romma
Member
Kahr PM9
Newbie looking for a carry self-defense pistol.
- Thread starter Tuxedo.Bond
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All this talk just to end up at this, Bersa Thunder 9 Ultra-Compact:
Didn't say if you were left or right handed, but this little gem is ambidextrous, accurate, reliable, relatively small, relatively light (aluminum alloy frame), 13 round magazines, manual safety and all for about $350 out the door. It's worth a consideration, it's been my go-to gun since I bought it, and my other guns are Glocks.
Didn't say if you were left or right handed, but this little gem is ambidextrous, accurate, reliable, relatively small, relatively light (aluminum alloy frame), 13 round magazines, manual safety and all for about $350 out the door. It's worth a consideration, it's been my go-to gun since I bought it, and my other guns are Glocks.
SCKimberFan
Member
I got a Springfield XD9 SC for carry. I have a Kimber 45, but it is a bit more difficult to conceal. I like the feel and the fact that it hits where I point it.
FLoppyTOE
Member
Defensory had the best advice when he said handle as many as possible and go with whats comfortable.
One suggestion being you are in FL. Go to www.suncoastgunshows.com for a show schedule. You will be able to handle everything you can imagine and some you can't.
Once you find one you like then research it to make sure your not buying garbage.
One more plus to the gunshow is there are multiple vendors that are private sellers and that is a way to get one without bing 21.
One suggestion being you are in FL. Go to www.suncoastgunshows.com for a show schedule. You will be able to handle everything you can imagine and some you can't.
Once you find one you like then research it to make sure your not buying garbage.
One more plus to the gunshow is there are multiple vendors that are private sellers and that is a way to get one without bing 21.
re: cost of 9mm ammo
You can practice with Winchester 9mm FMJ (sometimes called Winchester White box or WWB), which are available at Wal-Mart for ~19 bucks/100 in my area. Wal-mart will also carry Remington UMC, for practice, and that runs about $10.50 per box of 50. Those are, as I said, practice rounds.
The +p ammo is considerably more expensive. I use corbon +p 124 grain, which I bought at Sportsman's Warehouse for about 20bucks/20 rounds. You can find better deals online, maybe for Speer Gold Dot +p (which I will shortly be placing an order for) but it's definitely going to cost more than the target ammo.
So, generally what you do is practice with the cheaper stuff, and keep the primo for carrying or stashing in the glove compartment, whatever you're into. Maybe fire a couple of rounds of it when you practice just to get the feel of it, as it may kick a little more (though it doesn't feel any different to me than FMJ in my Stoeger Cougar or Glock 19).
It should be noted that 9mm may be a 'marginal' round without hotter +p loads. The +p's are used for a reason - they have exhibited better stopping power when used by law enforcement. So keep some around. Good luck.
+1 on the G19 - should last you forever.
You can practice with Winchester 9mm FMJ (sometimes called Winchester White box or WWB), which are available at Wal-Mart for ~19 bucks/100 in my area. Wal-mart will also carry Remington UMC, for practice, and that runs about $10.50 per box of 50. Those are, as I said, practice rounds.
The +p ammo is considerably more expensive. I use corbon +p 124 grain, which I bought at Sportsman's Warehouse for about 20bucks/20 rounds. You can find better deals online, maybe for Speer Gold Dot +p (which I will shortly be placing an order for) but it's definitely going to cost more than the target ammo.
So, generally what you do is practice with the cheaper stuff, and keep the primo for carrying or stashing in the glove compartment, whatever you're into. Maybe fire a couple of rounds of it when you practice just to get the feel of it, as it may kick a little more (though it doesn't feel any different to me than FMJ in my Stoeger Cougar or Glock 19).
It should be noted that 9mm may be a 'marginal' round without hotter +p loads. The +p's are used for a reason - they have exhibited better stopping power when used by law enforcement. So keep some around. Good luck.
+1 on the G19 - should last you forever.
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Tuxedo.Bond
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2008
- Messages
- 19
Not at all. The lighter weight pistols was just a preference. I'll definitely consider a full size 1911, so feel free to recommend them.
The more I think about it, the less the high capacity magazines matter to me. So that is no longer a requirement for me.
That sounds enticing. I'll definitely check that one out if I have the chance.
I'm right handed, but I do like ambidextrous. I like to know that I can still shoot if for some reason I can only use my left hand.
I'm also going to take a look at revolvers the next time I have the chance.
Alright, thanks guys.
86thecat
Member
Since you are new to the shooting sports I strongly suggest some professional instruction before deciding on a firearm. I learned from family and friends and am still trying to correct what I was taught. NRA classes are a good place to start. Maybe you can attend ccw training younger than 21 or even an inexpensive hunter safety course where you might meet an experienced range buddy. Best of Luck.
Tuxedo.Bond
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2008
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- 19
I finally went to a couple of gun shops today. The guy in the first store had no problems opening the cases and letting me handle the pistols even after I told him I was under 21.
Anyways, although I didn't write down the pistol models(I didn't know it before I went there, but he was going to close an hour earlier then the usual time that day and I didn't want to hold him up), I did get an idea of what fit my hand.
All of the polymer pistols I handled were 9mm. The first one I tried was a Springfield Armory XD. I think it was the Service model. It seemed to fit my hand nicely. The second was a Glock 19. It was harder for me to wrap my fingers around, particularly in the front of the grip. I tried a Smith & Wesson, a Taurus, and I think a Beretta and a few others. I only handled each of them briefly, but I didn't seem to have much of a problem gripping any of them except the Glock 19 and I think one other.
Does the Glock 26 have a slimmer grip then the Glock 19?
I also handled a single 1911 .45 to get a feel for the single stack grip. It actually felt about the same as the polymers I tried. The weight difference was more then I expected between the polymers and the all metal 1911. I definitely like the lighter weight of the polymers.
In the second store the guy had no problem letting me handle the pistols until I mentioned I was under 21. He said he wasn't legally allowed to unless I was accompanied by an "adult", meaning someone 21 or older.
I should have kept my mouth shut but I figured there was no way he wouldn't know. I suppose walking a mile in 90 °F weather in the sunlight made me look old...
I didn't know there was a legal restriction on that. Maybe that is supposed to be considered a transfer by the dealer and therefore illegal? That's the only thing I can think of. That would be ridiculous, though.
Anyways, although I didn't write down the pistol models(I didn't know it before I went there, but he was going to close an hour earlier then the usual time that day and I didn't want to hold him up), I did get an idea of what fit my hand.
All of the polymer pistols I handled were 9mm. The first one I tried was a Springfield Armory XD. I think it was the Service model. It seemed to fit my hand nicely. The second was a Glock 19. It was harder for me to wrap my fingers around, particularly in the front of the grip. I tried a Smith & Wesson, a Taurus, and I think a Beretta and a few others. I only handled each of them briefly, but I didn't seem to have much of a problem gripping any of them except the Glock 19 and I think one other.
Does the Glock 26 have a slimmer grip then the Glock 19?
I also handled a single 1911 .45 to get a feel for the single stack grip. It actually felt about the same as the polymers I tried. The weight difference was more then I expected between the polymers and the all metal 1911. I definitely like the lighter weight of the polymers.
In the second store the guy had no problem letting me handle the pistols until I mentioned I was under 21. He said he wasn't legally allowed to unless I was accompanied by an "adult", meaning someone 21 or older.
I should have kept my mouth shut but I figured there was no way he wouldn't know. I suppose walking a mile in 90 °F weather in the sunlight made me look old...
I didn't know there was a legal restriction on that. Maybe that is supposed to be considered a transfer by the dealer and therefore illegal? That's the only thing I can think of. That would be ridiculous, though.
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Tuxedo.Bond
Member
- Joined
- May 9, 2008
- Messages
- 19
Oops, that was a typo. I'll edit that out.
The Glock 26 grip didn't appear any smaller when I was looking at it either.
Safety First
Member
XD .45 ACP compact...This will most likely be the most bang for the buck and fit your wants and needs well.Oh, and the Milt Sparks VMII holster is an excellent choice with of course a belt made for carrying a firearm...It shoots well and is reliable and weighs around 28 oz empty (check me on that stat) I think...good luck...
lebvette
Member
I think the Glocks will be too big for his hands.
A Kahr CW9, is in his price range, and I think he will love the feel.
Larry
A Kahr CW9, is in his price range, and I think he will love the feel.
Larry
Northalius
Member
Handling the pistols is nice, but never EVER go on this alone. I've seen plenty of posts by others saying how they "hated" the Glock grip feel... but after they actually SHOT the Glocks, they changed their minds.
So remember: Guns aren't all about feel... but how they SHOOT! If/when you can, at the least, rent the models you want to try first, and see how they SHOOT!
Yeah, Glock grips are a bit longer (front to back, lengthwise) because of the "hump" on the bottom, which is there because of the hole down there. The hole is there for one to slip their finger in and grasp the magazine more effectively, to pull it out in case it somehow gets jammed. Or others say it was put there because the Austrian soldiers wanted Glocks' original magazines to not fall out of the pistol when they hit the mag release button, because they didn't want the mag's getting lost in the snow during training or real combat. So, the hole is there for them to grab the mag from the pistol. Either or, those're reasons why it's there.
You can heat it up and push it in (I'd try this, but up to you), or you can send it in to get it professionally reduced by some other company... but it'll cost ya some money.
Glock is now coming out with "SF" models, but only so far they have been for two .45 ACP Glock models: Glock 21 (SF) and Glock 30 (SF). Hopefully they'll be doing more models soon.
SF = Short Frame - Which means that they do a "grip reduction" on these models in the factory, before they're bought. The grip "hump" is shortened in the back.
P.S. Remember: See which guns you SHOOT well with. Feel alone is NOT what I'd suggest when picking a gun; yet so many people always mistakenly make this suggestion to others. Not good, imo.
I had no problems shooting a G23 at the range, which was my first time shooting a gun, and first Glock, too.
I have bigger hands, most likely... but I've seen WOMEN shooting Glock 20's (full size models, and even bigger than full size Glock 17s!). Remember, it's all about how you SHOOT the gun, not so much how it "feels" in your hands. Leave the feely, touchy stuff for a nice girl you'll meet, or've met already.
So remember: Guns aren't all about feel... but how they SHOOT! If/when you can, at the least, rent the models you want to try first, and see how they SHOOT!
Yeah, Glock grips are a bit longer (front to back, lengthwise) because of the "hump" on the bottom, which is there because of the hole down there. The hole is there for one to slip their finger in and grasp the magazine more effectively, to pull it out in case it somehow gets jammed. Or others say it was put there because the Austrian soldiers wanted Glocks' original magazines to not fall out of the pistol when they hit the mag release button, because they didn't want the mag's getting lost in the snow during training or real combat. So, the hole is there for them to grab the mag from the pistol. Either or, those're reasons why it's there.
You can heat it up and push it in (I'd try this, but up to you), or you can send it in to get it professionally reduced by some other company... but it'll cost ya some money.
Glock is now coming out with "SF" models, but only so far they have been for two .45 ACP Glock models: Glock 21 (SF) and Glock 30 (SF). Hopefully they'll be doing more models soon.
SF = Short Frame - Which means that they do a "grip reduction" on these models in the factory, before they're bought. The grip "hump" is shortened in the back.
P.S. Remember: See which guns you SHOOT well with. Feel alone is NOT what I'd suggest when picking a gun; yet so many people always mistakenly make this suggestion to others. Not good, imo.
I had no problems shooting a G23 at the range, which was my first time shooting a gun, and first Glock, too.
I have bigger hands, most likely... but I've seen WOMEN shooting Glock 20's (full size models, and even bigger than full size Glock 17s!). Remember, it's all about how you SHOOT the gun, not so much how it "feels" in your hands. Leave the feely, touchy stuff for a nice girl you'll meet, or've met already.
As others have said, try a bunch of guns. Glocks do not fit me and it would be pointless to own one, regardless of their other virtues. My girlfriend bought a Kahr PM9 and absolutely hates it. It doesn't fit her hand, she finds it uncomfortable to shoot, and she can't hit anything with it, tho she does well with any number of my handguns. I can shoot it okay, but I really don't like the trigger. Her current favorite is my P239 in .40.
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