A "middle" gun

I'm new to the forum so forgive me if I'm in the wrong place or breaking some other etiquette. After reading several posts, I had a question that I thought I could get some feedback on.

I have recently liquidated a couple of guns to raise some cash, and am now looking to limit myself to three handguns that will pretty much handle anything I might want to do. I own a Sig P239 in 9mm for concealed carry, and I've pretty much decided that I want a S&W 686 357 mag for a larger frame revolver. But I want an "in-between" semi-auto. The question is what caliber and what gun? I'm thinking maybe a .45, but I really don't have any convictions. Maybe a 1911? I don't know.

Anybody got any advice?

welcome from southern oregon

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Originally Posted by Harvey23

I'm new to the forum so forgive me if I'm in the wrong place or breaking some other etiquette. After reading several posts, I had a question that I thought I could get some feedback on.

I have recently liquidated a couple of guns to raise some cash, and am now looking to limit myself to three handguns that will pretty much handle anything I might want to do. I own a Sig P239 in 9mm for concealed carry, and I've pretty much decided that I want a S&W 686 357 mag for a larger frame revolver. But I want an "in-between" semi-auto. The question is what caliber and what gun? I'm thinking maybe a .45, but I really don't have any convictions. Maybe a 1911? I don't know.

Anybody got any advice?

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Well, the general rule in this type situation is to ask "What do you want to DO with the weapon?". When you say "in-between" are you referring to gun weight, gun size, caliber, power level of the ammunition, or something else? If I was asked to select something that would fit "in-between" the two guns you already owned, I probably wouldn't pick any type of .45, but maybe that's just me. Factory-loaded .45 ammo is about twice as expensive as 9mm, and about 50% more costly than .40, so unless you have a really specific need that only a .45 can fill, then I'd recommend another caliber.

Perhaps something with a slightly larger bullet, bigger in size than the SIG, but not as heavy or long as a 4" or 6" revolver, like a Glock in .40 caliber. Or maybe a larger gun for target-shooting that uses ammo you already keep on-hand, like a Glock 34 in 9mm? For range/target use, a reliable, accurate .22 pistol is always a good choice, and the ammo is cheap enough to let you shoot all day long. How about a Ruger or Browning Buckmark .22 pistol?

Yeah, I've never had to buy .45 ammo, so I was unaware of that.

My thinking was more of a full sized gun for range use (accuracy at at greater distance, etc.) or any other purpose that doesn't require concealment. And as long as I was entertaining the idea of a third gun, I thought maybe something in a different caliber with a little more knock-down power than the 9mm. A Glock in .40 cal is a possibility. Any particular model? Do you prefer Glock to other manufacturers? I guess there's something to be said for just staying with the 9mm and not having to buy two types of ammo.

I appreciate your thoughts. I've owned some handguns for years, but have only recently been trying to get more educated about them.

I love my Beretta 96.......92fs also nice

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the site.

I would suggest you look at a CZ 75B or the SP-01 because I like the gun. I am not sure if you will nor not, but I like it. It is a semi auto it comes in 9 and .40 not a .45.

Everyone should own at least one CZ.........

RCG

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Originally Posted by recoilguy

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to the site.

I would suggest you look at a CZ 75B or the SP-01 because I like the gun. I am not sure if you will nor not, but I like it. It is a semi auto it comes in 9 and .40 not a .45.

Everyone should own at least one CZ.........

RCG

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i would tend to agree strongly about the cz75..... a great gun by people known for great guns

I hadn't really thought about CZ. I'll check them out. That's why I'm asking.

I just bought a bunch of range ammo today, and it drove home the value of just getting a full size 9mm. It would save having to buy two types of ammo. Are the ballistics of the .40 cal enough better to justify a different caliber gun? Based on what DJ Niner is saying about the cost of .45 ammo, I think .45 is probably out. I'm not looking to go broker than I am already.
Thanks

Berettabone, I looked at the Beretta 84FS Cheetah pretty seriously before I ended up getting the Sig P239. I'm left handed and liked the ambidextrous safety. Went a different direction, but liked it.

If you are lefty and want the ambi saftey in CZ you will need to look at the 85 not the 75. 75 is righty only 85 is the Ambi model

RCG

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Originally Posted by Harvey23

Yeah, I've never had to buy .45 ammo, so I was unaware of that.

My thinking was more of a full sized gun for range use (accuracy at at greater distance, etc.) or any other purpose that doesn't require concealment. And as long as I was entertaining the idea of a third gun, I thought maybe something in a different caliber with a little more knock-down power than the 9mm. A Glock in .40 cal is a possibility. Any particular model? Do you prefer Glock to other manufacturers? I guess there's something to be said for just staying with the 9mm and not having to buy two types of ammo.

I appreciate your thoughts. I've owned some handguns for years, but have only recently been trying to get more educated about them.

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Yes, I'm a confirmed Glock fan. I've got most of their various-sized 9mms, and a few .40s, too. All are easy to shoot well, reliable, and tough as nails. They are not much to look at, but the G34 (9mm) and G35 (.40 caliber) have lines that are a bit more pleasing to the eye (with their rounded/tapered slide front-ends), and their slide/frame proportions that are similar to a 1911. They also have a slightly lighter trigger action, extended magazine release button, and enough out-of-the-box accuracy to let you jump right into almost any style of pistol shooting competition, short of 2700 bullseye or the Olympics.

The G22 in .40 caliber is another option; it's probably the most-used police handgun in the U.S. right now, and Glock owns about 65% of the police market here in the States. It is less expensive than the G34/G35, and you might be able to find an older police trade-in gun for an even bigger savings, if your budget is tight.

Just like the .45, unless you want/need the .40 for something specific, keeping your logistics simple by staying with the 9mm makes a lot of sense, and you get significantly more bang for your buck with the 9mm. I'd suggest a G34, and the best recommendation I can give you is this: I like the G34 so much, I have two of them.

How about a pocket bug, 642? I carry mine everywhere.

if you still are believing that this is a full size gun for home and the shooting range then i would also go with the glock 34
used extensively in professional competition and if you really get into the local competition the GSSF has events at several LGS's
the G34 trigger is the lightest of all glocks because of made for competitiion

I own an 84 fs Cheetah.......love the gun..used it for qualifying for CCW.........fit, feel, function, and very accurate out of the box.......nothing wrong with the Sig, I just prefer Beretta......

I really liked what I could find out about the 84FS Cheetah, berettabone, but availability seemed like a problem, and I wound up moving to the P239. I'll have to keep it on "the list" though.

Sounds like Glock and CZ are where I should focus for now. Anybody feel strongly about caliber - .40 cal or something else, verses just staying with 9mm?

I'm going to look into the CZ 85 for sure, recoilguy. I'm definitely a leftie, so I prefer ambidextrous or safetyless. I can manage most of the other stuff with my left hand.

DJ, I really don't understand the Glock trigger/safety system, and that is probably one reason I've never gone very far in looking a them. Is that something that takes some getting used to?

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Originally Posted by Harvey23

DJ, I really don't understand the Glock trigger/safety system, and that is probably one reason I've never gone very far in looking a them. Is that something that takes some getting used to?

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Some folks get used to it more quickly than others. If you are concentrating on the fundamentals of shooting (solid upright position, correct sight alignment and sight picture, breath control and trigger press), you might not even notice it after the first few shots. It does not require any separate action on the shooter's part to disengage the safety lever on the trigger; when you want to shoot, place your finger on the trigger and squeeze, and when you're done shooting, move your finger off the trigger and out of the trigger guard to an index position (same as you should with ANY handgun).

The internal automatic safeties all operate on trigger movement, the theory being if you are moving the trigger to the rear, you want/need to fire the weapon. When you release the trigger to the forward position, all safeties reengage automatically. Use a proper-fitting holster and keep your finger off the trigger and indexed when you're not shooting, and a Glock is as safe as any ready-for-action handgun can be.

Thanks. It's time I just go shoot one at the range. Gotta admit, that G34 is pretty interesting.