Pistol Choice

C

Cason

Member
Doesn't seem to be many topics concerning pistolage around here, so I thought I would pose a question and see how many PM pack members are pistol aficionados!

I had a Sig P229 and a SA XD9. Traded them both for my new AR (pics coming soon!). Now I need another pistol!

I like 9mm. Tried 40, but 9 is much sweeter for me.

I'm thinking about a Glock 19 and an M&P9 for my next purchase. Shot the M&P when I was just beginning and didn't like it. That's because I didn't know what I was doing! Id like to give it a try. I'm still hesitant on a Glock because I like to be different than everyone else. Too much of a crowd for the Block, but still thinking about giving it a shot.

Anyone here own/shoot either? Chime in and help me decide! Thanks guys
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Cason
 
I've shot a few, but am by no means an "aficionado" or a pro. Personally, I'm a BIG fan of the 1911 platform, and a pretty tough critic on them and alot of other styles. My dad got into race guns, shooting steel plates and I gotta say it is a blast. I haven't shot a competition yet but shooting his pistol at the practice range is very addicting. He's shooting an STI 2011, modified to the limits of his class (modified class I believe). He's now building an open class gun on an STI frame. Even before mods, that STI is hands down, bottom line, the best shooting pistol I have ever shot. After mods, it's out of this world. So I have to cast my vote for an STI 2011, but they are a little pricey... so look at an STI Spartan (but it is a .45, put in a different recoil buffer and it should kick like a glock 9mm), they are in the typical price range of 600-700ish. The STI's have a true match grade barrel, and just are a much higher quality than say a Springfield Armory or even a Kimber. Glocks never interested me, I never liked the way they felt at all. The XD's and XDM's are sweet though, shoot pretty darn good for the style of gun. Heard good things about the M&P's, would like to try one out. Still looking for a carry gun, but keep coming back to a compact frame 1911..
 
I tend to be a 10mm fan, but for normal competition, the 9mm makes more sense as it has a lower recoil/faster recovery time when speed counts and there is no power factor involved..plus 9mm ammo can usually be found almost anywhere.

I used to shoot a lot of Glock competitions and owned seven of them at one time... Now I'm down to one.

My favorite 'carry' pistol is a Walther P-99 in .40s&w..

WaltherP-99r.jpg


It's very accurate, is a double action/single action with a decocking ability, interchangable front sights and grips sizes, lays flat and not overly heavy.. Much lighter weight than any of my 1911s..

My next favorites would be my Beretta 92FS (9mm) or my Kimber 10mm, but both of them are heavier to carry, and larger than the Walther.
 
I have more than 56,000 rounds through my Glock 19 (9mm) and it is still goin strong. I purchased it at $350 (new, LEO discount) and put Trijicon night-sights on it and a 3.5 pound Glock disconnector on it (giving my 2-pound pistol a 5.5 pound trigger pull). The gun is still going strong.

I used the pistol at a Suarez International Close Range Gunfighting course in Phoenix last weekend and finished #1 in my class of "advanced" pistoleros. I drew from concealment (IWB appendix position), under a 5.11 black-colored polo shirt. My gun had no problems and I was able to outshoot the "expensive" 1911-drivers (one guy had a very nice Nighthawk custom 1911 .45acp).

When it comes to working the reactive gunfight, you want to put rounds accurately on target AS YOU ARE MOVING--FAST, out of the line of force (or fire). I will take my little 16-shot 9mm that I can carry everywhere easily and reload with 17-shot magazines.

By the way, this little gun shoots well enough to whack 8.5" x 11" copy paper at 110 yards with no problems. I do not need a "target" pistol for "work"; instead, I need a gun to go "BANG!" every time, have reasonable accuracy and a manageable trigger. I have that in this compact-sized Glock Model 19 (9mm).

If y'all want to go your own way, good for you. Some people will do anything to (not)succeed. For protecting your life, are you really more interested in style points or a good working tool that may save your life?

Hitting your mark with well-constructed bullets makes the modern 9mm very useful.

Karl in Phoenix
 
I have a permit to carry and I carry a Glock 26 or my J frame .38 The Glock is on me most of the time but J frame is stainless so I have it when I'm sweeting up bad or want to throw it in my pocket. I shoot both about the same and they both carry well. If you're not going to carry, get something with a little more barrel.
 
Cason,
Check out Rogers Shooting School in Ellijay. Here is a resource that is almost in your backyard in N.GA.

Good luck on your pistol choices.

Karl in Phoenix
 
Karl, didn't know if that post was somewhat directed at my comment but I certainly wasn't saying anything bad about those Glocks! They do what they were designed to do, and they do it well. Just never have been my cup of tea. Congrats on your win, very impressive. Some guys get themselves more interested in having the fanciest toy to do the job, instead of doing the job. Alot of them would be better off saving the money they dropped on shiny neat things and spending it on ammo, and shooting ALOT. Only a truely good shooter will even notice the difference of those extras on the timecard.

Cason, I didn't see anything in your post about carrying. Do you have any plans of concealing in the future? Will make a big difference in the suggestions you will get if you want a carry weapon or just something that is fun to shoot.
 
Goose boy:
No, I was not directing my previous and long comment at you. I like the 1911-platform pistols and have several. I have changed my carry guns to Glocks (M19 or M20).

Best wishes and good shooting,

Karl in Phoenix
 
If you are going to carry a pistol nothing beats a 1911 in my opinion. Now note that is an OPINION and we know whey they say about opinions!

I carry 1911s in several variations. My favorite being a STI Escort in .45 (Goose Boy was right about STIs), a Springfield Ultra Compact 9mm, a Sig Revolution and a few other. The slab sides, grip angle, and multiple safeties make is a good fit and easy to use. 1911 however for the most part are hard on the pocketbook and you have to actually learn to hit your target rather than just throwing a lot of lead down range (not saying people who carry glock can't shoot).

Glock and S&W both have too thick of a grip for me and are harder to point shoot for me because of the grip angle. Both guns have a great reputation. I sold my Glock several years ago and replaced it with a SA XD subcompact.
 
The wife and I have built up some mad money and are going to spend some this weekend. Not knocking the 1911 but carried it in the military and don't like squeezing the grip in a need to know situation.

She found a pink something in 9 mm she wants. lol. I'm looking for a 45 auto.
 
Well, I think Im going to try a Glock. Its going everywhere with me hunting and carrying, so I need something I wont be afraid to get dirty or scratch up. Ive hated the thought of owning a Glock, but I guess Ill go ahead and break! Thanks guys!
 
Cason,
Remember, it is only a tool. A tool for specific uses but a utilitarian tool, nonetheless.

Nothing wrong with pretty pistols, target pistols and other interesting pistols of fine workmanship.

Glocks tend to go bang every time and are stupid-simple to use. The only modifications I recommend are night-sights (Trijicon) and the Glock 3.5 pound disconnector. You can also add skate board tape to the top of the slide to permit easier one-handed slide actuation. Very important: Keep your trigger finger away from the trigger when holstering the pistol. There is very rarely a need to "speed holster". Go slow and careful so you do not pull the trigger while holstering. Easy to learn. I have see people with bad habits learn the hard way. Practice "dry" before you load'em up, cowboy, ye-haw!

Send me a PM and I will tell you more, if you have interest.

Best wishes,

Karl in Phoenix
 
Cason, There is nothing wrong with a Glock...As I said, I shot them for years and used to own seven of them...I no longer shoot that many competitions and didn't need them.

Some people find the grip angle uncomfortable until they've shot them for a while, but they are good handguns...

The company will warn you against shooting reloads and that will be your personal decision, I did for years with no problem...However, stay away from lead (non-jacketed) rounds as the lead will tend to accumulate in the barrel and can create unsafe tolerances...unless you switch to an after market barrel with traditional lands and grooves..
 
I picked up an M&P 9mm on a bit of a whim and have been very satisfied with it. Excellent function and feels good in the hand. Very accurate, trigger isn't anything to get excited about, but like the Glock there are aftermarket options.

I've been carrying an XD 45 for a duty gun, but it's never really been a gun I've been overly happy with. The flat sided grip feels the same as Glock in my hands albeit with a different grip angle. I've been considering switching to the M&P9 as a duty gun and dumping the XD for an M&P 45 or another 1911. The XD is an ok gun, but I wouldn't buy another.

Glocks are good guns, plenty of aftermarket support. However, I'd suggest you buy not on name alone but what feels good in your hand and fits you.
 
I'll buy what ever fits good and ease of firing. When I drop the safety I want to be ready to fire. Not squeezing the grip and hoping for the best.
 
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