Weapons owners Check-in [Merged 10-6]

[hereitcomes]

9mm doesnt do anything against a target. maybee a box or some paper.
.45 calliber weapons have a bigger punch and leave lots of damage.
.357 is ideal becuase you can sport shoot/hunt/protect your home with it.

i have many rifles in my room becuase im not old enough to purchase a handgun. Someone tried to break into my house at 2:00 AM and my dad woke me up. he needed a "weapon" so he grabbed a broom...I walked through the house with my
WASR-10 (AK-47). He didnt say anything.

 

[LandoAWD]

9mm doesnt do anything against a target. maybee a box or some paper.
.45 calliber weapons have a bigger punch and leave lots of damage.
.357 is ideal becuase you can sport shoot/hunt/protect your home with it.

i have many rifles in my room becuase im not old enough to purchase a handgun. Someone tried to break into my house at 2:00 AM and my dad woke me up. he needed a "weapon" so he grabbed a broom...I walked through the house with my
WASR-10 (AK-47). He didnt say anything.

Read up. 9mm WILL drop someone, and will fail to just like the "oh so blessed" 45acp if your aim sucks.

+P rounds in .40 have more velocity than .45, etc, etc.

There are alot of variables contained in the actual ammo itself, so that is a bit too much of a blanket statement.

Hell, people have taken .22lr ammo to the leg and lost their life...

 

[knighteclipse1]

I've had my eye on an HK USP .45 for quite some time. One of these days when I have an extreme excess of money I will own one

you won't regret it if you buy one, only one word of advice on that though, it is alittle sensitive when it comes to keeping it clean. My experience with it is that it isn't as easy to use out of the box as the Glock.(Although that might just be me) I like the sights on a Glock much better, but I like the fact I can carry it cocked and locked or go double action only if I so choose.

 

[knighteclipse1]

Not really much concern about that. It won't survive the courts.
The S&W .40 apparently hits harder than the Colt ACP .45, if you think that's what you're shopping for.
Down here on Earth, it matters more that you can use a weapon than what the bench-shooters say a given one will do. One that's comfortable to shoot, easy to control, and cheap to get very, very, very much practice with will be of much greater utility than a Desert Eagle point-five-oh that'll take itself out of your hand with the first shot.
And don't rule-out a nice used weapon.

But if you think you're going to get in ahead of the "ban", you'd better get on the stick.

Once this thread moves from hardware to politics, it will be closed.

There ya go Defiant! Correct as always, it doesn't matter what hardware you have, if you can't shoot the handgun. practice is the key! Although I prefer .45 because of stopping power. there are alot of very good calibers out there, and technology has given the new hollow points alot of potential for stopping power, you have to shoot what your confortable shooting. If you can shoot dead on each time with a 9mm, but not so good with a .45 then go with that. alot of 1911's although I love them have problems with hollowpoints unless you polish the feedramp. My 1911A1 needed alittle tender loving care to get it to feed and eject properly. A good used SIG is a consideration, you can find them in shotgunnews pretty reasonably (wholesale price) If you have a friend thats a dealer you maybe able to work out a deal.

 

[mavisky]

Xd's are slowly creeping in on the glock world. I've yet to see mass acceptance by LEO's, but I love mine personally.

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If you're getting a 1911, I'd highly reccomend a Springfield. Something like the Operator would be fantastic. I would suggest you get a high quality .22 lr conversion kit for it though as it will keep the cost of shooting the gun down at the range. Of course the best way to get accurate with a gun is to shoot it as often as possible, and the .22 lr rounds are unbelievably cheaper than the .45 acp rounds.

News also has it that Springfield will be releasing a .45 ACP version of the XD as well at this years upcoming Shot Show. Think of it as the SEMA for guns

 

[hybridshooter]

I only have one handgun, but many long guns. Price was a real concern for me at the time, but I am still extremely happy with my purchase. I ended up getting a Bulgarian Makarov in 9x18, and I love this gun. It has been being used all over the world as a police, military and civilian weapon for over 30 years. It is very small, light weight, and cheap to feed. They aren't the prettiest, and don't have a ton of custom parts available, but they are a blast to shoot, accurate, and have proven themselves. That being said I got mine with 2 grips, 2 magazines, cleaning kit, and still in the original box covered in cosmoline for $150 out the door .

 

[Shmikey]

ummm whoever said the p226 is only .357???
i own 2 of them and both are 9mm... and i checked and navy seals also use them (9mm). actually most armies in the world use 9mm weapons, and as for stopping power... just buy 9mm kill rounds (the ones with b.b's in them that explode on impact) that will do the trick.

i have a desert eagle w/ 3 conversion kits (.357, .44, and .50AE). all 3 of these are increadibly powerful rounds. but in all seriousness id rather have a 15 round clip (i use 1 kill 1 hollow tip, 1 kill, 1 hollow tip etc... real nice combo) of 9mm, in a gun that i can carry in my waist (a slim glock, or a browning hp) and empty an entire clip with little recoil, than to carry that HUGE hand cannon and pump out 7 slow, inacurate but disgustingly damaging shots... although id probablly only need 1 shot, if any of you have held a desert eagle before that thing is no joke, its like carrying a 20lbs weight in ## hand.

ill always be biased towards 9mm, cause thats my round of choice but as a first gun, id really recommend a glock. its light, accurate, can hold 30 round clips, and has 1/2 the parts most other guns have = easy cleaning. plus you can put night sights on them

my first gun was a .357 magnum short barreled 8shot revolver i was 12 . its a cool hobby.... only problem is its either them or the dsm since both are kindda expensive

 

[mavisky]

ummm whoever said the p226 is only .357???
i own 2 of them and both are 9mm... and i checked and navy seals also use them (9mm). actually most armies in the world use 9mm weapons, and as for stopping power... just buy 9mm kill rounds (the ones with b.b's in them that explode on impact) that will do the trick.

Ask anyone in those armies how they like their 9mm units and they'll tell you they aren't big fans and would let you know how the .45 acp rounds are the favored rounds in combat. As for the Frangible rounds you call "kill rounds", those never seem to work like they are supposed to for whatever reason. Time after time a simple jacketed hollow point like the Federal Premium's I use in mine perform better.

ill always be biased towards 9mm, cause thats my round of choice but as a first gun, id really recommend a glock. its light, accurate, can hold 30 round clips, and has 1/2 the parts most other guns have = easy cleaning. plus you can put night sights on them

Glock's are light, they are fairly accurate (for a sub $750 pistol), but they don't have "1/2 the parts most other guns have", and the fact that they can hold a 30 round clip really isn't that big of an advantage unless you've got your class III license and have a G18. Glock's share no parts with any other gun that I know of. The XD Tactical like mine shares its spring size with a 1911 and the 9mm versions can take a Beretta 96F magazine oddly enough, but that's it for "same parts" on its end. I personally promote the XD over glocks as the XD's grip angle is more comfortable and natural to most shooters, it's been proven to be just as reliable in multiple round tests (check out the 20,000 round test they did on one without a single FTF), is just as accurate, comes in 4 different calibers (9mm, .357, .40, and .45 GAP), comes in 3 different sizes (Sub-Compact with 3" barrel, Service with 4", and the Tactical 5"), it also has a plethora of aftermarket upgrades from re-barrel's/lasers/night sights/grips/spring kits. It also has a fully supported chamber like a 1911 which ultimately makes it safer to the shooter as well in the worst case scenario.

 

[eclipse_20g]

Not that it really adds to the discussion of what you should be buying as a beginning handgunner, but the $$$ that you have to spend on your pistol is just about the exact amount I'll be spending on my next purchase. Might be something to look at that its your price range. A work of art: The Walther P99 in Olive Drab/Black color combo. .40 & 9mm available. Maybe more by now, not sure.

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And my other pistol: Smith&Wesson model 4506-1 .45 Auto.

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[ClutchTSI/AWD]

1911 all the way . Go with a nice set of night sight also . Some thing like Trijicon , or Meprolight . It could make the difference that saves your life , or some one you love , one day .

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[96whgsx]

Wow, thanks for the replies, guys. I thought I would get maybe 2-3 responses when I got home from work, but never this amount. . What I'm looking primarily for in a handgun is not too much defense purposes, it is quite friendly around my neighborhood, but rather to use mainly at the range. When I move out, I may need it for home protection but that won't happen for a while. In the meantime, it will be in a safe-deposit box. I love having a rent-free residence. This gun will probably be my first and last handgun I will ever own and I have patience when practicing and ammo cost doesn't matter to me, I'll probably shoot off like 30-40 rnds/month. My co-worker is also willing to show me the ropes on maintaining a gun, he currently owns a total of 15 . The most important thing I want is accuracy but more reliability. I talked to my co-worker today about selection and he pointed out the sig sauer p220 and the H&K usp .45. My price range is also a little more flexible than I thought, so I wouldn't mind spending 850 if it has noticebly better benefits.

Thanks again for the plentiful on-topic responses and opinions.

 

[ClutchTSI/AWD]

A 1911 is an excelnt range gun . 90% of compedative shooters use the 1911 platform . Springfield (as you mentioned in your first post) Is a great choice . They produce quality products that perfom very well , and they have outstanding costemer service . You'll also find that there is an obundince amount of .45 cal. amunition avalibe out there for a very reasonable price . To learn more hangun information check out the handgun forum on AR15.com . Take your time and pick something that feels comfortablie to you .

 

[Piranha451]

An excellent but often overlooked series of .45s is the Safari Arms from Olympic Arms. I have owned a few of their Matchmaster pistols. You can check them out at www.olyarms.com

 

[eclipse_20g]

Just to let you know, a close friend picked up a new pistol last night for Xmas.

Springfield XD series 9mm subcompact. Came with: Springfield carry case, holster, 2 10-round clips, 1 16-round clip, tactical flashlight, and even got some ammo all for $540! What a steal and it is an awesome little piece.
LINKY

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[ninjai_ruken]

I own a HK Mark 23, and I swear by it. I have personally put this weapon through hell and back and she still keeps on ticking. If you live in a state that allows Sound Suppressors the Mark 23 has a threaded barrel just for the purpose.I bought mine as a package that came with a laser sight flash light combo, and a sound suppressor

The HK Mark 23 Caliber .45 ACP pistol gives shooters match grade accuracy equal to that of the finest custom made handguns—yet exceeds the most stringent operational requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun.

The Mark 23 provides this accuracy without the need for hand-fitted parts common in custom-built match pistols costing thousands of dollars more.

One of the most thoroughly tested handguns in history, the MK23/Mark 23 project originated in 1991 when HK began development for the U.S. Special Operations Command, the organization that directs the activities of America’s most elite military units, including the Navy SEALs and the Army Special Forces.

On May 1, 1996, the first HK MK 23 pistols were delivered to the U.S. Special Operations Command for operational deployment, making the MK 23 the first .45 ACP pistol to enter American military service since the venerable Government Model 1911A1.

During testing, MK 23 pistols met the most stringent operational and accuracy requirements ever demanded of a combat handgun. Endurance testing demonstrated a service life of over 30,000 rounds of +P ammunition. To meet the reliability requirement, the pistol had to demonstrate a minimum of 2,000 mean rounds between stoppages (MRBS) with both M1911 ball and of +P ammunition. All pistols exceeded the 2000 MRBS with an average of 6000 MRBS. In more than 450 accuracy test firings from a precision firing fixture at 25 meters, MK 23 pistols far exceeded the government requirement, averaging 1.44 inches, with 65 groups of less than one inch. There were four groups of .5 inches, with 5 rounds going through the same hole!

MSRP
Mark 23 - $2412

Features:
• Threaded O-ring barrel with polygonal bore profile
• Match grade trigger
• One piece machined steel slide
• Frame mounted decocking lever and separate ambidextrous safety lever
• Can be carried “cocked and locked” with the safety lever on
• Patented HK recoil reduction system
• Corrosion resistant blued finish
• Special Maritime Surface coating
• Oversized trigger guard for use with gloves
• Proprietary mounting grooves for installing accessories
• Ambidextrous magazine release lever
• Extended slide release
• Extractor doubles as a loaded chamber indicator
• Patented Lock-Out Safety device
• Limited Lifetime warranty


Specifications:

Caliber Capacity Length Width Height Sight Radius Barrel Length Weight

.45 ACP 12 65 1.53 5.90 7.76 5.87 2.42lb

 

[LandoAWD]

Just to let you know, a close friend picked up a new pistol last night for Xmas.

Springfield XD series 9mm subcompact. Came with: Springfield carry case, holster, 2 10-round clips, 1 16-round clip, tactical flashlight, and even got some ammo all for $540! What a steal and it is an awesome little piece.
LINKY

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I can't believe that light bumps the price up more than 100 bucks! I got the .40 for 449, and the 9mm was 419 right next to it.

I love the holster these things come with, though.

*snip*

Lots of good info, but nearly 3 times his spending limit posted above.

 

[ninjai_ruken]

Thanks did not catch that spending limit, Then I would go with the 1911. Another great handgun that has about 75 years of combat testing....

 

[mavisky]

It's not a bad price for the xml, the subcompact, and the holster as well.

 

[96whgsx]

Ok, I've narrowed down my decision to the Springfield 1911 full sized stainless. Now there are 2 sub-categories that I need to choose between, the mil spec or the loaded one. The mil spec is around 450 while the loaded one is 680. The loaded one has night sights, smoother frame so I won't get cut as much, and a few other things I can't seem to remember. Would these features be worth the extra 230 bucks?

 

[LandoAWD]

Night sights alone are about 100bucks, but I'll let the 1911 crowd chime in on the overall spec differences.

 

[TheClaw]

Nice guns people

I need to get my pistol permit soon. Maybe that's a winter thing I'll do..

For now, this is what I use for home security:

http://cousinlarry.com/upload2/mossberg1.JPG

Mossberg Cruiser 500 with pistol grip, and heaat shield. Holds 5+1 3" shells.

It'll get the job done

 

[MrBoxx]

I'm also considering getting a handgun as soon as finances allow. I was all set on a Glock or a Sig Sauer, but after reading this thread and poking around on the Net, I'm also considering a Browning High-Power or something by Springfield. I guess I'd have to try each one out at a range and see what fits me best.

 

[ClutchTSI/AWD]

I would say go for the loaded , If you have the money . Like Lando said the night sights will run you about a $100.00 bucks alone . Both are excelent choices (I have a few of each) , but I deffinelty preferr the extra features .

 

[GsxKydd]

I too have the Springfield XD40 V10(ported barrel) and I love it. I put about 400 rounds through it in the past month and not a single problem or jam. I have been looking for quite some time and focused on Beretta, S&W, and Ruger since ruger is a bit cheaper price wise then the rest. Find an indoor range near you and see if they rent their used guns. The place by me does so I got to shoot a few different ones before I purchased the XD40. Once I fired that, it was all over for me.. both my uncle and I picked them up with 3 - 12 round mags, holster, case, ect for 480 each. Well worth the difference in price compared to the ruger I was looking at for 400. Also it breaks completely down in about 15 seconds to be cleaned... cant be easier and extremely accurate.

 

[Engineer]

I have a Llama copy of the 1911. It's got good and bad points to it. I picked it up for $175, so it makes the bad points harder to remember.

As for a vfaq of sorts, try this site: http://www.bobtuley.com/45/