First Gun Help?
- Thread starter DAFL
- Start date
Spats McGee
Administrator
First of all, welcome to TFL, DAFL! You've got quite the first post there.
I've been watching this thread, but unable to reply, for a few days. Someone commented earlier that it seemed like you, DAFL, might be looking for both a CC gun, as well as one for armed security work. Do you mind telling us if that's indeed the case? (We'll be encouraging you to buy more pistols later
D), but it might help us help you if we knew if this pistol was: (a) to be CC only; or (b) if you're looking to OC it as an armed security guard, as well.)
Personally, I've always put my guns to multiple uses, partly because I've never had the budget to buy lots of dedicated-use guns, and partly because I'd just rather have a handful of guns that I shoot fairly well, than have lots of guns that I shoot rather poorly.
If you're going to use the pistol for CC only, then smaller and lighter might be the order of the day, but that might depend on your wardrobe and activities. If I lived in FL and had a job on the waterfront that called for shorts and a T-shirt, I'd be looking for something in the LCP or LC9 size. Maybe a J-frame or an LCR. OTOH, even in that climate, if I were in a job that required slacks, collard shirt and a jacket, I'd move up a size for: (a) capacity; (b) longer sight radius; (c) less recoil.
In my personal, subjective, relatively inexperienced opinion, the pistols commonly called "compacts" are like Goldilocks. Not too big and not too small. Something in the 4" range for a barrel, 10-15 rounds (depending on caliber and model). Mine is a Glock 19, but (clearly) not everyone cares for Glocks. That's OK, because there are a host of other pistols that fit the Goldilocks parameters: S&W M&P compacts, XDm compacts, some in the Ruger SR series, some CZs. No doubt I've overlooked a few, but those are the ones that come to mind.
I've been watching this thread, but unable to reply, for a few days. Someone commented earlier that it seemed like you, DAFL, might be looking for both a CC gun, as well as one for armed security work. Do you mind telling us if that's indeed the case? (We'll be encouraging you to buy more pistols later
D), but it might help us help you if we knew if this pistol was: (a) to be CC only; or (b) if you're looking to OC it as an armed security guard, as well.) Personally, I've always put my guns to multiple uses, partly because I've never had the budget to buy lots of dedicated-use guns, and partly because I'd just rather have a handful of guns that I shoot fairly well, than have lots of guns that I shoot rather poorly.
If you're going to use the pistol for CC only, then smaller and lighter might be the order of the day, but that might depend on your wardrobe and activities. If I lived in FL and had a job on the waterfront that called for shorts and a T-shirt, I'd be looking for something in the LCP or LC9 size. Maybe a J-frame or an LCR. OTOH, even in that climate, if I were in a job that required slacks, collard shirt and a jacket, I'd move up a size for: (a) capacity; (b) longer sight radius; (c) less recoil.
In my personal, subjective, relatively inexperienced opinion, the pistols commonly called "compacts" are like Goldilocks. Not too big and not too small. Something in the 4" range for a barrel, 10-15 rounds (depending on caliber and model). Mine is a Glock 19, but (clearly) not everyone cares for Glocks. That's OK, because there are a host of other pistols that fit the Goldilocks parameters: S&W M&P compacts, XDm compacts, some in the Ruger SR series, some CZs. No doubt I've overlooked a few, but those are the ones that come to mind.
None. I would not recommend a .40 for a first time gun buyer. You cag get 9mm ammo that comes real close to the performance of a .40. The recoil from a .40 is sharp and in small guns, will slow down your follow up shots and may not be very comfortable to shoot. I would take a look at 9mm instead. You will shoot it better and faster. These days with modern ammo there is little difference in "stopping" power among the 9mm, .40 and .45 ACP. All are in used by LEO.
There seems to be some agencies moving to either 9mm or .45 ACP by some law enforcement agencies. They all claim that when they go to 9mm, their qualification scores improve significantly. My regular Federal HST 9mm ammo passes all the FBI tests and we are talking fractions of an inch in bullet size. I ignore the energy transfer and other stuff people debate about because I was in combat and saw what really mattered is shot placement and that is more easily accomplished with the less recoiling 9mm for me.
There seems to be some agencies moving to either 9mm or .45 ACP by some law enforcement agencies. They all claim that when they go to 9mm, their qualification scores improve significantly. My regular Federal HST 9mm ammo passes all the FBI tests and we are talking fractions of an inch in bullet size. I ignore the energy transfer and other stuff people debate about because I was in combat and saw what really mattered is shot placement and that is more easily accomplished with the less recoiling 9mm for me.
hatchettjack
Inactive
Just sayin!
