Gun Peeps - Looking for Suggestions (2024)

OK, I should be getting conceal permit any day now. Once I have it, I will be shopping for a new pistol; currently don't own one. I had a Glock19 before, it was ok, but I am much more of a fan of HK and Sig Saur.

I really want a 40cal or better. And I don't want to spend an arm and a leg to get it... I have been looking at the Springfields and the Glocks because of price.

What others should I be looking at? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!
SS

Go to a range or two that rents guns pick out ones you're interested in and shoot away. No matter what you get make sure it's something you're comfortable shooting and carrying and is reliable.

Steve

Maybe look at H&K's P2000 or P2000SK. They offer .40 and your choice of trigger options. I'd consider it "mid" priced. More than a Glock, less than a 1911 or USP.

The SW M&P is inline with glock/XD prices.

ToyTundra said:

Maybe look at H&K's P2000 or P2000SK.

Click to expand...

Shoot one first, the H&K P2000's have the worst trigger of any pistol I have ever shot.

The first thing you should be looking at in a carry piece is conceal-ability. Resist the urge to get a full size anything (at first) and look at the many mouse guns that are available today (LCR, LCP, Bodyguard 380, 340PD). OK, maybe the 340PD shouldn't be called a mouse gun (be sure and shoot one with full house 357's).:twisted:

Thanks for all the feedback... Looks like I will try to get to the range this weekend and shoot a few different ones and see what I like. That's going to be my best start. I didn't care for the Glock that I had before. It jammed, I hate the saftey on the trigger, and the feel in my hands didn't feel good. I don't have the largest hands in the world. The only good thing about the Glock I had was I had 2 high capacity pre-ban clips for it at the time.

SS

Glocks are not known for jamming. If you have small hands you may prefer the SF (short frame) or smaller models.(G26, G27, G33 or G39) Some of the .45 GAP Glocks also have a smaller grip for the caliber. Even if you can't shoot/rent the guns (can be hard to find a shop/range like that) at least go to a shop or two with a nice collection and fondle them up and see how they fit your hand.

I have heard a lot of positive about the Ruger SR9c as well. The price is in the Glock and XD range also.

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zT1q1C_PnIY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zT1q1C_PnIY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

One of my favorite pistols is the HK P7. It is a little on the large side for concealed carry (i.e. no dropping it in your pocket, it fits in a concealed holster), but overall a perfect little 9mm. The accuracy and comfort will blow any Glock out of the water. It became the standard German military and police sidearm of the 80s (besting out the excellent Browning P5 and Sig 225), so reliability is not a concern. Takes only a few seconds to field strip it into about 3 major parts (slide, lower + barrel, and return spring). The only odd cleaning is running a special brush through the gas tube. The grip safety requires about 14 lbs of pull (only 1 pound to hold back), so no worries about accidental firing. The balance is perfect, and the short nose keeps it in your hands rather than the other guy's. A .380 version is available, but you will have a lot of trouble getting ahold of one. 9x19mm handloads can still be effective. On top of all that the pistol is just dang sexy, particularly with the factory wood grips.

Just my $.05 (HK stuff is a little more expensive than Glock)

try everything, then be prepared to buy a 100 diff holsters LOL. most important thing is the holster no matter what gun you get. Spend the money for quality. Check out the c-tac, m-tac holsters.

My vote for gun is a police trade in hk 40 usp can be found @ 400 bucks

You guys ever use gunbroker.com? Going to hit the gun shops around here and the range to hold/try a few different ones. I do appreciate everyone's feedback. One thing though, I want something bigger than a 9mm. Though that Ruger SR9c does look like an awesome little gun.

SS

I never bought anything from Gunbroker.com but plan to in the near future. After you buy the gun on GB the gun has to be shipped to an FFL near you and transfered. The transfer fee can vary depending on the shop. One shop in my area charges $25 another charges $40.

You can also find some good prices sometimes at budsgunshop.com They have a sale on a G33 for $440 shipped which is a good price.

The 9mm has been made much more effective nowdays with modern JHP ammo. Look into the 9mm Winchester Ranger T 124gr +P+ ammo, its a really nasty round. They are a lot of good JHP options out there especially for more common rounds like the 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

vw_thing said:

One of my favorite pistols is the HK P7. It is a little on the large side for concealed carry (i.e. no dropping it in your pocket, it fits in a concealed holster), but overall a perfect little 9mm. The accuracy and comfort will blow any Glock out of the water. It became the standard German military and police sidearm of the 80s (besting out the excellent Browning P5 and Sig 225), so reliability is not a concern. Takes only a few seconds to field strip it into about 3 major parts (slide, lower + barrel, and return spring). The only odd cleaning is running a special brush through the gas tube. The grip safety requires about 14 lbs of pull (only 1 pound to hold back), so no worries about accidental firing. The balance is perfect, and the short nose keeps it in your hands rather than the other guy's. A .380 version is available, but you will have a lot of trouble getting ahold of one. 9x19mm handloads can still be effective. On top of all that the pistol is just dang sexy, particularly with the factory wood grips.

Just my $.05 (HK stuff is a little more expensive than Glock)

Click to expand...

I picked up a P7M13 back in the early 90's, initially I was super stoked. It was used by a local PD for evaluation and they went a different direction after 200 documented rounds and consigned it.

Then I took it to the range...

After two mags, the gas system (in front of the trigger guard) transferred so much heat to the frame made it too hot to hold. Needless to say, it went to it's 3rd owner with less than 300 rounds fired.

P7's are a novelty, look for something with a rock solid reputation (i.e. XD, Glock).

GySgt Hartman said:

I picked up a P7M13 back in the early 90's, initially I was super stoked. It was used by a local PD for evaluation and they went a different direction after 200 documented rounds and consigned it.

Then I took it to the range...

After two mags, the gas system (in front of the trigger guard) transferred so much heat to the frame made it too hot to hold. Needless to say, it went to it's 3rd owner with less than 300 rounds fired.

P7's are a novelty, look for something with a rock solid reputation (i.e. XD, Glock).

Click to expand...

It's really hard not to consider Glock or Springfield considering their prices. I'm going to keep an open mind when I go looking this weekend and hold everything I can and shoot what I can.

I guess the main reason why I want more than a 9mm, is in the chance you have to use it, I was always taught a 9mm doesn't have stopping power (from my days working at the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center). They always suggested a .40cal or better for knock-down power. A 9mm travels to fast and will not stop someone from coming at you unless it is a kill shot.

SS

My carry piece is a XD40 SC, my wife carries a LCR.

Get what you shoot well, and feel comfortable shooting. Don't worry about the "horsepower envy" factor when purchasing a carry pistol. Try the LCP, it fits in a pocket and you will carry it everywhere.

Remember, any pistol is better than no pistol

A 9mm travels to fast and will not stop someone from coming at you unless it is a kill shot.

Click to expand...

The .357SIG uses the same grain bullet as the 9mm but travels at even higher velocities.(200+ FPS) The wound channel BG testing on for the .357SIG shows how effective a lighter fast bullet can be.

I figure if you cannot stop someone with 10 rounds of a good 9mm HP you better start running.:ror:

All depends on what you are going to use it for. As other's have already stated, go and rent/shoot a few and get a feel for what you want and need. I have little Walther PPK (James Bond Baby!!) for my primary conceal. And then I have a slew of different 1911's. They just fit my hand so damn well. I recently picked up a 410 Darringer, may not stop someone, but will get their attention.

Good luck in your firearms venture!

Giz

GySgt Hartman said:

I picked up a P7M13 back in the early 90's, initially I was super stoked. It was used by a local PD for evaluation and they went a different direction after 200 documented rounds and consigned it.

Then I took it to the range...

After two mags, the gas system (in front of the trigger guard) transferred so much heat to the frame made it too hot to hold. Needless to say, it went to it's 3rd owner with less than 300 rounds fired.

P7's are a novelty, look for something with a rock solid reputation (i.e. XD, Glock).

Click to expand...

It seems the frame heat is a popular issue with the M-series, but it is something I've never noticed before. We've put plenty more rounds through our standard P7 than that M13 had ever seen. I can't think of any situation where the heat would be a major problem, unless you had a stack of 5+ mags for rapid shooting at the range.

I'm biased. Really, find the gun that fits you. Make sure it has a good reputation (police/military is tops), then take it to the range, get to know it, and torture test it. If it passes to your satisfaction, bring it home and baby it. Remember that cartridge size is important, but not everything. My grandfather used a captured Mauser HSc 7.65mm (.32ACP) in combat (before leaving it in my dad's and my care), and said that the German rounds were highly effective even in that small size (modern .32 is fairly inaccurate and low power if you were wondering).