I'm going to buy a new gun, or two, and have been looking at various models.

I really like the Glocks, and my cop friends highly recommend them, but I know there are a few of you that know a lot about handguns, and might have some valuable insight on why another brand may be better.

I really haven't been impressed with all the plastic that all brands are using these days for the frames, but I've been told it is a non issue.

Anyway, the gun will be used for personal protection. I have a nice S&W right now, but it has a 6" barrel, and is hard to conceal. I'd like a medium frame with medium grip, and in the 9MM or 40 Cal. range. I want a 3 or 4 inch barrel, and a 10 round clip. (9+ would be fine too.) I will probably buy a second one for my wife. She's 5'8" and has medium to large hands, so I think that the same size for both of us would be a good thing.

I haven't actually seen the Magnum Research mini Eagles yet. I am told they are great, but nobody can keep them in stock. I'm hoping to see one next weekend. Are they as reliable as the Desert Eagles?

A guy at one store told me that S&W paid to copy Glocks slide mechanisms. The S&Ws are about $200 cheaper then the same model Glocks. Is this story true? Is there something wrong that makes the S&W so cheap these days?

I have 3 Ruger rifles, and I love them all. However, the Ruger handguns just don't look or feel as nice as the rifles. Am I looking at them in the wrong light here? I know they make an incredible 22Cal handgun, but their higher calibers just don't seem as polished in form and function.

Educated opinions only please. There are too many of you that say too much about nothing in your replies to other people seeking help. If you don't know, than don't reply. I'm plenty aware of all the options, and I just want some insight from those who KNOW these guns. I'd like to know how many rounds you've put through one, how it's holding up, and any problems that you've had, or if you've never had a problem with a particular gun. My S&W has been great and problem free, but it's 10 years old, and no plastic in the frame.

If you are anti gun, then hit your "back" arrow and move happily away from this thread.

Thank you!

 

Take a look at the Sig. They have .40s that also convert to .357Sig with the change of a barrel. Don't pass up looking at .45s. I would much rather have them for defense than a 9mm or .40. Would also definitely take the .40 over a 9mm. Just think the 9mm is too wimpy.
I have a Beretta 92F in .40, a Sig P226 in .40/.357Sig, a Ruger .357 Blackhawk, a Dan Wesson .44mag, and a Kimber 45 M1911. Of all those, I much prefer the 45.
Just some other things to consider and look at.

 

well the only one i have experience with that u have mentioned is the rugers- the P95 9mm. It's a good solid gun and has been very reliable and is good at 25 yds or less. Probably doesnt fit a smaller framed hand very well. Ruger just came out with a new .45 that looks like it would fit the hand better. Have had very good luck with all of our rugers tho- me and my brother own 8 of them between us- the others are rifles and revolvers. In my opinion the best home defense gun is a good revolver. But if u are looking for one to carry then a small frame auto is easiest to conceal and still have one that u can shoot accurately i reckon. I just like revolvers best for reliability reasons.

I also have a Bersa .380 auto that is very nice to shoot and accurate- cant say on the durability yet. is a south american copy of the walther that james bond carried, lol. Good gun for a woman doesnt kick too bad.

Dan.

 

Don't think "plastic" They are polymers. You would be suprised with the amazing things that can be done with polymers.

 

The best way to see what you like is go try some out. Hold them, play with them a bit, shoot them if you can. There are supporters of bigger is better, or 357 Magnums, or 9mm. Really, the choice is yours. I carried on duty for nearly 30 years and taught as a firearms instructor for 19. Pick up some of the gun mags, Combat Handguns, Guns and Weapons for Law Enforcement. The list is very long. Read what some of the "experts" have to say, then form an opinion. I can tell you what I like, S&W, Glock, or Beretta in 40 cal.
This gives you lots of magazine capacity with a good punch and a small package. Go with 9mm if your skills are less limited, it has lots of capacity, good stopping power, very little recoil which makes it more controllable for a novice or female. 22's have killed more things than any other calibre. Like the saying goes, it's shot placement that counts, not how big the bang is.

 

i would definitely go with a 40 or 45. i have a ruger p94 which i really like. a medium to large frame semi auto .40 caliber. has a dual side de****er/safety you can operate with on hand, left or right. it is real snappy and my buddy has a Ruger 45 semi auto which actually is a little better feel to it as you shoot. the wife is scared to shoot my 40 b/c of it's "snappiness". i wouldn't recommend it for a first timer, not sure if other 40s are similar but it is a great caliber, close to the 10mm and more round capacity than the 45. it kind of hits it in your hand a little harder versus my 40 which wants to have a quick snap up and back. the rugers are fairly cheap and overbuilt, so you can shoot them probably 10k+ rounds and not have to worry about them. you can shoot junk through them too and they will always fire. not the most accurate in the world certainly but for personal protetion you're really looking at a 5-15' shot to be honest. got a hogue rubber grip with the finger molding on it and it just feels sexy to hold.

 

I've got a SW auto in .40 SW, and I love it. But, a big but, for concealed carry, it stinks. A few years back I went looking for a smaller gun for comfortable carry. Was all set on getting a small frame auto. After handling the guns, decided never in a million years would I feel comfortable shooting one. Ended up coming home with a Taurus Ultralight Titanium .38 special +P. It is one heck of a little gun for concealment. You never even know it's there. Barrel is ported, keeping the light gun down for a good second shot. Personally I wouldn't think about buying a taurus automatic, one of them blew up in my brother in law's hand (and they always put hot brass right down the back of my shirt), but they are pretty much the industry leader in titanium revolvers. perfect carry gun for me...

My bottom line suggestion is not to get wrapped up in brands, calibers, etc. going in. You say your goal is concealment, since your current piece is too large. Comfort in handling and concealing is the most important aspect, so handle a bunch of guns, and get which one fits that bill the best.

 

Ruger P89 (9mil) for me, nice gun and you can get 15 round mags for them. I second the Sig's, great guns if you can afford them. Also, knock down power is the thing for personal pertection, its not just the size of the gun but the type of ammo. A good set of personal protection rounds will go along way for you in a 9mil vs a 40 or 45 with crappy ammo.

But Regulator has your best advice. Just "shop around" till you find the handgun thats calling for you.

Good luck

(have you thought about a compact revolver, or is that not what you want?)

 

Look into the Walther P99 and P99 compact models. Super comfortable to hold, adjustable grip sizes and german workmanship. The compact model holds 10+1 9mm rounds. Full size .40 holds 12+1 in a medium size frame. Cheaper than the Sigs and HKs too.

Fritz

 

mach I agree with kingfish. You owe it to yourself to at least look at Sig Sauer's. I have two, a P229 in 40 cal and a P221 stainless in 45Auto. They both have the rubber Hogue grips and are excellent reliable guns( navy seals and FBI use them) I just renewed my carry license with the 40cal and put all 50 rounds in the center section of the required target...they are accurate! Just my .02

 

Sounds more like you are accurate.

 

Glock sued S&W a few years back over the Sigma, claiming it was an unauthorized copy of their firing and trigger mechanism, or something like that.

Best advice I could give you would be to find a range that'll let you rent and try several before you buy. I'm partial to Glocks and 1911s, but I've owned a Sig in the past that I really liked, just had to sell it 'cause I was in a bind at the time.

 

Had a 9mm Sig--very nice handgun but trade it in on a Glock 23/.40 caliber. My Glock get's very rough treatment but has been flawless in operation. I do have to alway's remind myself to keep my fingertip away from the trigger/safety when moving the gun around---from truck to boat, etc.

Dan

 

Some questions and personal opinions (Worth what you paid for).

How do you plan on concealing it? In waist band (IWB) Outsite Waist Band (OWB), leave it in the truck? In a purse etc?

Glocks, Love em or hate em usually. I have a G27 that's okay, but I don't love it. 10 rounds of .40 Short and Wimpy. The double stack magazine is compackt, but it's wide. The grip on the sub compact glocks (well every glock I've shot) is not quite to my liking, but I can usually hit what I'm aiming at with it. If you get a .40 sub compact like the D27 do yourself a huge favor and get the grip extensions. That way you can actually hold onto the damn thing! LOL. W/ and W/O them the gun has an entirely different feel.

S&W, I don't have too much experience with the new ones but I love my wife's 19-2 in .357 with 6" bbl. LOVE IT! S&W is once again American owned too so that's good news.

Magnum Research. WTF Chuck? They build some awesome novelty guns, but I've yet to see anything they've produced that would be good for CCW. Now if you're on a bear hunt and want a pistol....LOL

Ruger, I just don't like the bulky looks of their pistols and overall haven't heard praises sung about them.

Now, this isn't on your list but I'm in love with the .45 ACP and the 1911 platform. It's the quintessential "Don't eff with me" gun and round. Single stack magazines with a slimmer grip, they point better for me than the glocks, the recoil is surprisingly mild. The powder they use in the .45 is slower burning and you get more of a push than the sharper snap of the .40 S&W. mags run anywhere from 6-15 rounds with 7 & 8 being the most common.
Everyone makes a 1911 and usually in different styles. I have a Kimber Ultra CDP II with a 3.5" bbl that is loaded with 7 rounds (8 if I drop one in the pipe) of Federal Hydra Shoks in a Wilson Combat magazine. Even with the short barrel the recoil isn't bad! That one stays in the truck until I can get some good leather for it.

Also be advised that the Glock has no external safety and MUST be secured in a holster in my not so humble opinion. I can just imagine a woman getting a tube lipstick stuck in the trigger guard of a Glock her purse and BANG!

 

i use my berretta 92 SF 9mm for personal protection or my colt 1911 45 cal, a baby eagle in 9mm or 45 cal would also be a great weopon i have put a few rounds threw a 9mm baby eagle it was pretty nice, i dont like the ruger p series i dont like the trigger pull or the slide action when it is fired it feels loose to me, i have fired both the P98 P90 and P89 didnt much care for them, here is a old pic of my colection, have a few new ones now