Buying my first autoloader, help.

J

JB_KILL

Inactive
Hi all,
I am a relatively new handgun enthusiast and would appreciate any advice from the wise and informed Firing Line members. Thanks to all in advanced for your help and advice.
Here is my question:

I am planning to make my first auto-loading pistol purchase in the next few mouths (it has taken two years of change saving to get the money :( :o ). As this pistol will be only one I can afford for a while, it must meet all my needs:

1. CCW
2. Reloading – The only way I can afford to practice.
3. Reliable
4. Low maintenance

I know it my be unreasonable to expect that any one pistol can fulfill all the above, but I am looking for the “best fit”. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have looked at the Sig P232, Steyr M40, and some HK’s.
 
JB; Sounds to me like you're on a budget. The best value on the market today is the ruger pistols. The P-95 is a "best buy". It's economical (9mm), durable, and very reliable. Good Luck, j.s.
 
JB Amigo,

Whilst ruger is one of the best values going in handguns-not Rifles- I think you might want somthing smaller for ccw. Here is where the confusion sets in. I know of no one Semi-auto pistol that completly perfect for all the roles you need... If it is to be your only gun I hesitate to tell you not to go under a 9mm in caliber, in this catagory some of the newer small Sigs look appealing.
(not the "Sig-Pro")


If you are looking for a bigger caliber and a small size I reccomend that you belay the notion. Most autoloaders in small sizes and large calibers- even 9mm like Khar and mini-Glock-are very prone to limp wristing due to large rcoil-and thus reduced accuracy. Even practiced shooters who do not have this problem might encounter this in combat due to the variable positions/ and stances that occur when your not in the "La La Land" of the rage...immagine having a jam defending your home...can you say excrament in Mandarin?

So in short I recomend a Medium size nine with a single stack mag in doubble action..preferably with a exposed hammer(good for restrikes on lousy primers...and for making a point before you pistol whip the S.O.B.). But you should try and rent any gun on the range that fits your fancy and take it out for a test drive. Too bad you specify an autoloader, you could just buy a small stainless .38 and load her with +p's...it would save you alot of money and be a no jam do all carry gun.

Peace
:cool: IZZY
 
A mini-Glock best meets your criteria for number 1, 3, and 4. For number 2 you pick the caliber, probbably not a .357 SIG
 
9mm is probably the way to go for you. It's easy to control, plenty powerful enough, and relatively easy to reload. Reloading .40 S&W is not for the beginner.

I would recommend the Glock 19. It's small enough to conceal, big enough to control, simple to use, utterly reliable, relatively inexpensive to buy and to shoot, and very easy to maintain.
 
If you've saved a lot consider a SIG Sauer P239 or P228. If not take a hard look at a Makarov. They can be had for $149 shipped (www.jcarmory.com). They're 100% reliable, small, thin, and cheap to feed.

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So many pistols, so little money.
 
Hmmm. I may stand alone on this, but I would recommend an officer-sized .45 if you have to have an auto. The good points are that the gun is designed by John Browning :), the .45 is an excellent self-defense cartidge, parts are readily available and .45 ammo is very straightforward to reload. They are reliable, unless someone convinces you to "improve" the pistol with modifications. Resist this urge at all costs! Stuff that helps get competition groups tends to not work as well day-to-day. The concealability issue depends on how big a guy you are. I know people that have trouble hiding a .38 snubbie, but other lummoxes who can probably hide a .454Casull! So, take that into account. As for an actual gun, a Norinco .45 copy is cheap, but the quality...varies? I hear that IAI (Israeli) makes a good copy of the old 1911 for a very reasonable price, but they may be hard to find. Look at gun shows. If you do get one, probably replace the ambi-safety. I'm not violating the "no modification" advice (I think) because it's not a trick part. unless you are left-handed since they don't help with concealed carry at all. Hope it helps.

John
 
Get a high-quality 9mm XYZ (buy a Ruger, Beretta, H&K, Kimber).

Skip the SIG, Steyr, S&W, Walther, Glock parade.....


Really.

And get a 9mm first.

(I, given your criteria, would buy a Kimber in 9mm. But that's me.)

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"All my ammo is factory ammo"
 
If I were in your shoes, and knew what I know now, I would have started with the
S&W 3953 (if it was available way back then!), DAO (easy to transition from wheelgun),reliable, 9mm, easy to conceal w/o being too small to be usable, easy to maintain.

I'm now a dyed-in-the-wool cocked & locked .45 guy, but I would have loved to have something like that to start with!

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Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war.
 
I would recommend either a Glock 26 or 19.
They meet all four of your criteria; although 9mm is often cheep enough that reloading does not make economic sense. If you live in warm country I'd favor the 26 over the 19 for concealed purposes.

Buy a used one if you can find it. Buying a used Glock is about as risky as buying a used brick.
 
JB_Kill,

You've asked a very good question and your constraints are clear, which is most helpful in formulating an answer.

Given the fact that this purchase will be your only semiautomatic for some time, I urge you to consider the Sig "P" series pistols (not the Sig-Pro). Sig's "P" series all have well-deserved reputations for exceptional reliability, durability, out-of-the-box accuracy, high-quality design and manufacture, and easy maintenance. In addition, I have found their staff to be eager to help customers. Sig Sauer's Internet site is: www.sigarms.com.

There are certainly other excellent semiautomatics: Glock and H&K autoloaders and Kimber and Springfield 1911A1-types -- as well as others -- merit inclusion in the top-tier. However I recommend you select a Sig "P" as your only semiautomatic, because it is clearly outstanding in ALL key parameters, including safety (with a proven SA/DA and de-cocker design).

If you decide to buy a Sig "P" series semiautomatic, I would next determine your individual "ideal size" (i. e., full, compact, etc.) based on personal ergonomics and concealed carriage. Finally, I suggest you stick with either 9mm or .45 ACP, due to the variety and availability of inexpensive rounds and (as indicated in your post) the requirement for reloading.

I shoot Sigs, Glocks, Kimbers, S&Ws, and Colts. They are all fine firearms. But my two Sigs (a P-220 and a P-226) have preformed flawlessly. In addition, after following many TFL threads it is clear that we all have personal preferences, but the Sig "P" series is generally acknowledged to be a superior semiautomatic.

You will be most happy with a Sig.
 
Well, I'll throw in my .02 worth. First, it would help if you'd tell us what price range you're looking for. That aside, here's what I think...
Any Sig "P" series in 9mm or .45ACP that you feel comfortable with.
Any Glock in 9mm or .45ACP that you feel comfortable with.

Shoot 'em and see what you like. The more you like it, the more you'll shoot it and the better you'll get.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide.
Bill
 
In all my years I have never found a pistol that is nearly as accurate or dependable as the venerable Makarov!!! It's light, thin, and NEVER let's you down with a misfire or failure to load.

The Makarov is the finest pistol on the market in my opinion (and that of many informed others) and you can get one for $15 to $225. The ammo is cheap and you can reload it too. Check out http://www.Makarov.com


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Talk is cheap; Free Speech is NOT.
 
Hi All,

I really appreciate all of you taking the time to answer my questions and to give your input. I may have left out some information that may prove helpful. I currently have an S&W Model 29 that my father left me. I have been reloading and plinking with it for about two years now. I enjoy the revolver, but would like to have an auto for CCW. The 6.5 inch .44 mag is just too much gun to lug around. Also, some one asked how much money I had. At the moment I have about $700, but would like to spend less than $600.

Thanks,
JB
 
Get a glock g19. Simple, easy to shoot, and concealable. 9mm is a good all around round and cheap. If you have to go with a .45, get a Kimber or a Springfield. Several choices in the that price range. Go to the websites and checkout the various models and the retail. A good rule of thumb is 80% of retail at a gunshow. That will give you an idea of what the price to you will be. You can search the web as well if you trust the source. Rugers are very rliable shoot well, but are a little on the large for my tastes. If you can find a Sig for under $600, they are great guns. GunWorld gave the Charles Daly a very good review and they can be had in the $350 to $400 range. They may require a little work to get them where you would like them. One more suggestion. Look at the Kahr 9mm and .40SW. if you want to go downsize. Well made and American.
 
1. CCW
2. Reloading – The only way I can afford to practice.
3. Reliable
4. Low maintenance


That would be an easy question for me, knowing what I know now but it wasn't so easy a few years ago. The Glock 19 fits the bill as perfectly as any could.
1) Easy to conceal with any covering garment and powerful enough to do the job with a quality JHP load.
2) 9mm easy enough to reload for and won't hurt the weapon.
3) I'm unaware of a more reliable autoloader out there.
4) Clean it from time to time but this is a working weapon. The rest of my guns I clean as soon as I return from the range yet I have more confidence in my Glock dirty than in the rest perfectly cleaned and oiled. Excellent right out of the box. Made better with only a set of steel replacement sights.


I'd pick up a used one at a gun show (as reliable as they are, it's just not nessary to buy new to feel comfortable that it'll work) and save the extra bucks on a set of night sights and a good concealment rig or ammo. I believe that even after you've traded numerous other guns, this weapon will be one of the few that will always remain in your arsenal.
 
JB, If you want to spend the whole wad, Take a look at the Beretta Cougar Line, They come
9mm,.40 and .45. They are good guns and I believe a good value for the money. Also take a look at some used stuff, that is if you know of a reliable gun shop to frequent. I just bought a used S&W Md# 39 in 9mm. The gun
was a beaut and the price was very good considered what some of the new ones run.
As in recent times I have bought my share of new, but don't discount a good used piece. There are some real good bargains out there.
And take a look at the Berettas they are worth a look. Remember one thing though its gotta work and feel right for you. :)
Let us know what you decide :) Good Luck

Happy Shooting :)
 
#1. Wait
#2. You don't necessarily need a 9, if you reload you can reload .45 cheap, and there are some sweet deals in your range for 1911s, which are very concealable due to their narrow width.
#3. Go to a store or show and try a number of different weapons. If it is going to be your only piece, you'd better make damn sure it feels good when you hold it. Make sure you like the layout of the controls and the trigger pull.
#4. Fine the best alternatives, then come back ask the questions about those models.
 
If you are thinking self-defense/home-defense don't be thinking 9mm. In my little ol' measly opinion. In a pistol I would choose from .357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45 ACP. But that is just me. Yeah Yeah shot placement with a 9mm and it is ok. Well the .40 is darn near as smooth and I trust it to stop somebody if I dont hit em right between the eyes.

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