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Another First Gun Advice Thread


Bigbird

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Alright, so I went to the range and shot a gun for the first time in my life, about a month ago. I definitely got "the bug", and a buddy of mine is getting a group of friends together to do a CCW class together at the end of March. I would like to have my first handgun by then, so that I could take it with me and do the class with it. I'm 6'1" and about 185lbs, so I'm not huge and don't know if it will be reasonable to carry a full sized gun on me.

 

At the range I shot a Glock 9mm, and some variation of a .45 1911. I was definitely more accurate with the Glock, and like the thought of great reliability without having to spend a ton on a handgun. Because of this I've naturally been looking at the more compact Glocks.

 

Now beyond a Glock I'm completely lost. I know there are just an incredible amount of options out there, and the only other guns I've really looked at are the more compact S&W's. And admittedly that's only due to name recognition and aesthetics. So if you guys could help me narrow things down to 2-3 choices that I could go to the range and try out, that would be much appreciated.

 

My last question is an often discussed topic, 9mm or .40? The guy working at the Powder Room that I talked to made it seem like the extra power of the .40 over 9mm wasn't that great to really bother going with it. What's your guys take on it? This gun will be for carry and home defense (at least until I can get my dream AR 15).

 

Thanks everyone.

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You're going to get the same advice people get when they ask this every week or two.

 

In regards to 9mm vs .40, there aren't any appreciable differences between modern defense loads, except one caliber enables you to carry more rounds in the same amount of area.

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Yeah, going to be lots of opinions in here. Having owned both 9mm and 40s&w pistols I'd give a slight edge to 9mm for cheaper, more readily available ammo, and round count. Can't go wrong with a Glock 19 or 26 if you need a true compact.

 

Or like Kyle said, M&P, XD, SR9/40 and so on.

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You're going to get the same advice people get when they ask this every week or two.

 

In regards to 9mm vs .40, there aren't any appreciable differences between modern defense loads, except one caliber enables you to carry more rounds in the same amount of area.

 

This was my thinking as well, more rounds /magazine.

 

Glock 19,23, 26, 27, 29, 30, 36, springfield XDs in subcompact, Ruger SR9c, S&W M&Ps in subcompact, Ruger LCP, Ruger LC9, Beretta PX4 subcompact, keltek PF9, P11, p3AT and a shit load more options for you to choose from

 

Haha this is pretty much exactly what I was expecting. I'm just wondering if there's any big reason to get one of these over the other, or if it pretty much just comes down to preference in this class?

 

(Mandatory comment for these threads) go to the range and rent some subcompact and compact guns

 

Definitely what I'm planning on doing ASAP. Like I said, I just want to get things narrowed down to a couple of guns to make the process a bit more streamlined.

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i really like my kel-tec pf9. was only $265. havnt had any jams/misfires yet

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo160/jeffro1265/IMAG0233.jpg

%5Bimg%5Dhttp%3A//i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo160/jeffro1265/IMAG0235.jpg[/img]

%5Bimg%5Dhttp%3A//i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo160/jeffro1265/IMAG0234.jpg[/img]

http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo160/jeffro1265/IMAG0239.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...
Thanks for the input brohams. I ended up going with a gen 3 Glock 19. Anyone have any night sight advice? Also, where and how much is it to get them installed?

 

I like the Dawson precision sights. You can easily install them yourself, I think the Dawson sights come with the sight wrench for the front sight and the back just takes a punch.

 

Install video:

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Thanks for the input brohams. I ended up going with a gen 3 Glock 19. Anyone have any night sight advice? Also, where and how much is it to get them installed?

 

Great choice on the gun, I like the trijicon 3 dots on my guns

 

these

http://www.opticsplanet.net/trijicon-gl12-glock-36-3-dot-front-rear-steel-night-sight-set.html

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I was going to stay out of this thread, but I'm too bored. I'll just leave these in here. Choose your glolck wisely...

 

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/images/nyte-sytes.jpghttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQtUrZtSwdvZLzNwrdAvxX1Izrt8Io4uVfhyn6NefOlSTibHUFS

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I was going to stay out of this thread, but I'm too bored. I'll just leave these in here. Choose your glolck wisely...

 

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/images/nyte-sytes.jpghttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQtUrZtSwdvZLzNwrdAvxX1Izrt8Io4uVfhyn6NefOlSTibHUFS

 

This isn't standard?

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  • 2 weeks later...

try out what you like and what best fits YOUR hand. then decide what you want to do with it. and know that you will be unable to buy just one gun, once you get one you will find a way and a reason to get your next one. everyone is different. in my opinion stick with 9mm and .45 And don't buy a glock just cuz someone told you it was the best. i would'nt carry a glock if you gave me one.

 

home defense pistol - SR1911

favorite pistol to shoot - Jericho 941 based magnum research baby eagle

full size carry - walther p99

compact beater gun that i don't care about - XD

pocket gun - ruger LCP

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after taking my ccw class, revolver seems like the way to go, too many things can happen with a semi pistol, not to mention in close combat you cant just push the gun up to their body and pull the trigger like you can with a revolver. Only part that sucks is reloading and most likely if you have to reload you are in bigger trouble than what gun you are carrying.
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after taking my ccw class, revolver seems like the way to go, too many things can happen with a semi pistol, not to mention in close combat you cant just push the gun up to their body and pull the trigger like you can with a revolver. Only part that sucks is reloading and most likely if you have to reload you are in bigger trouble than what gun you are carrying.

 

If you need more than 5-6 rounds you aren't using a CCW, you're using a sidearm. Drop holster preferred. lol

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