Finding the right pistol by feel and purpose...

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LS3C6

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I currently own a Ruger LCP that i've sent 250 rounds through... first gun, wasn't sure what to expect. I'm left handed and 6'3/200lbs and I can hold it with about 2 fingers. Very abusing on my hand and not much fun to shoot.

I'm pursuing a CCW permit at the end of the month and i'll probably keep the LCP for the times when it's size is neccesary, afterall at 7yrds i'm pretty accurate with it.

Now i'm looking for a 9mm for a primary pistol/carry. I went to the store and held S&W SD-9, several SIGs, Glock 19 and H&K P2000.

The H&K P2000 was the only one that felt "right", pinky resting perfectly above the step of the magazine. Everything else I held didn't have the ergonomics and felt "cheap".

What do you guys think? I know there's extended magazines and accessories that can give me better fitment with other pistols, do I "bite the bullet" and drop a load of cash on this P2000? Initially I wanted to spend <$400 but that won't be possible with the P2000... opinions?
 
Welcome to THR

That's something only you can decide on. If the P2000 felt 'right', then you might as well go with that. Buy once, cry once. Sure, it's more expensive, but if you will be happier with it over time then it's worth the extra coin. Hate to spend 400-500 on a S&W or a Glock and regret it every time you shoot it. You might try renting a few different guns at your local range to see how they shoot and how they feel in operation. That may help with your decision and you may warm up to the other handguns.

That being said, there's a reason why Glocks are some of the most popular handguns sold and used by law enforcement these days. If you can get used to the grip, they are a helluva gun. Good luck
 
anyone own a P2000 here? Alternatives I should look at? Maybe a Glock 17 would fit the bill... they only had a 19 & 23 in store.
 
Are you looking at an HKP2000 or HKP2000sk? I own both in .40/.357 sig. You won't find a gun of higher quality or that is more reliable. If you get the subcompact you can use full size mags with a gap insert so it will essentially be full size handle with shorter barrell. Although you're not likely to find one for under $400 great deals on used ones can be had. They aren't cheap but you will know you are carrying the best. Of course Glocks are great guns as well. I think it's a little too early for the SW SD but the M&Ps have proven themselves.
 
Glocks just don't fit in my hand. I've got nothing against them but they just don't fit and I have had countless salesmen try to tell me you have to learn how to shoot the Glock. I think that a gun should feel "right" in my hand so I ended up with a Springfield XD.
 
HK pistols feel a bit large to conceal for me (I am 5'10" and 175, most commonly carry an LCP), but if they fit your frame and you like them and can afford to bite the bullet, then by all means get one and feel confident.

As far as the ergonomics go, I also find Walther to be very similar to the HK. Maybe worth a shot? The PPS is a slim Walther but the grip has enough width front-to-back that it feels good in the hand (to me). It has three different magazines which offer different lengths for the grip. Capacity is low however.

The P99 and new PPQ are the larger Walther polymer pistols. Also noteworthy is that the S&W 99 (their version of a Walther P99) can be had used for very cheap, if that interests you and you find the Walther pistols comfortable.

Get what feels right to you, of course; but I understand you are just looking for ideas to try, which is never a bad idea. So those are my ideas.

Best, and good luck!
 
I'm a lefty too, and my EDC is a Glock 19. The plastic feel seems cheap, but as for a function, you can't beat it. I use the thumb on my left hand to hit the mag release. You have to change the grip a little, but I've gotten used to it.
It has to feel right to you, I guess that's why they make so many kinds.
 
"HK pistols feel a bit large to conceal for me (I am 5'10" and 175, most commonly carry an LCP), but if they fit your frame and you like them and can afford to bite the bullet, then by all means get one and feel confident."

Everything is large for concealment next to an LCP. Which HK pistols (there is a good variety) and in what carry method? We are relatively close in size and i've never had a problem with IWB carry of my P2000sk with an untcucked shirt. I sometimes carry outside the waste band too with looser button up shirts.
 
After a lot of fondling several brands/models I've discovered, for the most part, XDM's and M&P's feel best in my hands. For .45 definitely M&P.
 
Just a warning: I've found that "feel" tells me very little. I've discovered that I shoot a glock incredibly well (for me) despite the fact that other guns "feel" better in my hands. An XDM feels better to me, but I just shoot a glock better. You really can't tell until you give something a try and send a couple hundred rounds downrange IMHO. A few guns I've found over the year feel great in my hands and I can shoot well with them. When I say "shoot well," I mean running defensive course mock ups and drills with them...not just punching holes in a static piece of paper at the range while standing still. Just my 2 cents, which is worth less than that. :)
 
JustinJ said:
"HK pistols feel a bit large to conceal for me (I am 5'10" and 175, most commonly carry an LCP), but if they fit your frame and you like them and can afford to bite the bullet, then by all means get one and feel confident."

Everything is large for concealment next to an LCP. Which HK pistols (there is a good variety) and in what carry method? We are relatively close in size and i've never had a problem with IWB carry of my P2000sk with an untcucked shirt. I sometimes carry outside the waste band too with looser button up shirts.
Click to expand...

I admit that LCP is a pocket carry as my line of work requires a tucked in shirt. My XD had a pretty good bulge when tucked (I wear pretty slim-fitting shirts, size Medium dry-fit polos or cotton t-shirts), not to mention the double stack is uncomfortable IMHO, so it was quickly eliminated for Monday through Friday carry. I do keep a larger pistol accessible in my briefcase / man purse :)

I have nothing against HKs. But with the HKs I tried at the LGS - a P30 and P2000, (like my XD for that matter) - the slide was noticeably wide and the limiting part. The only double stack I carried that worked reasonably well was a Glock 26, though the width was still an issue. It got sold for various reasons but I like that subcompact platform well enough.

I have moved to a Hi Power clone with its very narrow slide, which provides more IWB comfort for me. It fits me better with an untucked cover garment in that regards. I have a Remora on order and will try it with the Hi Power and my shirt tucked in as well as untucked, so we'll see how that goes.

Thanks though for specifying your size. I think anyone who mentions or recommends how a holster or pistol works for CCW carry should specify their height and weight at that is very relevant.
 
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Feel in the hand and pointablity while shooting is #1 in the criteria I use to choose pistols. If it does not fit well in MY I move on to the next one.

I have owned a HK45, HK USP, CZ75B etc... which I all bought because of their stellar rep and all of them were stellar performers but did not fit me right so out of the safe they went.

I agree with ForumSurfer that it needs to feel right while "active" shooting but if is does not feel good in a static condition I personally do not think it will improve.
 
Cards81fan, did you ever try the HKP2000sk? Thickness will be the same as the full size but i don't think any more than the Glock26 or any other doublestack.

For tucked in carry i will occasionally use a Desantis tuckable holster with my P2000sk but there is a slight bulge although i doubt anybody could identify it bythe shape. Usually though i just put my Ruger LC9 in the front pocket when wearing a tucked shirt. I do have a tuckable holster for it too though.
 
The H&K P2000 was the only one that felt "right", pinky resting perfectly above the step of the magazine.
Click to expand...
Danglin' pinkies drive me nuts-I have the finger rest/magazine extension on my LCP, LC9, and added the Pearce Grip Extender to my main CCW, an XD9SC.
I've tried to get the local gun shop to stick the Pearce Grip Extenders next to the XDs (or any smaller gun) he has on display as I can't tell you how many folks I see trying out smaller guns, and you can tell by their reaction they're mulling over that danglin' pinky when they handle 'em.

The P2000 is a lot of $$ for a first CC (or any) gun! I'd recommend first establishing a baseline, and work from there.
Most folks that ask for a recommendation I usually steer to the XD9SC, but these days I'd also add the LC9. The only downside I really see with the XD9SC is the width.

They may not be for you, but some folks find it easier to first pick a baseline and compare it to whatever else they're considering-find something you like better...that's your new baseline as you continue your search.
 
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Make sure you actually know where to put the gun in your hand. Where it needs to seat so that it is allighned with your bones and straight before you grip it.

Todd Jarrett has a youtube vid about that.

Keep in mind that if it is a defensive weapon, it's all about getting hits on target quickly. Not Comfort. Nothing about combat or defense is comfortable. The proper defensive thumbs forward high tang grip isn't exactly comfy either.

A really good 1911 with a hightang grip safety cut (ex. Ed Brown), is less comfortable than a cheaper basic 1911 (ex. Kimber)

My Glock really isn't comfortable, but I've never noticed that at the active ranges. just the stationary ranges. The only thing that bugs me about Glocks is the trigger bite.
 
If you are looking to spend near $400 on a gun of that size go try out a CZ P-07 Duty or the CZ 75 D PCR Compact.

The P-07 is a little bigger in every direction than the HK. It has been tested and beaten to death. It now serves as the police gun for several agencies in Europe. The gun feels good to me, it balances very well and the trigger is pretty nice. The big selling point for me was the slide in frame construction. By putting the bore closer to the hand it feels more stable and is easier to shoot.

The CZ 75 D PCR is about the same size as the HK, the suggested retail is $559, and it is set up for carry. Plus it is directly based on the CZ 75 B. Jeff Cooper once called the CZ 75 the best combat handgun ever made. The CZ 75 B is also the most commonly issued police gun in the world. The 75 D PCR is a compact version of the same workings.

You should probably also check out the Stoeger Cougar and Cougar compact.

I actually recomend that new first timers rent or shoot a few handguns first. For me I became comfortable with a wider selection of guns the more experience I gained. Guns that I found uncomfortable two years ago now feel great in my hand.
 
The Ruger SR9 series has the thinnest grip of them all, is reliable, accurate and is very reasonably priced.
 
picking a pistol by feel may help with shooting ( grip feel shouldn't be the only factor) but for a carry gun it's all about the carry and that's a different feel.

I'm a lefty also so I stay away for SA (unless ambi) there seems to be plenty of SA/DA that are ambi so I favor that.

An LCP is my EDC now
 
Op - granted you might be able to conceal a fullsize weapon but if I may...

a compact - not subcompact - may fit you a little better due to the size for a ccw. For example a g19/23 is easy to carry and shoot. gives you a great platform for either hd, range or ccw in one package.

I personally prefer glocks because they tend to sit lower in my hand giving me a better balance for follow up shots - regardless of it is a .40 or 45acp.
 
"The Ruger SR9 series has the thinnest grip of them all, is reliable, accurate and is very reasonably priced."

I think the SR9 is a great gun at a great price but for some reason it hasn't really taken off in the market. If i were shopping for a 9 on budget today i'd definitely give the SR9 a hard look. The thing holds more rounds than it looks like it should. It's also available in 40 now.
 
You should buy a gun based on how well you shoot them, not how well they feel in your hand when you're just holding it in the gun store. A gun might feel perfect in hand, but it might not be comfortable when you actually shoot it
 
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