Handguns - Suggestions or tips

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JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
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only time ive had issues with jams and other malfunctions on a semi-auto have been with no-name brands (hi-point, ect). I actually havent had a jam with my xd (after about 800), my dads glock hasnt had a malfunction in over 4000 rounds or so. A lot of people will report the same thing. Yeah it happens, but the likelyhood is a lot less than what it used to be. There have been some revolver malfunctions reported too, S&W's new lock system has been shown to engage when in recoil with hot +p loads. The ejector rods can get unscrewed under the same circumstances. Ejector rods unscrewing are probably the most common problem that some revolver owners have, but not all of them and its not like its a serious issue. Someone at the range had their front sight fly off a taurus revolver the other day, lodged in his forehead and had to be take out with tweezers, he did't die or anything but he had a pretty nice looking bandaid on his head when i went there yesterday. Point is: guns have problems but its pretty rare, but whenever someone does you always hear about it. And you don't hear about what kind of condition the gun was in when it did. Just clean your shit and your good to go.

I have a Colt Officer's Model that is prone to misfeeds and stovepiping every once in a while. The most reliable semi-auto I own is a Glock 17 but even that will jam every once in a great great while and I've put many thousands of rounds through that gun over the years. In the last 20 years I've owned at least 5 different revolvers and NONE of them ever had a failure to fire when I pulled the trigger.

I always clean my guns after use. Keeping them clean certainly helps but it's no guarantee they won't jam.
 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
I've owned XD45 and still have FNP45. Timex watches compared to omega in sig.

You've owned a Springfield and you still call them trash? You're dumber than I thought.


He was not nitpicked or criticized. Go back and read the comment again if you need to. I think you just want to argue and be on the defensive over nothing really.

There is nothing wrong with using the correct terminology, even if 25-50% of people (your made up numbers) don't. The passing of knowledge should not be looked down on.

No, I just want people to stop offering useless advice never solicited. If you would like to inform everyone, post a PSA in OT titled "The difference between a clip and a magazine" and I'll stay out of it. The passing down of unsolicited useless information is certainly something to be looked down on.


Is it a full size k-bar equivalent knife I'm wielding?

I'll win, everytime at 10 feet. Sure you might hit me, but chances of it being a critical wound area in time to shut me down before I close the gap and can slice you up with the blade? Pretty much none.

This is hilarious. Since you are so certain, I propose a trial. I'll take my xD-9 with 16 shots of hollow point and you take your Kabar. 10 feet, we'll see how it turns out. Since there is no chance I'll kill you and I'm offering you $40k if you win, it's pretty much a free $40k.
 

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
This is hilarious. Since you are so certain, I propose a trial. I'll take my xD-9 with 16 shots of hollow point and you take your Kabar. 10 feet, we'll see how it turns out. Since there is no chance I'll kill you and I'm offering you $40k if you win, it's pretty much a free $40k.
knife in hand versus gun in holster = you are sliced meat
knife in hand and gun in hand = dead knifer
 
Dec 26, 2007
11,782
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knife in hand versus gun in holster = you are sliced meat
knife in hand and gun in hand = dead knifer

I'd place money on the person with a gun in holster still. Assuming they have trained for quick deployments of their weapon.

What about gun in holster vs knife in sheath?!?!?!?!
 

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81
This seems to be the most helpful to start. The best 9mm link was also pretty good.

For a first gun I would say go for .22 or 9mm as they are going to be your cheapest to shoot and less recoil. If you're uncomfortable with the recoil or can't hit anything because of recoil, that might turn you off to shooting.

Browning Buckmaster or Ruger Mark III are probably the best bet for .22 handgun.
A very easy to control 9mm would be a Beretta 92 or Taurus PT92 but they are very large handguns and may not fit your hands if they are small.

Try to go to a range that rents guns and try them out too. Or at least go to the shops and handle the guns so you know what feels good in your hand.

Under $1000 will get you pretty much anything but the most high end models.

Most .45 caliber Government model 1911s are going to have 7 rounds at minimum. You can buy 8 rounders and even 10 rounders in single stack. Don't think I've ever seen more than 10 in single stack.

6 rounds must be for the compact model 1911s.

You should be able to get a Springfield 1911 GI model or Mil-Spec model for about $5-600 or a loaded for about $7-800.

OP. Your best bet is to go to a gun show and handle as many weapons as you can. Note the ones that feel the best in your hand. Go home and research those models and check the reliability of the weapon. Then purchased based on that. Caliber is irrelivant. Shot placement is. Modern jacketed hollow points all have excellent penetration and expansion characteristics that make them good choices.
Go out and practice, practice, and practice some more. Make sure you are comfortable with whatever you choose and can manipulate any controls on it without having to look at what you are doing.

Personally I suggest paying a bit more money and getting something like a Sig or H&K.
For your 1st firearms ownership experience you want it to be a good one. If you buy a POS it can sour you to the whole thing. The Sigs and H&K are going to typically have better recoil characteristics, are typically more accurate, and are more reliable.
Whatever you do, don't get a subcompact as your first gun. Recoil is harsher, and sighting on a shorter sight radius will make your groupings much larger.

My 2c then...

.22 9mm .40 .45
---------------> increasing ammo price & stopping power (generally speaking)

Basic physics is that heavier guns and lighter bullet load means less recoil imparted on you, which is why people suggest .22 or 9mm for new shooters.

I second trying out the handguns first, at least for feel if not going out to a range. First time handling an H&K USP 9mm @ 50 yards I hit the target with most (~60%) of what I shot. I wasn't as impressed with the 1911 GI mentioned earlier...it's a great size for a .45 and the recoil is okay though it had 4 feed failures in 50 rounds, to be fair it was filthy and probably hadn't been cleaned in 1000+ rounds. I have larger hands and I'm not a huge fan of the Beretta 92. XDs have their fans, I hear the XD-M has better quality though.

Depending on your comfort level (and if you clear it with an FFL-ed dealer), you could probably use gunbroker.com to open your options for what to get for your price, basically eBay for firearms. As always, know your local laws first.
 
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JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
126
This is hilarious. Since you are so certain, I propose a trial. I'll take my xD-9 with 16 shots of hollow point and you take your Kabar. 10 feet, we'll see how it turns out. Since there is no chance I'll kill you and I'm offering you $40k if you win, it's pretty much a free $40k.

:rolleyes: You guys are out of your fucking minds arguing this...

Go get a hotel room and blow each other already or take it to PM.
 

sourceninja

Diamond Member
Mar 8, 2005
8,805
65
91
I'd place money on the person with a gun in holster still. Assuming they have trained for quick deployments of their weapon.

What about gun in holster vs knife in sheath?!?!?!?!

We have actually done some training with a fake knife and a airsoft pistol. In most cases the person with the pistol (without proper training) was unable to prevent the attacker from closing the distance, grappling to prevent the gun from being drawn and slashing his opponent to ribbons. I'd check out the dog brothers videos called "Die less often" I think volume 2 is about defending knife attacks and using your firearm.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
I don't think any of these Quick Draw McGraw's are going to believe you source....

They also feel they will have a distance of 10' or more and all the perps will just stand still in RAGE while being shot at.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I don't think any of these Quick Draw McGraw's are going to believe you source....

They also feel they will have a distance of 10' or more and all the perps will just stand still in RAGE while being shot at.

If someone looks shady, your gun should be drawn WAY before they're 10' away. Even someone expecting an attack would have a hard time not getting stabbed if their weapon was holstered and the attacker was 10' away.
 

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
This seems to be the most helpful to start. The best 9mm link was also pretty good.





My 2c then...

.22 9mm .40 .45
---------------> increasing ammo price & stopping power (generally speaking)

Basic physics is that heavier guns and lighter bullet load means less recoil imparted on you, which is why people suggest .22 or 9mm for new shooters.

I second trying out the handguns first, at least for feel if not going out to a range. First time handling an H&K USP 9mm @ 50 yards I hit the target with most (~60%) of what I shot. I wasn't as impressed with the 1911 GI mentioned earlier...it's a great size for a .45 and the recoil is okay though it had 4 feed failures in 50 rounds, to be fair it was filthy and probably hadn't been cleaned in 1000+ rounds. I have larger hands and I'm not a huge fan of the Beretta 92. XDs have their fans, I hear the XD-M has better quality though.

Depending on your comfort level (and if you clear it with an FFL-ed dealer), you could probably use gunbroker.com to open your options for what to get for your price, basically eBay for firearms. As always, know your local laws first.

wow, you're brave starting at 50 yards. I would suggest someone new starting close until you get good at that and then move back gradually.

I doubt most people shoot longer than 25 yards with a handgun.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,534
911
126
I don't think any of these Quick Draw McGraw's are going to believe you source....

They also feel they will have a distance of 10' or more and all the perps will just stand still in RAGE while being shot at.

It's probably the same group who thinks 9mm is adequate for bear defense.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
I have a Colt Officer's Model that is prone to misfeeds and stovepiping every once in a while. The most reliable semi-auto I own is a Glock 17 but even that will jam every once in a great great while and I've put many thousands of rounds through that gun over the years. In the last 20 years I've owned at least 5 different revolvers and NONE of them ever had a failure to fire when I pulled the trigger.

I always clean my guns after use. Keeping them clean certainly helps but it's no guarantee they won't jam.

Big advantage to revolver is firing in coat pocket. Second shot does not go so well with an auto.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
If someone looks shady, your gun should be drawn WAY before they're 10' away. Even someone expecting an attack would have a hard time not getting stabbed if their weapon was holstered and the attacker was 10' away.

good luck with brandishing.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
Compared to a sig it is, sparky. But if you can't afford a Sig I guess it's ok if you like plastic handles.

Sigs are great guns, but they're not the end all be all of firearms. I own 19 handguns of various makes and models. My favorite being H&K, my second favorite being Sig. Even compared to my Kimber 1911s & my Wilson Combat 1911.

And while I'm not personally a huge Glock fan, I'm at least capable of recognizing that they are great firearms, dead reliable, accurate and ergonomically functional. I would recommend a Glock as a first firearm over most Sigs or H&Ks if only for simplicity's sake.

There's no point in beating up everyone in the thread just because you like Sigs. You've spoken your piece, and made your recommendation.
 

thepd7

Diamond Member
Jan 2, 2005
9,423
0
0
Compared to a sig it is, sparky. But if you can't afford a Sig I guess it's ok if you like plastic handles.

Sigs are great guns, but they're not the end all be all of firearms. I own 19 handguns of various makes and models. My favorite being H&K, my second favorite being Sig. Even compared to my Kimber 1911s & my Wilson Combat 1911.

And while I'm not personally a huge Glock fan, I'm at least capable of recognizing that they are great firearms, dead reliable, accurate and ergonomically functional. I would recommend a Glock as a first firearm over most Sigs or H&Ks if only for simplicity's sake.

There's no point in beating up everyone in the thread just because you like Sigs. You've spoken your piece, and made your recommendation.

this.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Sigs are great guns, but they're not the end all be all of firearms. I own 19 handguns of various makes and models. My favorite being H&K, my second favorite being Sig. Even compared to my Kimber 1911s & my Wilson Combat 1911.

And while I'm not personally a huge Glock fan, I'm at least capable of recognizing that they are great firearms, dead reliable, accurate and ergonomically functional. I would recommend a Glock as a first firearm over most Sigs or H&Ks if only for simplicity's sake.

There's no point in beating up everyone in the thread just because you like Sigs. You've spoken your piece, and made your recommendation.

Fair enough like I said way earlier shoot some and decide yourself.

I disagree about ergos though with decocker, mag release, slide lock all located within thumbs distance and smooth as silk on Sigs due to fine machining. Never argued about reliable and accuracy most guns are just sig is the finest package for normal consumer.

My fav is STI double stack but I don't recommend it due to cost, not as good as sig machining, safty I click on while shooting unless riding it, SAO, temperamental 1911s etc
 

IGemini

Platinum Member
Nov 5, 2010
2,472
2
81

For mother the f****** win?
For mother, the f****** win?


We have actually done some training with a fake knife and a airsoft pistol. In most cases the person with the pistol (without proper training) was unable to prevent the attacker from closing the distance, grappling to prevent the gun from being drawn and slashing his opponent to ribbons.

Krav Maga?

wow, you're brave starting at 50 yards. I would suggest someone new starting close until you get good at that and then move back gradually.

Yeah, I suppose I was more curious about effective range accuracy at the time. It wasn't my first pistol fired period, that went to a Walther P99 .40S&W. Rather significant difference in recoil trying a nine after that. The 1911 was my first trial at shooting for precision, which wasn't as great even @ 15 feet but it's something everyone serious about pistol handling works for.
 

Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I disagree about ergos though with decocker, mag release, slide lock all located within thumbs distance and smooth as silk on Sigs due to fine machining. Never argued about reliable and accuracy most guns are just sig is the finest package for normal consumer.

Ever handled a new out of the box Sig 220 with the 8 round single stack Sig magazines? The slide release is not what I would call "smooth as silk." More like, "viagra stiff" or "gorilla strong." This is because the mags are extremely stiff and basically require a mag loader to load to capacity.