Turned 21/New Gun

[Robert23fl]

I just turned 21 and I decided to buy a brand new handgun. Just wanted to get your guys input on my first handgun. I went to the gun store and look around for about 30 minutes. There were so many choices and I wanted to buy all of them. So I walked to the Glock show case and I ask to get a price on the Glock 21 and he hooked me up with a great price. However i asked him what is the biggest Glock model I could buy. He pulled out the Glock 20 which is a 10mm. So to make a long story short, I asked for a good price on it and it was only 30 dollars more than the Glock 21. So I just bought my first Glock. I think I made a mistake because when I walked out of the store and did not ask about the ammo and how much it cost. So i did some research and 10mm ammo is pretty expensive. Oh well, I guess I have to make more money!!

 

[carterbeauford]

So i did some research and 10mm ammo is pretty expensive

Worthwhile tradeoff, though.

Save your pennies and maybe pick up a Glock 17 to practice with?

 

[CountGlockula]

Happy birthday. Umm...have you got a chance to shoot a Glock before?

 

[Shipwreck]

Well, whats done is done. But a 10mm has a lot of recoil. Not really a great gun to start w/ as a beginner - as U could develop bad flinching habbits and other issues. Some recommend a 22 to start with. I have started many people off on a 9mm (including my 67 year old mom). So, I think a 9mm gun is a good one to learn on, and yet still have a gun U could use for defense (as opposed to buying a 22, and then buying another gun later).

Good luck with the 10mm, but I think U made a mistake.

Also, the cost of ammo affects how often U can shoot.

I got rid of my 45 ACPS and have all 9mm handguns now. I can buy a box of 50 CCI Blazer rounds for just over $5. So, I can afford to shoot 200 rounds every other week. And, I have gotten better over the past year because of that (I've actually been shooting since I bought my first handgun in 1993, but I never went that often).

 

[MachIVshooter]

IIRC, you can get a drop-in .40 S&W barrel for your G-20 that will enable you to shoot more economical ammo.

But 10mm isn't that expensive. You can get Federal American Eagle, PMC or Remington-UMC for $15-$18/box of 50. Not much more than .45 ACP. The full power stuff is spendy, though.

Or start handloading. I can load 10mm for about the same amount as .357, .40 or .45.

Good choice, by the way. And welcome to the exclusive and elite club of 10mm enthusiasts. You'll have more soon (trust me ).

 

[Robert23fl]

Thank you for the advise. I have not shot my Glock 20 yet. I went to Gander Mountain today and bought CCI 10mm ammo for $19.99 (50 rds). It kind of kills me that everytime I shoot it, it cost a dollar. I think I go to the range this weekend. Is this a good gun to carry? (CCW)

 

[Car Knocker]

Is this a good gun to carry? (CCW)

Probably going to be a little difficult to conceal under a tee-shirt. It also depends on how accurately you can shoot it.

 

[JLStorm]

I dont recommend carrying a weapon before 1500 - 2000 rounds have been fired and you are very comfortable with it...this is just my opinion. with .45 this isnt bad because you can come accross quality ammo for under $10.00, but with a 10mm it becomes much more of an investment. But hell as long as you like it and can afford to train constistantly with it go nuts.

 

[Just_a_dude_with_a_gun]

I don't think you made 'a mistake'. I think you've just been given an opportunity...

don't bother shooting 10mm in it.... yet.

Go get a KKM .40S&W conversion barrel, for $160 or so,
and you can shoot .40 in the same gun, with less recoil,
and lower cost. You can go up to fullhouse 10mm later.

For instance, 50rd Blaser FMJ in .40s&w is $12.00, versus 17.00 for 10mm.

 

[carterbeauford]

I went to Gander Mountain today and bought CCI 10mm ammo for $19.99 (50 rds)

Trust me, .45ACP and .357MAG are not any cheaper. Seeing a box of 100 .357MAG for $40 is what made me consider reloading.

It kind of kills me that everytime I shoot it, it cost a dollar.

$0.40 per round with the figures you supplied.

Is this a good gun to carry? (CCW)

A fullsize Glock would not be my first choice for concealed carry, but if you can carry it comfortably, more power to you. Shoulder holster might be more comfortable than trying to stuff the whole thing inside your waistband. As far as effectiveness, carry quality hollow points, you have the potential for 700+ ft/lbs energy at your disposal. Double Tap 10MM: 135GR 1600FPS = 767FT/LB muzzle energy

However i asked him what is the biggest Glock model I could buy

You got what you asked for... 4.6" barrel is pushing the limits of comfortable concealed carry for me, if I were going to carry a pistol that big it would be in a hip holster. Where are you located? Open carry might be an option.