redwhiteblue
Member
- Joined
- Dec 5, 2007
- Messages
- 9
Welcome everyone. I'm new to the forum. I've actually been lurcking for sometime, and just wanted to add that this is an excellent firearm forum. I'd like to think that I have learned a lot here, and have more to learn every day.
As the thread states, I'm going to soon purchase my first Autoloader. I'll tell you that I do have some experience with firearms. I spent 4 years in the USAF, I'm a NRA member, I belong to a gunclub, I own a S&W revolver, and I just got my CCL 10 months ago.
I'm a hunter, and own a nice 30-06, I also own a Bushmaster M-4 clone, have a Mossberg 12g for home defense, and I plink at cans with a marlin model 60 .22lr.
I love handguns, so last year when I began thinking about getting my CCL, being a newbie to handguns, I went the wheel gun route. Being a big guy, I thought it practicle to buy a pocket handgun. I did my research and settled on a S&W 5 shot model 640, and obtained my CCL. I figured that a hollowpoint .38 +P bullet was sure a step up from my knife.
Fantastic first handgun to start with. Just aim and pull the trigger.
Now I've been at the range and have tried out quite a few different handguns. I love revolvers, and wouldn't mind owning another one some day, but right now I've been saving up for a semi-auto. This handgun will have many uses, but the main thing is to carry it for CCW, and use it for fun at the range. I think I'll keep the 12g for my primary home defense weapon.
I've read many different points of views with regard to what to get, and how to buy. I'll tell you what I did. I didn't rush out a buy. Instead I read different ideas on this and other forums, shot different handguns at the range, and saved my money. Now, instead of running down to the gunstore with a couple hundred bucks, and uninformed, I now some ideas and some experience, as well as a budget of about $1000.
I want to choose a handgun that I can maintain, love, and that I'll still be shooting 20 years from now. I'd like to run some of my experience and likes by you, and see what others might do in this situation. With my range time, I have come up with quite a few opinions. I don't want to step on any toes with my posted likes and dislikes. These are just my observations.
First and foremost I have chosen a caliber. It will be .45acp. Nothing wrong with other calibers. Simply, this is just what I want, coming from a guy that's been carrying .38 +P.
There have been many handguns that have made an impression on me. Here's a big thank you, to all the guys and girls at my club that let me shoot there handguns.
First off, I have been shooting a 9mm BHP. This is a fantastic gun. I don't even know if there is a .45 option.
I've shot an assortment of Berettas. The 92 is a fantastic fit. It has a Hogue wrap around grip, and shot really well. For those of you who know the Beretta, that grip is a great size for my big hand. The other Beretta I Shot frequently was a 8045 Cougar. Full sized hand grip. I really enjoyed this firearm. Tack driver. Very comfortable. I really like this handgun. Any other suggestions for Beretta 45's?
Sig Sauer. These are very smooth and accurate handguns. I fired a 220 in .45, it was a full sized handgun, maybe not the best for CCW, but I loved it. Never even a hiccup . I also fired a 229, as well as a 239 with a hogue grip. The 239, was about as small as I could go grip wise with my big hands.
Glock. Never had a failure, and they were pretty accurate. I have to say I would not own one of these. I did not like the trigger at all. Robert, one of the guys who owned 3 different models, swore by them. I looked them up and know that I was shooting a G17, a G21, and his main CCW a G23. I simply could not get by the strange (at least to me) trigger feel.
At this point I'm realizing that I Like a DA/SA triggers, but not the Glock trigger. I do not mind a Polymer body. The smoothest shooter was the heavy Beretta. I believe the Sig Sauer has an aluminum body.
I then shot a Llama .45. I don't want to hurt your feelings if you own one of these, but this gun reenforced my need to save up for a better quality handgun. This one drew blood on my big hand.
Another guy owned a H&K USP in .45 ACP. What a handgun. It shot Like a dream. I could see myself owning this handgun. It was as as good as the Sig Sauer, and I loved the Sig Sauer. Beretta was still the absolute smoothest.
Then I got introduced to some 1911's. Saftey, hammer back in most carry situations??? grip safety. I first fired a Colt. 6". Dont remember the model. It was well worn, and I swear it had a hair trigger. It shot very smooth. SA is amazing. Nice handgun. Then I got to shoot a Springfield Armory "MilSpec"? Very nice. I think it was was 5 inches. I then got to shoot a Kimber Pro Carry II. This was 4 inches, and If I bought a 1911, This would be the size I would buy. I've held a 3", but again 4" would be my choice. The Kimber was by far the most accurate gun I've ever fired. I could not miss with this particular model. I also love the stainless look, but am buying the best quality, not a look. Other than I will not buy a Camo gun.
I shot a Ruger 45. It was a nice handgun. I had one FTF with this gun. The guy who owned it stated it was his carry weapon. Not bad, but I liked others more.
Next came a Desert Eagle in .50cal, Awesome look. Just huge. Kicked like a mule when I shot it off hand, one handed, just to see if I could do it. FTF on 2 out of about 15 rounds. Scratch this off the list.
I also shot .40 S&W sigma. If I was turned off by the Glock trigger, this was worse. Actually a comfotable gun. I noticed that this polymer grip was probably the most comfortable polymer grip that I handled. The thumb divit was perfectly placed for me. Felt really good in my hand.
Please let me known about other S&W .45's. I believe my Mod 640 is very high quality revolver.
I shot a Taurus that I believe is a Beretta clone. Smooth, and pretty comfortable. I know nothing about this brand.
Wow what a rant. I hope I don't get band.
There are other handguns I'd love to try. I know there are PLENTY of good quality handguns out there. I'd like to comeout of this on budget, With a holster, Extra mags, New cleaning kit, basically, the whole set up.
So, some of the qualities I liked,
Beretta, Very smooth, and I like the DA/SA. Are there .45 options beside the 8045? I think there is something called a PX4 coming out?
Sig Sauer. A top shelf handgun. I think I'd own the 220 in a heartbeat. As would I own that H&K that I fired. Apples and oranges with my very limited experience.
No Glock or S&W Sigma, just because of the trigger. I'm sure they are top quality handguns, but just not for me. Again, other S&W .45 options?
No to the Taurus, and I think I'll vote no on the Ruger.
1911s. I bought the S&W 640 for it's simplicity. These are different. I'm sure I'd pick up on the bells and whistles very quickly, but let's review. Grip safety. Manual safety ( I am right handed), position of hammer for carry? I fired a Colt 6"?, and SA 'Mil-Spec' ? and the Kimber Pro carry. I like the 4" length.
No to the Llama and the Dessert Eagle.
Again, I'd like to get the whole package for $1000. I also will need ammo, and CC Premium loads. I've read about different brands and sizes ranging from 165gr to 230gr.
I'm trying to think of any other characteristic I like or dislike. The only one that comes to mind is that I felt that the 1911 single stack grips felt a touch small in my big hand. Barely, but just enough for me to say something. Something else, I might also like a rail system for an optional light, laser pointer, etc. What are the pro's and cons?
Thanks everyone for listening.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Rick
As the thread states, I'm going to soon purchase my first Autoloader. I'll tell you that I do have some experience with firearms. I spent 4 years in the USAF, I'm a NRA member, I belong to a gunclub, I own a S&W revolver, and I just got my CCL 10 months ago.
I'm a hunter, and own a nice 30-06, I also own a Bushmaster M-4 clone, have a Mossberg 12g for home defense, and I plink at cans with a marlin model 60 .22lr.
I love handguns, so last year when I began thinking about getting my CCL, being a newbie to handguns, I went the wheel gun route. Being a big guy, I thought it practicle to buy a pocket handgun. I did my research and settled on a S&W 5 shot model 640, and obtained my CCL. I figured that a hollowpoint .38 +P bullet was sure a step up from my knife.
Fantastic first handgun to start with. Just aim and pull the trigger.
Now I've been at the range and have tried out quite a few different handguns. I love revolvers, and wouldn't mind owning another one some day, but right now I've been saving up for a semi-auto. This handgun will have many uses, but the main thing is to carry it for CCW, and use it for fun at the range. I think I'll keep the 12g for my primary home defense weapon.
I've read many different points of views with regard to what to get, and how to buy. I'll tell you what I did. I didn't rush out a buy. Instead I read different ideas on this and other forums, shot different handguns at the range, and saved my money. Now, instead of running down to the gunstore with a couple hundred bucks, and uninformed, I now some ideas and some experience, as well as a budget of about $1000.
I want to choose a handgun that I can maintain, love, and that I'll still be shooting 20 years from now. I'd like to run some of my experience and likes by you, and see what others might do in this situation. With my range time, I have come up with quite a few opinions. I don't want to step on any toes with my posted likes and dislikes. These are just my observations.
First and foremost I have chosen a caliber. It will be .45acp. Nothing wrong with other calibers. Simply, this is just what I want, coming from a guy that's been carrying .38 +P.
There have been many handguns that have made an impression on me. Here's a big thank you, to all the guys and girls at my club that let me shoot there handguns.
First off, I have been shooting a 9mm BHP. This is a fantastic gun. I don't even know if there is a .45 option.
I've shot an assortment of Berettas. The 92 is a fantastic fit. It has a Hogue wrap around grip, and shot really well. For those of you who know the Beretta, that grip is a great size for my big hand. The other Beretta I Shot frequently was a 8045 Cougar. Full sized hand grip. I really enjoyed this firearm. Tack driver. Very comfortable. I really like this handgun. Any other suggestions for Beretta 45's?
Sig Sauer. These are very smooth and accurate handguns. I fired a 220 in .45, it was a full sized handgun, maybe not the best for CCW, but I loved it. Never even a hiccup . I also fired a 229, as well as a 239 with a hogue grip. The 239, was about as small as I could go grip wise with my big hands.
Glock. Never had a failure, and they were pretty accurate. I have to say I would not own one of these. I did not like the trigger at all. Robert, one of the guys who owned 3 different models, swore by them. I looked them up and know that I was shooting a G17, a G21, and his main CCW a G23. I simply could not get by the strange (at least to me) trigger feel.
At this point I'm realizing that I Like a DA/SA triggers, but not the Glock trigger. I do not mind a Polymer body. The smoothest shooter was the heavy Beretta. I believe the Sig Sauer has an aluminum body.
I then shot a Llama .45. I don't want to hurt your feelings if you own one of these, but this gun reenforced my need to save up for a better quality handgun. This one drew blood on my big hand.
Another guy owned a H&K USP in .45 ACP. What a handgun. It shot Like a dream. I could see myself owning this handgun. It was as as good as the Sig Sauer, and I loved the Sig Sauer. Beretta was still the absolute smoothest.
Then I got introduced to some 1911's. Saftey, hammer back in most carry situations??? grip safety. I first fired a Colt. 6". Dont remember the model. It was well worn, and I swear it had a hair trigger. It shot very smooth. SA is amazing. Nice handgun. Then I got to shoot a Springfield Armory "MilSpec"? Very nice. I think it was was 5 inches. I then got to shoot a Kimber Pro Carry II. This was 4 inches, and If I bought a 1911, This would be the size I would buy. I've held a 3", but again 4" would be my choice. The Kimber was by far the most accurate gun I've ever fired. I could not miss with this particular model. I also love the stainless look, but am buying the best quality, not a look. Other than I will not buy a Camo gun.
I shot a Ruger 45. It was a nice handgun. I had one FTF with this gun. The guy who owned it stated it was his carry weapon. Not bad, but I liked others more.
Next came a Desert Eagle in .50cal, Awesome look. Just huge. Kicked like a mule when I shot it off hand, one handed, just to see if I could do it. FTF on 2 out of about 15 rounds. Scratch this off the list.
I also shot .40 S&W sigma. If I was turned off by the Glock trigger, this was worse. Actually a comfotable gun. I noticed that this polymer grip was probably the most comfortable polymer grip that I handled. The thumb divit was perfectly placed for me. Felt really good in my hand.
Please let me known about other S&W .45's. I believe my Mod 640 is very high quality revolver.
I shot a Taurus that I believe is a Beretta clone. Smooth, and pretty comfortable. I know nothing about this brand.
Wow what a rant. I hope I don't get band.
There are other handguns I'd love to try. I know there are PLENTY of good quality handguns out there. I'd like to comeout of this on budget, With a holster, Extra mags, New cleaning kit, basically, the whole set up.
So, some of the qualities I liked,
Beretta, Very smooth, and I like the DA/SA. Are there .45 options beside the 8045? I think there is something called a PX4 coming out?
Sig Sauer. A top shelf handgun. I think I'd own the 220 in a heartbeat. As would I own that H&K that I fired. Apples and oranges with my very limited experience.
No Glock or S&W Sigma, just because of the trigger. I'm sure they are top quality handguns, but just not for me. Again, other S&W .45 options?
No to the Taurus, and I think I'll vote no on the Ruger.
1911s. I bought the S&W 640 for it's simplicity. These are different. I'm sure I'd pick up on the bells and whistles very quickly, but let's review. Grip safety. Manual safety ( I am right handed), position of hammer for carry? I fired a Colt 6"?, and SA 'Mil-Spec' ? and the Kimber Pro carry. I like the 4" length.
No to the Llama and the Dessert Eagle.
Again, I'd like to get the whole package for $1000. I also will need ammo, and CC Premium loads. I've read about different brands and sizes ranging from 165gr to 230gr.
I'm trying to think of any other characteristic I like or dislike. The only one that comes to mind is that I felt that the 1911 single stack grips felt a touch small in my big hand. Barely, but just enough for me to say something. Something else, I might also like a rail system for an optional light, laser pointer, etc. What are the pro's and cons?
Thanks everyone for listening.
Any opinions would be appreciated.
Rick