Looking to purchase handgun, recommendations?

Aftermarket support and accessories are better for other brands than they are for Walther...because you'll need them more.

 

Bahaha.

 

Glocks are very reliable, but to get it as comfortable as a Walther you need to buy all sorts of aftermarket jammies for it.

 

Noice! You are correct sir, without that beauty we'd be speaking Japanese/ German! My first rifle as a young man was a Stainless mini-14 I bought brand new in AJ, AZ back in the 90's for $361.00. It was a good lineage of guns! Would still love a Socom on a sage ind. yummy!

 

Yes. Others have mentioned it too, but you'll never shoot the handgun consistently if it doesn't fit your hand.
Truly.
Ideally, you want to try before you buy, of course.

For example, I couldn't hit a barn from the INSIDE with the 1911A1 I inherited.
I could have gone with custom grips, tried different loadings, and with a lot of practice maybe shot it respectably.
Nah, just didn't like it. Apologies to 1911A1 aficionados.
OTOH, my Taurus PT92 (identical with the early decocker-on-frame Beretta) shot well for me out of the box.
I regret letting that one go.
A cop buddy has a SIG in .45 and it's really nice. I can shoot that one too. It fits me.

None of the above fit my usage scenario anyway. They're pretty hard to conceal.
In PA you can open carry with no license, permit or anything, which surprises a lot of people.
But it's just not done, if you know what I mean. Chances are, local cops don't even know it's legal and are gonna hassle you.
There are a couple municipalities with their own ordinances. Philadelphia comes to mind.
Those ordinances conflict with state law but I don't know of any legal challenges.
So far as I know, the law hasn't been changed.

I have a CC permit, but if I carry, I'd prefer it be fairly shootable. I don't think the really small holdout guns qualify.
Too short, not enough weight, skimpy grip.
Once I was at the range with a couple friends, both retired cops.
Another guy was raving about his Ruger LCP.
One buddy, with a straight face, asked to see it. He cleared it, looked it over.
Then he put it in the guy's belly and said BANG.
"This is what your pistol is good for".
And apologies to LCP aficionados.

One poster made the very astute remark that his handgun's purpose was this:
It gave him time to get to his long gun.
That fits my scenario exactly. If I'm home and I can get to my shotgun, any intruder is in real bad trouble.
The truth is, it's hard to hit anything with a handgun at more than a few paces.
Add to that the stress of a for-real gunfight.
My retired cop friends can attest to that and they're damn good...when they're at the range.

So I currently have a Walther PK380. It's concealable but I can still shoot it (fairly) well.
It feels good in my hand. As a bonus, it has several backstrap inserts to fine tune the fit.
It's double/single with exposed hammer. I don't like striker fired DA only. Sorry.
I just wish the slide was steel instead of alloy. I'm afraid of cracking the slide, which is a known issue.
Maybe the later production has addressed that.
So I got a Walther P22 to practice with. Almost identical grip and trigger.
Shoots cheap .22LR and, for me, prints pretty much the same as my PK380.

My apologies for the long-winded post.
Isn't that how it goes when firearms are discussed?
Everyone else is welcome to their opinions.

To the OP:
Good luck whatever you get.

 

I’m in Phoenix next to desert ridge and have a membership at Scottsdale Gun Club over at the 101 and raintree if you want to go. They are a decent indoor range for pistols but not great for rifles due to range.

 

Just bought a G17 Gen 3 Olive Drab. I live in Kommifornya so I have to go with gen 3, but I think it's an incredibly comfortable gun in the hand and points naturally for me. Unfortunately I can't say the same for my 26 or the G19, the 19's finger grooves are too tight and the 26 has the weirdest grip angle of the 3, although mine has a laser that makes it a bit more normal. Living in California also means a 10 day wait when you buy a new gun... That kinda sucks too.

 

The G26 is the most returned glock of all.

 

Just posted my Glock 17 in the AZ classifieds section if your interested. Live in South Gilbert area...

 

I have a P-01 that has never gotten much of my love. I did, however, just put some Cool Hand grips on it, and OOOOHHH MY. The thing just points straight at the target now. It’s so natural. It’s my new winter time carry gun.

 

Just curious, being in the military how do you deal with gun ownership? I'm assuming you can't take it on base unless you store it in the armory where it's useless to you. And therefore you probably don't live on base. Just curious. I was a Marine and still work on a base and always think about these things as I go through the gate in the morning. Wonder how many people have a concealed in their vehicle.

 

Good question. So yes if you’re on base it has to be checked into the armory unless transporting it to or from home/range/etc. I’ve heard horror stories from security forces friend what happens to guns left in the armory. I live off base, single E6. Thanks for your prior service!

 

Yeah I wouldn't doubt it, the 26 and 27 could've used a little (or a lot) less swell on the backstrap. But I'm definitely keeping mine, I still like it better than my S&W Shield 9.

 

Must have missed hat part, you can also qualify for military discount through many of the manufacturers/ dealers. That should help on price. Blue/green label pricing.

 

I have a Glock 43 package I may be willing to separate from. Has maybe 300 rds down the pipe. Talon grips, trijicon sights, +1 mags, and a tlr6 laser light combo. Also comes with a custom holster from Tulster and about 150 rds of 9mm. I end up carrying my g29 more often anyways. Otherwise it’s great for CC especially in summer with lighter clothing. Would be willing to do a deal for fellow military if you’re interested.

 

another good choice is the smith and wesson M&P 2.0.. I have one in 9mm.
polymer frame, stainless barrel and slide and was well priced at 599 cdn.

1000 round through it and nor a single malfunction. interchangeable grip swells to fit different hand sizes. come apart for cleaning in 15 seconds.

 

If you want another they are 369 for the compact 2.0 in 9mm at grab a gun

 

Active Duty AF too (saw the ABUs)? I haven't looked much into the 43, but would be interested. Thanks man.

 

Thanks man, been leaning towards the 19 / smaller barrel though.

 

Looks like I can snag a PPQ M2 4'' 9mm for $399 with Walther LE program. Thanks!