First and probably only Pistol

Animatronic Fireman

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I am interested in getting a pistol soon solely to be potentially grandfathered in depending on what happens - I don't get to the range much and so this probably wont see a ton of use in the short term so ideally keeping it >= $1000 would be great.

I have only ever use a Browning Hi Power but only once a year so I am familiar with 9mm and would likely stick with that caliber.

What would be so recommended reading to decide between a Glock, SIG or FN. My first thought was the P320 that Wolverine has (although I am not opposed to going used).

I don't know the pros / cons, and design differences between a lot of these pistols but do like the idea of a military pistol.

I will be in self quarantine soon and not sure what my connectivity will be so apologies if I don't respond to questions right away.

Thanks for assistance.
 
when I went to College back in 1991 i only had one handgun. And then it sat in the safe for 20 years not being touched.

It was a Glock 19. For me, it got my my status on 12-6 and coming up on 30 years later. its in A1 shape and I shoot it often.

There are so many variable and preferences, that its a personal decision. Some are like Art and you would never want to shoot them and others are work horses.

for a short answer.

Glock 17 will last forever with little to no maintenance. A Ruger Mark II 22 will give you hours of 22 pinking for cheap. both are something to consider.

best of luck with the lock down.
 
Why not stick with the hi power? There are plenty of Israeli surplus ones on the market right now. Parts availability should remain good far into the future given their popularity and mags are quite easy to get.
 
Well the Hi-Power is an option I guess. I didn't realize that they could still be had. I am just use to them being very worn out.

I thought something more modular that with a barrel change could switch between 9 mm and 22 might be nice.
 
Beretta 92fs. Cz 75b, Browning high power, For what you want, you don’t need a competition gun. There are countless choices in 9mm
 
Based on your criteria for a 9mm and your need for just a pistol that you will keep but not shoot much; factoring in price, ease of use and maintenance , reliability and availability of accessories, I would recommend any of the below. You can get all of them used on the EE quite regularly and they will work very well.

Glock 17/34/19(X), SIG320, S&W M&P 1.0/2.0, SIG P226, Beretta 92FS. There are a lot more out there that fit the bill but these are all tried and true with a lot of good history behind them. For one gun that you won’t shoot a lot, these will last your lifetime.

The SIG 226 and Glock also have .22LR kits available. There is a .22 version of the S&W ( if you’re lucky, you could score both the 9mm and .22 version for less than $1000). I think Beretta has a .22 conversion also but not sure.
 
Don t count out revolvers either.


This! If I was only going to have one handgun regardless of the amount of use, I'd go for a S&W K or L frame in .357/ .38 Special. A 6 or 4.25 inch barrel length with a finish of your choice. Depending on the amount of practice you get with it, it will be easier to shoot accurately with no magazines to loose or misplace. Going to the one gun philosophy, that's what I'd look for with speed loaders.
 
Based on your criteria for a 9mm and your need for just a pistol that you will keep but not shoot much; factoring in price, ease of use and maintenance , reliability and availability of accessories, I would recommend any of the below. You can get all of them used on the EE quite regularly and they will work very well.

Glock 17/34/19(X), SIG320, S&W M&P 1.0/2.0, SIG P226, Beretta 92FS. There are a lot more out there that fit the bill but these are all tried and true with a lot of good history behind them. For one gun that you won’t shoot a lot, these will last your lifetime.

The SIG 226 and Glock also have .22LR kits available. There is a .22 version of the S&W ( if you’re lucky, you could score both the 9mm and .22 version for less than $1000). I think Beretta has a .22 conversion also but not sure.
This right here :)
 
If it has to be a 9mm with a 22 kit, I'd look for a Sig... I figure I'd look for da/sa metal frame & avoid the polymer striker fired ones all together.
 
If it's just to have a pistol to have a pistol why spend so much money and not just get something cheap and fun like a Tokarev? Lots of bang and a free fireworks show out the barrel when you pull the trigger is just value for money.
 
Lots of good options already suggested whether all steel hammer (92, CZ, 1911, Highpower) or polymer striker (Glock, S&W, 320). Go for what appeals to you. Makes sense to stick with 9mm. Buy lightly used and you should be able to come in well under 1000 and get a great gun. Personally I'd get either a CZ75 or variant like a Jericho 941 if i wanted steel, or a Glock 17 for a polymer.
 
I have Glock 34 Gen 4 9mm and like it very much. But because I have very large hands I have difficulty finding and firing a pistol unless it has oversized grips on it. Otherwise my trigger finger is way in front of the trigger guard. :(
 
If it has to be a 9mm with a 22 kit, I'd look for a Sig... I figure I'd look for da/sa metal frame & avoid the polymer striker fired ones all together.

Here is what I am trying to learn more - why avoid a polymer striker fired?

Why would one choose a 226 over a 320 or vice versa or G17 vs a 19 vs 34? Are there core design concepts that are different? Reliabilty / simplicity in maintenance? Are safeties different? I am assuming none of these are like the Hi power that requires the mag in to fire off ? Some suited for larger vs smaller hands? Hi Power to bite some some soldiers due to their grip. I read 320s originally had a drop fire issue that has been rectified

I don't know what the future holds and was thinking something that I will be happy down the road should I get to a grandfathered in situation.

I do like the idea of a Hi-Power just because that is what I qualify on every year. If the army switched to the 226 or another modern pistol, that is probably what I would go with just for that consistency.
 
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Here is what I am trying to learn more - why avoid a polymer striker fired?

Why would one choose a 226 over a 320 or vice versa or G17 vs a 19 vs 34? Are there core design concepts that are different? Reliabilty / simplicity in maintenance? Are safeties different? I am assuming none of these are like the Hi power that requires the mag in to fire off ? Some suited for larger vs smaller hands? Hi Power to bite some some soldiers due to their grip. I read 320s originally had a drop fire issue that has been rectified

I don't know what the future holds and was thinking something that I will be happy down the road should I get to a grandfathered in situation.
There is absolutely no reason to avoid a polymer striker fired pistol,, polymer guys will usually recommend a polymer pistol, guys who like steel guns will always recommend a steel gun because we are absolutely 100% biased towards what we like personally:)
Go to a rental range, try out as many as you can, steel hammer fired and polymer striker fired,with and without manual safeties and see what you like. I personally hate manual safeties and heavy guns so I would recommend a polymer striker fired gun, but that won't help if you don't like what I like lol, spend the dough and rent a few, figure out what you like
Good luck!
 
I have both a Glock 22 with 9mm and .22 barrels along with a Sig 226 in 9mm and .22 conversion. I would consider either as dead nuts reliable. It comes down to personal preference. I prefer the Glock in gen4 with 3.5 connector and NY1 trigger. The sig is good too but the slide release location messes with my grip
 
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