So I've made my mind that I'm going to start the painful process in NY to acquire a pistol license next week. With that said, one of the initial steps is taking the safety course, and then purchasing a handgun that can be listed on your permit. In NY you buy the firearm, then it's held by the FFL holder (dealer you buy from) till the permit process is completed which usually takes 6-12 months, and then they release the weapon to you. I'm going to be purchasing two seperate weapons, and I'm already fairly set on the first. I want a small "pocket" style pistol, and I'm 99.9% set as of now on a Kahr P380. If/when I can transition my recreational/range permit into a CC permit, this will be my daily carry weapon. The one I'm kind of hung up on, would be a second larger weapon. This would be a house/truck style of gun, and one I would also carry while hunting/fishing where legal. I believe at this time I want a polymer style pistol. I previously owned a pair of Glock 23's when I lived in PA and while I wasn't a fan of the grip, and it was ugly.........it functioned flawlessly with everything I fed it and it was also very accurate. I've been eyeballing the new G23 Gen4 with the improved grips. With that said, I could be convinced to go another direction. Price isn't of a huge concern.......I'd like to keep the purchase under $7-800 or so.....but I am fairly set on a polymer vs. 1911 style pistol. Your thoughts?
I just purchased (like less than a week ago) a Glock 23 Gen4 and so far I have no complaints. The new grips are a big improvement over the old style.
Awesome, I'd be VERY interested to hear your thoughts as you really put some rounds through the gun. Any fail to fires or jams yet?
My duty weapon is S&W, M&P 40.... it's a really pretty gun. It's also what they make me carry... My off duty peice (which is the gun I CHOOSE to carry to protect myself/family is a Gen4 Glock 19.... it's compact, but not too compact... will shoot any rounds I feed it. You can't break this gun, period. And the accuracy of my 19 is flat out scary.
I've been on a revolver kick lately, so I don't have much personal experience on the matter. I have a couple friends who absolutely LOVE the springfield XD's though. They may be worth checking out. That really sucks about all the red tape you have to go thru up there.
my XD .40 is a little small for me, if i were to get another i'd only look at the .45's maybe XDM or 1911. shot the sig 9mm and it was smooth too, just dont like the 9mm as much as the .40 or .45 though
Great info so far guys.......keep it coming. Josh - Great info. Out of curiosity....why did you choose the 9mm vs. .40? Simply extra capacity? What exact round do you use when carrying your 19?
Here's a link to my trusty CZ that I own for that type of purpose.... absolutely LOVE this pistol. http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-p01/
I have an XD .40 that has treated me very well. I have never had a FTF or FTE ever out of it.... Even shooting cheap aluminum blazers.
I own, well, lets say quite a bit. My favorite is a Kimber 1911. Second favorite, is Glock 21 45ACP. I would carry this. Glcoks are just no nonsense, no safety, put one in the chamber and rock and roll. I have also had G27's, which are awesome carry guns. I have put thousands of rounds thru these, without one hickup. Another gun I have had since 1990 is a beretta 92FS. Smoothest gun I got. I bet I have 20K rounds down the pipe, and not a hickup. My favorite wheelgun is my mod 13 357. Second is an airlite 28. I love em all. Each one I would trust with my life. Each has a particular niche
I put a few humdred rounds through one of those Berettas in MP school; I almost got another one of them before deciding on my CZ.
I want a little kahr pistol! I have a beretta 92f. The grip and distance to the trigger is too big for me. So I tend to pull shots off to the side. I stand only a slightly better chance of shooting an attacker with it, than I do just beating them to death with the thing. I do like the beretta dependabilty... so I know I could stomp the thing in mud, pick it up... and still shoot off to one side with it. :P I too think that Glocks are ugly, blocky things. I've never shot one tho' so I have no meaningful input other than that.
CZ's are quality too. I guess my love affair with the beretta was lethal weapon 1. I knew I had to have one after that.
Been putting my latest toy through some paces and I will likely purchase the full size model when I get the money around. This is what I've been rocking lately. A Beretta PX4 in the subcompact form in the .40 cal. I will probably just get another .40 in the full size in the near future. Lone Wolf is getting my next large purchase though.
I chose the 9mm because I shoot a lot... I save $2-3 per box over the 40 cal rounds.. and at an average of 4-5 boxes per range trip, it just makes sense. I've never been one to argue the difference in "knock-down power" between the 2 rounds. Trust me when I tell you that well placed 9mm rounds will kill 'em just as dead as well placed 40 rounds. And my carry rounds are Gold Dot HP's
At the price point listed, you're going to be looking primarily at an Springfield XD and maybe a little more for a Glock. Though, I'm not too familiar with them as I'm not fond of them (Grip angle primarily). To be honest, your best option is to borrow or rent someone's that you can put a couple hundred rounds down range with as you don't want to be stuck with something that you are not going to like. As to which caliber? Personal decision. A friend of mine carried his S&W J frame .357mag ("stubby the wonder gun" as he calls it) primarily and uses his XD 45 in the winter for carry. I'm fond of the .45ACP and carry a Sig P220 as my primary carry and my Kimber Raptor II is my alternate carry. I know many whom carry .40, .38 and 9mm. I know someone whom carries a Taurus revolver in .22mag as she has small hands (BTW, I'm looking at this for a summer carry while running or cycling). Best to you on this, and congrats on your decision.
