breakthrough
Moderator
bacha you keep saying my country but why would you not name your country? something is not right
Help me choose my gun outside the US part 2
- Thread starter Bachá
- Start date
dakota.potts
New member
He mentions Guatemala in his original post.
I personally don't care for Glocks, but given your limited access and somewhat restrictive laws/prices, I would take the Glock 26 and see if you can find some 19/17 magazines with the finger extension. The grip to me is too small to shoot comfortably without the extension.
I would still probably go with the HS9 myself. I've preferred the XD series to Glock personally. I would rather have a mid to full size handgun. Easier to shoot and operate. Only problem with that is, if concealed carry is a consideration, you can't downsize the HS9 but you can upsize the 26 with magazine extensions.
I personally don't care for Glocks, but given your limited access and somewhat restrictive laws/prices, I would take the Glock 26 and see if you can find some 19/17 magazines with the finger extension. The grip to me is too small to shoot comfortably without the extension.
I would still probably go with the HS9 myself. I've preferred the XD series to Glock personally. I would rather have a mid to full size handgun. Easier to shoot and operate. Only problem with that is, if concealed carry is a consideration, you can't downsize the HS9 but you can upsize the 26 with magazine extensions.
The G26 conceals well and most people who give it an honest try find it easy to shoot well. Gripping it with the pinky finger curled under the grip is the most common way, and works very well. I actually shoot it better that way than with extended grips, for some reason.
From what you have said, I think the G26 would be a good choice for you.
From what you have said, I think the G26 would be a good choice for you.
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
Glock 26 is a really good first pistol choice in my opinion. The grip size is an issue, but not one that really causes all that much trouble for many.
Limnophile
New member
breakthrough,
Those who read the first, now-deleted thread he started know Bachá is from Guatemala.
Those who read the first, now-deleted thread he started know Bachá is from Guatemala.
Bacha
You have to remember who you are getting these answers from. A M9 is puny compared to some CCWs that some of us carry. I have both a shoulder rig and IWB for my .44 Auto Mag. I also carry a Uberti Walker IWB and in a shoulder holster. This hunting season I carried my Walker for three months.
The weight of a M9 is nothing once one carries a real handgun.....some days I used to carry my walker under one arm and my Smith 624 or Auto Mag under the other.
You have to remember who you are getting these answers from. A M9 is puny compared to some CCWs that some of us carry. I have both a shoulder rig and IWB for my .44 Auto Mag. I also carry a Uberti Walker IWB and in a shoulder holster. This hunting season I carried my Walker for three months.
The weight of a M9 is nothing once one carries a real handgun.....some days I used to carry my walker under one arm and my Smith 624 or Auto Mag under the other.
I am very aware of that
Nobody carries small guns here, And as I said in the other post is not uncommon to see people with glock 17, with an enormus magwell and a 33 rounder, plus 2 more 33 rounders for reload.I cant give too much details but for me concealability is paramount, eventhoug it is not ilegal to open carry here...
How about carrying "off person" with something like this fanny pack? http://amzn.to/1m6nF1A
johnwilliamson062
Moderator
To people who CCW a guy with a fanny pack screams gun. Many here don't realize that isn't true for the majority of the population. A guy with a fanny pack screams "whipped" or "tourist" to the average person in the US. I can't remember ever seeing one in Mexico except on runners training.
My wife ended up traveling alone with a layover in Guatemala City this summer following a missed flight out of Honduras with an aid group. I was pretty stressed for the duration. I'd look into the 33 rounder if I were you. They can be carried concealed as reloads pretty easily.
My wife ended up traveling alone with a layover in Guatemala City this summer following a missed flight out of Honduras with an aid group. I was pretty stressed for the duration. I'd look into the 33 rounder if I were you. They can be carried concealed as reloads pretty easily.
What about a G23 gen3 as first gun? I can get one for $230 less than the G26... I am not sure I would want to go to .40 as my first gun mainly because .40 is almost double than 9mm per round around here, but it is not like I will be every weekend at the range. I do intend to get training and practice though.
Certainly grey market copies exist. Google "Khyber Pass Copy"
Here:
http://www.amusingplanet.com/2014/09/darra-adam-khel-village-of-illegal-gun.html
They can make anything ......
Amazing that something as "controlled" as a firearm can be copied... :-S
I exhausted the sales guy at the store, but It wasnt rational for me that they had a model that wasnt listed on the manufacturers site because the guy insisted the finish was from the factory.
A guy with a fanny pack here screams nothing but "dorky" or "-CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED--CENSORED-"
It is not that bad in here... you see americans all time even traveling around the country by bike. Yes you have to take precautions, but ir is not as bad as many think
My G23 is my EDC, but it isnt on my person, it is in a Maxpedition bag that has a concealed compartment for weapons. With fully-loaded mags, it is not light. But, you have .40 cal goodness.
I don't know your situation, but if concealment is a priority, and if you want something on your body, there may be better options for you. The G23 is a great gun, stone-axe reliable, but not a great concealment piece.
A .380 doesn't work for you? A Sig 232 or that class?
I don't know your situation, but if concealment is a priority, and if you want something on your body, there may be better options for you. The G23 is a great gun, stone-axe reliable, but not a great concealment piece.
A .380 doesn't work for you? A Sig 232 or that class?
It would help if you listed the prices of the guns. For example, from a pure value perspective, the Beretta 92 is well worth an extra 25% over the HS9. You mention that Glocks are very expensive, but how much, in comparison, to others?
Also, what percent of the use of the gun would be for recreational shooting or training, and how much for pure carry? Are hollow point bullets available and can you afford them?
If you can get and afford quality hollow points, then the 9 is just as good as the .40, with less recoil and muzzle rise. If not, you might consider the .40, since it may have better terminal performance over round nose 9. If you plan on shooting this gun a lot, then 9 wins on ammo cost. If carry only (and I don't recommend this; become proficient) then ammo cost is less of a concern.
What are the legalities and practicalities of reloading where you are? That will also narrow the gap between 9 and .40.
Are you skinny? Most Americans (I among them) are fat, especially by central American standards. This limits concealment choices. If you're skinny, you can likely conceal a full sized pistol under a loose shirt very easily. Luckily Guatemala has a thriving leather craft industry, so print out some pictures of good holsters off the web, and take them to a local leather crafter.
Like I mentioned, I personally would choose the Beretta 92 over the HS9, from a quality stand point alone. You're much less likely to have problems with an out of the box Beretta. They're also combat proven around the globe. The finish hold up reasonably well, and if you wear through it the guns don't rust that much. They're easy to clean up. I personally have an Inox B92, and it's great, but the finish gets surface scratches very easily. If I were to buy it again, I would get a Bruniton finish gun.
I'm a dedicated Glock guy, but I recommend you avoid the G23. I had one and sold it. In my opinion, there's a lower threshold in Glocks at or below which the guns become very difficult to shoot. The G23 size is a handful in .40 (the G19 is great). It's very hard to shoot and master, and not the right choice for a new shooter. The G22 is larger, and much easier to shoot and master. Similarly, the G26 is the threshold where the 9mm Glocks become difficult to shoot. Between the G23 and G26, the G26 is a better gun for a beginner.
In your shoes, I'd only get the G23 if I reloaded, and can therefore reload the cartridge down to the level of 9mm for practice. Alternately, if the gun were cheap enough to get a drop in 9mm barrel and magazines to use it as a 9. This would give you the option to shoot .40, if you desired, but practice with the cheaper round. My guess is that the drop in barrel and mags would make it the same price as the G19.
Good luck!
Also, what percent of the use of the gun would be for recreational shooting or training, and how much for pure carry? Are hollow point bullets available and can you afford them?
If you can get and afford quality hollow points, then the 9 is just as good as the .40, with less recoil and muzzle rise. If not, you might consider the .40, since it may have better terminal performance over round nose 9. If you plan on shooting this gun a lot, then 9 wins on ammo cost. If carry only (and I don't recommend this; become proficient) then ammo cost is less of a concern.
What are the legalities and practicalities of reloading where you are? That will also narrow the gap between 9 and .40.
Are you skinny? Most Americans (I among them) are fat, especially by central American standards. This limits concealment choices. If you're skinny, you can likely conceal a full sized pistol under a loose shirt very easily. Luckily Guatemala has a thriving leather craft industry, so print out some pictures of good holsters off the web, and take them to a local leather crafter.
Like I mentioned, I personally would choose the Beretta 92 over the HS9, from a quality stand point alone. You're much less likely to have problems with an out of the box Beretta. They're also combat proven around the globe. The finish hold up reasonably well, and if you wear through it the guns don't rust that much. They're easy to clean up. I personally have an Inox B92, and it's great, but the finish gets surface scratches very easily. If I were to buy it again, I would get a Bruniton finish gun.
I'm a dedicated Glock guy, but I recommend you avoid the G23. I had one and sold it. In my opinion, there's a lower threshold in Glocks at or below which the guns become very difficult to shoot. The G23 size is a handful in .40 (the G19 is great). It's very hard to shoot and master, and not the right choice for a new shooter. The G22 is larger, and much easier to shoot and master. Similarly, the G26 is the threshold where the 9mm Glocks become difficult to shoot. Between the G23 and G26, the G26 is a better gun for a beginner.
In your shoes, I'd only get the G23 if I reloaded, and can therefore reload the cartridge down to the level of 9mm for practice. Alternately, if the gun were cheap enough to get a drop in 9mm barrel and magazines to use it as a 9. This would give you the option to shoot .40, if you desired, but practice with the cheaper round. My guess is that the drop in barrel and mags would make it the same price as the G19.
Good luck!
Hi thanks. Well.... practicing, as much as I can. Once a month I would say, and training maybe once every 3 months or so.
I had decided for the beretta and left the papers signed and everything in the shop but then those other things I mentioned happened and made me second guess
The options are these:
Considered within my budget:
Beretta M9A1 for $1256
HS9 (same as XD9 4" service model) for $1000
USA G26 Gen 4 $1729
USA G23 Gen 3 $ 1602
Sig P320 $1602
Sig P2022 $1346
Outside of my budget right now, would have to wait:
AUSTRIAN G17 and G19 gen 4 $2000... It blows my mind that I have to pay that much more than for the beretta when I know the beretta is in fact more expensive in the US :-S
For comparison I can get a P226 or P229 stainless elite for $2115, and I am told that the Legion series of the same models are going to cost the same when they come here.
I am not that skinny by central american standars but not that tall or big by american standards
. I guess I could concelead a full size weapon rather easily, many people here do it. But you know latinos... when the hugging begings.... I dont want anybody to know I have a gun on me.Good idea that of the Leather holsters... yeah, thease guys can do anything.
They dont sell extra barrels in here, and you can ask a gunshop to import it but it is a pain in the ass legally. You have to register it and everything. We do have gun registration program here. We can have as many as we want, but we have to register them.
Good choice on the M9A1. You'll like it. Of all the pistols on the list, that's the best value/price, no question about it.
One thing to consider about the P320 are the conversion kits. If they were even half the price of a complete gun, it would give you the option of both a compact or carry for shooting or carrying in colder weather, and subcompact for hotter days or deeper concealment.
I agree with your reasoning on the prices for Glocks. For one thing, I would not pay $250 or $400 more for an Austrian Glock. The USA ones are fine, and the cheaper, the better. I think the Gen 4's are worth more than the Gen 3, but I wouldn't sweat it either way.
The P2022 is a good pistol. I had one, but sold it. I kept the Beretta, if that tells you anything.
For your purposes, the polymer frame might be more resistant to corrosion. These are not worth paying more than for a Beretta 92.
I've had a P226 and P220, and while excellent pistols, they're not worth that much more than a B92.
In the end, I think you made the right choice.
How much is a box of 9mm ammo down there? Can you buy reloaded ammo? Have you considered reloading your own?
Though I've never been to Guatemala, my wife has spent several months down there working in years past. I also have friends in Quetzaltenango.
Are there any other handgun choices? Can you get a police trade-in Taurus model 80 or 82? Of the right vintage, those can be excellent guns.
One thing to consider about the P320 are the conversion kits. If they were even half the price of a complete gun, it would give you the option of both a compact or carry for shooting or carrying in colder weather, and subcompact for hotter days or deeper concealment.
I agree with your reasoning on the prices for Glocks. For one thing, I would not pay $250 or $400 more for an Austrian Glock. The USA ones are fine, and the cheaper, the better. I think the Gen 4's are worth more than the Gen 3, but I wouldn't sweat it either way.
The P2022 is a good pistol. I had one, but sold it. I kept the Beretta, if that tells you anything.
For your purposes, the polymer frame might be more resistant to corrosion. These are not worth paying more than for a Beretta 92.I've had a P226 and P220, and while excellent pistols, they're not worth that much more than a B92.
In the end, I think you made the right choice.
How much is a box of 9mm ammo down there? Can you buy reloaded ammo? Have you considered reloading your own?
Though I've never been to Guatemala, my wife has spent several months down there working in years past. I also have friends in Quetzaltenango.
Are there any other handgun choices? Can you get a police trade-in Taurus model 80 or 82? Of the right vintage, those can be excellent guns.
Limnophile
New member
To be sure you are not pegged as carrying a sidearm, I'd get this fannypack:
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5619057/il_570xN.272502525.jpg.
https://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5619057/il_570xN.272502525.jpg.