Looking at a Glock 19 or Sig 226 as my first semiauto

[Imyourzero]

So the GF and I just finished our gun safety class and I want something that I can take to the range that won't make my wallet too light if I want to do a lot of practicing.

After looking on various forums and websites I've narrowed it down to the Glock and the Sig, though I'm not 100% set on one of those. They just seem to have a very large owner base with a reputation for being very solid 9mm pistols. I do want to start with a 9mm. I realize that a .22 is much cheaper to shoot but when I get my CCW it's possible that I'll get something like a .45 for the range and relegate the 9mm to self-defense duty, in which case it'll have more stopping power than a .22. Or I might get a compact .45 to carry and keep the 9mm for the range...I just don't know yet.

GF's dad has a S&W M&P 9mm that I put a few mags through last Saturday, and I liked it pretty well. Yesterday I used his H&K USP .40 to finish the class and it was a very nice gun, although everything I've read makes me think that although H&K makes a great product, you can get the same quality in a pistol for less money.

Thoughts, opinions, and suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[SacrosanctFiend]

Sig>Glock

I hate striker-fire weapons. I don't know why, it's just a personal preference.

 

[FallenHero]

I would go with the sig. I'll be changing my duty weapon from a glock to a sig in the next year. More accurate, and just better overall quality. However, you can't really go wrong with either one.

 

[LS20]

sig if you can afford it, durrr

 

[JBarr]

I'm not a fan of the 9mm as a CCW gun, IMHO, a .357 sig or larger is a much more effective weapon, and is the minimum you should carry.

Another thing to consider is that some CCW permit holders look at exactly what the local police carry, guns & ammo & purchase the exact same weapon/ammo in case there's a civil case. I don't ascribe to the theory, but it would look bad if you had to show a "race gun" to a jury & explain you shot someone with it.

Either is a fine weapon, the safety on the Sig is a nice option, though.

 

[50cent1228]

i like the glock .40 small and nice

 

[Spikesoldier]

for CCW here in texas, i am looking to get a hold of a sprinfield xd .40, in the 3" subcompact variety.

.40 is expensive ammo compared to 9mm .357sig and .45 right? i considered a magnum .357 and would practice with .38's, but the high cost per round was a factor in decision.

 

[imported_sicko]

Do you plan on shooting anyone with the said weapon in the near future?

 

[crt1530]

I just purchase a Sig P239 SAS in .40 for concealed carry. I'm taking classes and going to the range to bring MY accuracy up to par with the accuracy of the gun.

Originally posted by: sicko
Do you plan on shooting anyone with the said weapon in the near future?

Go jump off a bridge.

 

[Kelvrick]

Take a look at the Sig p2022.

I'm thinking about getting one of those, or the springfield xd in 9mm.

I would think that most people, if they get a 9mm and then a larger caliber use the second more powerful gun for ccw and relegate the 9mm to the range?

 

[crt1530]

I think you should use your CCW as your primary range shooter. Why would you pick one gun/caliber to have the most experience with and rely on a different weapon when it's time to protect your life? The difference in cost between 9/.40 ammo is not that significant (at my range it's $9 vs $11). Practice with the gun you intend to use to defend yourself.

 

[Triumph]

Practice with the gun you intend to use to defend yourself.

 

[paulney]

Great. Someone started a gun thread, so I can ask my question too.
Like OP, I've completed my basic gun safety.

I shot GLock before under supervision of a friend, and I think it lacks in safeties (it really scares me).
During the class I got a chance to feel S&W 9mm 910S. I thought it was great: double action, magazine safety (won't shoot a bullet in the chamber if the magazine is out), felt medium heavy and fit my hand perfectly.

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Not the Glock. The Glock takes like 10 shots to kill someone. I once had to use 30 shots to kill someone by shooting them in the foot. The Sig is ok but it has a lot of upward recoil. I personally like the USP because you get a silencer with it, plus it's really accurate and you can snipe with it if you're handy. I've sniped a few people with my USP and it pwns. Ever gone shotgun sniping? You should also consider getting the Steyr Scout because it'll make you run faster, faster than the knife even.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Not the Glock. The Glock takes like 10 shots to kill someone. I once had to use 30 shots to kill someone by shooting them in the foot. The Sig is ok but it has a lot of upward recoil. I personally like the USP because you get a silencer with it, plus it's really accurate and you can snipe with it if you're handy. I've sniped a few people with my USP and it pwns. Ever gone shotgun sniping? You should also consider getting the Steyr Scout because it'll make you run faster, faster than the knife even.

That wouldn't be a problem if you could score 100% headshots like I do.

 

[crt1530]

Originally posted by: paulney
Great. Someone started a gun thread, so I can ask my question too.
Like OP, I've completed my basic gun safety.

I shot GLock before under supervision of a friend, and I think it lacks in safeties (it really scares me).
During the class I got a chance to feel S&W 9mm 910S. I thought it was great: double action, magazine safety (won't shoot a bullet in the chamber if the magazine is out), felt medium heavy and fit my hand perfectly.

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.

You should not be relying on the gun's safety mechanisms to keep you safe. The safest gun is the one in the hands of a well trained human.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: crt1530
You should not be relying on the gun's safety mechanisms to keep you safe. The safest gun is the one in the hands of a well trained human.

I understand that, however we all make mistakes. Especially new gun owners.

 

[crt1530]

If you really like the Smith & Wesson and feel comfortable using it, buy it. That being said, I'd recommend you spend at least the cost of the gun on classes and range time.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: 91TTZ

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Not the Glock. The Glock takes like 10 shots to kill someone. I once had to use 30 shots to kill someone by shooting them in the foot. The Sig is ok but it has a lot of upward recoil. I personally like the USP because you get a silencer with it, plus it's really accurate and you can snipe with it if you're handy. I've sniped a few people with my USP and it pwns. Ever gone shotgun sniping? You should also consider getting the Steyr Scout because it'll make you run faster, faster than the knife even.

That wouldn't be a problem if you could score 100% headshots like I do.

:| Stop aimbotting meeeeeee :|

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Originally posted by: Spikesoldier
for CCW here in texas, i am looking to get a hold of a sprinfield xd .40, in the 3" subcompact variety.

.40 is expensive ammo compared to 9mm .357sig and .45 right? i considered a magnum .357 and would practice with .38's, but the high cost per round was a factor in decision.

Nice choice. :thumbsup:
I got one of those last fall... I love it.

.40 ammo isn't that much more than 9mm. $2-3 more per box.

 

[FallenHero]

Originally posted by: paulney
Great. Someone started a gun thread, so I can ask my question too.
Like OP, I've completed my basic gun safety.

I shot GLock before under supervision of a friend, and I think it lacks in safeties (it really scares me).
During the class I got a chance to feel S&W 9mm 910S. I thought it was great: double action, magazine safety (won't shoot a bullet in the chamber if the magazine is out), felt medium heavy and fit my hand perfectly.

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.

Well, I've never had my glock randomly discharge while I've carried it on or off duty. Short of some mechanical failure, the only way a glock will fire is if the trigger is pulled AFAIK.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: sicko
Do you plan on shooting anyone with the said weapon in the near future?

Not unless I have to, i.e. a last resort in self-defense.

Thanks for the responses, guys. I knew I could count on you to chime in...please keep this civil and on topic, as it's a very serious subject. I had a ton of fun shooting and do plan to get in a lot of time at the range...hence why I don't want a .45 or a 10mm because of the higher ammo prices.

I might end up with a .22 for the range so that I can spend a few hours at a time without using up $10 in ammo. The Ruger MKII looks like a very solid choice, although there is a S&W .22 that's "never been fired" in the local trading journal for $265, and the couple of MKIIs in there are around $450 but I think they are scoped.

I don't want to spend $450 on a .22 though, as that would put me firmly in the territory of a higher caliber gun that I would actually use to protect myself with.

JBarr, you bring up a good point. A .357 or even a .38 would probably be a better weapon for CC if I didn't want one of the compact .40 or .45s. The GF is probably going to end up with a small frame .38 revolver to carry in her purse, and I'm going to make her look into the concealed hammer designs so that there is nothing to snag or catch and accidentally fire.

I've read some nice things about the XDs and would love to try one out; however, after calling around, there really isn't anywhere around here that rents guns. My best bet is probably to find a friend, co-worker, or someone at the range that has one that they would be willing to let me shoot a couple of mags through.

crt1530, you also have a good point. Rest assured that if (for example) I end up with a 9mm and a .45, I will put plenty of rounds through the .45 because as you said, if it's going to be my defender I want to be sure I'm comfortable and accurate with it. I definitely want a 9mm for the range due to the cost of ammo though...and who knows, although it might not be the ideal caliber for self-defense, it's much better than what I have now (nothing).

I don't really buy the Glock taking 10 shots to kill someone. ANY gun can kill someone in as little as 1 or 2 shots...doesn't really matter about the caliber (except maybe a .22 in some cases) and it REALLY doesn't matter about the brand. It's not like a Glock 9mm will be any less lethal than a Sig or H&K 9mm...that's just silly. The Glock may be less accurate, though much of that is obviously the skill of the shooter.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
I don't really buy the Glock taking 10 shots to kill someone. ANY gun can kill someone in as little as 1 or 2 shots...doesn't really matter about the caliber (except maybe a .22 in some cases) and it REALLY doesn't matter about the brand. It's not like a Glock 9mm will be any less lethal than a Sig or H&K 9mm...that's just silly. The Glock may be less accurate, though much of that is obviously the skill of the shooter.

He was talking about the game obviously

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: FallenHero

Originally posted by: paulney
Great. Someone started a gun thread, so I can ask my question too.
Like OP, I've completed my basic gun safety.

I shot GLock before under supervision of a friend, and I think it lacks in safeties (it really scares me).
During the class I got a chance to feel S&W 9mm 910S. I thought it was great: double action, magazine safety (won't shoot a bullet in the chamber if the magazine is out), felt medium heavy and fit my hand perfectly.

Any thoughts on this?
Thanks.

Well, I've never had my glock randomly discharge while I've carried it on or off duty. Short of some mechanical failure, the only way a glock will fire is if the trigger is pulled AFAIK.

A glock has 3 internal safeties, but no external. They are not going to go off by themselves.

I do like having an external safety myself, which is why I would choose a sig over a glock. Both will be good guns though.

I would be weary of any glock in any caliber other than 9mm though. They the chamber is not fully supported for the .40, 10mm, .45, and .357sig.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Imyourzero
I don't really buy the Glock taking 10 shots to kill someone. ANY gun can kill someone in as little as 1 or 2 shots...doesn't really matter about the caliber (except maybe a .22 in some cases) and it REALLY doesn't matter about the brand. It's not like a Glock 9mm will be any less lethal than a Sig or H&K 9mm...that's just silly. The Glock may be less accurate, though much of that is obviously the skill of the shooter.

He was talking about the game obviously

*smacks forehead*