 variants, Glock, some Sigs and a few others.

With your requirements, my suggestion would be to go with 40 cal. if it meets your 'for hunting' requirements. It meets the other requirements very well.

Because you liked the "Sig", I would suggest you also try a CZ SPO1/CZ40 cal. It has the same ergonomics, steel construction fine accuracy and reliability; but is also cheaper, higher cap, and accessories are less expensive. It also has a .22lr conversion kit available for less expensive practice.

For a first centerfire pistol, I would recommend 9mm as easier to learn with and due to pistol, ammo and accessory costs. Unless you reload, ammo cost can be significant.