new pistol
- Thread starter SteveSanderson
- Start date
gimme a break...if you want to be dramatic at least say "These make the Sig feel like garbage to me"
If the OP ends up picking a P226 cause it just feels right is it still garbage ?
Seriously...garbage? ..far from lol
Good post!
You are right about many shooters being generous as well. My first range trip with my new to me G21, the guy in the next lane struck up a conversation. He complimented me on the Glock, said he liked his but the grip was too big, so he went all Sig. He proceeded to let me try the three that he had with him, 9mm .40 and .45. All his ammo too! I must have put 100 rounds down range on him. Super cool dude.
He even shot mine, with his ammo of course. I was thinking the G21 was a lemon, as I was all over the paper. He took it and dumped a mag into one ragged hole lol. Nothing wrong with the gun, just the operator. As it was, his day job was ERT, so I didn't feel so bad when he told me. Even hooked me up with a Bianchi mag pouch for the G21 that he had in his range bag since selling his G21. Awesome introduction to the sport for me. I can't even remember his name, but he is likely a member here. Hope he reads this and knows how much I enjoyed meeting him. Even ended up buying a Sig thanks to firing his.
I've run into many guys like that. As Tongarirohiker said, bring some ammo to the range and ask nicely, you will be amazed at what people will let you try...
All handguns are expensive toys in Canada unless they're being used for service, and then you don't get much choice.
I'd like to add that a lot of the time you hear people say 'buy what fits your hand best' but after going through a few handguns, I now know I would have appreciated having somebody explain exactly what that means, especially after my first handgun purchase. The issue with that gun is that it did fit nicely into my hand, but the controls felt weird and I would put the safety on without wanting to all the time.
When you pick up a new handgun to assess how it 'feels', I do the following:
- Grip both two- and one-handed with my natural grip. Some people say you can learn to adjust your grip to a new pistol. I'm sure it's possible but I dont know why you'd fight your good form.
- Check sights by aiming like you were shooting. It might make you feel like a bit of a dink in the store, but you're a dink who's about to drop hundreds of dollars so who cares what other people think? Check to make sure you like the appearance of the sights. Does the front sight pop out to your eyes? For example, I have found my eyes don't like three-dot sight systems, but didn't know this when buying my first handgun because I didn't compare them to other styles much.
- Use all the controls and make an honest assessment of how easy they are to use. I know sometimes there's a gun you just WANT, and that's cool, but if you plan to do a lot of shooting or competing with it even theoretically someday, then it helps to make sure you first or 'main' handgun is one you can easily manipulate. How much effort does it take for you to reach the magazine release? Is pulling the slide uncomfortable (some have serrations that feel like cheese graters to me)? Is the safety location good for you, and does it interfere with your other operations (this was a big one for me--I found I often activate slide-mounted safeties inadvertently)?
- Compare and contrast it with at least a few other pistols in one sitting, especially if you don't have much handgun experience. Checking the guns out at different times makes it harder to see how they directly compare and what you really like. If you're fortunate enough to have a range that lets you shoot their guns then that's always a plus, but you might not have that option. The next best thing is having two or three guns on the shop counter and picking them up, one by one right after another to compare them.
Personally, I really wanted a Jericho 941 as my first pistol and after some extensive toying with it, found it had a few issues I didn't like. I ended up with a CZ-75B which is about the only autoloading pistol I really like much. The real revelation for me was discovering I actually just want to shoot revolvers all day every day
Tongarirohiker
CGN Regular
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
Nothing wrong with striker fired. I'm a huge fan of the XD. Like the M&P, not a Glock fan but that's personal preference. I agree that everybody should have one, but it doesn't have to be the first if the OP doesn't fall in love with it.
I was in the same boat as you 4 months ago. First thing I did was run out to AL's and slapped down 8 bills on a Glock17, took it home a couple days later, I was happy as hell with it and figured I would be shooting it in no time. I was so eager to shoot it! Then I went hunting for a range and realized that It would be quite some time before I took my new Glock for a test drive. Upon reflection I should have went range shopping before I went gun shopping. But then again I have had a ton of time to get comfortable with the gun, practicing sight picture, trigger control, holster disciplines and stripping it like 20 times, including a couple detail strips. The simplicity of it sure makes it a good beginners handgun IMO.
, including a couple detail strips. The simplicity of it sure makes it a good beginners handgun IMO.
Before you start looking at particular models you really have to figure out what type of a gun you want. Go through the process of elimination. Revolver or Semi. If Revolver then you have to decide SA or DA and then the caliber and finish. If you pick a semi then your next step is steel or polymer. Once you make that choice then you can start looking at actual models within each category. If you picked steel then your choices are CZ, Sig, 1911, Beretta...... For Polymer look at Glock, Sringfield XD(M), M&P.........
Deciding between a CZ and a Glock is silly. Pick the category first.
Deciding between a CZ and a Glock is silly. Pick the category first.
ambishooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southeastern Canuckstan
Do you belong to a club? If so, try as many gun as you can. You can ask your shooting buddies to try their pistols. Just buy suitable ammo so you will not be asking too much from them. Make sure you wipe clean the gun (preferably with silicone/oil damped cloth) after using the pistol. Some shooters are very meticulous in the way they handle their firearms. Grip and sight picture are very important. You have to be comfortable with these. Weight, parts/service and of course, it has to be within a reasonable budget. .22 Cal is great for new shooters. Ruger, Browning, GSG 1911 are very popular. Moving forward, if you think you will eventually pursue competitive shooting, start with something that is IPSC Production Class legal. CZ, Glock, S&W, Ruger are very popular in this class. Safe Shooting!
I agree, shadow is a nice piece.
As for selling an SR9 because you prefer the Shadow in 9... sometimes it's nice to have a few different guns in the same caliber so you have a little variety
Let's see some information to back that statement.
Everyone here has made great sugestions.
The best gun is the one you shoot the best.
After that, look at guns that have a proven track record, Glock, Sig, M&P, H&K, etc. All are good guns, but opne might fit your hands better than others.
Let me give you a good tip..
Arma-coat services has some German made SIG 226's coming in at under $1000.00. These are finely crafted pistols and the last of German made sigs to come to north america. In my opinion, and some may argue, the built quality of these pistols is at a higher standard than the new stuff leaving the USA facility. It would be one of the most accurate pistols you could own.
Cheers..
The best gun is the one you shoot the best.
After that, look at guns that have a proven track record, Glock, Sig, M&P, H&K, etc. All are good guns, but opne might fit your hands better than others.
Let me give you a good tip..
Arma-coat services has some German made SIG 226's coming in at under $1000.00. These are finely crafted pistols and the last of German made sigs to come to north america. In my opinion, and some may argue, the built quality of these pistols is at a higher standard than the new stuff leaving the USA facility. It would be one of the most accurate pistols you could own.
Cheers..
- Location
- The Police State: Ontario
Really, it doesn't matter, because you'll end up with one of nearly everything and half a dozen of the models you like best before you're done.
The first handgun I got was a Colt Combat Commander over 30 years ago. I had the silly thought that if I would have just one, that would be it. Got a dozen more over the following 12 months....
The first handgun I got was a Colt Combat Commander over 30 years ago. I had the silly thought that if I would have just one, that would be it. Got a dozen more over the following 12 months....
