Need help narrowing down choices---

M

Morglan

New member
A friend is trying to decide which handgun will be his first. He has little experience with handguns (although he has tons of experience with long guns). He is willing to spend $400 - $800 on a new firearm, with these stipulations:

---DA/SA, with a decocker
---.40 - .45 (with 9mm considered)
---Reputable maker
---Med to Med/large size (able to conceal, but not a compact)
---Not interested in Glock, but not opposed to polymer frames (doesn't like the Glock action)

Due to the fact that my handgun interests have always been very specific, I don't have much advice for him. I've suggested some manufacturers that I believe make handguns that meet these parameters (H&K, Sig, S&W, Baretta and Taurus) but I don't know specific models. Any advice?
 
Morglan:
As for caliber, I would strongly suggest to your friend that a first handgun be something affordable to shoot (i.e., 9mm). This way, he will get tons of experience with the gun and its operation without breaking the bank. If he reloads or is independently wealthy, then disregard that statement.

As for weapons that fit the bill... Aside from Glocks, which I like a lot, you might want to suggest the following large frame weapons:

-Sig P226 (9mm or .40)
-Sig P220 (.45)
-Beretta 92FS or 92G ('FS models have external safety AND decocker)
-H&K USP9 (or 40 or 45) variant 1

Medium Frame (Compact) autos are my recommendation for concealed carry. We're talking 4" barrels here, not really all that small. My pics are

-Sig P229 (.40 or 9mm)
-Sig P228 (9mm) if you can find one
-Walther P99 (9mm or .40)
-HK USP Compact series


I don't know much about S&W, as they don't really interest me all that much. I've shot a few of them, and the quality is on par with all other brands you've listed.

Personally, I wouldn't buy a taurus unless it was a Beretta 92 copy.
 
PT945black.gif

TAURUS PT-945 or TAURUS PT-940

8+1 capacity, .45ACP or 10+1 capacity, .40 S&W
Under30 ounces or 28 ounces
Safety works as a decocker (push down) or to lock the hammer (push up) so you can carry:
  • Hammer down, safety off, DA/SA
  • Hammer down, safety on, DA/SA
  • Hammer back, safety on, SA "Cocked & Locked"
4.25" barrel 3.75" barrel

Fixed 3-dot sights or night sights.

Lifetime warranty

....and he'll have to spend even less money. :)
pt940bgrNEW.jpg
 
The SIG P220, which I really enjoy shooting, is readily available new or used and seems to meet all his requirements. It's smaller than an M1911, but not small, substantially lighter, and very durable, reliable, and accurate.

I shot a Walther P99 recently and was quite impressed. But with the carry requirement you've got to throw Glock in there as well.
 
Beretta 96 FS (92 FS for 9 mm)
Beretta 8040 FS (.40 S&W) or 8045 FS (.45 ACP)

CZ-75 BD
Baby Eagle (Magnum Research)
Witness

SIG 220 or 229

H&K USP, full size or compact
 
I would check out the SIG 229 in .40 and get a conversion barrel to make it 9mm. I would only use the conversion at the range though. I believe that it is Barsto that makes such a conversion barrel.
I would also recommend the SIG 239 but that is a compact.
 
I vote for the Sig 220.

Recommend your friend try as many different makes and models as possible. His gun, his choice. Informed choice is best.

Sam
 
What Sam said.

But you might want to recommend a couple to him:

Sig P220 (though it may be a little large for CCW)
Sig P229 (probably my first choice based on the handful of crieria supplied)
HK USP Compact (.40 or .45)

I'm not a big Beretta fan, but I hear they're not too bad. ;)
 
Get the HK USP 9, 40 or 45 either compact or full size (variant #1, but with 7 safety/decocker variants to choose from) and be done with it. :D

Buy a holster (Fobus will do just fine), a good belt, mag pouch (ordinary leather for hi-caps will do, but you could go straight Fobus, it doesn't matter) and lots of ammo. And I mean LOTS. ;) :D
 
Again, I'm with my friend C.R. Sam on this one; the
Sig P220 in .45 ACP. Fit's all the requirement's as
outline in the thread; + IMHO it's the finest out-
of-the-box DA/SA .45 caliber self-loader on the
market.:D :cool: :)

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
S&W 1066.

Meets all the criterea to a "T", cheapish if you can find them, ALL pre-agreement, 10 mm! Wheee!

Not to small, but not huge either with the 4 1/4-inch barrel. Reputed "Magic" balance with the medium barrel length. (I would agree on the balance thing.) 'Bout the same size as a 1911, thinner in the grip than a medium-frame Glock, but the same through the slide.

Ramped and Linkless barrel, stainless steel, interchangable grips, with your choice of curved or straight backstrap. Most come with night-sights.

How can you lose with such a set-up?

Or get a 5906, for cheap ammo, (9 mm) just make sure it's pre-agreement.
 
Just out of curiousity, why limit choice to DA/SA with de-cocker? Doing that one would rule out 2 of the most reliable pistols in the world: 1911A1 models and browning hi-power (even CZ 75 SA) which for many have the best ergonomics around. I'm wondering, is it lack of familiarity or "concern" for condition 1 carry ("cocked n locked")?
 
Sounds like SIG to me. The P220 is a great choice for .45acp.

The P229 is a great medium-size frame for .40/.357/9mm and the P226 is a great full-size for .40/.357/9mm.

Hard to go wrong with SIG Sauer et al.

Johnny Quest
 
HEre is what I would go with with your list of specs. Sig 226 or 229 in 40sw or Sig 220 in 45 acp. or Hk USP in 45 acp.
PAT
 
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