Which Semi Auto Should I Get?

Which one?

  • FNH - FNX probably in .40

    Votes: 30 62.5%

  • Walther - Creed probably in .40

    Votes: 9 18.8%

  • Keltec - PMR 30 in .22mag

    Votes: 9 18.8%
  • Total voters
    48
  • Poll closed .
The paddle release isn't all sunshine and butterflies. It's got some objective pros, but it has cons too. It's easier to break due to the thin connecting plastic that adjoins the two sides, it's not consistent, and it may not always be as friendly to the arthritic. It's not just flat out better by any stretch. It's subjective as well.

Personally, I prefer a single sided button that can be swapped. My off hand is already used to dropping mags with my finger and it's less likely to accidentally drop a mag from a holster than an ambi-button. It also allows a better grip under the trigger guard as mentioned. I've used PPQ and HK pistols, I'm no stranger to the design and I'm not a hater for that matter, but again it all remains subjective.
 
So just some points of clarification on a few things I've read so far:

- I don't want 9mm because I already have one and I'm not really interested in the 9 vs. 40 argument, I'm sure there are plenty of old threads you can revive if you want to make your case there

- I'm interested in the Creed over the PPQ because I prefer hammer fired over striker

- both the Creed and PMR are pretty attractive because of the price point, the FNX is probably the top of my budget but the rest of the money could be used for ammo or even go in to the savings account
 
You cant go wrong with the Creed. Its a lot of gun for the money and its a Walther.
With the rebate that they have on the PPQ right now though, you may be wise to look at spending about $100 more and getting a gun with the best trigger on the market.
 
Where's the "None of the above" option?

.40 S&W is a waste of time and money.

The PMR-30 is nothing more than an unreliable range toy.


If you want a 'forty', buy a 9mm.
If you want a "real" 'forty', buy a 10mm.
If you want a home defense gun, don't buy a PMR-30.
 
The FNX is an obvious winner here, especially in .40 S&W. It's a great gun and handles the extra recoil like a champ. It also has relatively high capacity for a forty. Speaking of, do they make the Creed in .40 S&W?

As jackstrawIII put it::

Walther Creed - cheapest full-bore gun they make. Why go for the cheapest? Step up to a PPQ or P99, then we can talk.
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I don't have any personal experience with the Creed but I don't like the way it looks. I do have experience with the PPQ and P99. Those are both excellent guns in 9mm. I've only tried the PPQ in 9mm but the P99 AS I tried in .40 was snappy enough for me to pass. Either of these, in 9mm, would be well worth saving up that little bit of difference.

The PMR... I get the attraction but I've seen too many reports of problems. I'd put it in the same category as "the judge"... something I'd only buy if I had a ton of cash and nothing better to do with it. So basically... never. :D
 
BTW...

Two other things:

1. Don't consider price now. Consider price over the lifetime of the gun. How long will you have this gun? How much will you enjoy shooting it in the years to follow? Within reason, the amount you'll save on a cheap gun today works out to virtually nothing in the long term. When you consider what more you'll get from a better gun in that long term, it's probably worth taking the time to sacrifice and save for now.

2. If a hammer matters, have you considered other options? The FNX-40 is great but there are lots of choices in this category. I'm sure you can get a bunch of recommendations but personally, I'd recommend checking out the Beretta PX4 Storm. It's a cool gun, and the softest-shooting polymer .40 I've tried. If those big safety levers bother you, you can always change them out with the low-profile kit from Beretta. Just a thought.
 
So I'll admit I think I'm considering the Beretta now too. I'm not sure if I love the look of them but I want to get my hands on both the Beretta and FAN and I'll probably make the choice by feel.
 
putertired.gif


I wouldn't pick any of those. Maybe it'd be easier to choose if they were 9mm?

If that was the case, I'd choose the FN.
 
I recently bought a Beretta px4 storm in 9mm and it's so much more than I thought it would be. They are available in 40 S&W (seems like your preferred cal) but keep in mind how much more expensive it is compared to 9mm.
 
Well aware of the checks and balances of the .40sw.

I think it's just going to come down to the feel of each in my hand.
 
Love my 9mm Beretta PX4. It was my first semi-auto. I did all the research and decided to buy a Glock 19, but the store had a PX4 and as soon as I picked it up I knew it just fit right. Quick a tack driver too.
 
I've got a PMR-30, it's a great party favor :D
(i.e. makes a great BBQ gun, due to the huge fireball
that comes out the end when you fire it!)

It's frakkin awesome at close range, they're right about recoil,
really just doesn't have much recoil...soft-shooting as heck!

Given the FBI's test data on the other .22mag pistol
that actually works, the Grendel P-30, would have zero issues
using it for Home Defense but the PMR30 is a hair too large for
comfortable Florida CC...would be like concealing a 1911.

Like the Knife Guys say on Forged With Fire...
"It Will Kill!" and does work great on feral hog
at just about any range up to 75 yards.
And if it'll kill a big hog, it'll do for HD.
However, that also implies that Shot Placement
would then be KEY, as it would any other mouse caliber.
 
So I'll admit I think I'm considering the Beretta now too. I'm not sure if I love the look of them but I want to get my hands on both the Beretta and FAN and I'll probably make the choice by feel.
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The PX4 and its carbine cousin, the CX4, certainly look a little "space age". I've learned to love it. I agree about actually getting a gun in hand before making a decision. Just remember that both the FNX and PX4 have changeable backstraps. Using the right one can make a big difference in how either gun will feel. In my experience, the PX4 backstraps offer a little more diversity but are harder to change.

If you want to see how much of a difference those low-profile levers make with the PX4, check out this thread from the North Carolina Gun Owners Forum. He posted some really good before and after photos.

http://www.ncgunowners.com/forum/showthread.php?tid=50786
 
Ammo's too expensive too.
Click to expand...
(22WMR for PMR30)
Only if you are comparing it to 9MM which the OP has stated he does not want, and are comparing it to cheap, dirty Russian steel cased ammo.
Based on the OP saying he has other options for HD, and obviously has other guns. I went solely onfun factor.....PMR 30.
OP, if you have a Farm and Home Supply (business name) in your area look for one there. Watch for one of their sales. Sometimes they have 'tax free" sales reducing the price by thesales tax ammount. They almost always have PMR 30s in stock at $429.00. But it seems they are always in the tan colored frame
 
I cant behind any of your choices as none of them are 9mm. I can't advise anyone buy 40 cal. It's 9mm or 45 ACP for me.
 
I wouldn't get anything in .40,
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My primary carry is a Glock 27 . ... I pick the 40 over a 9 because of greater frontal area and 180gr HST ...
The reason for LE going to 9mm is , reduced recoil , & higher capacity.... to compensate for reduced shooting skill...

As for the pistols you picked .. A upgrade Walther ..
 
I think a lot of people are also ignoring the cost factor in the LE switch to 9mm. I think it's a long term investment.
 
The FN looks appealing, especially if you want a DA/SA hammer. If so, I'd also consider the SIG SP2022.

For a range gun, I'd be about as happy with the striker fired FNS, particularly the longslide version. The 5" S&W M&P M2.0 also falls right in the same niche and if you like FDE (I'd have preferred black), it's a very nice pistol and very reasonable. $459 when I got mine.

The Creed is certainly worth considering. Seem a bit bulky but very shootable and a great deal. The right deal on a PPQ might blow everything else away.

I like a lot of Keltec's innovations but if push ever comes to shove, the PMR has less usefulness than the major caliber pistols. Frankly, I'd go for a good .22LR pistol first.
 
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