Author Topic: Tips for first semi auto handgun? (Read 1623 times)

Charlie Tango · « **on:** August 28, 2011, 06:55:31 AM »

I am looking to buy my first semi auto handgun and am looking for some tips on what to look for. I am looking at a 9mm for the price of ammo. This will be a learner gun and may be a forever gun. I need to get familiar with these weapons for a future career.

hornady · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2011, 07:34:35 AM »

You really need to give a little more information.
This is kind of like, I want to buy a car.
There are so many options today, if for a CCW you want something compact, if for open carry a medium to large frame would be a better choice.
And we have not gotten into price, you can go with a Hi point, dirt cheap ugly as 10 miles of dirt road and heavy but reliable. Then in the mid range Ruger, S&W, and a few others. Or you can drop the kid’s college fund.

ole 5 hole group · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:08:43 AM »

With the parameters you provided not much can be suggested, as it depends on whether you’re looking for a compact or full size, 1911 platform or another, cost - much like hornady advised.

With that said and if you’re looking mainly at 9MM – there’s a lot of good choices out there but you’ll be hard pressed to do better than a Sig P226.

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:49:57 AM »

I guess at this point I am looking for tips on what to look for as far as general knowledge of the handgun. I am only familiar with revolvers, so semi autos are new to me. What features do I need to consider? Do different guns have different bells and whistles that justify one over the other. Are they all pretty much the same? Brand help is welcome, but at this point I am trying to educate myself on the weapon itself so when I go the the shop I have a little knowledge.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #4 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:52:27 AM »

Clearly identify what your end goal is. A CCW will need to be smaller than a nightstand or range tool. I would start with a larger weapon and advance to a small one. Think about a manual of arms within a line of pistols. It's pretty easy to transition within a company typically. Glocks all handle pretty much the same. SIGS usually offer the same controls throughout the line (though not so much anymore ). The beauty is you can spend the tme to learn one gun and not have to do it all over again for the next pistol.

A Glock 19 is a pretty standard 9mm not too big but not exactly small either. Sig P-229 same story. Springfield XD series is another good choice.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:53:40 AM »

I'll assume you are talking a law enforcement career. Get an idea of what most of the Departments in your area are carrying - Probably a striker fired pistol like a Glock or S&W M&P. Buy a similar pistol, as many cases of cheap ball ammo as you can afford, and shoot until the ammo is gone, and your hands have callouses....

Larry

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #6 on:** August 28, 2011, 09:16:22 AM »

A few different things going on with a Semi auto.

Striker fired vs hammer fired. Hammer position is very easy to see condition of pistol. Striker is a bit less open to elements less likely to snag, rarely has a second strike option ( largly considered unuseful anyway).

Single stack magazine Vs. double stack. Singles are usually prefered by those with smaller hands, but a double will hold much more ammo. As a ccw single can dissapear easier, A good holster and a bit of thought towards wardrobe will usually make a double hide well.

Single action, 1911 style manual safety, and a light trigger pull. Double action, revolver style heavy trigger pull is the safety. DA/SA, first shot is double action ala revolver subsequent shots are single action 1911 style lighter trigger pull, decocker returns the hammer to a lowered "safe" position. The safe being a heavy trigger pull like a double action. There are variations on all these and many have combinations of manual and automatic safety systems unique to each weapon.

rockbilly · « **Reply #7 on:** August 28, 2011, 10:54:47 AM »

What ever you buy look at quality, in my experience the quality firearms seem to retain their resale/trade value much better that the cheapies do. If you don’t decide to make it a “forever gun” then you won’t loose your shirt in a trade or sale later so stick with one of major brands, Colt, Smith, Rugar, Sig, Glock just to name a few.

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #8 on:** August 29, 2011, 02:09:55 PM »

Thanks for the tips, it will be nice going into the shop with a little knowledge. Sometimes they can lean on you to buy a certain type if you don't know what you are doing.

On the striker type handgun, I see Springfield xd9 has a safety on the back of the grip and one on the trigger. Do others brands have safetys like this, or is it just the "heavy trigger" as stated earlier?

tacklebury · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2011, 04:29:23 PM »

Were it me, I'd go with the Springfield XDm Compact. It's got 2 magazines, one with higher capacity for range shooting and one with less capacity, giving it a more compact profile for carry, also has 3 sizes of backstrap to fit the hand well. Comes with a match grade barrel, and by all reports is pretty much bullet proof.

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=XDM9389CBHC&mfg=Springfield+Armory&mdlno=XD(M)+Compact+with+XD+Gear+System

45-70.gov · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2011, 05:20:17 PM »

ruger LCR
smith 640 or 642

glock or springfeild?......but revolvers are better and safer

atleast stick with DAO autos

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2011, 06:52:33 PM »

Quote from: Charlie Tango on August 29, 2011, 02:09:55 PM

Thanks for the tips, it will be nice going into the shop with a little knowledge. Sometimes they can lean on you to buy a certain type if you don't know what you are doing.

On the striker type handgun, I see Springfield xd9 has a safety on the back of the grip and one on the trigger. Do others brands have safetys like this, or is it just the "heavy trigger" as stated earlier?

The grip safety is usually found on 1911 pistols, they have this as well a manually engaged thumb safety. The trigger thingy is found on Glock, S&W M&P series, XD and a few others.

Multiple safeties are common, however most are not manually engaged or dissengaged. They largely amount to what I consider drop safeties. By that I mean that unless the trigger is pulled there are multiple things that keep the hammer or striker from contacting the primer. Few modern handguns are capable of discharging unless the trigger is moved, by the user. SIGs when using the Decocker never release the firing pin, however if you try to thumb down the hammer, the trigger releases the firing pin and if you lose control of the hammer you may well fire the round. This is an example of a safety, pistol style.

The wife shoots an XDsc 9mm, and I would recommend them highly. As far as I'm concerned, they are an excellant value. I too would try and stick with higher quality mainstream pistols.

TOGO · « **Reply #12 on:** August 29, 2011, 08:48:15 PM »

Since I am a Glock guy I will have to say go for a G19 or G26, ah what the heck, Ive shot a Springfield XD-9 that was a nice shooter, so if you went Springer I wouldn't hate ya.

Brett · « **Reply #13 on:** August 31, 2011, 07:43:36 AM »

The S&W M&P is another good option. They are a DAO striker fired pistol like the Glocks and Springer XDs. They come in several configurations, full sized and compact, with or without thumb safeties and/or magazine safeties to satisfy whatever you are comfortable with.

Personally I don't condone relying on mechanical safeties and am of the belief that proper training, and good basic gun handling technique (i.e.; barrel always pointed in a safe direction and finger off the trigger until ready to shoot) are the best safeties. None of my carry guns have any form of operator activated mechanical safeties. If, God forbid, I ever need to draw a weapon in self defense I want it to be ready NOW, not be fumbling with safeties.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** August 31, 2011, 09:13:32 AM »

You want one of the finest 9mm's ever made , one that servered as the side arm of more countries in the free world and police holsters try a Browning High Power .
Want a rugged da/sa try a Bretta 92.
Want a good servicable gun try a Glock 17/19.
Want a pocket 9 pick one of the new LC 9's or such.

drdougrx · « **Reply #15 on:** August 31, 2011, 04:23:06 PM »

I'm look'n at the SW M&P 9mm range pack.....kinda all in one for $504 plus tx.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2011, 04:18:35 AM »

For tec. Most auto loades use the Browning bbl slide lock up - Glock , Bretta , Sig on an on . Yest some a few dont . The fire control is the difference , SA , DA ,DAO , hammer vs striker , hi-cap vs single stack etc. So you decide what you want then pick the application made to suit your need and ablity.

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2011, 01:28:05 PM »

Thanks to all for the lesson. I stopped at gander mountain and checked them out in person. It was nice to have some what of a clue going in. There are alot of guns to choose from but now I have some understanding what to look for. Now Im considering going with a 40, but still alot of shopping to do. Thanks again.

tacklebury · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2011, 03:20:49 PM »

.40's are good, but a lot more pricey in most cases to shoot than .45 ACP or 9mm especially. Lotta deals in bulk .45 hard ball and 9mm mil spec ammo out there. If you are a reloader, not as big a deal, but make sure you get a Lee FCD for .40S&W. My good friend struggled a long time trying to get consistent feeds from his handloads and I picked him up one of these and it's smooth sailing for him now.

Same goes for .45 acp though, I learned it the hard way myself.

williamlayton · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2011, 02:36:16 AM »

Stick with a good frame and slide. Whatever problems you encounter---if any at all--can be worked out to satisfaction.
Blessings

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2011, 04:50:51 AM »

No doubt over the counter 9mm is less cost but around here we have two police supply stores. They take in ammo and guns when departments change . Glock 23 are going for $349 , G-22 for $319 , S&W 40's for $349 and G-21 for $349 - $319 dependent on condition and generation. , 40 ammo $11.00 for pratice FMJ and 21 for 180 gr carry ammo . And Federal 180 hydroshok factory seconds for $17.00 a box.
If you have such a dealer near it might be worth a look .

Charlie Tango · « **Reply #21 on:** September 09, 2011, 04:41:10 AM »

I ended up ordering a Springfield XD9. I flip flopped from 9 to 40 but after some advice from a friend went with a 9. He said "get a nine because the ammo is cheaper and then you know you will practice. If you buy some loads for self defense, they will be effective for what you need for protection".

My friend knows Im quite tight with the dollar so this is good advice for me. I might balk at shooting as often as I need if the price is higher. I also know that I can always buy another weapon if a 9 doesnt fit the bill.

Now I am just waiting for the ffl to call saying it is in.

Thanks again for the lessons.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #22 on:** September 09, 2011, 05:41:05 AM »

The XD is a nice pistol. You should buy another pistol just because.