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Compacts are good. I have a Glock 23 with interchangeable barrels for the 9 x 19 mm and for the .357 caliber. Easy drop in. Love the way it fits my small hand. I also have a Bersa Thunder .380 but it has a bugger of gun for a trigger. I passed my CCW with the Bersa though...the smaller the barrel, the more recoil so I heard.
Heh..Buds usually always has them. It's a great benefit to be able to go into the shop and see what's wandered in.
Yesterday I checked out a Ruger (which i didn't like the feel of). Also, a Beretta 92, (a bit on the large side, bit I liked it). There a 1911, which I don't think I'd like right now, slightly heavy (not poly) and maybe not the best for the girlfriend, either. Lastly, there was a beretta px4. I loved this gun. It has a good feel in your hand - substantial, The grip is a bit on the wider side, the slide isn't too hard to pull back (for the misses), and it's a sa/da gun. I HATED the slide mount safety (I don't know why they do it...) But I suppose it's something I can get used to.
After being in the shop, checking out so many beautiful expensive pistols (they had an HK USP, and an FN 57) I realized that for what I need this gun for, I'm setting my pricepoint too high. Money is an issue for me, and I can get a great weapon for in the 500 dollar range. I don't know if that changes the suggestions put forth in this thread so far, but I suppose the PX4 and the baby Eagle are two guns in the running, but I'm open to all else.
Thanks for the suggestions so far, everyone!
Oh lastly, I didn't love the feel of the glock in my hand. I'm not going to discredit it until I shoot though.
A LEO (law enforcement officer) trade-in is a weapon that was owned and issued to active duty officers by some LE agency. That means they are damn near 100% reliable and shot very few times. Officers are required to meet qualification standards from 1-4 times a year. Normally 50-60 rounds a trip. Add it up on the age of the gun and compared to civilian use it will be a low round count. Many can't get passed the scratches, dust and sometimes grime of these guns. A good cleaning and polishing does wonders. So, in a nut shell, they normally cost less than a new shiny model. Unfortunately, many gun stores do not carry such trade-ins. Just keep it in the back of your mind during your visits to one store after another.Quote:
Originally Posted by as-of-now
Hey everyone, yesterday I tested a springfield, SandW version of the p99, and a glock. I love the looks and feel of the p99, it is the most balanced and good feeling gun yet. And, I don't mind the AS trigger, AFTER the first shot. The first shot however is a long unpredictable stroke, however it may be fine with some getting used to. (in short, a complete turn off.) For me, he springfield was good in all areas, just not GREAT. And the glock, while I don't like the feel of it in my hand, I really liked the feel of the trigger and the way it shot. Next time it'll be a sig, M and P, and maybe the beretta storm if I can find one to shoot.
The latter is probably the best feeing in my hand.
Thanks for all the input and help so far, everyone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by as-of-now
Sounds like you're doing it right, if you practice more the DA trigger pull isn't that bad...I hate them, but I never took the time to get overly proficient with a DA trigger pull on an auto.
[QUOTE=as-of-now;
That said, I have to love the look of the gun, which is why I'm straying from the glock. I've been looking at a few guns in particular. First off, I love the Jericho (baby eagle) polymer compact. Also, the Walther p99 is a great looking gun (never held it though). And I've heard great things about the SIG's - I was thinking maybe a p229 or 239 (don't really know the difference) or a p250 (which I've heard mixed things about).
I would appreciate any info on the handguns I just mentioned - reviews, comparisons, opinions on which are best, etc.
Also, if there are other guns that I didn't mention that you think might fit the bill, let me know.
Thanks in advance for your time an patience in dealing with a handgun newb....[/QUOTE]
JMOfartO:
I had a P239, excellent pistol. I had a Walther P99c/AS, excellent pistol, amazingly accurate. I had a couple of Glocks, and while there are a zillion folks carrying them I just could never warm up to them.
I held the Jericho, but it was a bit too "hefty" for my taste in a carry weapon.
Here's a suggestion that you might not have an interest in, but folks who have them love 'em, and if your female counterpart is going to be shooting whatever gun you buy I think she will love it.
S&W 3913LS.... Third generation Smiths have a reputation for absolute reliability (as much as a pistol can be), and are more than self defense accurate. The LadySmith in particular seems to be a favorite of many people, and consequently are kinda pricey for a 3rd gen Smith, but you should be able to find one, NIB within your price range. The LadySmith will come with a lifetime warranty.
Just another choice.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
FWIW - Take a look at the Stoeger Cougar. For about 400 bucks you will have a gun that is as accurate & reliable as one could hope for at twice the price. The only downside is the weight since it is not a polymer. If you spend a little time researching that gun you will find that it is the old Beretta Cougar, made with the same tooling as the old Beretta. Parts are interchangable, and having fired both, I couldn't tell the difference. I own a Stoeger Cougar, and I have no regrets with the purchase.
Just outta curiousity - you mentioned being newly out of the service - why isnt the M9 or Beretta 92FS on your list? Its about $500 and reliable as all get out. Plus, being made for armed forces, the grip is middle of the road in thickness.
you said for your wife...
9mm
exposed hammer so that you can cock it and it is easier to rack the slide to chamber a round
single stack would be better for her hand - walther and
FN P9 but it is double stack but might fit
have you thought of the .380's?
just my 2 cents but you wouldnt buy a fugly car j because it fit your need some do i know but looks is something to consider not as important as function / reliability but still a factor
For $400 maybe less you can get a Stoeger Cougar 9mm and it will protect the heck out of you. This one well made pistol, I have one. Little recoil, shoots very well, accurate, just one heck of a gun. Have NEVER had a problem with it with 700 rounds thru it. When I first got it I cleaned it then oiled it well wit Rem Oil and I keep it that way after every range practice. You can not go wrong with a Stoeger Cougar. tumbleweed
If she has problems with the slides of the various mentioned guns, don't discount the .380 cal. It's about as small a caliber as I would go, but with the increased popularity of the .380, the ammo manufacturers are making some very impressive rounds for personnel protection. I have a Bersa Thunder.380 that I carry with Hornady FXT ammo and feel just as protected as when I carry my 9mm. As I'm sure you are aware, it's not necessarily the caliber, but the placement of the shot, that counts most. My sister-in-law has trouble with slides being too hard to safely operate and she Carries a snub nose S&W revolver. Just keep pulling the trigger until it quits going bang and only goes click.
I haven't read a lot of the posts... so I apologize if this is entire irrelevant...
The best advice, as already stated, is to go to a range and decide for yourself which is best. There are many reliable and well made guns that meet your criteria. You need to find the one that fits best in your hand and that you feel the most comfortable shooting.
That said...here are my specific responses....
You really cannot beat a Glock 19. I would reconsider you're cosmetic indifference toward Glock.
I don't have experience with polymer guns other than Glock. I assume your polymer preference has more to do with weight than the material itself. If that's true, then I recommend the CZ P-01. It is a highly regarded compact 9mm with a light alloy frame. So you get the weight benefit.
Good luck!
Did y'all guys notice this thread is like a year and a half old...