CR Recommended handgun thread

[copperhead]

Range toys:

 

.22 Long Rifle

 

Browning Buckmark

Ruger SR22

Ruger MK III

Ruger 22/45

Smith&Wesson M&P22

Walther P22

 

9mm Luger (aka 9mm Parabellum, 9x19)

 

Glock 19 (compact)

Glock 17 (fullsize)

Smith&Wesson M&P 9mm Fullsize

Smith&Wesson M&P 9c (compact)

Springfield XD Service (compact)

Springfield XDM 3.8 (compact)

Springfield XDM 4.5 (fullsize)

H&K P30 (compact)

H&K USP (fullsize)

H&K USP Compact

Walther PPQ (fullsize)

Walther PPX (fullsize)

 

.40 S&W

 

Glock 23 (compact)

Glock 22 (fullsize)

Smith&Wesson M&P .40 Fullsize

Smith&Wesson M&P .40c (compact)

Springfield XD Service (compact)

Springfield XDM 3.8 (compact)

Springfield XDM 4.5 (fullsize)

H&K P30 (compact)

H&K USP (fullsize)

H&K USP Compact

Walther PPQ (fullsize)

Walther PPX (fullsize)

 

.45 ACP (aka .45 Auto)

 

1911 Variant (see below)

Glock 21 (fullsize)

Smith&Wesson M&P .45 Fullsize

Smith&Wesson M&P .45 Midsize

Smith&Wesson M&P .45c (compact)

Springfield XD Service (compact)

Springfield XDM 4.5 (fullsize)

H&K HK45c (compact)

H&K HK45 (fullsize)

H&K USP (fullsize)

H&K USP Compact

Edited August 6, 2013 by copperhead

[copperhead]

Recommended holsters

 

N82 Tactical

Raven

Safariland

Crossbreed

CTAC/MTAC

Desantis

Alien Gear

 

Holsters to avoid

 

Uncle Mike's

 

Lady friendly guns

 

Glock 42

1911

Edited May 28, 2015 by copperhead

[copperhead]

1911 Variants

 

This will be arranged by MSRP. I need recommendations along with the factory MSRP included. Unless noted otherwise, these are all fullsize 5" models chambered in .45 ACP. Smaller models are prone to issues.

 

1911 prices are all over the place. It is possible to get more features at a lower price from one company as opposed to another. Sometimes you are mainly buying a name (like the Remington), other times you are getting great value for your dollar (Like with Rock Island or STI).

 

Buy:

 

Under $500

 

Rock Island Armory Tactical - $450 (Not 100% sure on price, this is what I've found online)

 

$500-$750

 

STI Spartan V - $725

Remington R1 - $729

 

$750-$1,000

 

Ruger SR1911 - $829

 

$1,000-$1,250

 

$1,250-$1,500

 

$1,500-$2,000

 

$2,000+

 

Don't buy:

Edited August 6, 2013 by copperhead

[copperhead]

Buy with caution (not for new shooters)

 

Kel-Tec (These don't excel at any one thing, but are pretty good over all. However, they are designed strictly for concealed carry, and as such they take some getting used to. It's also not unusual that they will need a trip back to the factory for some work.)

Taurus (These have had finish problems and reliability problems. The factory is good at trying to fix them, but aren't always successful. Many people have had good luck though.)

 

Do not buy:

 

Lorcin (unreliable)

Jennings (unreliable)

Raven (unreliable)

Hipoint (This is highly disputed. The truth is they are extremely cheap guns, reliability seems to be either perfect or awful depending on how lucky you are, but they do have a lifetime warranty, and they are very heavy and uncomfortable compared to other similar guns. Many new shooters go to them first due to price, but I can not recommend. You are better off spending the extra $100 to get a Kel-Tec.)

Smith&Wesson Sigma (Similar to Hipoint - many have had good luck but just as many have outright hated them. But they are cheap. Buyer beware.)

Edited August 7, 2013 by copperhead

[macpyro2]

.22

Rugar 10/22

 

CCW .380

Sig P238

 

I would also add Kahr and CZ to this list in multiple places.

[EssFo]

CCW 9mm - Sig P938

[Ackbar00]

Nightstand - Governor

[RedRocket1647545505]

Nightstand - Governor

 

Borderline worthless. 4" of penetration is nowhere near enough.

[LJ]

.38 Special/.357 Magnum (revolver)

 

S&W J frame for CCW

 

S&W K frame and L frame for fullsize

[Ackbar00]

Borderline worthless. 4" of penetration is nowhere near enough.

 

Good thing the heart is only 2 inches behind your chest..... I think 6 rounds of 000 buck from a .410 shotgun shell is plenty enough

[1fast5gp]

CZ 75 P07 Duty : Good for CCW, nightstand/HD, and range toy

CZ 75 P09 Duty: Good for Nightstand/HD and Range toy

CZ 75 P01/P06 : Good for Nightstand/HD and Range toy, okay for CCW due to it's weight.

 

Sig P226: Good for night stand/HD and Range toy

Sig P229: Good for night stand/HD and Range toy, okay for CCW due to it's size and weight.

Sig P239: Good for CCW, night stand/HD.

 

H&K P30: Good for CCW, nightstand/HD, and range toy

H&K P30L: Good for night stand/HD and range toy

 

They all come in 9mm or 40s&w except for the sig P239. That only comes in 9mm.

[Mojoe]

Mike, I always enjoy reading your write ups. They take time, and I just don't get into doing these write ups.

 

I didn't see Ruger SR9c. I have enjoyed mine quite a bit. Might be a good add in a couple areas of use.

[1fast5gp]

$750-$1,000

 

Sprinfield Amory 1911-A1 they are usually just under 1000 for most of their guns. The EMP, Champion, Loaded, etc.

 

KIMBER PRO CARRY II

Kimber Ultra Carry II

 

$1,000-$1,250

$1,250-$1,500

 

$1,500+

 

Dan Wesson

Les Baer

Wilson Combat

Can't go wrong with anyone of them.

[jerrodh]

Ruger LC9 for Concealed Carry. Best pocket gun in my opinion and I have pretty large hands. Much MUCH better than the Junk LCP.

Taurus 1911 is also a fine entry level 1911 $500-$750 usually. The "fit" is somewhat questionable, but finish/appearance is good and it's a good shooter.