Best semi-auto

Best first handgun?

I agree with Rudy H. that the .22 cal. pistol (or revolver for that matter) is the ideal choice for a first -time handgun shooter. I have coached a few shooters over the years ( having qualified at USAMTU, Fort Benning, Ga. as a pistol coach; I also have SFC and NCCP Level lll certification as a pistol coach) and wouldn't dream of starting a new shooter with a centre-fire handgun.
As you may assume I have a couple of handguns myself and I like shooting the heavily-modified .45 Colt 1911, the .357 S&W 686, and Magnum Research's Desert(Baby) Eagle, just to mention 3 popular centre-fire calibers.
I have rubber grips(from Magnum Research) on the DBE and find the recoil, despite my arthritis, surprisingly pleasant.
Other shooters have commented how pleasant that gun is to shoot. It's all a matter of ergonomics. Would you buy shoes that didn't fit comfortably? Didn't think so. Same goes for handguns. Everything else being within the same range, the one that fits your hand best is the one to consider seriously.
Good Luck.
 
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Hey this may or may not be the best time to ask but:

Does anyone have any experience, good/bad to say about the .40 calibre Browning in the High Power frame?
I seen one ONCE but are they made anymore? Were they crap or not crap??

Cheers....thanks in advance......
 
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BHP in .40 S&W

Brutus said:
Hey this may or may not be the best time to ask but:

Does abyone have any experience, good/bad to say about the .40 calibre Browning in the High Power frame?
I seen one ONCE but are they made anymore? Were they crap or not crap??

Cheers....thanks in advance......
Click to expand...

I've got one on the BHP MkIII in .40 S&W. Lets put it this way... it's a keeper. :cool:
 
I've done some searching around here, but where do most people prefer to get their handguns? Is there a good online shop that's not linked here already, or do most people just go to a local store? Sadly I know my local store is way overpriced. They wanted almost $900 for a Walther P22!!
 
The 1911 is a design that is almost 100 years old, that is true. However, it has been in combat through two world wars, two major regional conflicts and God knows how many police and Self Defence shooting incidents. A lot of people will tell you its a touchy gun that needs to be babied, on this I disagree. It was popular in the US Army for 70 years and even today there are US units that won't remove them from thier inventories. The 1911 is a robust and reliable design that has proven itself many times over. The problem with it is that it requires a bit more training to get to know well enough to go into combat with. When you draw a 1911 you have to remember proper grip, sight alignment and safety activation. A lot of shooters who are new to the sport and the job find it easier to use a pistol with a safety built into the trigger system. Don't get me wrong, I have respect for those who choose to use non-1911 types as well.

However, I have seen that the major reasons that 1911s are going by the wayside in policing is due to appearance, litigation and budget.

Appearance:
When a 1911 is carried it is most often carried in "Condition One" where the pistol is cocked and locked and the thumb safety is engaged. This looks rather intimidating as the hammer is back on what one can only suppose is a loaded handgun. Many police forces look at that as seeming a bit intimidating in the eyes of the public.

Litigation:
Many police forces are concerned with the possibility that the pistol may go off when in "Condition One" and the resultant law suits should anybody be harmed.

Budget:
Many police departments have had to make budget cut backs in oder to keep the whole show solvent. Due to this the cutbacks have had to be made in areas that will least effect policing. They are in the purchase price of the firearm (the sole reason Beretta was chosen over Sig by the US Army) and is one reason why Glock is so popular. The second area is the training in the operation of the firearm, not the marksmanship, but the operation of the controls and take down for cleaning. On a Glock there is less to think about and manipulate in the way of controls. The thing also takes down a lot easier as well. These are both areas where they save time during instruction and as we all know, time is money.

Having said all this, I will be the first to say that I feel Glocks are a valid firearm and in no way feel that they are less of a gun than the 1911s. However, from what I have seen on a lot of gun boards and from discussion with guys who have had to use firearms in life or death situations, they feel that the Glock/XD what-have-you is a good gun, but the 1911 is the best gun for pros. The fact that the Special Forces Groups have once again begun acquiring 1911s seems to bear this out.
 
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