Hi All

[jimmy]

Hi All:

I am new to the forum and new to the hand gun experience as well. About a month ago I went with a friend of mine from work to his shooting practice at the gun range and I shot some rounds with his SIG P226..The experience was so much fun and I decided to buy a gun for practice mainly as a hobby..So I started reading every single material to educate myself on the topic and that's how I ended up in this forum.

I am now researching 12 guns (6 in steel frames and 6 in polymer frames) and the plan is to test 2 guns at a time every week to see which one I like the most..The winner gun from the previous week will be benchmarked with a new gun the following week..and so on...untill I have a winner.

I posted my first question 2 days ago and got very good replies on my post that helped me in my searching inquire of the BEST gun (for me ofcourse, I already learned that each gun enthusiast has his own preferences in a gun and that no gun satisfies all's needs).

My icon is as you can see is an open shadow gun, because I still don't have one. And once I decide on which gun I like the best from the trial list, I will post a picture of that gun as my forum icon..So beware my fellow members, once that icon changes, I have an nnouncement of my first purchase to come.

[Gregg1LE]

Welcome and having fun choosing your new handgun. Can you tell us a few of the candidates?

EDIT: Nevermind, I saw your list on your other post.....

[jimmy]

Hi Gregg1LE:

Based on the recommendation of experienced forum members (to replace the S&W Sigma by the MP9), here is the updated list to try (2 already tried and 10 to go):

under steel frames:
SIG SAUER - P226
Beretta 92FS (tried on 02-02 -09 & 02-04-09)
Browning HIgh Power
CZ-75
EAA Witness
Baby Eagle

under Polymer frames:
Springfield XD(M) (tried on 02-02 -09 & 02-04-09)
Glock 17
Walther P99
Smith & Wesson MP 9mm
EAA Witness Polymer
Baby Eagle Polymer - BE9900L/BE991

[Gregg1LE]

A great list ! When you try the M & P 9, check out the full size and compact !

[TOF]

Welcome to the forum

When testing pistols that come with different size grips such as the M&P series, I suggest you try them with all available grip inserts. They do make a difference.

[DJ Niner]

Welcome to the site!

[banjar]

Welcome from Eastern North Carolina.

[tekhead1219]

Welcome from southeast Texas.

[jimmy]

Thanks to fellow members..I'll take your advice into considerations..Any tip on what range distance I should use to check the accuracy of the tested gun (given the fact that I am a novice user and that I might have bad habits, even though I am getting tremendous tips on how to enhance my techniques, but given the fact that I dont have a gun now I obviously can't practice half of the tips like the pencil trick and the dry shooting to mention a few)...So what distance would be appropriate (given my limited skills) to benchmark the gun accuracy.

Once agian..thanks for the welcoming remarks.

[tekhead1219]

Thanks to fellow members..I'll take your advice into considerations..Any tip on what range distance I should use to check the accuracy of the tested gun (given the fact that I am a novice user and that I might have bad habits, even though I am getting tremendous tips on how to enhance my techniques, but given the fact that I dont have a gun now I obviously can't practice half of the tips like the pencil trick and the dry shooting to mention a few)...So what distance would be appropriate (given my limited skills) to benchmark the gun accuracy.

Once agian..thanks for the welcoming remarks.

IMHO, the best way is to start with the target approx. 9 ft. out on the range. This way you can see where the shots are hitting, adjust your trigger pull and grip if necessary. Once you can consistently hit the mark, then back it out to 15 ft...21 ft...etal.

[literaltrance]

For the most part, that's an excellent selection of firearms to choose from. There are, however, a couple red flags that went up when I was reading through the list, so just as a courtesy I'd like to mention them:

-EAA Witness: I've found several online sources which say the 10mm line of Witness handguns can develop slide cracks due to being undersprung. I have also handled an EAA Witness Compact 9mm and it was MOST DEFINITELY undersprung. If you ever get to hold one of these, test the slide. You will definitely know if the spring is weak. Those same online sources say buying a Wolff spring to replace the factory spring alleviates the problem. Considering Wolff springs are commonly used in competition and custom-shop handguns, this reasons to be a great solution.

-Browning Hi-Power: I've read that some older model 40S&W Hi-Powers were not properly constructed for the caliber, essentially the original slide was used to shoot the 40S&W even though it wasn't designed to handle it. Slides would crack and springs would fail even after a few hundred rounds. More literature suggests the meat of the problem was forged slides (old) vs. cast slides (new). Certainly this is worth investigating.

[jimmy]

Thanks for the tips guys..I went today on my lunch break to the range (where they also have a gun shop - great service and very curtious)..Today, the trial guns were the S&W M&P9 and the CZ-75BD..I frirst started with the M&P9..I shot 50 rds and the trials were at range distances (5 yrds, 10 yrds, 12, yrds and 15 yrds). I loved everything about the gun..It is a decent gun..It is slightly better than the XD(M) that I have already tried..Then came the turn to try the CZ75 DB..BOY OH BOY..!!! This gun is AWSOME..!!! you should see my 10 yrds and 15 yards target sheets..Now either I am getting better in shooting or this gun is one of a kind..It is sure heavier than the M&P, but for my first gun I am not looking for carry, I am looking for a fun gun at the range and for home protection..The CZ75 BD fitted my hand and the sights are easy and small in size which would force you to pinpoint the target faster without shifting you focal length as much. I couldn't beleive the results I got at 15 yrds. So I replaced the target sheet and send it back to 15 yrds and shot another 10 rds..BOY it was in the target circle again..I am telling you this gun looks like a winner to me..

I am almost tempted to buy it and forget about my list..But I have made a commitment to try them all. may be I will go with literaltrance's advice and drop the EAA Witness and the High power off the list...Another thing I observed today, i am more inclined to steel frames..As you can tell for my first gun I am not looking for a carry piece so weight is no problem..The weight seems to stabilize my hand more.

After the shooting practice, I started looking at the profile of the gun (that is the CZ 75 BD) and it has really nice cut lines..it looks like a 1911 design with the wing tip over the area between the thumb and the index.. So here is my preliminary ranking of the tested guns:

1. CZ75 BD
2. S&W M&P9
3. Springfield XD(M)
4. Beretta 92FS

more testing of the remaining guns in the list to come..One question guys, am I boring you with my stuff..I am sorry to write these lengthy messages, but I am so excited and I just want to talk about it..And all my friends in our social circle would consider me nuts if I talk about my new hobby.

[literaltrance]

The CZ P-01 (compact version based on the CZ 75 BD) is my main carry piece by the way It's very slick and I don't see how anyone could go wrong with it.

And as far as "boring" other forum readers, I don't think that's the case. The newly-found enthusiasm you have with handguns is something that we all share; it's why we're here. I also have a creeping suspicion that a good amount of us can't comfortably discuss these kinds of subjects with real-life friends either, so again you fit right in.

Wait til you discover trigger reset. You'll feel like an 8 year-old on Christmas day.

[kenw]

am I boring you with my stuff..I am sorry to write these lengthy messages

I can only speak for myself, but as another newbie I can say that I'm enjoying your posts. I'm also looking towards my next purchases, and your list is similar to mine as far as models to check out.

I don't have easy access to a range that rents guns to test. The closest one to me is about 90 minutes away, and their selection is limited, so I'm watching your posts closely and making mental notes on your observations.

I hope you don't mind that I'm living vicariously through your experiences.

Ken

[jimmy]

> I hope you don't mind that I'm living vicariously through your experiences.

Ken, I will keep posting an update on my experimentation with these guns..I am really glad that someone will benefit from it..I am preparing a little report where I rate my accuracy in each gun..I can share this with you after I am done testing all these guns.

[jimmy]

>> Wait til you discover trigger reset. You'll feel like an 8 year-old on Christmas day.
Hey literaltrance:
You already got me enthusiastic to know ..what is a "trigger reset"..??

Today I learned a new trick from one of the guys at the range to pull the trigger with the front tip of my index finger..I tried it and it does mak a difference, but he mentioned that it needs lots of dry fire practice..Is this what trigger reset is or is it something else..Please explain or refer me to othen links for explanation..Thanks.

[buck32]

Another one with a very high midioncloroine count Luke. The count goes right off the scale. Keep this one also Luke. He will make a great Jedi!!!

[literaltrance]

>> Wait til you discover trigger reset. You'll feel like an 8 year-old on Christmas day.
Hey literaltrance:
You already got me enthusiastic to know ..what is a "trigger reset"..??

Trigger reset is the distance the trigger takes for it to reset the hammer/striker action once the firing pin has struck a primer and the slide has cycled the casing out of the chamber. Obviously this doesn't work for a revolver.

Hrm, I don't think I am explaining this very well.

When you pull the trigger and a round goes off, KEEP THE TRIGGER DEPRESSED WHILE THE HANDGUN CYCLES ITS ACTIONS. Then after the recoil, SLOWLY let the trigger out until it clicks, then hold the trigger at that position. You will notice this reduces the amount your finger has to move when compared to a scenario where you entirely let your finger off the trigger. This is trigger reset.

You might not want to fiddle with this until after you make your decision about which handgun you'd like to own. Different makes of semi-autos have all kinds of options, and the characteristics of trigger reset can vary just as much.

[Blanco720]

Welcome, friend!

[jimmy]

Hi All:



<< Hrm, I don't think I am explaining this very well.>>

literaltrance: Beleive me, you are very thorough in your explanation .. Also another member whom I am getting Golden Rules type of advices is Jeff - look at my other posts and you can read his replies..This guy is a PRO and sounds very honest with lots of experience.

Thanks guys ... you are all great.

Buck32, I read your reply but didn't get the figure of speech .. I am assuming Luke is "literaltrance" right? Any ways thanks for the welcome remark.

Hey Blanco720 thanks too..I feel at ease in the forum with all the welcoming remarks..

[gnet158]

Welcome

[literaltrance]

Buck32, I read your reply but didn't get the figure of speech .. I am assuming Luke is "literaltrance" right? Any ways thanks for the welcome remark.

No sir, he's referring to jedis in Star Wars

[unpecador]

No sir, he's referring to jedis in Star Wars

Midi-chlorians (also spelled "midi-clorians" or "midichlorians") are a microorganism in the fictional Star Wars galaxy... They are microscopic life-forms that reside within the cells of all living things and communicate with the Force.

[jimmy]

Thanks for the explanation guys ... I feel embarassed now

[jimmy]

Hi Guys:

I am about to make a decision between the CZ 75 BD and the SIG P226.
For more info, refer to my post at: http://www.handgunforum.net/showthread.php?p=159572#post159572


I want both guns