Good first pistol?

[Trip]

The XDs are just comfortable and shoot well for my grip. The glock just never felt right in my hands and I had a lot more misfires with them when testing them both out. Plus, my range scores were twice as good with an XD.

[marko138]

Originally Posted by ericr

They have Tritium inserts Marko, glow in the dark with no outside light input. Once you use them in low light you'll want them from then on.

Thanks. Seems like something worth having.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by Trip

The XDs are just comfortable and shoot well for my grip. The glock just never felt right in my hands and I had a lot more misfires with them when testing them both out. Plus, my range scores were twice as good with an XD.

Who's Glock was it Trip, the ranges? I've never had a misfire on either of mine. I'm thinking that one was worn out, dirty or broken and not well kept. It's possible the ammo was sub-standard too. Too light a powder charge and a loose grip can cause jams and misfeeds in some guns and not others, depends on the spring weights and slide weight. Doesn't mean it was the right gun for you but that was definitely something wrong there. If they both misfired I say it was bad ammo. I seriously only have a misfire once in....years, with good centerfire ammo.

[fnfalman]

Get a real man's weapon: Smith&Wesson J-frame .357 Magnum or Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum.

If you're going to have to shoot somebody for real then do it right.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Get a real man's weapon: Smith&Wesson J-frame .357 Magnum or Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum.

If you're going to have to shoot somebody for real then do it right.

have you seen smith's TRR8 and M&P .357s? Rails top and bottom, 7 shot cylinders, and full moon clipped. Makes me drool just thinking about it

[Rider]

One last suggestion. If you are stuck on a semi auto but you want the knock down force of a .357 magnum then get a .357 sig. The ground shakes you cap off a round.

[z06boy]

I carry a Glock 27 and love it...however I didn't love it at first due to the length of the magazine...nothing for my pinky to grip. I added a plus 1 extention and now I love the thing...made all the difference in the world.

I carried a Glock 23 before this and I wanted something smaller since I have to conceal it under a suit and the 27 was a better fit.

Having said this I don't really recommend it for the first time owner. A revolver is more dependable and less complicated for someone that isn't used to carrying and relying on one for self defense imho.

Another issue with the Glock for a person not used to carrying and not sure if they are going to carry it much or not is the fact that it has no external safety and also has a fairly light trigger pull. This has proved to be an issue with rookie police officers when faced with a real life scenerio..nervous plus being new to carrying a gun is a bad combo.

This is just MY opinion and what I've seen/heard about.

My wife carries a S&W Bodyguard Special Airweight .38 +P. It's not a good target gun due to the lightweight and short barrel but it is a good...small...conceal carry weapon since it's light...small...no external hammer to get caught on her purse etc...and it's easy to use...just point and shoot like an instant camera. It always works and she doesn't have to fiddle with an external safety or a jam...or have to worry if there is one in the chamber. The trigger pull is enough that she won't accidentally shoot just because she's nervous like could happen with a Glock due to the lighter trigger pull.

I like several brands including ones mentioned here...not just Glock...but that's what I just happen to carry...but I've conceal carried for 20 + years.

[Captain Morgan]

Originally Posted by Rider

The first question is, how familiar are you with semi auto's? If this is really your first gun, I'd recommend a revolver. No safety to forget, no worries of having to clear a jam, and you don't have to remember to chamber your first round. You just point and shoot. Now if you have your heart set on a semi auto, you need to become extremely proficient with it. Lots and lots of practice and don't carry it until you are proficient. When it comes time to needing it, you don't have time to think. It needs to be second nature.

As far as what semi auto, You can't go wrong with a Glock 23. If you don't mind spending a little more, an H&K USP 40 and a Sig Sauer P229 are fantastic guns. Springfield XD40 and the S&W M&P 40 are also nice guns. Hold them all in your had and fire them a lot. Put a least a full box through each of them. Pick the one that is most comfortable and the most accurate for you because it's different for everyone.

Not extremely familiar with semi-auto pistols, but I've been around firearms most of my life and have fired several different hand guns at the rental shooting range. Spent 7 years in the Air Force, plus I hunt and own shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders. I'm familiar with cleaning and maintenance of firearms, but would certainly appreciate any advice about which guns are easier to maintain, jam less frequently, easier to break down, etc. Reason I was cosidering the Glock is I've heard, and read, that they're quite reliable. My parents own an H & K .40, but I haven't had the chance to go to the range with them yet.

Originally Posted by OTB

PS...if it's going to be a concealed carry gun, get one in stainless or polymer/with one of the high-tech finishes.... regular blued pistols will rust, even if you are diligent about cleaning them as soon as you take them off.

Sweat will destroy your gun in short order.....

Definitely good info. I don't expect I'll carry it all the time, but that could always change.

Originally Posted by Rider

One last suggestion. If you are stuck on a semi auto but you want the knock down force of a .357 magnum then get a .357 sig. The ground shakes you cap off a round.

Definitely not stuck on semi-auto and have considered getting a small revolver.

[Rider]

Originally Posted by Captain Morgan

Not extremely familiar with semi-auto pistols, but I've been around firearms most of my life and have fired several different hand guns at the rental shooting range. Spent 7 years in the Air Force, plus I hunt and own shotguns, rifles, and muzzleloaders. I'm familiar with cleaning and maintenance of firearms, but would certainly appreciate any advice about which guns are easier to maintain, jam less frequently, easier to break down, etc. Reason I was cosidering the Glock is I've heard, and read, that they're quite reliable. My parents own an H & K .40, but I haven't had the chance to go to the range with them yet.



Definitely good info. I don't expect I'll carry it all the time, but that could always change.



Definitely not stuck on semi-auto and have considered getting a small revolver.

For maintenance the Glocks come apart real easy. In about 3 seconds you can have the slide off and the barrel removed. It doesn't get much easier.

[Riceaholic]

I've got a Para Ordinance Warthog (.45 sub compact 2 1/2 inch barrel ten round double stack) That's been my favorite carry piece for years because it's small, shoots well and has quality stopping power.

I also have a Springfield XD subcompact 9mm that I also like but for different reasons. With the 13 round mag, it fits like a glove but doesn't carry as well. It shoots like crap with the smaller mag because it's just too compact. As far as maintenance it's the easiest I've ever owned. In 30 seconds it breaks down into 4 pieces and goes back together just as fast. I've always been a 1911 guy but for the money you really can't go wrong with an XD.