Hello there THR folks ... first post here.
I've never owned a handgun. I've shot and handled a few things recently as I am considering a polymer 9mm of some description for a range gun only. I do still prefer a service pistol design however.
I've taken a few .40s out, and didn't enjoy them, so 9mm it is for me. I am not about to pay to feed a .45 for paper. Here's an idea of what I've got on the list and what I see as gotchas which each, but maybe I'm wrong on a few things, and you folks could shed some light ...
G17: Does not naturally point for me, that I know. However, if I actually take one out as a total beginner, I'm already seeing 2" groups on a good day at 10 yards during slow fire, and that's been on two different G17s. Is it possible that someone shoots okay with a gun that isn't a perfect grip angle and fit? What I like about the G17 is the service/parts/support and the sense I have that it will stay reliable long term. It's also everywhere, so why not learn it inside out. Don't like the trigger a lot, yet when I'm out with one, I do okay. What gives?
SP2009/SP2022: I actually have a weakness for DA/SA but I have not fired this particular gun yet. Now that said, it fits perfectly in my hand. Just, 100% bang-on with controls where they should be, everything works like it should. My concern here is the obvious move to the P250 and the likelihood of parts/support etc. long term since this gun won't be around much longer from what I gather. Cheap factory mags are a plus, right now, but that's not quite enough to sway me alone given the long term concern. I don't like that the SPs lack a traditional SIG takedown lever, but the ergos are top-notch for me on these things. My experience with an older P229 suggests that I do shoot well and enjoy the SIG controls/trigger. Any thoughts?
USP: This isn't here for any HK mall ninja reasons, but more because the USP can offer DA/SA and has a grip angle that works for me, and feels very, very solid in the hand, so it's on the list. Mag release bugs me but I'd adjust in a while I suspect. What concerns me here is the "you suck, and we hate you" thing where people have to hound HK for even the most trivial parts. I don't want something I can't keep in top condition. Other concern is that this is pretty large chunk for a 9x19 range gun, and I don't want to go to a compact.
PX4: Gorgeous and slick, points very naturally and easily for me. Fits well and can offer DA/SA goodness. But that rotating barrel just is not inspiring that reliable no-questions sort of thing the G17 is. Am I wrong on this? Something about it is putting me off. Otherwise, really nice, thought I have not fired one yet. I also hear you basically need new sights for them, which isn't great. What I don't know is if the service/support thing is there with Beretta, any opinions? Not sure about accuracy here either, and the sight radius is pretty grim when compared to the G17.
Any input welcome here!
As for why a few obvious picks are missing from the list: I've shot the M&P, and absolutely nothing about that gun worked for me. I've also picked up a few XDs but just didn't get that big warm and fuzzy over the G17 that some seem to experience. Will shoot one soon to be sure, though.
Any opinions and comments highly appreciated. Apologies in advance for any beginner/n00b misuse or confusion of terms. This is a great forum.
I've never owned a handgun. I've shot and handled a few things recently as I am considering a polymer 9mm of some description for a range gun only. I do still prefer a service pistol design however.
I've taken a few .40s out, and didn't enjoy them, so 9mm it is for me. I am not about to pay to feed a .45 for paper. Here's an idea of what I've got on the list and what I see as gotchas which each, but maybe I'm wrong on a few things, and you folks could shed some light ...
G17: Does not naturally point for me, that I know. However, if I actually take one out as a total beginner, I'm already seeing 2" groups on a good day at 10 yards during slow fire, and that's been on two different G17s. Is it possible that someone shoots okay with a gun that isn't a perfect grip angle and fit? What I like about the G17 is the service/parts/support and the sense I have that it will stay reliable long term. It's also everywhere, so why not learn it inside out. Don't like the trigger a lot, yet when I'm out with one, I do okay. What gives?
SP2009/SP2022: I actually have a weakness for DA/SA but I have not fired this particular gun yet. Now that said, it fits perfectly in my hand. Just, 100% bang-on with controls where they should be, everything works like it should. My concern here is the obvious move to the P250 and the likelihood of parts/support etc. long term since this gun won't be around much longer from what I gather. Cheap factory mags are a plus, right now, but that's not quite enough to sway me alone given the long term concern. I don't like that the SPs lack a traditional SIG takedown lever, but the ergos are top-notch for me on these things. My experience with an older P229 suggests that I do shoot well and enjoy the SIG controls/trigger. Any thoughts?
USP: This isn't here for any HK mall ninja reasons, but more because the USP can offer DA/SA and has a grip angle that works for me, and feels very, very solid in the hand, so it's on the list. Mag release bugs me but I'd adjust in a while I suspect. What concerns me here is the "you suck, and we hate you" thing where people have to hound HK for even the most trivial parts. I don't want something I can't keep in top condition. Other concern is that this is pretty large chunk for a 9x19 range gun, and I don't want to go to a compact.
PX4: Gorgeous and slick, points very naturally and easily for me. Fits well and can offer DA/SA goodness. But that rotating barrel just is not inspiring that reliable no-questions sort of thing the G17 is. Am I wrong on this? Something about it is putting me off. Otherwise, really nice, thought I have not fired one yet. I also hear you basically need new sights for them, which isn't great. What I don't know is if the service/support thing is there with Beretta, any opinions? Not sure about accuracy here either, and the sight radius is pretty grim when compared to the G17.
Any input welcome here!
As for why a few obvious picks are missing from the list: I've shot the M&P, and absolutely nothing about that gun worked for me. I've also picked up a few XDs but just didn't get that big warm and fuzzy over the G17 that some seem to experience. Will shoot one soon to be sure, though.
Any opinions and comments highly appreciated. Apologies in advance for any beginner/n00b misuse or confusion of terms. This is a great forum.