Buying Your First Handgun

My dad just got a 1911 and that thing is really heavy. He said he won't be carrying that one. I think that's more if his home defense handgun

 

I love my Glock 19. Great size and weight and goes bang every time. Cheaper to shoot and become proficient.

 

ok so im thinkin about buying my first handgun to take to the range and for protection. im thinking glock 17 or 19 gen 4. does anyone know where is the cheapest place to get one legally? bass pro sells them for 650 and cheaper than dirt is about 550 and was wondering if anywhere sells them cheaper? also how hard is it to get ammo for them? thanks in advanced!

 

i try to not leave them loaded and i will unload them if they are going into storage/safe. it's also equally important to disassemble and clean the magazines as it is to clean the gun. excessive GSR will build up and eventually lead to fouling and misfeeds/jams.

 

you couldn't just text me? DB.

 

i sent to link to the houston thread and it was directed kinda towards you

also wasnt sure if you were fully up hahah

 

i didn't go to sleep last night, but to be fair i can talk guns in my sleep.

 

Carters country usually have good deals on glocks and other shit

 

is that a store or online?

 

I'd carry a 1911 if i had one. They are pretty slim compared. If you are anal about weight, like I have seen some people talk about grams! Lol I read somewhere a guy only loaded 5 round instead of 12 to keep it from not being so heavy lol

 

Sub'd this is some great info....really hope it helps people. I need to get my first handgun too

 

thats insane but speaking of weight, that was some what a concern. i originally had my eye on a taurus 24/7 G2 and it felt pretty perfect. nice amouth of weight not too big or small but then i was steered towards the glock which felt almost too light. then again both guns were empty so maybe loaded the taurus will be too heavy and the glock would be perfect?

 

Taurus is garbage. I've made the mistake of buying two and got rid both within 6 weeks. Steer clear of them if you want a gun that actually works. I would carry a pocket full of rocks before another Taurus.

 

My EDC is almost invariably a 1911, either in Commander or Officer's model. Just a question of what you get used to and use proficiently.

 

For the last 8 months I have carried an compact 1911 with absolutely no issues. Just buy a good holster and a good belt and youre fine. Hell I drove to Texas with it IWB and really didn't even know it was there.

 

I am in the market for my first handgun. Purposes would be home defense and fun at the range. I do not like Glocks. I was at the shop yesterday and I looked at a M&P and it felt good in the hand but I thought the slide release was pretty tight and I doubt the wife would be able to use it. I like the Beretta storm and the Steyr M9. We both have pretty small hands. Gonna shop around a bit more. Anyone have any experience with those?

 

You shouldn't be using the slide lock to release the slide anyway. Pull back on the slide and let the slide go forward. You will round the slide lock over time by using it to release the slide. M&P's are great guns. I have a M&P 45 and M&P Shield 9mm.

 

That's a bit of an assumption. HK's for instance specifically call it a slide release, whereas 1911's call them slide stops. Depending on the maker, the lever is designed for different purposes. I don't see how one could put all pistols in the same bucket (slide stop vs. slide release).

Don't think a Glock has a slide release because of the size. But my M&P's are used as both and often when reloading I don't need to hit the slide stop/release because the forceful insertion of the magazine is usually enough to release the slide from lock.

You may want to revisit the M&P because it does have adjustable grips that could fit your hand. Also might check out the CZ line of pistols, those seem to be well done and I've noticed that folks with a little smaller hands seem to enjoy them. HK did just come out with the new VP9 and I believe it also has interchangeable grips. Personally I would stay away from the Storm, I've shot several of them and have two friends with them and it's a love hate relationship to be honest. However, if it fits your hands and you like shooting it, then no amount of internet, key board tier one commandoing should change your preference.

 

^this.

Springfield XD manual specifically states to use the slide release to chamber a round.

The M&P is very difficult to use the slide lock to chamber a round.

IMO however, it may be good habit to use the slingshot/power stroke method instead of using the slide lock/release to chamber a round. Most FTF or FTE requires racking the slide to clear a jam/double feed, and if you are used to the slingshot method to chamber a round, you will have the muscle memory of this action during a 'situation'.

 

i can easily chamber a round using the slide release on my m&p