Which semi-auto handguns to buy?

[Cards81fan]

You are in NY - aren't you capacity restricted anyway?

In that instance, I don't see much reason to want something that is big enough to hold 15 rounds but you can only carry 10.

So the Glock 26, M&P9c are perfect recommendations but I see you have the M&P9c.

I like 9mm for the fact it's considerably cheaper than the others, so PPS in 9 would be a great choice. But that said, I really like my LCP but it's only real advantage is if you plan on and can carry everywhere. It's the perfect pocket pistol.

 

[wombat13]

What will be the intended use for your new purchases ? Carry, HD, range, or WTSHTF ? If you want a versatile handgun you can pick up a .40 S&W Glock 23 or 22 that will take a 13 or 15 round "standard" magazines and then buy an after market barrel to shoot 9mm or .357 SIG as well.

My main concern is having my bases covered. I haven't shot pistols very much as I have moved quite a bit within antigun states until the last few years. Since then, I've focused on improving my rifle shooting as I've gotten into hunting.

I like the XD45, but I wouldn't be surprised if I would like something else better. Last year when the antis pushed microstamping, I asked my wife to go pick out a concealable handgun for herself as my birthday present. She picked the M&P9c.

 

[wombat13]

I'd go for a 1911 first, with a high-end .22 second.

Here's my reasoning - a 1911 can be set up for a defense gun, or as a bullseye gun. Most of the current generation of defense guns have less-than-great accuracy and less-than-stellar triggers. 1911s don't start any better, but there's a well-established upgrade path. Get a Marvel .22 upper for it, and you have an excellent rimfire target pistol (meaning cheap practice).

I already have a very nice .22 target pistol, but I suppose it would be nice to get practice with the same pistol I would use for CCW.

 

[wombat13]

Swapping the M&Pc for a PPS sounds logical. PPS is the perfect carry 9, from what I've read.

M&P9c is my wife's handgun so I can't trade it. I don't really want to sell anything I already have anyway. If the microstamping law passes the value of used semi-autos will increase in NY. The law would prevent the transfer of non-microstamping semi-autos by dealers. AFAIK, any handguns coming in from out of state have to be transferred through dealers so the law would only grandfather semi-autos already owned by individuals in NY.

 

[wombat13]

Also, don't rule out test firing a gun just because your local ranges don't rent guns. Why not put out the word here that you're looking to test fire certain guns, say where you are located, and offer to pay for ammo and range fees? I know I'd do it for you if you were near Chicago. I think it would be worth the effort.

I also agree with the earlier post that the ones that will be hardest to get will probably be hi-caps, so maybe consider a Glock 19, Glock 17, Beretta 92FS, Walther P99, etc. to replace the M&Pc.

Oh, and if you're not already, start participating in the Activism sub-forum.

Good idea. Once I have a few pistols on my short list I'll post something here and at nyfirearms.com and see if anyone can help me out.

 

[wombat13]

SIG P239 compact, SIG P226 fullsize high cap 9mm, CZ P01 or a CZ PCR. 1911s are a lot of fun but can be a crapshoot to get one that runs and shoots well, STI makes some of the best for the money in 9mm, and .45ACP. Sub compacts are a handfull and if you do not have a concealed carry license, quite useless IMO. Glock, CZ, SIG, H&K and Beretta all make quality firearms, all have their detractors. If you cannot shoot them at least handle them if I could only own one pistol my SIG P226 would be at the top of the short list.

Thanks for the suggestions. My wife and I do have CCW permits, so I lean toward pistols we could carry, but that doesn't rule out getting a full-size hi-cap as well.

 

[wombat13]

If you're looking to add rather than adding and subtracting I'd look into a set of full size mags for your current M&P and an X-Grip. For under $100 you'll still have a compact enough to carry 9mm with high capacity range-friendly grip. Then take the money you were considering spending and move to a state that respects the rights of its taxpaying citizens.

That would be a good idea, but for one problem. We poor citizens of NY can only own magazines capable of holding greater than 10 rounds if they (the mags) were manufactured prior to October 1994. Therefore we can't own full capacity mags for either of our carry handguns since neither the M&P or the XD existed before 1994.

 

[dannyr3_8]

the kel-tec is a very nice gun for carry i have a 32 and carry it always its reliable and accurate enough for self defence i have bought many pistols to replace it( higher calibers) but i always go back to the old reliable kel-tec good luck friend

 

[wombat13]

If you can't shoot the guns, I think the next best thing is to go to a gun store with a large selection and try out as many guns as you can. In my experience, the gun that fits you the best and feels comfortable in your hand is the one that you will shoot the best. Here's a quick test, take the gun and aim down the sights, then lower the gun to a low ready and close your eyes. Bring the gun up as if you were firing while your eyes are still closed, and then open your eyes and see how far off the sights are. The closer they are to being on target, the more intuitive the gun will be for you to shoot.

I actually did this today and was surprised at what I found. Out of the 10+ guns I tried, none of them felt better in my hand than my Sig 228. (Well, the HK P30 was nice, but a little expensive...) Because of this, I'm actually looking at getting my second 228 soon. I never would have thought that I'd like one gun enough to have a pair of them as my ONLY pistols, but after playing around with a bunch of other guns, my Sig fits better in my hand and is more accurate for me than anything else I've tried.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll try that when I'm ready to buy.

 

[wombat13]

You are in NY - aren't you capacity restricted anyway?

In that instance, I don't see much reason to want something that is big enough to hold 15 rounds but you can only carry 10.

So the Glock 26, M&P9c are perfect recommendations but I see you have the M&P9c.

I like 9mm for the fact it's considerably cheaper than the others, so PPS in 9 would be a great choice. But that said, I really like my LCP but it's only real advantage is if you plan on and can carry everywhere. It's the perfect pocket pistol.

We are capacity restricted for all magazines made after October 1994. If I were to buy a full size handgun it would be a model that existed pre-94 so I could buy pre-ban mags. The Glocks, Beretta 92, etc. would all work.

 

[wombat13]

So far it seems like there are several responses in favor of a 1911, a full-capacity 9mm, and a small 9mm or .380.

Thanks to everyone for the responses so far.

 

[dannyr3_8]

1911 without a doubt for the high caliber

no collection should be without at least one. i own 3 and would like 3 more

 

[Mike1234567]

I personally don't care for the .40 S&W caliber but, if I was looking to expand ammo choices, I would get one in either M&P os XDM. It's a good thing to have sevral caliber choices, IMHO, because one never knows pricing and availability in the future. Others suggested different calibers and those are just as valid. I just threw in .40 because it packs more punch than smaller cartridges and it's becoming more popular.

 

[dannyr3_8]

atte nded an aution for the first time sat before last and bought my 1st czs a cz75bsa and a cz40b shot them over the weekend and was very impressed. i have one question the cz75sa has a fiber optic front sight and lpa adjustable rear sight are these factory or add ons by the way i paid 300 for the 40 and 325 for the 9 so i think i did ok

 

[Cards81fan]

We are capacity restricted for all magazines made after October 1994. If I were to buy a full size handgun it would be a model that existed pre-94 so I could buy pre-ban mags. The Glocks, Beretta 92, etc. would all work.

This clarifies it, thank you.

Since you CCW, I still like the idea of a smaller pistol, such as a 9mm PPS or .380 LCP or similar. I am also a supporter of consolidating ammo calibers, but wouldn't let that requirement get in the way of a good .380 pocket pistol