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What would you buy?

JRyan

JRyan

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I have $600 heading my way as soon as it clears the bank.

1) I'm a new shooter, so something easy to learn good habits on?
2) Ammo cost - I'm looking at 9mm?
3) Would be the occasional carry.
4) I intend to take some training courses, so something suitable or that.
5) I know I'm looking at used. I'm thinking a used Glock?

Opinions/advice?

Wasn't sure if this belonged in the hardware or this forum, please move as needed.
 
Moderator said:
$600 is plenty enough to get your self a nice used 1911 if you don't mind .45
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I need to further educate myself about the 1911. I've never shot one.
 
Opinions/advice?
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I think the best advice would be to try to borrow or rent a few different guns and see which you seem to like before you go buying a gun you may not be familiar with.

Something like a .38/.357 revolver would give you a wide range of available ammo from mild target loads to hot self-defense loads with which to practise. That should be well inside your available funds and allow for a lot of ammo.

A lot really depends upon your previous experience and just how fast you pick up on physical skills.
 
I'm a 1911 guy and prefer the double stack guns over anything. However, since you have a short budget and want to keep ammo costs down and want a multi-purpose gun I actually recommend buying a Glock 17 or 19. I'm not even a Glock guy (I only have 1) but they are a do everything gun. You can buy a used Glock 17 or 19 for $400.

What is the Glock good for:

1.) Great target gun/competition gun. If you decide to shoot IPSC you can shoot production, Limited 10, or get some easy to find high caps and shoot Limited. (although with the 9mm you would have to shoot minor) Hell, you could even modify the gun and shoot open if you wanted.
2.) Carry... The 19 would be the better choice for carry because it is smaller and lighter. The 17 would be better for most everything else.
3.) Home defense... Again can't go wrong with a Glock.
4.) Ammo Costs... 9mm is cheap to shoot.

Drawbacks with the Glock:

1.) Glocks recoil different that many other guns and can be difficult for some to get used to.
2.) Triggers. Glock triggers aren't all that good out of the box. They are easy and cheap enough to change but once you do that you take the carry/home defense out of the mix.
3.) grip angle... The grip angle on the Glock isn't as good as a 1911 for most shooters but it is something you can live with.

I hope this helps. Just know if you buy a Glock you'll eventually buy some 1911's, they just rule!!!!

Good luck on your first purchase and BE SAFE!!!

Pete
 
JRyan said:
I have $600 heading my way as soon as it clears the bank.

1) I'm a new shooter, so something easy to learn good habits on?
2) Ammo cost - I'm looking at 9mm?
3) Would be the occasional carry.
4) I intend to take some training courses, so something suitable or that.
5) I know I'm looking at used. I'm thinking a used Glock?

Opinions/advice?

Wasn't sure if this belonged in the hardware or this forum, please move as needed.
Click to expand...

I'm with Frosty on this one. For $600, you can buy a really nice S&W model 686P, 4" barrel, and several hundred rounds of .38 special, .357 Magnum, and everything in between.

Or find an older S&W like the Model 19 (there was recently one for sale in the Classifieds here) for ~ $300 or so and pick up a .22LR plinking semi like the Ruger Mark III or S&W 22A.
 
Lot's of good advice, thanks.

I have a trip to the range planned the week of the fourth, so I can rent/borrow and check out different options. I've been reading about 1911's, and I am interested. I'm still leaning towards the Glock, I've shot those and thought they were OK, the angle did seem a little odd to me though. I imagine I'd get used to it. I really want to familiarize myself with the semi-auto format more than the revolver off the bat, but I do plan on picking up a revolver in the future.
 
Picked up a Glock model 23 (40 S&W) from carl at Four Seasons. Being a mid size model its small enough for easy carry, simple in take down, cleaning, and simple to operate, plus its accurate and hard hitting. Think the total price was $550.
 
Milsurps 4 Me said:
Picked up a Glock model 23 (40 S&W) from carl at Four Seasons. Being a mid size model its small enough for easy carry, simple in take down, cleaning, and simple to operate, plus its accurate and hard hitting. Think the total price was $550.
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I heard something about the .40 having special ammo requirements re: reloads? Something about the way Glock manufaturers the guns?
 
Moderator said:
$600 is plenty enough to get your self a nice used 1911 if you don't mind .45
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A 1911 is a great gun!! but I dont think of it as a beginner pistol !

I would Get a glock much safer for a begginer!! and dummy proof!

walter P99 or sw99 another good choice!
 
JRyan said:
I heard something about the .40 having special ammo requirements re: reloads? Something about the way Glock manufaturers the guns?
Click to expand...

Lead bullets cause excess fouling which leads to excess chamber pressure which leads to an unsafe pistol. I don't know anyone who shoots lead bullets, everyone I know shoots FMJ ammo. When it comes to hitting someone with a .40 round, I don't think hollow points matter much. If you do get one, just do a little research and find out what people like shooting in theirs. Find out what the police carry for ammo. Whatever you decide just try diferent types of ammo to ensure reliable function. Last thing you want is to rely on a pistol and have a failure to feed problem when you go to chamber a round.
All the refurbed Glocks at Four Seasons have been checked and inspected by Glock in Georgia so they're pretty much as new as we can get here in Mass w/out finding a pre-ban one thats unfired. I just like them for the simplicity, the feel, weight, reliability, and overall no nonsense tool that it is, plus the price isn't bad either.
 
Pilgrim said:
Friends don't let friends buy Glocks.

.40's are famous for going kaboom when using lead bullets. ...it's an unsupported chamber situation that causes it.

Another reason not to own one.
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Can you elaborate on other reasons besides the .40 going boom? I know a great many pro Glock people, but I want to make sure I have all the facts first.
 
The 1911 is great, but I really don't like them.. to start with one should try diffrent guns before you make your first buy, goto your local gun range, most will let you hold and fire a few so you can make a judgement to spend the $600.00
 
I've also never heard of a .40 going boom and I've been shooting .40 for over 7 years. HMMMMM If you buy a Glock don't run lead thru the gun. I don't shoot lead at all and recommend that people use jacketed ammo.
 
Cross-X said:
Stick with 9mm for a starter gun, stay away from .40 and .45, and leave the 1911s for some time in the future.
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I am leaning heavily towards the Glock 17 or 19. I've seen some at prices that will leave money for a shotgun too! [grin] [grin]

I'm going to go shoot a bunch first though.
 
JRyan said:
I am leaning heavily towards the Glock 17 or 19. I've seen some at prices that will leave money for a shotgun too! [grin] [grin]

I'm going to go shoot a bunch first though.
Click to expand...

If you're going with Glock 9mm get a model 19. I find they're the perfect size for carry and ease of handling. The 17 is bigger and while you can still conceal it and carry it, its less confortable than the 19. Also try and get one thats been through Glock's refurbishing process so you know the gun was checked out by Glock's armorers for wear and tear on parts.
My 2 home defense choices are my Glock 23 (which is the same size as the 19) and my Mossberg 500 Cruiser. The Cruiser is a pistol grip shotgun with heat shield and goes for about $200.
 
I disagree with the P99 or SW99. I had one and it was a decent gun but got rid of it and bought a Glock instead. The Glock is a better gun IMO. I recommend a Glock over the SW99 because of the trigger. I said before the Glock trigger isn't the best but it is a DA only where the SW99 is a DA/SA trigger. This makes trigger pull different depending on when you shoot it. You're better off with either a SA only or DA only trigger.

Pete
 
PistolPete said:
I disagree with the P99 or SW99. I had one and it was a decent gun but got rid of it and bought a Glock instead. The Glock is a better gun IMO. I recommend a Glock over the SW99 because of the trigger. I said before the Glock trigger isn't the best but it is a DA only where the SW99 is a DA/SA trigger. This makes trigger pull different depending on when you shoot it. You're better off with either a SA only or DA only trigger.

Pete
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It's more of a personal preference really...I have a Walther P99 and happen to like the trigger. On the other hand, I happen to very much dislike the Glock trigger. You're the opposite. To each their own. Try them both out first and see what you like.
 
Lots of good advice. Mine: Make sure you get one that fits best. I have small hands and prefer my G26 (Baby Glock) over the bigger ones. Others can stand the smaller Glocks for obvious reasons. On the other hand my favorite Sig is my 229.. completely awesome- check them out- you might find a nice used one (228 is same size and in 9mm as well). Some people can CCW a larger gun... I can't. The 229 is too big for me.. the G26 is just perfect. Again, try to handle and try out some different ones.

Either way you should be able to pick a fine, reliable firearm for $600- good luck.

EDIT: A few have posted they don't like the stock Glock trigger... I love it. Really.
 
It seems people either love or hate the Glock... I'm not in the "love" camp myself. I just don't like the feel...

The SIG's fit me like a glove, but they are a little more $$ (though you can find used in the range you are looking). P229 or 239 are good for carry and 9mm is super cheap to shoot. I've got the 226 and it's too big to carry except in the winter.

Renting/borrowing as many as you can is a great idea. And go to a good shop and handle as many different guns as they have.

Good luck!

Matt
 
JRyan- What will be the main purpose of the firearm you wish to purchase???

Target?
Competition?
Carry?
Home defense?
Something to look at and touch but not use? (you may laugh but I know many people who own guns and don't use them AT ALL)

If you were to rate the above what order would it be? If you have other reasons please include them as well. This will narrow down your choices.

Don't forget the smaller guns are less accurate and will recoil more than the full size guns.
 
PistolPete said:
JRyan- What will be the main purpose of the firearm you wish to purchase???

Target?
Competition?
Carry?
Home defense?
Something to look at and touch but not use? (you may laugh but I know many people who own guns and don't use them AT ALL)

If you were to rate the above what order would it be? If you have other reasons please include them as well. This will narrow down your choices.

Don't forget the smaller guns are less accurate and will recoil more than the full size guns.
Click to expand...

Target? --1
Competition? --4
Carry? --3
Home defense? --2
Something to look at and touch but not use? --not even on the chart.

I want to pick a fairly accurate, workhorse of a gun that will be usable as home defense/carry.

I think full size would be fine for my hands/frame.
 
I recommend a full size gun for new shooters. If you get something too small that you can carry you will most likely have trouble shooting it. You're better off getting a full sized gun that you can learn proper technique and accuracy. If you get something too small that is difficult to shoot accurately you will become frustrated easily. The Glock 17 9mm is prob. what you would want. I've had Sig in the past but personally feel the Glock is the better gun. Depending on when you get your permit another great option, if it is MA compliant at the time, would be the S&W M&P. This gun should be a HUGE competitor for Glock, Sig, and all the others. It has the same grip angle as a 1911 and a ton of great features. Maybe by the time you are ready to buy this will be an option.
 

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