New Pistol Shooter 9mm Advice
- Thread starter luv2roll
- Start date
I just wanted to update this thread. I ended up choosing a Glock 17 Gen 4 and picked a new one up from one of our site sponsors. There were some things I liked about the Glock like reliability, ease of cleaning/maintenance, and parts availability - and of course, I just love the factory Glock trigger (not). In all truth, the Glock grip just works well for me as I have small hands.
Thanks to everyone for all the advice on this thread!
Thanks to everyone for all the advice on this thread!
- Location
- West Quebec
Congrats when you learn to control that trigger you will shoot everything else with ease.
Keeping your options open for getting into the sport side is a wise choice. Be sure you can find reasonable priced spare magazines and holster for whatever you choose.
All the brands and models you mentioned are great options. So it comes down to a couple of things.
First off you have to decide if you're a polymer sort or an all metal sort. Shooting the two styles has quite a different feel.
Next is striker or hammer. The two styles of trigger again have quite a different feel.
There's really no good way to decide between these two key questions short of actually shooting some of each.
Out my way we have a commercial rent-a-gun range so it's easy to go and try a wide variety of these guns. But I don't think you have anything of the sort in Ottawa. So what I'd suggest is to pick up a couple of boxes of 125gn 9mm ammo and attend some of the local competitions for the day as an observer and helper. Talk with the folks and mention that you're new and that you are interested in the styles of matches being shot in your area and are hoping to try out some guns and that you brought along some ammo. Between chatting help with setting targets back up and taping holes.
Helping out like this will almost certainly get you offers at the end of the day to try this gun and that gun. You might even be offered a chance to do a slow walkthrough of one of the stages before they tear them down.
It's my experience that folks that are in the shooting sports are always keen to "infect" others with the same interest. But it only works if you show the same sort of dedication by hanging around for the day and helping out. So don't be shy. For your efforts you'll meet a great bunch of folks and likely find that the sport side of shooting isn't as intimidating as many suspect it of being.
All the brands and models you mentioned are great options. So it comes down to a couple of things.
First off you have to decide if you're a polymer sort or an all metal sort. Shooting the two styles has quite a different feel.
Next is striker or hammer. The two styles of trigger again have quite a different feel.
There's really no good way to decide between these two key questions short of actually shooting some of each.
Out my way we have a commercial rent-a-gun range so it's easy to go and try a wide variety of these guns. But I don't think you have anything of the sort in Ottawa. So what I'd suggest is to pick up a couple of boxes of 125gn 9mm ammo and attend some of the local competitions for the day as an observer and helper. Talk with the folks and mention that you're new and that you are interested in the styles of matches being shot in your area and are hoping to try out some guns and that you brought along some ammo. Between chatting help with setting targets back up and taping holes.
Helping out like this will almost certainly get you offers at the end of the day to try this gun and that gun. You might even be offered a chance to do a slow walkthrough of one of the stages before they tear them down.
It's my experience that folks that are in the shooting sports are always keen to "infect" others with the same interest. But it only works if you show the same sort of dedication by hanging around for the day and helping out. So don't be shy. For your efforts you'll meet a great bunch of folks and likely find that the sport side of shooting isn't as intimidating as many suspect it of being.
You did say "Target Shooting" and some guys mentioned Glocks and M&P's! If money is an issue buy a basic CZ 75B and put a 13# trigger spring in it. As new samples can be had from $500 - $650 on the EE and you will be set for a lifetime of shooting. If you want to spend money on some features you won't need move up to a 85 Combat or Shadow. The SIG 226 is an excellent gun but costs more and won't do much more than your 75B at twice the cost.
The reliability issue is overstated. The Glock, M&P, CZ line, SIGS, Tanfoglios and Berettas are all reliable guns. Match one up with your needs and preferences and jump in the pool.
Take Care
Bob
The reliability issue is overstated. The Glock, M&P, CZ line, SIGS, Tanfoglios and Berettas are all reliable guns. Match one up with your needs and preferences and jump in the pool.
Take Care
Bob
Thanks for the great ongoing advice. I have managed to shoot quite a decent range of hand guns over the short time since I last posted here. I've also managed to accumulate quite a few handguns too!
I bought a SW22 victory - its a nice gun. Nice sights, nice trigger, easy to break down (but you do need an allen key to break it down and put it back together), and its really accurate - maybe I will do a range report on it if I get around to it but the truth is I have hardly shot it and that is because I found a minty Ruger Mark II Target - which is what I really wanted, and one happened to come along! It shoots just like I remember, and I couldn't be happier...meanwhile, as good as it is, the SW22 stares at me from my gun safe as I shut the safe on it and leave for the range.
As for the Glock 17, its a USA Gen 4. I don't use any backstraps as the regular handle allows me to get the best grip, and the factory sights work fine for me too. There is a learning curve on this pistol, and I think its making me a better shooter because its given me cause to concentrate on my trigger pull and reset - and the skills have transferred to some degree so that my overall shooting has improved. Despite the Glock not having a great trigger, or being the best feeling, or the most accurate, its the pistol that always comes with me to the range.
Looking back on it, while I have no regrets on the Glock, its not the only great choice out there - I've shot pretty much everything else anyone has mentioned here, and what I can say with the benefit of hindsight is that I would have been just as happy with a CZ, SIG, HK or any number of great handguns out there. They are all great guns and they are all worth trying if you get the opportunity.
I bought a SW22 victory - its a nice gun. Nice sights, nice trigger, easy to break down (but you do need an allen key to break it down and put it back together), and its really accurate - maybe I will do a range report on it if I get around to it but the truth is I have hardly shot it and that is because I found a minty Ruger Mark II Target - which is what I really wanted, and one happened to come along! It shoots just like I remember, and I couldn't be happier...meanwhile, as good as it is, the SW22 stares at me from my gun safe as I shut the safe on it and leave for the range.
As for the Glock 17, its a USA Gen 4. I don't use any backstraps as the regular handle allows me to get the best grip, and the factory sights work fine for me too. There is a learning curve on this pistol, and I think its making me a better shooter because its given me cause to concentrate on my trigger pull and reset - and the skills have transferred to some degree so that my overall shooting has improved. Despite the Glock not having a great trigger, or being the best feeling, or the most accurate, its the pistol that always comes with me to the range.
Looking back on it, while I have no regrets on the Glock, its not the only great choice out there - I've shot pretty much everything else anyone has mentioned here, and what I can say with the benefit of hindsight is that I would have been just as happy with a CZ, SIG, HK or any number of great handguns out there. They are all great guns and they are all worth trying if you get the opportunity.
Ease of takedown and great reliability GLOCK 17.
I have medium sized hands and while the G17 grip feels blocky I shoot it well.
You can also get an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion for the G17 and then practice very cheaply.
I have medium sized hands and while the G17 grip feels blocky I shoot it well.
You can also get an Advantage Arms .22LR conversion for the G17 and then practice very cheaply.
SIG 226 is even easier. You don't have to pull the trigger to release the slide. :>) Just as reliable and more accurate but not for someone with small hands.
Take Care
Bob
ChromeArty
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Sunshine Coast (PR)
Hammer Gun- CZ75 (any model)
Striker Gun- Hear amazing things about that Walther PPQ. Mine should arrive today or tomorrow
Striker Gun- Hear amazing things about that Walther PPQ. Mine should arrive today or tomorrow
Great value for the money in the range kit. Great pistol!
I would say go to a range where you can rent some guns, shoot them and pick the one that fits you better. Narrow it down to steel, aluminum or polymer frame first, then go from there. I have seen plenty of people shoot better with crap gun that fit them, than the gun that's "better" and does not fit.
Once you handle the one that fits, you will know immediately that's the gun you want.
Once you handle the one that fits, you will know immediately that's the gun you want.
