The choices are a bit overwhelming, help please....

[TULedHead]

Hey guys. This is my first post and I am still learning quite a bit about shooting, so bear with me.

I'm looking to buy my first handgun pretty soon here. I'm planning on having it for concealed carry and home protection.

The 1911 models have caught my eye, but I've never shot one before. I've shot a glock and thought it was solid.

I'm basically wanting to get everybody's take on the brands. Kimber? S&W? Glock? SA? It sounds to me as if they are all pretty solid gun manufacturers.

I would like to start with something really nice. I am beginning to look into the Kimber CDP line. If I did go with a 1911, what size would you recommend? It seems like those really small ones would have a lot of recoil.

I'm just kinda rambling here. Sorry. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[GMThunder]

I'd rent a CDP or something similar to see if you shoot 1911s better than a glock. If you do then go for it. However I consider a Glock 9mm 19,17 etc one of the better "starter" weapons to learn on. Mods, mags, and the glock are all relatively cheap, along with 9mm being cheap and easy to practice with. Buy what you feels best in your hand when you shoot. :wink2:

I hear great things about S&W 1911s too, so I'd check those out.

[P97]

I agree with renting before buying if possible. If I were just starting to buy my first gun I would find a range where I could handle and shoot as many different makes and calibers as possible. I have shot a lot of different guns but I have just a few favorites, and my favorites are not what a lot of other people's favorites are. Good Luck and hope you find what you are looking for. :)

[DrBaker]

My first gun was a Glock 19. If I could do it all over again, I would still get the Glock 19. It's always my first recommendation, but do rent a few different guns at a range if you can.

[J.P.]

always try before you buy if you can.
9mm ammo is very cheap and lots of practice is something you need.
If you can afford to shoot thousands of rounds of .45,then go for it.(most of us can't)

As far as recommending a pistol,there is one 'best' choice...
GLOCK.
Try the G19 and G17.

[S-friggin-S]

hey man, i'm kina in the same boat as you. i just bought my 1st gun and its a glock 23. i will mainly only use it for household protection, but i think i might get a concealed carry also. it's not the smallest gun around or the most cheap either, but its great in my opinion..

[TULedHead]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a few more questions now.

Which places offer gun rentals? Tulsa Firearms? OPS? Any others?

How much does 1000 rounds of ammo cost for .45 vs 9mm?

What is a typical price on the Glock 17, 19, and 23 models?

What do you guys think of Tulsa Sportsworld? I went there today and they seemed to have a pretty decent selection. How would you rate their prices?

Thanks again for your help guys. Once I finally get a gun, I'll be asking about shooting related questions next.

[J.P.]

As far as rentals,you are pretty much stuck with Tulsa firearms.
Frankly you are better off hooking up with somebody here for a shooting session.

If at all possible,buy from OPS.
You'll probably find them to have the best price and they *definitely* have the best 'service after the sale'.

Tell Eric you want the OK shooters discount. ;)

1000 rounds of 9mm Blazer is right at $85 out the door at Academy Sports.
this is the lowest price on 9mm *anywhere* in the Uninted States.
.45 ammo is $22 per 100 at Wal-Mart,do the math.

Glocks have the most available accessories and are stupid easy to field strip and detail strip.

[stepper]

My 1st gun was also the glock 19. It has a light rail for home defense. Its easy to carry. Perfect size for me. 9mm ammo is cheaper than the rest. Recoil is mild. I've never had a single malfunction of any kind with mine. Its easy to clean. Accessories are easily found.

I could never get rid of my glock 19!!

[hubmonkey]

Glocks have the most available accessories

Over 1911's? Are you sure? Is this your final answer? :) There are way more things made for 1911's than Glocks.

Hey guys. This is my first post and I am still learning quite a bit about shooting, so bear with me.

Sounds like you do not have alot of shooting experience. I would not recommend a Glock for a first time shooter/buyer (I know this is going to ruffle the multitude of Glock owners on this forum) because they should be handled by experienced shooters. You need to learn about gun safety first and foremost. The Glock is not the "Safe Action" pistol they claim. Learning to use Safeties and safe handling is of the utmost importance.

Now with that said.. Am I saying the G-Lock is a bad firearm? No not at all. Very reliable sidearm but I won't own one because they do not suit me. They don't point well and the grip is uncomfortable. That's Just ME and MY opinion.

Handle a few firearms before you sway either way. What feels good in your hands? What feels like an extension of your arm when you point it?


Hub

[J.P.]

I forgot to add...
Glock is the easiest autoloader to learn with because there are no safties,decockers,or any other exteraneous junk to mess with.
Keep finger off the thriiger until time to shoot.
Point
Shoot.
Really simple.

;)

[kd5hrm]

there are no safties

Isn't it odd that they call it a Glock "Safe-Action" pistol?

I think Glocks are fantastic guns. They point very well FOR ME. They are comfortable to shoot FOR ME. And, they are incredibly reliable.

I owned one once and will probably never buy another one. I just don't think they have any soul. They have no personality. They all look just alike. They have no quirks. There are no surprises, good or bad. Just a gun. Ho-hum.

As for the whole accessories thing, I have never shopped for Glock acessories. But I do regularly peruse a LOT of web sites and I just don't see it. You can put a light trigger, aftermarket recoil spring, night sights, and a Hogue condom on it. After that......?

On the other hand, shop for some 1911 accessories.

TULedHead should be commended for at least soliciting some advice for his handgun purchase. Lots of S&W .44 Mags are sold with 6 shots down the tube. He should seek out someone with lots of different types of handguns and shoot them before he makes a decision.

My personal reccomendation for a first centerfire handgun would be a Smith 586 or 686. You can shoot 38 popgun loads or full-house dent-your-forehead loads. For a rimfire, probably a Ruger Single-Six. I think the visual cue of a hammer back is important for a new shooter.

As far as 9mm handguns, I have owned Sigs, Rugers, Glocks, CZs, a Star, a Browning, etc, etc.

The best, IMO is a tie between a pre-B CZ-75 and a Browning Hi-Power. All the rest are gone.

Shoot what fits and shoot it safely.

[paken-24-7]

I do agree always test before you buy. The 1911 pistols are some of the best, but you have to pay for quality. I have never been a fan of the glock but I still think they are nice guns. If you are looking for a well built gun that preforms well try a sig.

There are two types for people, glock people and 1911 people!

[bratch]

If you can make it head down to H&H in OKC. Their rental seleection is great, anything you can imagine is there. I would wait until I had cash in hand though; the times I have rented a few guns and bougt the same day my rentals have always be comped.

My first pistol was a Kimber TLE II. Nice pistol but if you are wanting one for carry I would recommend the CDP or compact. They are much better suited for me to carry with the shorter grip.

You will probably be able to shoot one type just flat better than everything else. Get that one. For me its the 1911. In a recent range trip I shot one of my Kahrs and was all over the target picked up the 1911 and put 5 in a nice group.

Kahr is another nice pistol if you are wanting a carry gun.

[DrBaker]

If you can make it head down to H&H in OKC. Their rental seleection is great, anything you can imagine is there. I would wait until I had cash in hand though; the times I have rented a few guns and bougt the same day my rentals have always be comped.

You will probably be able to shoot one type just flat better than everything else. Get that one..

:teach: That's the best free advice you can get.

[Chuck S]

I agree that you need to find out what fits your hand and points best for you. For ME the glock doesnt fit or point well at all. However the 1911 fits and points perfectly. YMMV.

[J.P.]

:teach: That's the best free advice you can get.

Not really.
With gas prices,you are better off paying the outrageous fees at tulsa firearms than driving to OKC. :puke:

[SoonerGlockGirl]

My 1st gun = Kel-tec (380)
My 2nd gun = Glock 26 (9mm)

The Kel-tec is a good starter because it's small and not very expensive. I would not recommend using it as a range gun. I made that mistake and my hand hurt for 5 or so days. It's only 10 oz. fully loaded, so the kick kills your hands after you put 50 or so rounds through it. The gun is extremely small which would be great for concealed carry. That's when I'll probably use it most; although, I haven't yet taken the course.

The Glock is larger, yet still small. I have teeny hands, so it's perfect for me. It has more bang and is easier to use. I can pull the slide back easier and the extended slide release is a MUST. I really, really love this pistol and it will be my winter concealed gun. LOL, I have a summer and winter gun. Being a girl, it's harder to conceal. This gun is the perfect range gun. It doesn't hurt me at all.

[Michael Brown]

Contrary to what has been said so far, the Glock pistol has three (3) safeties.

All three are deactivated by depressing the manual safety on the face of the trigger.

Michael Brown

[bulbboy]

I think Glocks are the best semi-auto for a first gun purchase. A revolver is an ideal choice for the new handgunner but they seem to be wanning in popularity among new shooters. I you have to have a semi - go with Glock. I would recomment the G19 or the G23. Have fun.

[bulbboy]

You might try Spartans Gun Shop at 101st and Memorial - Real nice there

[TulsaGunGuy]

Thanks for the feedback. I have a few more questions now.

Which places offer gun rentals? Tulsa Firearms? OPS? Any others?

How much does 1000 rounds of ammo cost for .45 vs 9mm?

What is a typical price on the Glock 17, 19, and 23 models?

What do you guys think of Tulsa Sportsworld? I went there today and they seemed to have a pretty decent selection. How would you rate their prices?

Thanks again for your help guys. Once I finally get a gun, I'll be asking about shooting related questions next.

I have owned a Colt .45ACP for 20 years. The month the Glock was released in the United States I bought one. What attracted me was the simplicity of operation.

At the time, no other semi-auto offered draw, point and shoot like the Glock. Prior to buying that first one I carried a locked and loaded 45. It always made me nervous with only a thumb safety preventing a very nasty hole in my leg. It bothered me so much I resorted to carrying it with a round in the chamber and the hammer down. Talk about a complicated process to draw, click off the safety and cock the hammer all while someone is trying to kill you.

I have no concerns about the safety of a Glock. If you’re not convinced look at all the manufacturers who 20 years later offer semi-autos without manual safeties. For my money, no other gun can be brought into use quicker or safer than a Glock!


If you don't mind waiting for a Glock, Tulsa Action Firearms orders them for $450 on all small frame models (all 9mm & 40S/W except the 35/35). You can contact Curt Nicholes via the Tulsa Action Firearms link on Tulsa Shooters (http://www.tulsashooters.com)

[J.P.]

It always made me nervous with only a thumb safety preventing a very nasty hole in my leg. It bothered me so much I resorted to carrying it with a round in the chamber and the hammer down. Talk about a complicated process to draw, click off the safety and cock the hammer all while someone is trying to kill you.
[/URL]

Actually the 1911 also has a grip safety,as you know.
Really they are very 'safe' *unless* you carry with a hammer down on a loaded chamber.
That's not a good thing.

[capmarine]

im not a 1911 person.think about if you really want to carry a locked and cocked FA;how will you handle that FA in a violent situation?

[SoonerGlockGirl]

I don't feel comfortable with 1911. I've shot Para and Colt. There are 2 kinds of people.... Glock people and 1911 people! :gun2:

[J.P.]

Although I'm also from the point and shoot school,but with proper training switching off a safety is a non-issue.
training is the key.

[TulsaGunGuy]

Actually the 1911 also has a grip safety,as you know.
Really they are very 'safe' *unless* you carry with a hammer down on a loaded chamber.
That's not a good thing.

My 1911 is a Colt Series 80 with the firing pin block. Hammer down is an acceptable mode of carry.

You are right, I had forgotten about the grip safety on the 1911. It had been so long since I carried it. To me it was just one more "thing" that added to the overall complication of operation.

[hubmonkey]

I don't feel comfortable with 1911. I've shot Para and Colt. There are 2 kinds of people.... Glock people and 1911 people! :gun2:

What about people who don't really care for either one?

Hub

[Helmut]

This is a personal choice...........I shot a glock in competition for 4 years.....I could keep up the 1911 hicap guys, but I did switched to 1911 style competition pistols for 3 reasons......

1......more accurate
2......faster followup shots
3......very short and very light trigger (i usually run mine at 2 lbs)


of coarse these things i noticed myself. But like anything competition (race ready..ie 1911's)......when they run, they run like a champ.....you can't beat them......but when they break....they break hard! This is why when i carry.....i carry a glock........once and blue moon i will pack my 1911.

As for choices......for non-competition 1911's......start with kimber....that would be my #1 choice........remember the smaller size 1911's get glitchy.....a commander size or larger i would consider the most reliable.

[Michael Brown]

What about people who don't really care for either one?

Hub

Such a person does not exist. :gun1:

Michael Brown

[hubmonkey]

Such a person does not exist. :gun1:

Michael Brown


Well yes they do. I am one. Don't care for either one.

Hub