pickin a pistol????? HELP

redeemedbyhim

looking at picking up a pistol, I am new to this site. I have a colt python .357 mag. anyway, I have been looking at giving up my trad archery hobby, selling out and getting into ispc shooting. I am not sure what caliberto get, being that i also want to use my pistol for home defense.I understand that a 9mm is too light????? anyway, I am looking at the sig 26 (in a .40) but also so I can get the .22 and have my daughter shoot also.what are your thoughts on all of this? I like the looks of the beretta 96. here is my dilema, I have never shot a large caloiber in semi pistol, only revolver, so I am kind of going into this blind. Is it proper to ask a gun shop if I can try out diff calibers or is that something that isn't done?

PEZHEAD265

Try to find a indoor range that rents pistols and pick something that you want and test shoot it.

gregoryhart1

quote:Originally posted by PEZHEAD265
Try to find a indoor range that rents pistols and pick something that you want and test shoot it.


I couldn't agree more.
GH1[:)]

laylandad

I agree with the above replys, and want to add that fit and feel in your hand is a big plus!! If it fits well in your hand and it feels good, you will be extremly happy.

rsnyder55

9mm is not too light, but I believe you need to shoot a 123 gr bullet to meet the minimum. I could be wrong on this. A minor bullet loses a point on a peripheral hit compared to a major caliber. As far as defense goes, there are many good 9mm defense loads available, placement is the key.

As stated previously, many ranges will rent guns so try several in different calibers and see what works best for you as far as size, pointability, and recoil.

BTW, my favorite for general shooting, IDPA, and self defense is a Browning HiPower in 9mm.

one2hutn

Look, I'm no expert and as many others on here I prefer to have as much power as I can in a handgun. But I have to disagree on this point-Almost everytime this sort of question comes up everybody bags on the 9mm cartridge. I look at it this way-would I like to be shot by one? If you practice and are proficient with your weapon you can place your shots better and a 9mm bullet whatever the charts say can kill you stone dead. Thats what it was invented for and only God knows how many souls have met thier end from a 9mm bullet. 9mm in my opinion is a good starting point for someone who has never shot a semi auto for several reasons-which have all been stated everytime this comes up. So, where there are many people on here who know more about most aspects of firearms and shooting than I may ever learn-I just wanna say-don't kid yourself- the 9mm is a capable self defense round.

grumpygy

quote:Originally posted by rsnyder55
9mm is not too light, but I believe you need to shoot a 123 gr bullet to meet the minimum. I could be wrong on this. A minor bullet loses a point on a peripheral hit compared to a major caliber. As far as defense goes, there are many good 9mm defense loads available, placement is the key.

As stated previously, many ranges will rent guns so try several in different calibers and see what works best for you as far as size, pointability, and recoil.


All the rules say is.

quote:The minimum cartridge case dimension for handguns to be used in IPSC
matches is 9 X 19 mm. The minimum bullet diameter is 9 mm (.354
inches).

steve45

There are rules about the power level. To get a 9MM bullet to reach the level where it scores the same as a 45ACP you have to load it very hot as a 38 super.

rsnyder55

That is to make major. You can shoot a 123/124gr 9mm and make the minor caliber minimum. The downside is you loose a point for hits outside the center zone.

steve45

Agreed. If Redeemedbyhim really gets into ISPC he would'nt want to own a 9MM. I think you can get a Beretta in 40 cal. If you get serious about ISPC you will have to reload or its very expensive. You really get to a different level when you shoot 1,000 rds a month. If you just shoot IPSC for fun the 9MM is fine.quote:Originally posted by rsnyder55
That is to make major. You can shoot a 123/124gr 9mm and make the minor caliber minimum. The downside is you loose a point for hits outside the center zone.

dcs shooters

When I shot IPSC, I used a 45ACP. The recoil from them is not much more than a 9mm. To start out you could go to a 9mm untill you got to the place where you felt like you can compete with others.
The recoil in a 40 is more than both 45&9mm.

one2hutn

Man how I wish I could erase my post. I was not awake the other night and aparently fully missed the part about him shooting competition. And yeah, I do know I'm in the Competition shooting and reloading section-do now anyway.

mlite

this is just one man's opinion, but .40 cal is the way to go. i have a smith and wesson sigma chambered in 40, with a houge grip and i shoot compeition with it. it feels great and is very reliable. it also doubles as a great home defense weapon. compact, accurate, with plenty of power and a great feel. but as others said you have to pick something your comfortable with

alamo5000

I went to a local gun store that has quite a collection. They probably had at least 100 pistols to choose from, if not more than that.

I think I drove the clerks at the store nuts. I would pick up one after another getting a feel for each one. I think I probably handled 30 weapons at least, and then I narrowed it down and picked half up twice, and so on and so forth...three or four times until I got it narrowed down to a couple of choices...

After that I left for an hour or two to think it over and then went back to the store, paid a couple bucks to shoot a weapon and ultimately walked out of the store with a Taurus PT 24/7 Pro DS .40 caliber.

What it came down to for me was a couple of factors...did I want a .40 or .45? My hand is also not that big so ultimately I decided that the handle on most of the .45s were a tad too big to be comfortable in my hand. Also the .40 I got has a few extra rounds vs the .45. I ended up with one that holds a 15 round clip+1 in the chamber.

This was my very first pistol ever. So far I am very pleased.

Anyone can tell you THEIR favorite pistol (and I wouldn't hesitate to steer you toward a Taurus--so far mine is a dream to shoot) but I would also say take the time, decide what the pistol will be for, then decide what methodology and criteria are most important.

For me for example my #1 concern was comfort in my hand.

alamo5000

I have to add to that last comment that the reason the 15+1 round clip was appealing is that I am primarily going to be target shooting...its mighty nice to not have to stop as often to reload and keep on shooting.

Plus the rounds are cheaper...you can shoot more for less but also still have a pretty darn good weapon that has some punch behind it.

Also as a self defense weapon it seems to be extremely accurate and light as can be. Right now I am actually thinking of all the possibilities[:D] including possibly getting a concealed carry license.

Basically I bought a box of high end rounds for self defense but shoot other not as expensive rounds on a day to day basis.

At first I was going to get a plinking pistol (aka a .22) but in the end the one I bought was a lot more attractive because of its dual, if not triple use.

Again, I would encourage you to set aside a few hours and go through a list of what is important to you and then go look and handle the weapons first, then when you narrow it down to 2-3 guns then ask to take shots.