So like any good conservative guy I am looking forward to the two perks of being 21 shortly. I don't much care for whisky so looking ahead to the other, my concealed permit...
Every "guide" seems to start with something like "carry what feels right." Well my dad is a LEO and carried a Glock for as long as I can remember, and I don't shoot that often but when I do it's the Glock. It's all I know, seems like the logical fit. I've had my eyes set on a Glock 26 w/ night-sights since I saw one last summer at a gun show.
That being said, if I were to shop around, what, particularly to those of you experienced with Glocks, is similar? I am fairly certain I'm not in the market here for a revolver or 1911, but what models have a similar feel to the Glock?
The only guns close to Glocks are Kahrs and Springfield XD's, Vlad any of Glock sub-comp models make good carry guns the model 26(9mm) 27(.40) 30(.45).
For concealed carry, the Glock 26 (9mm), Glock 27 (.40 S&W), or Glock 33 (.357 Sig) are just about perfect in my opinion. The Glock 30 (.45 ACP or Glock 36 (.45 ACP with a thinner butt) are also fine choices though a bit larger and heavier.
I have two Glocks and an XD, and they feel about the same. I shoot the Glock 17 better than the XD, but to me the XD feels better. My advice is just go and see what feels best and also find someone with an XD and shoot it. Both are fantastic guns and extremely reliable.
While a G26 would be just about perfect for your CCW, check out a Springfield XD, both the compact and sub-compact. They are the same size as the G19 and G26. They are very fine pistols and you may decide you like them better than a Glock. One of their main differences from Glocks is their grip angle. Some people like it better than a Glock. You can't go wrong choosing either a Glock or Springfield XD.
The new Walther PPS is polymer and has a trigger that, I think, is like those on a Glock. I haven't actually seen one, just read about them. Can anybody else verify that?
Anyway, the Walther is very compact and very, very thin.
The XD I have actually looked at before, I was trying to remember the pistols I had been looking at and only knew the Glock was one, figured out one was the Taraus, and the third was the XD. According to the Springfield site, and IIRC last night this wasn't there so maybe this is really new- maybe I'm just crazy, they say for 2008 they are adding a thumb safety. Though this seems like it could be overkill with the grip safety, I like that idea.
I'm trying to get my dad to find someone with an XD to shoot, but apparently they haven't taken much root in Seattle yet, none of his coworkers had even heard of it. I'll have to try and find one at a range.
One of the other big questions now is which caliber. I kind of follow the belief that any bullet will do its job if you put it in the right place, as one article I read said, 'a hit with a 9mm is almost more effective than a miss with a .45.' All I've really shot is the 9mm glock my dad has, I'll have to try out a larger caliber and see what I think.
As to the grip angle Dusty I'm sure that won't be a problem. This is the paintball gun I shot for years before I ran out of money to play lol- the elusive 45 degree Z-Grip.
*Okay I know they are very different but getting used to it is the same in either
One of the other big questions now is which caliber. I kind of follow the belief that any bullet will do its job if you put it in the right place, as one article I read said, 'a hit with a 9mm is almost more effective than a miss with a .45.' All I've really shot is the 9mm glock my dad has, I'll have to try out a larger caliber and see what I think.
For something like home defense where concealment is not a factor, I believe in full size firearms in calibers beginning with a 4. But for a compact CCW, I suggest a 9mm. In a compact firearm, it is much more pleasant to shoot, compared to .40S&W,.357 Auto, and .45, with much less recoil and noise. It is also less expensive. Because of this, you can/will/should practice more with it. The good quality ammo available today, such as Speer Gold Dot, Remington Golden Saber, and others, make 9mm very effective.
I practice what I preach. At home I have more than one firearm readily available for defense, all large calibers. My normal carry weapon is either a G26 or .38 snubbie revolver.
So I found the local range will rent pistols to 18+, so I just gotta find a friend to go on a Friday for the $7.50/person deal. They have both the Glock 26 and the XD's I wanna try out. Though I might also rent another Glock to try the .45 or such.
Development! My dad (cop, good with his gun, but not a "gun nut") just now tells me he has a Glock 22- I swore he always told me he had a 9mm, which is very possible since he did have to run and check the Glock to see what it was.
That being said, I kind of figure if I am comfortable shooting a 40 I might as well shoot a 40. So I guess when I rent the Glock 26 will be my 9mm trial. I do like the appeal of the cheaper 9mm ammo, since I intend to shoot regularly. But we'll see, I'm not sure just how much cheaper the 9mm is.
EDIT: I guess in the end anything add's up but according to the online prices I scouted 9mm is a few bucks less for a box of 50. Not decision-making, but something to remember I guess.
With modern ammo their isn't that much of a difference. With that said I carry a .40 but I have been tossing around the idea of a Gock 26. You have the range so go test which one feels best for you. Hard to go wrong with either. It's better to have one than none.
With modern ammo their isn't that much of a difference. With that said I carry a .40 but I have been tossing around the idea of a Gock 26. You have the range so go test which one feels best for you. Hard to go wrong with either. It's better to have one than none.
I should have kept it all in one thread, there is one in the pistols forum (think it got moved from here) that is more recent. Without reading that thread, long story short I joined the range, fired all .40s this time, shot an XD (still loved), Sig, and M&P. The M&P was alright, hated the sig, still love the XD. Next goal is to shoot a USP, maybe a Walther- though I like the PPS I am very unlikely to go for it because of the magazine limit.
As to .40 vs 9mm, it is going to come down to (for me) if the little bit potential for doing more damage is worth the extra cost. I intend to shoot frequently, so ammo price is a consideration. The research I have put in is that there is not a massive difference. That being said, I want to throw more research into ammo, I'm starting to wonder if JHP is the way to go, I read the FBI guide on handgun wounds or whatever, actually a good read, and I'm wondering if FMJ isn't better. But I know that is old and ammo has improved over the years since then so I dunno.
One thing you may not have considered and for many of us it is extremely important. Will you be handloading or buying ammunition with lead bullets? I am a firm believer that if you are buying your own ammunition and money is an issue, you need to handload or you will not shoot enough to become truly proficient. If your Dad is a cop, he knows someone who does a lot of shooting and reloads. While reloading rifle ammunition is often a matter of maximizing the accuracy potential of your guns, handgun reloading is usually just a way to do a lot of shooting for a little money. For that reason handgun re-loaders are often willing to share their reloading equipment and get together for reloading sessions.
The reason this is important is that GLOCK ARE NOT DESIGNED TO SHOOT LEAD BULLETS. The polygonal rifling is so poor at stabilizing lead bullets that they often keyhole in the target. Glock also cautions that shooting lead bullets in their guns is dangerous.
I can remember a time when some fellow officers and I were picking up range brass and even salvaging lead from the range. We were reloading centerfire handgun ammunition for the cost of .22s. We got so good that semiannual handgun qualification became a joke to the point we felt we had to apologize for anything less than a "possible".
Vladimir, I was intrigued by the post but in the end I did not see what you chose. For me, I went to a store prepared to purchase a CZ75. After comparing the 'feel', it just felt second best to several others including the XD9, Sigma, FN, and Cougar 8000. In the end my idea gave way to what felt right for me.
Btw, In this area I know Bullseye (Tac) rents, and I believe Wades (Bell) does as well. Oh ya, ended up with the Cougar.
Vladimir, I was intrigued by the post but in the end I did not see what you chose. For me, I went to a store prepared to purchase a CZ75. After comparing the 'feel', it just felt second best to several others including the XD9, Sigma, FN, and Cougar 8000. In the end my idea gave way to what felt right for me.
Btw, In this area I know Bullseye (Tac) rents, and I believe Wades (Bell) does as well. Oh ya, ended up with the Cougar.
There is a more recent thread going in the "Centerfire Pistols" forum about my quest. I am currently pretty set on the XD, but I am giving the USP another chance tomorrow.
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