New to THR, need help with a pistol.

[The Feed Man]

Hello All

New to this site. I am a longtime gun owner, having many rifles and shotguns in my gun safe. However, I am interested in handgunning. To start out, I would like to get a nicel pistol for my wife and I to keep in our home for defense purposes, along with CCP when I want. I have a few friends who currently handgun, and they all use different brands, calibers. Some like Ruger, some Glock, some S&W. All agree on 9mm, .40 or.45 is what I want to use for caliber. I feel like .40 is probably what I am leaning towards as I think it would be better for my wife.

I like the Glock and the lack of levers and slides on the outside of the weapons. My question is how safe is the trigger safety on these pistols? Is there one particular brand, model of pistol I should check out? I realize pistols are all about personal preferance, but I wonder if there is a model I absolutley should or shouldn't look at.

Right now, leaning towards a Glock 23 in .40cal

I welcome all advice.

 

[jrfoxx]

Never owned or fired any Glocks, so I cant say anyting about them.I just dont like how they fit my hand.However, a good .38 special or .357 magnum revolver is always a good gun to consider for carry and/or home defese in my opinion. Very reiable, simple to use (no kobs, levers etc like you were saying you don't care for), and they offer LOTS of styles, models, barrell lengths, ammunition type and power, etc. to choose from. The Ruger sp101 and Smith and Wesson 642 are VERY popular and well thought of just to give couple examples...just mythoughts.
That said, Glocks are also VERY popular an VERY well regarded too, as is the .40 S&W cartridge.I'm sure you'll soon be flooded wth more options, opnions, etc. You'll get LOTS of VERY good info/advice from this site from los of VERY helpful and experianced shooters. Welcome to THR.

 

[Coyote3855]

Opinions....

Everyone has one, and you will hear them all with the open ended question you just asked.

My wife and I both have CC pemits and our regular carry guns are Kahr P9s, the polymer framed 9mm. The guns are flat, lightweight, easy to carry and conceal. Mags and ammo are interchangable, if it comes to that. I am a fairly experienced shooter, say over 50 years. I have competed in IPSC and SASS. My wife is a casual shooter, so we have selected carry and house guns with a simple manuel of arms, i.e., align the sights and pull the trigger. No safety or decocker levers, no long pull/short pull second shot issues. The Kahrs fit those requirements. So do the "house" Glocks: a 23 for me, a 26 and a 19 for my wife.

If possible, it would be good for your wife to shoot the callibers you are considering. Depending on the gun, she may prefer the 9mm, or even the .45.

When it came time for my wife to select her first defense handgun (after lots of rounds through a Buckmark .22), she picked the Glock 19. And she later appropriated my Glock 26, and my first Kahr P9.

For those reasons, I would endorse your initial choice of a Glock 23.

Good Luck,

Coyote3855

 

[ugaarguy]

FeedMan, Welcome to THR!

All agree on 9mm, .40 or.45 is what I want to use for caliber. I feel like .40 is probably what I am leaning towards as I think it would be better for my wife.

I agree on the three calibers they're telling you. What's best for your wife? Take her to the range, let her shoot all three, and then she can tell you. I will tell you that 40 S&W has the harshest recoil of the bunch. 9mm is a moderate quick snap, 45 ACP a slow heavy push, and 40 S&W has the push of the 45 rolled together with the quick snap of the 9mm. Now the 40 isn't that bad, but I enjoy shooting 9mm and 45 ACP more. The 40 and 45 will cost about the same for ammo, with the 9mm being less expensive. Inexpensive ammo means more rounds to practice and get familiar with the gun. You and your wife will have to decide what you prefer. Any of the three will be plenty for defense with good ammo.

I like the Glock and the lack of levers and slides on the outside of the weapons. My question is how safe is the trigger safety on these pistols?

Glocks are safe as long as you keep your finger off the trigger until ready to fire. Their true safety is in their internal mechanisms: They will not fire unless you pull the trigger. They're good guns.

Is there one particular brand, model of pistol I should check out? I realize pistols are all about personal preferance, but I wonder if there is a model I absolutley should or shouldn't look at.

I firmly believe in gun fit. You need to handle everything you can get your hands on and see what fits. For a great explanation of proper gun fit, with great pictures to aid, see this article by Pax, THR Modderator Emeritus. http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/TryOnGun.htm

You also need to decide on operating mechanism. Do you want Single Action (SA) like a 1911, where the hammer is back, you disengage a safety, and the trigger pull performs the single action of dropping the hammer? Do you want a Double Action (DA) variant, where the trigger performs the dual actions of cocking the hammer and then releasing it? There are variations on the DA theme. Double Action Only (DAO) where every trigger pull is double action, just like a DA revolver. Double Action/Single Action (DA/SA) - also known as Traditional Double Action (TDA) - where the first shot is fired DA, and on subsequent shots the hammer stays back for SA shooting. Lightened Double Action mechanisms where the spring is partially tensioned when cocked; the trigger pull fully tensions the spring, cocks the hammer, and then releases it. Examples of lightened DA mechanisms are all Glock models, Para Ordnance's LDA, SIG's DAK, HK's LEM, and S&W's light DAO versions.

The answers to these questions are only found one way - handling and shooting the guns. It sounds like your friends are well set with their handguns, so see if you and your wife can try theirs as a start. Go to a gunstore and handle everything that catches your eye. Get a top 3 to 5 list of the ones you like that fit best. Then go to range that rents, borrow from friends, etc, and see which one you shoot best.

Enjoy the search, it can be alot of fun.

 

[nelson133]

IMHO the .40 may have more unpleasant recoil than the 9mm or the .45. The glock will only go off if the trigger is pulled, because the trigger has a light pull, accidental discharges are possible if the trigger gets caught on something, either in a pocket or a poorly fitted holster. It is always important to keep your finger off the trigger unless you intend to shoot and only touch the trigger when the gun is pointed at what you intend to shoot.
The best course id to find a range that rents pistols or try your friends pistols to see what feels best to you. Gun fit and feel is a very subjective thing and one size doesn't fit all. This applies in spades to your wife. She must be comfortable with what ever you expect her to shoot, both in fit and recoil. Another issue for those with lesser hand strength is racking an automatic. Some people cannot rack most autos, If she can't rack the family gun, it won't do her much good.

 

[CountGlockula]

My question is how safe is the trigger safety on these pistols? Is there one particular brand, model of pistol I should check out?

The trigger safety is totally safe. The Glock will not fire unless a proficient shooter puts their finger onto the trigger and pull.

Since you're interested in the .40S&W caliber; check out these models: 22, 27 and 35.

They are all different sizes. Make sure you and your wife shoot 50 rounds on each model to find that perfect feel. Also, keep in mind you can modify the grip by adding a Hogue grip, bicycle tube or sanding/melting it down.

I personally carry the model 35 for excellent balance and defense:


The model 23 is a great choice for concealment and accuracy.

 

[Wedge]

I have a 17 and both my wife and I enjoy shooting it. I have had it for 6 months and I am nearing 2000 rounds through it. Ammo is cheap, recoil is manageable, muzzle blast is manageable. It all adds up to practicing a lot more.

We have both shot the 23 and neither of us liked it. I just didn't prefer it and my wife really didn't like it. Unpleasent recoil and too much muzzle blast for her. She isn't much of a shooter either.

Make sure whatever you buy fits well.

 

[possum]

Welcome to THR!
well i am an xd man so first and foremost i would say check out the xd line up. an xd .40 service model or even sc would be great and fit the bill for what you need. and the great thing about the .40 cal service and tactical models is that they can be fitted with a .357 sig conversion barrel, and use the same magazines, as well as be converted to 9mm. but i believe that your wife will be just fine shooting the .40xd in sc or the service model, they are both accurate, and reliable as heck. i think the sc's point better and are well balanced plus you get the advantge of using the 12rd mags in it if you desire.
btw i own an xd sc .40 and the service model .40 as well.

i have owned a glock 19 and fired many glocks in all calibers, and though they are great firearms they just don't fit me right. i can shoot ok with them but i am not as comfortable with them as i am with other models.

also checl out the new s&w m&p line-up. there are many great options out there, i would suggest that you handle them all if posible and see which ones ya'll like and if possible rent some and shoot them if that is an option for you.

conclusion
xd service or sc
glock 19
s&w M&P

good luck and happy hunting.

 

[miko]

For home defence purposes, get a 4" 6-7-shot .357 revolver or a used 4-6" 38 6-shot revolver. Revolvers are great handguns - especially for novices and experts. They usually allow better fit, since there is no mag in the handle and a huge variety of grips.

As for a semi-auto, I would trust one with my life only after I put few hundred rounds throgh it without fail. While you are doing that, use a revolver.

For HD, you do not care about size and weight. So go with a heavier gun, preferably an all-steel one.
Unlike a revolver, there are plenty of reasons why a mechanically-sound semi-auto would not fire or would not fire again. In the hands of a less than experienced shooter, lighter weight is one of big reasons for that ("limp-wristing").


I find Glock's grip atrocious - bulky, squarish and very uncomfortable during shooting. But my hands are on a smaller side.

I like H&K P2000 SA/DA and Kahr K40 (all steel) - good ergonomics, reliable, pleasure to shoot. No safeties to remember.
K40 mag only holds 6 rounds plus one in the chamber - which is why it has a nice, flat, concealable grip. But for home defence you can stick a 10-rd mag in it for 10+1 rounds.

Still, my bedside gun is a 4" S&W 686 revolver.

miko

 

[El Tejon]

Welcome to THR, new friend.

The weapon is as safe as you are. Safety resides between one's ears. Remember, the Four Rules are Life.

The Four Rules always apply regardless of who you are or what weapon you have.

Rule #3, the Golden Rule, makes your weapon "safe". As we say at THR, keep your boogerhook off the bang switch.

 

[crebralfix]

First, remember this when discussing caliber in terms of fighting effectiveness: PISTOLS ARE WIMPY!

If you consider a continuum of power, the following rounds will land in the range that has acceptable performance when used against humans. 9mm, 40 S&W, 10mm, 45 ACP, 357 Magnum, 45 Colt, 41 Magnum, 44 Magnum, 44 Special, 357 SIG, and 38 Special are all decent choices for portable weapons. Some are towards the lower end; others toward the opposite end. However, the "percentage" difference in terms of defense is not enough to matter. It's better to allow your bullets to work in "teams" -- shoot several times at a single area for more effectiveness.

All the calibers commonly recommended for *defense* are more or less the same. It all comes down to what you are comfortable shooting and can afford. 9mm is perfectly adequate; 45 ACP is just fine too. Don't waste time agonizing over this or that caliber; spend the time on the range getting proficient in shooting and tactics.

I highly recommend that you and your wife get the same guns for defense. These are tools for fighting, not collectibles. Common guns and magazines can be an advantage, especially at 2 am when you're groggy and naked. Have spares that are identical to your primaries (so four of the same if you can afford it).

If you wish to get into collecting guns, that's one thing. You will most likely buy several weapons before settling on one set that is optimal for you. The old ones may be useful as spares.

Glocks are good. There are several others in the same "class" (polymer framed chambered for 9mm, 357 SIG, 40 S&W, 45 ACP). They have a reasonable price and CDNN Investsments has used Glocks for around $400 (or less). Other guns that are similar include the S&W M&P, Springfield Armory XD, and H&K USP. The main criteria for a defensive weapon is reliability. The accuracy of the weapons will be "minute of man" at 25 yards.

Some more traditional handguns include revolvers, Hi-Powers (in 9mm and 40 S&W), Beretta M92/96 and so forth. You could go with military surplus weapons. Check Aimsurplus.com. 9x18mm should be OK for defense. Aimsurplus has CZ-82s, SIG P225s, and a variety of other pistols.

You could also get a 1911. These can be finicky. Read this article: Choosing a 1911 for Duty Use. Hundreds of High Road and 1911 Forum members will swear they work reliably. Unfortunately, they can be difficult to get work right (sheesh...I've spent nearly $5000 on 1911s, parts, gunsmithing, and testing and still don't have a working 1911 yet...doesn't keep me from trying though). I've come to the conclusion that purchasing an expensive one from a company that provides EXCELLENT support and service is essential for duty 1911s.

Get on warriortalk.com. Start researching guns, tactics, ballistics, knives, combatives, and everything else that goes with the territory. Welcome to the forum!

 

[10-Ring]

Welcome to THR!
I would recommend shooting a few guns before you decide. Going to a range and renting the guns your interested in (and even a few you're not!) will really help the cause....you & your wife may find you both like the same thing or like totally diff't things
The Glock may be the perfect choice, but you or wife may feel differently!
Good luck on your quest

 

[Juna]

Take a look at:

Springfield XD -- Personally I prefer them to Glocks. Polymer frame.
CZ 75D PCR -- Outstanding ergonomics, accurate, reliable. Alloy frame.

I'd personally opt for either 9mm or .45 ACP. I haven't been sold on the whole .40 S&W movement. The other two calibers I like for varying reasons.

Also, since you mentioned your wife, too. A lot of people like the Bersa Thunder .380 ACP. Some will say it's not a large enough caliber, but I beg to differ. Rule #1 is have a gun. A lot of people like the Bersas.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Since you already mentioned Glocks

I have a Glock 26 and I heartily recommend you try this one out at your local range. It's tiny size (for a Glock) lends itself to comfortable carry, and with personal defense loads, more than adequate firepower. Women don't generally have trouble with this model and it is the personal choice of a lady cousin of mine. She loves hers as much as I love mine. I have rather large hands, and it still poses no problem in handling. Give it a look.

 

[crebralfix]

For new handgun shooters, I do NOT recommend ANY handgun that a grip that does not fully support the palm. This includes the Glock 26. The reason for this is that you will tend to "throw out" shots -- meaning they go wide. It is the palm support that is important. When you are learning, it is very important to be able to group your shots. For this reason, I recommend guns such as the Glock midframes or any other regular sized pistol or revolver.

By all means, rent or borrow as many guns as possible and shoot at least 100 FULL POWER rounds (per person) with them (ie: no 38 Special from a 357 Magnum). By the end of that 100 shots, you will know if you like it or not. If your hand, arm, shoulder, and brain go numb from firing 300 grain Buffalo Bore 44 Magnums from a S&W 629---you've been warned

However, do try to get two of the same weapon. Homogenous ammunition sources and manual of arms are very important. There's a reason why most military units have standardized on one rifle and one handgun.

And, I really like my Glock 26.

 

[springmom]

The very best way for you to find a gun for you (and for your wife to find one for her) is to shoot different kinds. Since you have friends who have handguns, offer to pay for range time and ammo if they'll bring their guns to the range and let you try them out. A friend of ours did this for me when I was looking for my first handgun. I got to shoot a number of different guns, both revolver and semiauto, and I too really liked the Glock. I ended up buying an XD-40, however, because it felt better to my hand, was simpler to strip and clean, and has the grip safety which I liked.

The more guns you get to shoot, the more you'll get a sense of what you like. After I got the XD, I bought a Bersa Thunder .380 for its concealability, but traded it for a m37 S&W snubnose (.38 spl). Then bought a Kimber Ultra Carry II (.45 acp) for concealed carry and traded the XD for a Browning Hi Power (for range plinking, not for carry) As I've gotten used to concealed carry, my preferences have obviously evolved somewhat, and you may find the same thing yourselves. (We won't discuss the Super Red Hawk in .44 mag...it's for hunting only)

Welcome to handguns. Enjoy!

Springmom