Guns!

[eightywon]

So it was a pretty fast paced lesson. Didn't know what to expect, but it wasn't that. I did learn a lot though. First we covered safety and some legality stuff and the history of handguns, different models and calibers.

Then I fired about a dozen different pistols starting w/ a .22 semiautomatic and ending with a .44 magnum. His maker preference seemed to be Glocks and Sigs. After 5-10 rounds w/ each gun I picked a 9mm Glock and fired 100 rounds practicing some defensive and reactive shooting (aim at the feet, 2 shots in the heart, 1 in the nose when he said go... stuff like that)

I was surprised that he explained to me that this was a class that was for people w/ little to no experience, yet I had to ask about things like names of parts and how to break the gun apart.

After the class and a little bit of reflection, I'm thinking that perhaps a CCW permit might not be a bad idea, as others have said on this thread, if not just for the education. With time running out, I have a few models in mind, but think they may just be locked up and be used as 'range toys' until I get more experience w/ them and feel confident enough to educate the rest of the family before I use it for defense.

In the meantime, I like the Glocks because they can change calibers/barrels. Is this common among other brands? Are they only single shot? I think I like the DA/SA. I was getting a lot of votes for the M&P, both here and friends. He was really big on Sig and told me that it's what the FBI uses and that they have the money for research and what not.

Finally, thoughts on Safari Land products? I have a buddy who works there who might be able to help me out.

 

[frank13]

A gun is a tool. If it has scratches or signs of wear from being used, cleaned, and being holstered and unholstered, so be it.

 

[zekest]

eightywon, congratulations on your class!
Good shooting! Don't know who the bearded one is you were shooting at(in effigy) but he must have been a bad guy, pointing that gun at you like that.
Safariland (all one word) is a retailer, just like Sears they have "Safariland" branded merch made for them by reputable manufacturers. Safariland has made a good name for themselves, with good, even great customer service.

 

[eightywon]

Thanks all!

What are your thoughts on used agency trade ins?

 

[eightywon]

So I ended up getting a used agency trade in- Sig P226 9mm. Also have a S&W M&P Shield 9mm at the shop waiting to be picked up after my 30 days wait period. 3 more days to go and just in time for the new laws coming on the 1st!

 

[tarheel1]

 

[zekest]

Congratulations, eightywon, used agency trade-ins are almost always a good buy.
First, they are already broken in and any problems have been smoothed out by the department armorer. Second, most "cop" guns, and nearly all "agency" guns are hardly used.
They exhibit the usual in-and-out of holster wear, and are shot only when the owner needs to "qualify" with it once or twice a year.
The Sig Sauer 226 is an over-built combat handgun that will easily last many generations, even with hard use; accurate too, albeit a tad on the heavy side compared to current polymer offerings.

 

[boilermakerandy]

So I ended up getting a used agency trade in- Sig P226 9mm.

Congratulations, eightyone. Sig is a great choice. After having owned dozens of semi-auto handguns over the past 35 years I have come to the conclusion that the Sigs are at the very top of the heap. Wonderful design and fantastic quality.
Here is my daily carry piece, Sig P220 Carry .45 ACP.

 

[tarheel1]

The p220 carry is a great firearm.

 

[woodsroad]

Good choice Eightywon! Pre-scratched and sweated on is what you want, otherwise, you'd be fretting every time you nicked the slide or something. Frankenstein has it right. It's a tool. Like lumber and granite, worthless where it's found, but in trained hands, it's invaluable.

 

[morton]

I have followed this thread with some interest and have read it through several times completely as it resurfaces occasionally. In Canada, it is far more difficult to qualify for gun ownership, less so for non-restricted guns (long guns like shotguns and rifles) and more so for restricted guns (like revolvers and semi auto pistols, and all AR derivatives with some exceptions). I've been a shooter and a collector of all sorts of guns most of my life and I'm very much in agreement with several points raised by some of the posters on this thread. If its for protection, pick a gun in whatever caliber that fits well, feels good and that you're accurate with or can get accurate with. Practice with it. Learn it inside and out. Keep it clean and in good repair. As far as a first choice for the OP, a pistol like the P220 is easy to break down, easy to clean and parts are easy to acquire and replace - all good things. A good .45 caliber defensive round will lessen the chance for collateral damage to neighbors and has good energy dispersal to your intended target. In Canada, civilians have no avenues for carrying, CCW or open, but I also agree that when it comes to holsters, leather fitted is the way to go. One thing that I run into regularly as a shooting instructor and range officer and when behind the counter in the gun store, is that some people are not prepared to be proficient enough so that the gun is not a liability in their hands. In my opinion, a gun in untrained hands is more dangerous to the owner than the bad guy. I try to talk those people into other means of self-protection. Good thread guys!

 

[boilermakerandy]

some people are not prepared to be proficient enough so that the gun is not a liability in their hands. In my opinion, a gun in untrained hands is more dangerous to the owner than the bad guy. I try to talk those people into other means of self-protection.

Well said, Morton. I've seen too many people buy guns who never even gain a proper understanding of how their firearm operates let alone become proficient with it. I've advised more than one person against buying a gun because I knew they had no real interest in it other than just thinking they needed one for protection. In my opinion, if one isn't prepared to accept the responsibility of learning about the weapon, understanding completely its operation, spending the time to become proficient with it, and learning the rules of gun safety until they are second nature they have no business owning one.

 

[sablebrush52]

 

[boilermakerandy]

Speaking of Iver Johnson revolvers...my dad was a career police officer and I spent a lot of time with him at the police station when I was a kid. If he'd have had a nickel for every cheap, nickle-plated, top-break Iver Johnson .32 revolver they had in their evidence room he could have retired early.

 

[jeepnewbie]

Eightywon congrats on the class and your purchase, I don't own a sig but of like the feel of them. With a wrist injury the 9mm is a bit easier on me then the 45 is or my 357mag. I have 9mm nano that is my carry and home defense after carrying a S&W 39-2 9mm for a while, the print from it was harder to hind during hotter months. Hope you enjoy your purchase, be safe, and let your aim be true. May you never have to use it for self defense.

 

[petes03]

Congrats in that Sig!

 

[boilermakerandy]

Eightywon congrats on the class and your purchase, I don't own a sig but of like the feel of them. With a wrist injury the 9mm is a bit easier on me then the 45 is or my 357mag. I have 9mm nano that is my carry and home defense after carrying a S&W 39-2 9mm for a while, the print from it was harder to hind during hotter months. Hope you enjoy your purchase, be safe, and let your aim be true. May you never have to use it for self defense.

@jeepnewbie, if you ever get the chance try a Sig P220. I've owned a lot of .45s; 1911s, Smiths, Glocks, XDs, etc and the P220 is the softest shooting .45 I have ever shot. Even my 5' 2" wife and small for their age 13 and 14 year old sons shoot it and remark about how pleasant it is to shoot. To me, my Commander size P220 Carry shoots about like a full size 9mm. Sigs are wonderful pistols, I can't say enough good about them.

 

[boilermakerandy]

Another good place to buy police trade-ins is CDNN. I have bought tons of guns and optics from them over the years and they are an excellent firm, great service and products, they have never disappointed me. I just bought three rifles from them for my boys for Christmas. You can place the order online and pay for it and their system will pull up local FFL dealers in your area who will do the transfer for you (usually costs around $20 or $25 though there is a dealer here locally in Georgia who does them for free). They currently have a bunch of Sig police trade-ins in .40 S&W and .357 Sig they are liquidating at good prices.
http://www.cdnnsports.com/

 

[frank13]

I wear a shoulder holster if I'm on the motorcycle, and wear it cross-draw, or if it's cold enough for a sports jacket. Otherwise, I like my regular ol' kydex holsters in the belt of my jeans, with a sweatshirt or baggy T-shirt to conceal. When I carry, I will carry a .45 in the shoulder holster, and usually settle for a .380, otherwise.