Which gun? which caliber?

schmidty

Inactive
I am looking into buying my first handgun, what caliber to you guys reccomend? I am looking at the glock 19 9mm. I'd like it to be accurate out to 50yds. I have shot my dads 9mm beretta 92f and wasn't impressed with the accuracy at all!!!

Any reccomendations on a gun as well. thanx
 
That's a good choice, IMHO, although 50yd accuracy might be a touch wanting. A Glock is a reliable shooter and plenty duty accurate. So I guess it kinda depends on how accurate at 50yds you want it.

9mm is a good caliber. With today's bullet technology, it helps to make up for some size, and might help with recovery time for faster follow ups due to lighter recoil. I wouldn't go smaller then 9mm for a primary carry.

Other guns to consider..

FNH FN series
Springfield xD series
S&W M&P series

Those three polymers are right in Glock's breadbasket and are very comparable. Kahr, H&K and Sig are some more options.But in reality, any of them would make a good carry, it's all about what fits your hand and budget!

Have a range close by? Someplace where you can rent guns? Maybe go by and shoot a few.
 
I'd like it to be accurate out to 50yds!

If your target shooting, your looking at the wrong gun and the wrong caliber.
No such this as a Glock "target gun". The G-19 is a SD gun.

32S&W long, 38spl wadcutter, 45acp are more accurate than the 9mm.
Of course as the previous poster said, what's your definition of accurate.
 
I don't think either of them has sights that are conducive to target accuracy at 50 yards, has nothing to do with whether the action is capable of the accuracy.

That's not what they're for, so it's not what they're especially good at.
 
What kind of accuracy are you looking for?
How much is your budget?
How are your shooting skills?

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Accuracy at low cost would be a .22 handgun -- Ruger MKxx or browning Buckmark.

With centerfires - something with a 5" or longer barrel:
1. .357, .38 in a S&W 686/586, 14.
2. .45 or 38 super in a 1911 type pistol.
3. 9mm - sure... just depends on what you expect.
 
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Having shot both, I'd say if you don't like the Beretta 92's accuracy, you won't like the Glock's.

They are both accurate, by combat/defensive pistol standards. Without meaning to pick on you, my guess would be that your accuracy is the problem (as you are new to handguns).

If you want a 50yd gun, you really should be looking at other platforms.
 
If you go with the Glock, be sure to check the amount of movement at the barrel hood. It will vary from gun to gun. The less play, the more accurate.

Simply press on the barrel hood and feel and see the amount of travel it has.
 
I offer the following advice:

The Glock 19 is a good concealed carry gun. It's 9mm round is sufficient and available in stores from more manufacturers in more weights and performance specs than probably any other round. It's not a target gun.

The 92F is a perfectly good gun as well. I'd respectfully suggest that if it was really, really inaccurate (as in off the paper) the issue is probably the shooter and not the gun. Unless there is something wrong with the gun of course.

Or unless you are shooting at 50yds. I would not want to shoot a concealed carry or combat type handgun at targets 50yds away. They're just not made for it. The round will certainly go that far, and do damage when it gets there, but I'm saying right here that I would be lucky to hit a torso sized target with any consistency at 50yds with a G19. Target Handguns and certain hunting handguns, yes. Factory Glock 19 or Beretta 92f, no thanks. If you need to shoot at 50yds I'd suggest a rifle.

Most handgun training for combat and personal defense takes place at distances 20yds and shorter. I personally do all my measured distance practice at 5, 7 and 15 yds. Others can tell you the reasons and suggest reading material and videos. I've seen them and I buy in.

50yds is a long way. Most people are horrible at judging distance. Stand at midfield on a football field and have someone stand at one of the goal lines. It's far.
 
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If you want a 50yd gun, you really should be looking at other platforms.
+1. FWIW for sheer accuracy in a larger centerfire caliber, revolvers offer better "bang for the buck" than most semi-automatics.

The issue is that most centerfire semi-autos use what's known as a locked-breech or short-recoil action; in other words, the barrel and slide recoil together for a short distance, then the barrel unlocks from the slide, usually by tilting downwards, and the slide continues rearward before reversing direction to reload the chamber. In order to ensure reliability when the firearm is dirty, some clearance is required around the moving parts, which hurts accuracy because the barrel and slide don't always come to rest in exactly the same position from shot to shot.

Handguns designed for military service- such as Glocks or the Beretta 92- tend to be built with extra-generous clearances to handle extra helpings of mud, sand, and powder fouling they may encounter in the field. This makes them less accurate.

The easiest way to eliminate this problem is to rigidly fix the barrel to the frame- as in a revolver. This approach is also commonplace in small-caliber semi-autos, but it doesn't work well in larger calibers because an unreasonably heavy slide and/or outrageously stiff recoil spring would be required to handle the extra recoil.

The other way to handle this problem is to build a semi-auto with unusually tight and precise clearances. This sacrifices reliability in the name of accuracy and also increases the price because painstaking hand fitment is usually required. This is why high-end M1911s cost $1,500+.

FWIW the most accurate centerfire handgun available for the approximate pricetag of a new Glock is IMHO either a S&W Model 14 (aka K-38 Masterpiece) or a Colt Officer's Model Match in .38Spl, in very nice used condition.
 
I am looking into buying my first handgun, what caliber to you guys reccomend? I am looking at the glock 19 9mm. I'd like it to be accurate out to 50yds. I have shot my dads 9mm beretta 92f and wasn't impressed with the accuracy at all!!!

Any reccomendations on a gun as well. thanx

The glock compact or full size 9mms are superb guns for beginners.

Other guns to look at are the m&p, sig p250, ruger sr9s.
 
For your first handgun get a good double/single action 38 or 357 revolver. If you feel the need or want, get an auto later. You won't be sorry.
 
If you want to get accurate with a pistol go buy a case of shell and listen to these guys and just shoot shoot shoot. A gun is as accurate as the person pullin the trigger.
 
45acp are more accurate than the 9mm.

Does anyone else think this? cause I have shot alot of 45acp's and can shoot a 9mm way more accurate and at longer ranges than I can A SHOW STOPER. As well can both of the guys I shoot with. Once again any gun 99% of the time in good working condition will always outshoot the person pullin the trigger.
 
My local shooting range has guns available to rent so you can try different guns before you put down your hard earned cash.
I'm not too keen on the accuracy in my Beretta, my old S&W model 10-8 is much more accurate, and cost me less $.
 
Today, 11:22 AM #1
schmidty
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Join Date: April 12, 2011
Posts: 17 Which gun? which caliber?

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I am looking into buying my first handgun, what caliber to you guys reccomend? I am looking at the glock 19 9mm. I'd like it to be accurate out to 50yds. I have shot my dads 9mm beretta 92f and wasn't impressed with the accuracy at all!!!

Any reccomendations on a gun as well. thanx

Hello Schmidty,

Can't help but wonder...have you shot many pistols before? The reason I ask that is because of the comments you made re: the Beretta 92. Besides the Beretta being in the U.S. Armed Forces & many police departments after passing a boat-load of trials & testings, many, many shooters find it to be as accurate a 9mm out of the box as an out of the box 9mm can be. Personally speaking, I love mine because of it's reliability and accuracy.

But if YOU don't like it, I'd stay away from it for now. If you haven't shot a lot in your life, once you get more rounds down range, give the Beretta a second chance. You may really end up liking it.

Nothing wrong with the Glock you mentioned either. But keep in mind, it has a shorter sight radius then the Beretta you had some difficulty with. Accuracy out to 50 yards....gonna be a little tough if your fundamentals aren't air tight, especially with the shorter barrel.

Good luck with your selection.
 
I'd like it to be accurate out to 50yds.
Since you're just starting with pistols most guns will be more accurate than you are at this range.
I have shot my dads 9mm beretta 92f and wasn't impressed with the accuracy at all
Yet again probably not the gun. My first gun was the 92FS. When I first got it I maybe made a 1ft group at 10ft :eek:. With practice I solved that problem.
 
I say listen to these guys but I do offer one piece of advice. Do choose wisely, I have a Taurus in a .40 with the polymer lower. I have noticed that my cousin who has an all metal frame(think 1911, etc)that his is a smidge more accurate at 20-30 yards than mine. Although mine is primarily for HD, it is fun at the range and ammo is reasonable.
 
Man 50 Yards is a longgg way!!

If you want to ring a gong 50 yds out that’s wide enough – that’s cool – but not a lot of dudes can do it consistently, never mind a newbie.

That’s not to discourage you though. It’s just like everyone’s said, that’s generally not what many handguns are made to do. Many a good handgun shooter may have to “walk the bullets out there.” No matter what, think a lot of ammo ($) to get good at it, and in that case a handgun that fits you is key, in any caliber (well just about).

If you don’t have the time or money to be able to practice a whole heck of a lot (and you want to hit bulls eyes out that far), there are handguns out there that are made to shoot 50 yds with ease; Google Thompson Center Encore. It’s a single shot, but with a scope well, 50 yds is almost too easy! :)

Good luck – hope you enjoy your new hobby!
 
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