BigBL87
Member
Hey all, a coworker (actually a supervisor) of mine recently decided he was going to buy a handgun. I have the reputation as the "gun guy" at work so he came to me to pick my brain. He has owned shotguns and 22 rifles in the past (still has some in storage back in Arizona actually) but has never owned a handgun. He has shot handguns a few times but not much. Wants it mainly to take to the range and possibly has a home defense gun although he prefers a shotgun for that. Here's what I have to work with as far as what he desires...
-9mm (he started out thinking 32 ACP or .380 pocket gun, but after I pointed out he wasn't planning on carrying soon, and if he did he'd probably decide to get one specifically for that purpose, he came around to the economy and better power of 9mm)
-Prefers a metal frame
-Full size, maybe a midsize (i.e. Glock 19-ish in size)
-Didn't like the Sig P229 he shot, felt the slide was too big/tall/etc.
-Likes a thumb safety
-Most importantly, budget is $300-400, could be pushed to $450. Probably the single most limiting factor.
My main suggestions were the Tristar CZ clones (I could let him try out my CZ), a 9mm 1911 (maybe RIA?), and a Taurus PT-92 (I'm not big on Tauruses for QC reasons BUT the PT-92 seems to be a bright spot for them, to be fair I've liked both Tauruses I've owned though, a PT-111 G2 and a PT-92). Bersa Thunder Pro in 9mm also just occurred to me as I was typing this out. I also suggested a CZ P-07/P-09 or an M&P 9 if he can live with a polymer frame. Also looked at some of the "surplus" Jericho 941's and Beretta 92's floating around online. I have a CZ-75B and a CZ P-07 that he could shoot, as well as a 1911 though the 1911 I have is a .45 but I'm sure he could handle it well enough to get an idea of if he likes the platform. I think the 1911 also appeals to the history buff in him, for whatever that is worth. He does like revolvers as well and we've looked at some of those, but I think he's leaning semi auto.
He's waiting on his FOID card (thanks Illinois) so he has some time to consider it while he waits.
-9mm (he started out thinking 32 ACP or .380 pocket gun, but after I pointed out he wasn't planning on carrying soon, and if he did he'd probably decide to get one specifically for that purpose, he came around to the economy and better power of 9mm)
-Prefers a metal frame
-Full size, maybe a midsize (i.e. Glock 19-ish in size)
-Didn't like the Sig P229 he shot, felt the slide was too big/tall/etc.
-Likes a thumb safety
-Most importantly, budget is $300-400, could be pushed to $450. Probably the single most limiting factor.
My main suggestions were the Tristar CZ clones (I could let him try out my CZ), a 9mm 1911 (maybe RIA?), and a Taurus PT-92 (I'm not big on Tauruses for QC reasons BUT the PT-92 seems to be a bright spot for them, to be fair I've liked both Tauruses I've owned though, a PT-111 G2 and a PT-92). Bersa Thunder Pro in 9mm also just occurred to me as I was typing this out. I also suggested a CZ P-07/P-09 or an M&P 9 if he can live with a polymer frame. Also looked at some of the "surplus" Jericho 941's and Beretta 92's floating around online. I have a CZ-75B and a CZ P-07 that he could shoot, as well as a 1911 though the 1911 I have is a .45 but I'm sure he could handle it well enough to get an idea of if he likes the platform. I think the 1911 also appeals to the history buff in him, for whatever that is worth. He does like revolvers as well and we've looked at some of those, but I think he's leaning semi auto.
He's waiting on his FOID card (thanks Illinois) so he has some time to consider it while he waits.
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