Which of these guns would you advise?

[Paincakesx]

I've been browsing many local gun shops, handling many different guns and even having the chance to shoot a few. I've basically settled on a few possible candidates:

Glock 23
Glock 22
HK P30
HK P2000
SIG P229

All in .40 S&W.

I already have a 9mm P228 which I like, but I've been thinking of getting another gun in a higher caliber, just so that I can have a bit of variety. I'm willing to buy used, and am currently saving up the money.

Any thoughts on these? I'd also like to note that I intend to CCW it as well, but still wish for it to be big enough to be comfortable to shoot. I'm about 6'2" and am fairly slim, and tend not to wear tight clothing so larger guns tend to be OK for me (I can wear the P228 comfortably IWB).

So, any comments are appreciated! Just need something to push me one way or another - this is a very difficult choice for me because they're all great IMO.

 

[Zerodefect]

Glock 23-probally your best bet for CCW. Expect some snappy recoil. conceals well at 5oclock in a Crossbreed Supertuck.

Glock 22-awesome pistol. Easy to shoot. Good trigger, albeit, gritty. Kinda big for CCW. If I go this big, I'd rather have a 5" 1911.

HK P30 -big DA/SA gun. 6 different models of the p30, each with a different trigger. They all stink. Designed for police departments that open carry and like bad triggers.

HK P2000-tall bore over grip relationship, odd mag release.


SIG P229-meh.


Get one of the Glocks. Excellent sight availability. Kicking tail all over IDPA. Cheap easy to find parts. Mags are a bit expensive.

 

[Nacho Libre]

If you like the 228 you might give the 229 a try.

 

[tercel89]

Glock 22 . I have had one made in 1997 when I was sworn in as a LEO and have had it for 13 yrs with no malfunctions , no rust and no problems period.
It has been exsposed to water and all kinds of moisture and it still has no rust.
I dont like the .40 rd but this pistol will not rust nor malfunction !

 

[PabloJ]

Block 22.

 

[LawScholar]

Sig 229 all the way.

 

[2wheels]

If you're a Sig guy, I'd stick with Sig. It's what you already know, so you won't have to go from training on two different types of guns with two very different trigger types and manuals of arms.

 

[nalioth]

Quite so.

Familiarity - especially in a carry gun - is desirable.

Nothing wrong with a Sig, and you're already familiar with them.

 

[siggy]

You might try the sig p229 wiyhout the rail in the SAS version (sig anti snag) Sig does a melt and dehorn job on these pistols to make them more comfortable to carry

 

[Paladin38-40]

Cast a larger net

If you stick with .40, the GLOCK 23 for your stated purpose for reasons already mentioned above.

Not on your list is the GLOCK 30 in .45ACP. The felt recoil is less than the 23 with comparable ammo. Although the 30 is slightly thicker it makes no practical difference for concealment if you dress appropriately. Awesome gun.

You owe it to your self to shoot one before making a final decision.

 

[G.barnes]

What about a sig p220. Very comfortable to carry and instead of just going up to a 40 your going to 45. If not then I would get the 229. Glocks are good but I don't like the looks and I'm not spending 900 dollars on a polymer hk. Hk are great but for that money I want metal not plastic.

 

[Paincakesx]

If you stick with .40, the GLOCK 23 for your stated purpose for reasons already mentioned above.

Not on your list is the GLOCK 30 in .45ACP. The felt recoil is less than the 23 with comparable ammo. Although the 30 is slightly thicker it makes no practical difference for concealment if you dress appropriately. Awesome gun.

You owe it to your self to shoot one before making a final decision.

Problem with the Glock 30 for me is that the baby-Glocks just don't feel good in my hands.

 

[JohnBiltz]

The G30 may be listed as a subcompact but its the same size as a G19/G23.

 

[JohnBiltz]

I don't understand the recommendations for full size guns when he clearly is asking for a carry gun.

 

[19-3Ben]

^^^
Because he was asking about full sized guns, and specifically said that he can get away with carrying them. How about that for a reason?

and tend not to wear tight clothing so larger guns tend to be OK for me

To the OP:
Have you considered the S&W M&P40 as long as you're looking at the Glocks and HKs?
I've found the recoil is less than the Glocks and the ergos are fantastic.

 

[Telekinesis]

I am partial to the Sig P229 (I'm a P228 guy myself) because it would give you the same manual of arms and should fit the same holsters as your P228 that you already have. You can also buy a .357SIG barrel for it and use your .40 mags, or buy a 9mm barrel and use your P228 mags (if you want 2 guns in the same caliber). Getting to shoot 3 calibers out of one gun is one of the reasons my next pistol will probably be a .40 cal. (Unless I can find a good deal on a P7 of some sort. Yes, I am a member of the P7 fan club )

If you want some variety, I'd go with the HK P2000 or maybe even the HK 45c if you want to step up to a .45. I personally like the fit and the safety options on some of them, but I really think they could clean up the trigger. Especially coming from a P228, you'll hate the DA first shot.

 

[Chris Rhines]

First comment - why .40S&W?

Glock has had well-documented problems with most of their .40S&W platforms. That does not necessarily mean that you'll get a bad one, but it's still worth keeping in mind.

I'd stay the hell away from any SIG made after about 2006. Once Ron Cohen took over the CEO slot, SIGArms' QA and customer service took a nosedive.

The H&K P2000 in .40S&W is, IMO, a real handful to shoot. I like the gun, but I'd get it in 9mm.

I like the H&K P30 a lot, but again I'd rather have one in 9mm.

-C

 

[nalioth]

Glock has had well-documented problems with most of their .40S&W platforms. That does not necessarily mean that you'll get a bad one, but it's still worth keeping in mind.

Can we put this myth to bed?

It should read "all pistols chambered in .40 S&W have a problem with weak brass". Most every "issue" I've seen with the Glock's "unsupported chamber" can be traced back to a many-times-reloaded (and weakened) cartridge casing.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Glock 23 no question.*


*As long as it's a GEN2/3.

 

[REAPER4206969]

Glock has had well-documented problems with most of their .40S&W platforms.

Which are all magazine/reloads/improper user maintenance related and the first one is no longer an issue.

60% of U.S. LE use a .40 Glock for a reason. Not to mention Canada, Australia and Brazil amongst others.

 

[Yarddog]

"[but I'd get it in 9mm.]"

+100, Agree 9's the way to go JMO
Y/D

 

[REAPER4206969]

This is not a 9mm thread.

 

[Chris Rhines]

It should read "all pistols chambered in .40 S&W have a problem with weak brass". Most every "issue" I've seen with the Glock's "unsupported chamber" can be traced back to a many-times-reloaded (and weakened) cartridge casing.

I don't recall saying anything about weak brass or unsupported chambers. In fact, I agree that the whole Glock kB issue is mostly a myth. If it makes any difference, between 2005 and 2007 I personally fired 20,000+ rounds of reloaded .40S&W through my two Glock 35s.

I was specifically referring to the large number of police departments and units (including the FBI) who had problems with Gen2 and Gen3 .40S&W Glocks breaking strikers, guide rods, and rear frame rails, and suffering a higher-than-normal malfunction rate.

Again, just because Glock has a poor record with some platforms, does not mean that any individual gun will necessarily exhibit any problems. It's just a useful data point to consider.

Which are all magazine/reloads/improper user maintenance related and the first one is no longer an issue.

The problems that I referenced above had nothing to do with magazines, reloads, or improper maintenance. They all were caused by material failures and faulty QA.

60% of U.S. LE use a .40 Glock for a reason. Not to mention Canada, Australia and Brazil amongst others.

Although I can't speak to the choice of caliber, I know that the reason that most police agencies issue Glocks is because Glocks are inexpensive, perform reasonably well given minimal maintenance, and have excellent after-sale support.


Do not take from this post that I dislike the Glock platform, nothing could be further from the truth. I just think that anyone considering a new gun purchase should have all the relevant information, both good and bad.

-C

 

[Paincakesx]

I'm looking at .40 S&W because they seem to offer a great variety of carry options while being a larger caliber than a 9mm and not costing a ton to shoot. I have no issue with a 9mm, I currently own one and like it, I'm just looking at diversifying a bit.

.45 ACP is certainly OK too, if you guys have any suggestions for those.

 

[BLB68]

IMO, carry the one you shoot best. They're all quality weapons. If you don't have the opportunity to shoot before you buy, then the one that feels best in hand, and points most naturally for you.