Considerations for my first handgun

http://www.realpolice.net/forums/firearms-4/53916-help-leo-handgun-choice.html
Most agencies issue firearms, not let people just pick what they want....Some do.
Glock is also pretty cheap(never buy one new, they're cheap on the secondary market)which is why agencies issue Glock.
Third, they work all of the time. If all you want is reliability, Glock is a pretty good choice.
I look for firearms with personality along with functionality and Glock fails in that regard.

 

The point stands. Those departments choose them for a reason.

 

Vt state police got brand new m&ps .40s with the shield engraved competly free from s&w. lucky! They contemplated switching to .45acp for $$ reasons and s&w gave them the offer. Make's you want to start a group buy tw eh?

 

The op will have to make the decision as guns are like tools, Some are better at somethings but worse at others!

I was in the op's spot recently and here was my thought process.

Size:
Since i live in MD and the laws suck here, there was not a chance i would be using my gun for carry so size was not an issue.

caliber:
There is a lot of literature available that suggest .45 caliber is the most efficient hand gun round for self defense. The biggest persuader was the report i read from the us army. There is more to it then just the size of the bullet but energy, ability to maintain trajectory, etc...
I figured if my life is on the line i don't mind paying 1.50 a round.
23 dolors for a box of 50 target rounds is not that bad. And if i want to shoot more for cheaper then i will get a gun for that purpose.

Brand/model:
Depends on money$$
Since Md laws are increasingly stupid i wanted to get a good gun to have for life while i could. So i was willing to spend more for a quality life time piece.

Results:

Kimber 1911:


Do not let someone tell you what you need!!!! Only you know your expectations and requirements.

PS: My Kimber works like a dream!! and for the people who are saying that the recoil on a 45 will effect you accuracy is full of baloney. I shot my 45 and a friends 9 and i was much more accurate with my 45. The recoil from any caliber varies depending on the guns weight,recoil spring, design, barrel length, grip, etc... My fathers .40 glock recoils more then my 45.

 

Don't buy a glock.



More glocks for me!!!!!!!

I'll sell my sig before I sell my glocks.
But that's my personal opinion and preference. Others might like the xd or the m&p
I didn't like my xd so I sold that. I didn't like my buddy's m&p so I didn't buy one.

 

They are definately tools, just depends on what kind of activities the person does. My springfield 1911 is my weapon of choice when im hog hunting. Packs a punch, super accurate, has never malfunctioned. I shoot it the best. My Smith 686SSR .357mag i usually carry deer hunting, also very accurate but able to kill a deer no problem 40yds and under. Then my M&Pc 9mm w/ streamlight tlr3 for truck and house and hiking and the boat because its a working gun and i dont mind it taking abuse. I keep it cleaned after every shoot. Just try and decide what feels good, suits your needs at the moment. Before long you will have a safe full, one for every occasion, lol. Thats how i justify all mine. If they dont serve a purpose i dont need it. Good luck and update when you choose and dont worry about the shit storm you will get from all the people that dont like it. Its yours, not theres.

 

I enjoy my S&W 915. 4" 9mm barrel, inexpensive to purchase and own, 15+1 capacity. Mine has spat out hundreds and hundreds of rounds without a hiccup. Ever. Both 115gr and 145gr rounds. Firing pin block lets you safely carry with one in the throat. In my opinion, a fine first time handgun.

 

Hundreds huh?

 

^^This. I own a G26 and G26 and they are my favorite handguns.

 

Wouldn't it be easier to say you have two G26's?

 

I don't know if I can get a 26. My 19 feels perfect in every way. You would think the 26, being essential the exact same gun but smaller, would feel better in the hand but it just doesn't. Maybe with a mag extension for the pinky it would be better. I don't know.


EDIT: The appeal for me being exchangeable parts and mags.

 

I have ape hands and G30 is a secure and accurate hold.. so much talk of grip extensions.

 

I'm a little

Meant to say G26 and G23...

 

or a 15 round mag

 

That's what my 19 is for

Backups are 17s though.

 

Kimber's are some of the most amazing/beautiful guns in my opinion, nice buy! But depending on his price range maybe a little out of budget haha. Defiantly out of mine for now.

Now on the topic i would say a quality compact 9mm of any good brand would be the best option... manageable recoil in subcompacts "if carrying", affordable for range time shooting, and packs plenty of punch with right load and good accuracy. I carry Hornady critical defense. But at the end of the day its all what you feel comfortable with.

 

Shooting on the way up and out?

My buddy I used to shoot with would shoot groups of five and only the 4th and 5th ones would be looking through the sights. It was mostly just for fun, but also so he could hit dead center on the way up to "aiming" haha that man could shoot groups like I've never seen from less than perfect positions.

 

You shoot enough and the sites become optional.

 

Made me think of Hickock45 haha