Help me choose my gun outside the US parte 3 and final

I have a Glock 19 for EDC, and am very happy with my choice.......however if I had to do it over I would spend the extra hundred bucks or so and purchase the Glock 23 and a 9mm conversion barrel.
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I can buy a G23 gen 3 for the same price as the 26. The bad thing is you cant swap barrels in here... So, not as much advantage. And I dont really want to shoot .40 since it is double the price.
 
I know, sorry :-( you have been very helpful. the big problem I have around here is that I want a firearm for a life time, plus what I said above. I dont want to sell any firearm or to buy any used one. That make me really nervous. Plus, I am "burning" almost a monthly income here, and when I see usa MSRPs i want to cry :-)
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I'm just giving you some playful grief. Don't let anyone rush you into making your decision. Given the prices you are faced with, the decision is bigger than what we Norteamericanos are faced with.

So... I think I want the G26 for aaaaallll the thinks you guys have said, concealability, its on sale, and would be a better gun for my wife to shoot than a beretta :-)
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The key considerations for your petite wife are grip, trigger reach, and weight. The best way to check the first two is to have your wife hold the gun. If she has small hands the Beretta M9A1 you were pondering would likely fail. One of the reasons the US military is thinking of finding a replacement is because many women find the M9 grip too large. If she can't go to the gunshop with you, any pistol with a modular grip (interchangeable backstraps) should be able to be fitted to her. The Beretta PX4 Sub-Compact, the Glock 26, and the Sphinx SDP Compact all have interchangeable backstraps.

The heavier the gun, the less the free recoil energy. So, if your wife is recoil sensitive, heavier is better, all other factors held constant. (A Beretta PX4 Storm Compact, not one of your options, has a rotating barrel recoil action, which does a good job of absorbing recoil.)

How stupid would be to just pick it up in the store and go to the test without having fired any gun that size before? It is a BS test. An 8" bullseye 25 feet away and you have to hit it 5 times with 8 rounds

I know for many of you in the USA that would be the silliest thing ever, but considering my situation.... what do you say?
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Can you rent a gun at the range to take the test? That way you could practice before, so could be sure of passing. An 8" target at 25 ft is 92 minutes of angle, which is huge, but offhand handgun accuracy can be pretty poor if one is inexperienced. The Glock DAO trigger is a hindrance to accuracy until one is practiced with it. I'd rather take such a test cold with a handgun I could shoot in SA.

I'm in the minority here, but I think a Glock is a poor choice for a first-time handgun buyer. The reason? Safety. Please read these articles:

"Experts Find Glocks Prone to Accidents" -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/729088/posts.

"Why the police shouldn't use Glocks" -- http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-owens-glock-accidents-20150508-story.html.

"Are Glock Pistols Unsafe?" -- http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/are_glock_pistols_unsafe.htm.

And, this abstract:

"The risk of involuntary firearms discharge" -- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17063958.

I will also caution against a subcompact, like the Glock 26, being one's first handgun, unless concealability is your paramount concern. A compact-sized gun is a great compromise between concealability and shootability. Yes, a sidearm spends far more time being carried than shot, but the only reason for carrying it is to be able to hit something when you do shoot it.

The subcompact Glock 26 weighs 22 oz, and generates 6.2 ft·lb of free recoil energy. The full-size Beretta M9A1 weighs 35 oz, and generates 4.0 ft·lb of free recoil. Less recoil generally translates into better accuracy and precision.

Consider a gun's trigger action as it effects accuracy and precision. Nothing beats a single action trigger pull, and the worst is a double action only trigger. In my experience, a DA trigger produces groups that are twice as wide (four times less precise) than a SA trigger. The Glock's DAO trigger is short and light, so it is not going to impair precision to the extent a long and heavy DAO trigger does, but it is the combination of a short and light DAO and the lack of an affirmative external safety that makes the Glock less safe than other designs.
 
If the test is free and you can re-take it in a week, I would say give it a whirl. If you pass, go get your license, and if you don't it only shows you need to practice a little before the next test. I just didn't want you to fail the test and then have to wait six months before you could take it again, or spend a big fee for the testing.

Limnophile is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and good hearted, but I will respectfully disagree with him about the dangers of the Glock trigger. You need to learn and practice safe handling technique and use a good holster with any pistol. Lots of people have learned to use a Glock safely, and you have demonstrated yourself to be thoughtful and careful in your approach, so I would encourage you to get some training in gun safety, go slow, and above all to think about what you are doing any time you are handling a firearm. You seem to respect the firearm, and the folks who do that and approach things thoughtfully are not the ones who have problems with Glock triggers.
 
I agree Glocks aren't for everyone. If you can't keep your finger off the trigger, can't take precautions to protect the trigger, can't be depended on to keep your gear in working order, Glocks might not be for you.

Finger off the trigger till ready to shoot.
If disassembling the pistol, remove the magazine, check and double check that the chamber is clear.

Use a rigid leather or kydex holster. Quick on the draw, slow on the re-holster. Make sure there is no clothing to hang on the trigger as you re-holster.

Why use a rigid leather holster or kydex holster?

http://www.itstactical.com/warcom/f...her-holsters-can-cause-accidental-discharges/

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Leather-Holster-AD-Main.jpg
 
^ True, but many shooters trained to do that, and reminded of that fact just prior to the simulation, still touched the trigger prematurely. The trigger touching was inadvertent and most of the trigger touchers had no recollection of touching the trigger.
 
I know firearms are not toys... curously I have better muzzle and trigger discipline than most of the guys in the gun shops I visited :eek:
 
I know firearms are not toys... curously I have better muzzle and trigger discipline than most of the guys in the gun shops I visited
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I kind of thought that may have been the case because of the way you have approached this whole thing. Good for you, but keep it up whether the pistol that you decide on has a thumb safety or not.
 
I have better muzzle and trigger discipline than most of the guys in the gun shops I visited
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That seems to be all too true in the US, too. I think the gunshop employees get lax because of all the gun handlingbthey do, but I can't think of a single visit to a gun shop where the rules of gun safety I was taught as a lad are not routinely violated.
 
So... I think I want the G26 for aaaaallll the thinks you guys have said, concealability, its on sale, and would be a better gun for my wife to shoot than a beretta :-)
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Hi Bachá. I saw you post above and another you wrote about being new to shooting and worrying about shoot the 26 correctly.

Your choice in the end, but here is my experience about handling a G26. I first tried one after I'd have about 500 shots of shooting experience. Total! I had owned a G19 for about 2 months, I had almost zero shooting experience, but when I tried the G26 at the range, I shot it better than my own G19. There is something about it that makes shooting easier (for me), even if it looks like it might be harder... Strange, but true. Also, full-size magazines will give you a bigger grip.

I think it is a great gun so I think it is a fine choice and I fully sympathise with you situation about choice and price: my situation is similar. Not much choice and many firearm products cost an arm and a leg!!

My only note of caution is just make sure both your wife and you are really disciplined about safe gun handling: really get it into your routine until it's a reflex, given that a Glock does not have a separate safety beyond the one in the trigger and the one in both your heads!!

EDIT: Feel free to ignore the above as I've seen you've referred to it already and are aware of this issue. (Left on the page for any other readers to consider)
 
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Glock 26...although you will need to practice with it regularly...month/quarterly.

I have made springs for my pistols before from hardware store parts but it will be necessary to buy 1 or more recoil spring assemblies.

As far as taking a test, everyone who I have demonstrated shooting a 26/27 to did just fine after about a dozen dry firings. You should be able to do those in your vehicle before you test.
 
I kind of thought that may have been the case because of the way you have approached this whole thing. Good for you, but keep it up whether the pistol that you decide on has a thumb safety or not.
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Thanks for your vote of confidence :-)

In one of the shops we were taking a look at a really powerfull pellet rifle. As the guy was trying to showme how the magazines work we put the muzzle in front of my face like 4 inches away. I reacted striking the barrel away from my face and the guy was really offended... go figure.
 
y only note of caution is just make sure both your wife and you are really disciplined about safe gun handling: really get it into your routine until it's a reflex, given that a Glock does not have a separate safety beyond the one in the trigger and the one in both your heads!!
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It is never "too much safety"... all it takes is one mistake to have a tragedy. Thanks for your advice.

I hate when people that make youtube videos go "I wll check the gun for all you safety nazis out there"... instead of doing it over and over again to make it routine in new shooters head.

I grew up in an anti gun home... wel, not exactly anti gun, but we didnt have any guns at home. I started considering getting a gun when some thieves entered our home and took a lot of things. Material loss is important but not enough to motivate me to have a gun... what gave me chills is that by my estimate my wife entered the house alone like 30 minutes after the thieves had left. what would have happened if she entered with the thieves inside!!!

I have taught muzzle and trigger discipline to some kids in my neighbohood. I take out some pellets and bb rifles I have and some cans, and we have a lot of fun. It is hilarious to see them correcting each other as the make safety mistakes :-) I have done something good for humanity!
 
So at the end it was a Beretta 92 Compact Inow with rail and trijicon sights!

I like the looks, and most of all they have direct representation in my country. the sphinx wa beautiful. But I think the store is not bringing them anymore and that is why they put them in sale.So I feared not to be able to get even a magazine or a spring in a couple years.

They are giving me 5 years warranty, and they have all the spare parts. So thanks everyone... I finally made my decision.

m9a1compactinox_zoom001.jpg
 
Good choice, Bachá. No wonder the Sphinx was priced so well.

I know Beretta has made compact versions of the 92, but I've never seen one for sale. The stainless construction looks great and addresses your concern about climate.

Did you take the shooting test for your carry permit? Did you get a holster, or are you ordering one?
 
I know Beretta has made compact versions of the 92, but I've never seen one for sale.
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Hi, thanks... thanks for all the advices and the time!

We have gun registration here. Now the gun goes to the authorities with the paperwork to put to my name. I have to wait 12 to 15 days and then I can take the test. Beretta is the most common gun in here, even more than glock. I guess I can go with one of my friends that owns a full size beretta and wont be much of a difference so I can get prepared to the test.

I see people saying in youtube that the beretta compact is not that common, and pete from the armory channel says the stainless is ever les common, but this guys always have them. What was new for me was that they had a model with trijicon sights which of course is a plus.

They are giving me a crappy IWB holster. For the size of the gun and weight I doubt it wont last much. They only have good OWB holsters, but OWB is not an option for me.

I have to make sure if I can order holsters online. Some stores have told me that holsters are ok and other have told me that they dont ship internationally or to freight forwarders period. So I dont really know...

And there doesnt seem to be many options for holster out there...

So thanks again Limophile
 
^ Here's a company in North Carolina that makes holsters for your M9A1 Compact and ships internationally:

http://www.gunnersalley.com/beretta-92c-and-compact-m9a1/.

I suggest on with two attachment points that snap around your belt, such as this one:

http://www.gunnersalley.com/mtr-custom-deluxe-full-size-quick-snap-holster/.

The snaps make putting the holster on, taking it off, and adjusting the location easier than slots, which you have to thread your belt through. Get a gunbelt from the same manufacturer so the attachment straps blend in and are less noticeable. Make sure the belt is nice and stiff, as that helps a lot to bear the weight of the gun. The two attachment points help distribute the weight better.

Get a holster with a forward cant, such as the one above. The hardest part of the pistol to conceal is the grip, and the forward cant helps the grip blend in with your torso better, rather than sticking out like a sore thumb behind you.

Get an IWB spare magazine pouch. Carrying at least one spare mag is always prudent, not only for the firepower, but because many semiauto malfunctions are mag related.
 
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Good choice, and yes, you will find the two Berettas so similar that practicing with a friends 92 will prepare you for your shooting test. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Glad things are working out for you.
 
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