New Pistol shooter looking for advice re: handgun archetypes

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maybejae

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I've been shooting rifles all my life. I got my first pistol ~12 years ago (Tisas Zigana Sport), and it's only seen about 200-400 rounds. I got it for plinking at the time, but have recently gotten more serious about shooting paper. It shoots nicely: SA trigger is about 3.5 lbs (DA somewhere between 8-12), compensated barrel for a fast return, has adjustable sights and a Tisas-made Hogue-style grip that make it feel tight. It's a weird looking piece but I like it - the issue is I'm looking for something less bulky, more close/tight feeling, like a more compact-style glock archetype.

In a perfect world I would keep it and pick up the FMK 9C1 Gen II, as they're both affordable (Sub $650) guns. Alas, I'm riddled with student debt so it's one or the other. The FMK looks promising (though not time-tested) but am I just giving in to gun envy? Is my Tisas going to serve me better, or is ergonomics and feel more important than trigger poundage and compensation?

I realize these are very subjective questions, but I'm looking for subjective answers. I'm all ears! I'm new to disciplined pistol shooting, so I'd love to hear any experienced opinion!

TIA
 
Nothing wrong with gun envy! :) What do you think you'd looking for in a new gun that's different from the Zigana Sport? What's you intended purpose?
 
Executive summary: Buy one and try it. If you like it, keep it. If you don't, sell it and buy something else. You personally have to do this comparison/analysis...even if it is just one gun at a time due to finances.

I think you should line yourself up with some folks who have the guns you desire and ask them if you can shoot a few mags (you provide ammo of course). Failing that, some ranges rent guns. Failing that, buy used or new if you have to and try them out that way. I have purchased dozens of guns just to try them. I was in the same position as you. You have personal interests that are unique to you. Although opinions from other folks are sure helpful in a general sense, only by trying different platforms will you be truly satisfied that you either like something or you don't. Lots of guns I have drooled over and bought are now gone because they did not live up to my expectation. Also, some guns I was not expecting much from, have turned out to be keepers. Lots of guns that folks rave about don't work for me either because I am a lefty or because of the size of my hands or because of...

Have fun, trying out new guns rings my bell...you never know how it is going to turn out! :)
 
The most important part of the equation is ammo and practice (both live and dry). I say dance with the one that brought you.

If you're set on something different I'd suggest the Ruger 9E. It's a budget version of the SR9 and I just bought one from IRG's for $540 CAD all in.
 
Master-G said:
Nothing wrong with gun envy! :) What do you think you'd looking for in a new gun that's different from the Zigana Sport? What's you intended purpose?
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Haha, great question! The Zigana is a Large gun. It's beefy. I'd like to try something lower profile, mainly. That and I've been wanting a Glock 17 (or 19) for a while and when the 9C1 showed it's face at a gun show I was hooked. It almost had a velvety matte finish... mmmm. Practically, I'd like something that feels like it fits in my hands, rather than my hands wrap around.

NVShooter said:
Executive summary: Buy one and try it. If you like it, keep it. If you don't, sell it and buy something else. You personally have to do this comparison/analysis...even if it is just one gun at a time due to finances.

I think you should line yourself up with some folks who have the guns you desire and ask them if you can shoot a few mags (you provide ammo of course). Failing that, some ranges rent guns. Failing that, buy used or new if you have to and try them out that way. I have purchased dozens of guns just to try them. I was in the same position as you. You have personal interests that are unique to you. Although opinions from other folks are sure helpful in a general sense, only by trying different platforms will you be truly satisfied that you either like something or you don't. Lots of guns I have drooled over and bought are now gone because they did not live up to my expectation. Also, some guns I was not expecting much from, have turned out to be keepers. Lots of guns that folks rave about don't work for me either because I am a lefty or because of the size of my hands or because of...

Have fun, trying out new guns rings my bell...you never know how it is going to turn out! :)
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Thank you. Yea, it's important to keep trying new things, even if it means saying goodbye to something you like.

4n2t0 said:
The most important part of the equation is ammo and practice (both live and dry). I say dance with the one that brought you.

If you're set on something different I'd suggest the Ruger 9E. It's a budget version of the SR9 and I just bought one from IRG's for $540 CAD all in.
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True words. Thanks for the advise. The 9E looks interesting, and the price is right; what do you like most/least about it if you don't mind me asking?
 
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I have an fmk. Not the most reliable gun ever. I think it's getting better though (no problems last range trip, i think it just needed a real liberal oiling but time will tell)

Mine was $289. For that price, it was worth it. For $600, I'd rather get something else. M&P, Walther ppx, jericho baby eagle, or even a alfa proj wheel gun... Hell, a norinco sig 226/228 clone even, that's probably what I'll buy next if I don't sell the FMK to fund a ppx or jericho or whatever.
 
maybejae said:
The 9E looks interesting, and the price is right; what do you like most/least about it if you don't mind me asking?
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The thing(s) I like most about it are the trigger, ergonomics, reliability, and price/value. It has a really nice trigger (for a polymer handgun - same trigger as the SR9) and it's probably the smallest readily available double stack polymer handgun. The thing(s) I hate most about it are the magazine disconnect safety (easily removed, thankfully) and the thumb safety. The thumb safety isn't a huge deal but I tend to like my handguns sans safeties, lol.
 
4n2t0 said:
The thing(s) I like most about it are the trigger, ergonomics, reliability, and price/value. It has a really nice trigger (for a polymer handgun - same trigger as the SR9) and it's probably the smallest readily available double stack polymer handgun. The thing(s) I hate most about it are the magazine disconnect safety (easily removed, thankfully) and the thumb safety. The thumb safety isn't a huge deal but I tend to like my handguns sans safeties, lol.
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Really? I hear the SR9 trigger kinda blows... isn't the reset really long on it?

The one thing I do like about my FMK is the trigger reset. Its short, with a very audible/tactile click. Okay, I probably like more than one thing on it... but I don't have much to compare it to as its the only handgun I've really shot. I like the grip too. Feels really nice in the hands. The original sight setup that mine has was pretty dumb, but the new ones come with glock-compatible sights so you can put whatever you want on 'em.

Honestly, if mine was more reliable, I'd probably love it. Right now, Im kinda on the fence. I've only put maybe 1000 rounds through it, so maybe it just had a prolonged break in period... Again, time will tell. I'd really like to get like 500 rds and put it to work for a day, but I'm broke and ammo isn't cheap...

OH! And if you want to get into IPSC, the FMK can't be used in production division unless you get the double-action-only version (which why the hell would you want to do that!?...)
 
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Suther said:
I have an fmk. Not the most reliable gun ever. I think it's getting better though (no problems last range trip, i think it just needed a real liberal oiling but time will tell)

Mine was $289. For that price, it was worth it. For $600, I'd rather get something else. M&P, Walther ppx, jericho baby eagle, or even a alfa proj wheel gun... Hell, a norinco sig 226/228 clone even, that's probably what I'll buy next if I don't sell the FMK to fund a ppx or jericho or whatever.
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Thanks for that info - $289! Sheesh, I'd scoop that up in a heartbeat! That's too bad about the reliability; what kind of issues? Feeding/jams, pin/misfires? Walther PPX has been looking mighty interesting, but I've yet to talk to anyone who's fired one.

willywonka519 said:
I would try out some of the guns you are interested in, then look for a good deal on the EE. Sometimes you can find a G17 for under $600
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Nice! Thanks for the advice. I should be able to access the EE within a week or two.
 
maybejae said:
Thanks for that info - $289! Sheesh, I'd scoop that up in a heartbeat! That's too bad about the reliability; what kind of issues? Feeding/jams, pin/misfires? Walther PPX has been looking mighty interesting, but I've yet to talk to anyone who's fired one.



Nice! Thanks for the advice. I should be able to access the EE within a week or two.
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The most common problem I have is failure to eject/stove pipes. Also have had issues with double feeds and not going fully into battery. I get light primer strikes on barnaul, everything else I've tried went bang though.

Last time out i oiled it well, then put a box through without issue so I'm hoping that my issues are due to not enough oil and/or it just had a long break in period. Time will tell.

If you look online, the reviews are very mixed. Some people seem to have flawless guns, others are like mine or worse. I've had mine for 2+ years so the newer ones may be better, i dunno.
 
Suther said:
The most common problem I have is failure to eject/stove pipes. Also have had issues with double feeds and not going fully into battery. I get light primer strikes on barnaul, everything else I've tried went bang though.

Last time out i oiled it well, then put a box through without issue so I'm hoping that my issues are due to not enough oil and/or it just had a long break in period. Time will tell.

If you look online, the reviews are very mixed. Some people seem to have flawless guns, others are like mine or worse. I've had mine for 2+ years so the newer ones may be better, i dunno.
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Awesome. Thanks much for the information re: the 9c1. Based off some reviews it sounds like there is a long break-in period before the issues start to resolve - but, like you say, I've heard just as many reviews with feed issues or off-center primer strikes as I have flawless performance. Buyer beware, I suppose.
 
maybejae said:
Awesome. Thanks much for the information re: the 9c1. Based off some reviews it sounds like there is a long break-in period before the issues start to resolve - but, like you say, I've heard just as many reviews with feed issues or off-center primer strikes as I have flawless performance. Buyer beware, I suppose.
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If you can get a good deal like I did, I would say there is nothing to loose. Even if it doesn't function flawlessly, its not like you are trusting your life on it or anything. At full retail price, I can't help but think there are better options though. There isn't a lot in the under-$500 bracket other than Norincos (although a lot of people love their norinco sig clones, Im tempted to get one just to try them out, and if I dont like it I can always get most of my money back on the EE) but the $500-650 bracket is FULL of stuff, especially if you are willing to go used.

Oh, and the thing I hate THE MOST about the FMK is the fact that ISPC won't allow the regular one in production division.
 
Suther said:
If you can get a good deal like I did, I would say there is nothing to loose. Even if it doesn't function flawlessly, its not like you are trusting your life on it or anything. At full retail price, I can't help but think there are better options though. There isn't a lot in the under-$500 bracket other than Norincos (although a lot of people love their norinco sig clones, Im tempted to get one just to try them out, and if I dont like it I can always get most of my money back on the EE) but the $500-650 bracket is FULL of stuff, especially if you are willing to go used.

Oh, and the thing I hate THE MOST about the FMK is the fact that ISPC won't allow the regular one in production division.
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Yea, I'll most likely see if I can find one at that price just to try. Based on other suggestions I'll keep up with my Zigana for a bit more practice and decide whether I need a smaller form factor or not. There have been a lot of great suggestions here that I'm definitely looking into. My horizons have been broadened thanks to the help of everyone who posted here. If you end up with a Norinco Sig clone, I'd love to hear how you like it.

And is it because the 9c1 is SAO that it's prohibited from ISPC production division? If so, wouldn't that exclude all striker-fire pistols? The latter doesn't seem likely, but I'm pretty new to ISPC regulations so I have no clue.
 
maybejae said:
Yea, I'll most likely see if I can find one at that price just to try. Based on other suggestions I'll keep up with my Zigana for a bit more practice and decide whether I need a smaller form factor or not. There have been a lot of great suggestions here that I'm definitely looking into. My horizons have been broadened thanks to the help of everyone who posted here. If you end up with a Norinco Sig clone, I'd love to hear how you like it.

And is it because the 9c1 is SAO that it's prohibited from ISPC production division? If so, wouldn't that exclude all striker-fire pistols? The latter doesn't seem likely, but I'm pretty new to ISPC regulations so I have no clue.
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The FMK trigger is the same as a glock trigger, I even inquired with FMK about it. But because FMK calls it a single action trigger in their marketing, IPSC doesn't care. They literally had never heard of the company or the gun when I first e-mailed them about it 2 years ago, so I can only assume they've never actually SEEN or handled one, because otherwise they'd know its not a true single action...
 
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