I know, a common question/ argument, but I want input from YOU guys on this board. I'm done plenty of research elsewhere...
So this will be my FIRST handgun. I have little handgun experience, I'm a bad shot, compared to shooting rifles and shotguns. I've shot a Browning Hi Power, a snub nose .357, a sub compact .380, and many 1911's, and Ruger Mark III's. I have settled with 9mm because ammo cost/availability, and I am a tad bit recoil sensitive, so I am straying away from .45 and .40.
The gun would primarily be a range toy, practicing, getting my pistol skills. Then later, home defense.
I'm leaning towards the Glock 19 because it fits better in my hand, but the 17 has a longer sight radius. I am limited to 10 rounds max, so no benefit of the larger 17. Later on down the road, I might look into getting my CCW permit, which I think the 19 is the better choice. But the 17 should have slightly less recoil, right?
Wish I could go to a range and try them both first....
Why can't you? I live in CA as well and there's plenty of indoor ranges out here that let you rent handguns for the day. And Glocks are VERY common rentable guns. I'd recommend calling a few ranges and asking if they have range guns to rent and then ask if they have either a G17 or G19 for rent. Hopefully you can find a range that rents out both models.
I'm not saying that your question is foolish or anything like that, but rather a question that usually will get you nowhere because the only answers you're going to get are from everyone else's personal experiences and not your own.
Get a CZ compact instead!Hardly any recoil due to the way the slide is designed in-side the frame.They are almost never jam.I have never had one yet.Same price as a glock and here's one that's 10 rounds as required in California.But you must check your states list of approved guns.I've shot both of those Glocks and they are a little snappy compared to other 9mm out there.
If you like the Glock 19 then go for it. You are right that the 17 might make a better range gun with it's longer sight radius but the recoil difference will be negligible. Almost ever manufacturer has a competing pistol in this class so try as many as you can before you make your decision. They are all good pistols but vary in features, feel, fit, finish and what ever. Some of these will appeal to you more than another. It is just like car shopping. Each of us has our favorites but that doesn't mean the other contenders are not good choices. I bought a Glock 19 to see what the all the Glock jazz was about and as I have said before I found that Glock 19 to be the easiest to shoot well right off the bat of any hand gun I have ever picked up. I have sold that Glock off not because I didn't like it but because I found I liked the Smith & Wesson M&P pistols better. I presently am enjoying shooting my M&P9 Pro Series. It just fits my hand better. That CZ that Tiger is talking about is another that is very, very comfortable in the hand. But try as many as you can before you take the plunge and if you still like the Glock then be assured you will have a dependable fire arm whether used as a range gun or as a personal defense weapon. Here is a photo of my friends and I having fun at the range with our Glock 19s.
The 17 is a great gun and I did enjoy shooting it.The white sites on top are very nice and I did enjoy shooting it a lot.It was very accurate!We shot off close to 600 rounds of reloads between us that day so I think it's OK for a range gun.Try doing that with a 40Cal hand gun.
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