Learning about guns

[Karen]

Okay, there are many things I am pretty good at, but guns isn't one of them. I know that's a weakness that I need to address. I don't have a gun, tho my husband does. As I expand my skill base, I can't continue to overlook the need for self protection.
So my husband and I went to the shooting range yesterday for an IPSC shoot, where we met up with a few members of this forum and thier families. They were all very generous sharing thier knowledge and letting me try out their guns. They all had some really good tips and each person showed me how to handle/shoot their gun. Thank you all for shariing your knowledge with me!
My husband's guns are way too much gun for me, and after trying out several guns yesterday, I'm leaning strongly toward buying a 9mm. I still need to go rent a few different models and try them out before making a final decision tho.
I really like the Glock 19, and the Ruger SR9, but I was also told about the H&K P30 and I'm wondering what the difference is, (other than price) compared to a Glock 19. (I haven't fired the H&K P30 yet.)
So for now, I'm looking for some insight to the H&K P30.

[VINCENT]

if you like the sr9, try out the lc9. it a slim model that may fit your hands better. its designed as a concealed carry weapon, but if you have smaller hands, you will love ti due to the singel stack. sont forget to look at the taurus line also. the pt709 slim, and the pt111 millenium pro 9mm. all of these mentioned are very nice. i havent fired the h&k, but they make good quality firearms. i would also suggest that you get your concealed carry license. your gun wont do you any good locked away in a safe at home when you need it.

[1Admin]

Try the Glock 26, aka "the baby Glock." I love it. The wife loves it.

It takes all the 9mm Glock mags, 10, 15, 17, happy stick, etc.

Very durable and reliable even with 7K rounds with no lube and no cleaning...

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Karen,

I am new to handguns myself... I have shot a few H&K (handguns and rifles) they make great products and Glocks are also great... But I can not give you info on P30.

But I can offer to add to your "Choices". When I was in your boat only a few weeks ago I searched high and low... I purchased an FNP-9 mainly due to cost and reliability.

It is no longer made but was made by FN Hersterl in right here in the USA (well South Carolina and some may not consider that part of the Republic). There are a few left in stock, most of those left in stock are the ones packaged with 10round magazines instead of the normal 16 rounders. But the 16 round magazines are currently cheap too about $17.00 per mag.

The pistol came very nicely packaged and with a great "fit and finish" granted I do not much handgun experience for comparing but even the FFL that received the pistol for me commented on how "nice" the package and pistol were (he turned around and ordered one for himself). And so far it has functioned flawlessly. (only a few hundred rounds).

If you are looking for "Preppers" gun this might not work because there are not enough of them to have spare parts floating around for decades should they stop being made. Glocks have sold in the millions and parts a dime a dozen. I would say that H&K will suffer the same problem (not popular enough to spare parts for ever).

The FNP-9 comes in 2 colors (matte black slide or stainless slide, both with black frames). The frame has an "Interchangable" back strap to get a better fit for your hand.

They currently are about $357.00 and the website I choose shipped to an FFL for 10.99. Then your FFL will most likely charge you for doing the paper work

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/ItemDetail.aspx?sku=2-FN47829

[Grinnan Barrett]

Stick with a gun that has easy availability of parts like magazines. Go the the Glock. This comes from someone who does not shoot Glocks. I have owned them and would do so again. My family shoots Sigs but I am not sending you that direction. The Glock is easy to maintain and mags are easy to find and interchangeable as Admin said. GB

[snare]

For a fighting handgun, I suggest a handgun that is a high capacity semi auto that is sized so you will realistically carry it. My point about size is don't buy something so big that you then use the 'it's too big' excuse not to carry the gun. By high capacity I mean at least 10 +1 , but 15 or 17 +1 is much, much better.

I also suggest:

- a handgun with no 'external' safeties. No grip safeties, no thumb safeties.
-consistent trigger pull from the first to the last shot
- a robust gun, one that you can without hesitation stick out at arms length while standing and drop free to concrete. No excuses.
-one you can easily and cheaply get replacement parts for. Not one that needs to be sent in to get any part for, that's for sure.
-one that can take a larger capacity factory mag, This way your reloads can have more capacity than the one in the concealed gun.

[Klayton]

- a handgun with no 'external' safeties. No grip safeties, no thumb safeties.

OK, the only gun I can think off my head that fits this bullet is a revolver, what semi has these features?

[VINCENT]

OK, the only gun I can think off my head that fits this bullet is a revolver, what semi has these features?

my pt738 fits that build, but its only 6+1 in .380, thats why i carry a .357 and all my autos are nothing more then back up guns, fun guns, or the wifes guns.

[brokedownbiker]

OK, the only gun I can think off my head that fits this bullet is a revolver, what semi has these features?

Glock would be the most plentiful handgun that fits that criteria.

[snare]

S&W M&P semi autos are also available without thumb safeties and they have no grip safety.

I believe they fit all of the other stated criteria, but I am not 100% sure about parts availability or cost on M&Ps.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Glocks... During my short time diging I could only find a few people say "bad" things about them and by "bad" I mean very minor minor problems

Things that were said "BAD" About glocks:
#1. Just about everyone has one (But there is most likely a reason for that)
#2. Some users found them NOT to fit their hand (but the GEN 4 has interchangable backstraps to help get the best fit)
#3. The stock sights suck (but just about any "Service" pistol has bad stock sights)
#4. It has a "Plastic" frame (but it works so do you really care?)
#5. It has no (external) "Safety" (but under high stress that is great thing)


If you are not on a really tight budget from all I have read the Glock is the way to go for Semi-Auto's for CCW or Service pistol.

[MustangGal]

Another vote for the Glock. I personally don't like them. (They stove pipe on me. It has to do with the way I hold the gun. Plus, I am madly in love with my Colt .45) But, they are good guns. Since you are a beginning shooter, you can avoid developing bad habits or more easily correct the bad habits.

Just thought you might like another woman's perspective.

[Karen]

I really appreciate everyone's input here! This gives me a lot to think about. I can only buy one gun for now, so it will have to be good all around weapon.
I would like to get my lic. to carry, after I get used to the gun. I'm leaning toward buying a Glock, but I tend to be a researcher by nature and I don't want to overlook anything. I can't afford to buy the wrong gun since I know I won't be able to replace it any time soon. Reliability is important to me. My hands aren't particularly small so the Glock 19 felt comfortable. I also like that the Glock parts can be found easily and I shouldn't have any trouble finding ammo.
I read some reviews on the H&K P30 this morning and apparently the slide has some play in it. I'm not sure I want to deal with that problem since it could make noise and give away my popsition. It's also a bit heavier than the Glock 19.

[Grand58742]

One other suggestion would be the Springfield XD or XD(m) compact. About the same price as a Glock, not so many after market parts, but nothing bad to say about them.

Just one more suggestion to throw into your mind.

[VINCENT]

S&W M&P semi autos are also available without thumb safeties and they have no grip safety.

I believe they fit all of the other stated criteria, but I am not 100% sure about parts availability or cost on M&Ps.

just looked at a co-workers, it fits the build, exactly as described. if i had to sescribe it i would say its a nearly identical to a glock