Which handgun to get?
 

Hey all. I've been lurking here for a while now waiting for the registration to open up and finially saw that it was opened today so here goes my first post.
:15_1_70v:

This weekend I took my wife to a local gun store/indoor shooting range for "ladies night"...basically they can shoot all the handguns they have for free (we had to buy the ammo) so they can try them out and get the one that felt the best to them. My wife decided on a Glock 17 9mm because of recoil and fit in her hand. We bought it the next day at the cheapest place in town I could find for $499.

Now, I want a handgun for me too now that she has hers. I let her choose first so that she could get exactly what she was comfortable with before getting mine. I wanted them to be in the same caliber for ease of stockpiling.

I have my eye on a CZ75b
http://www.cz-usa.com/product_detail.php?id=29
or a baby eagle
http://www.magnumresearch.com/Expand...uctCode=BE9900

Bonus: This thought just came to me...should I also consider getting a Glock 17 for me as well for redundancy purposes...incase one breaks we have one for parts for TSHTF?

I should say that my wife and I have only been married for a year, and we're both young (21 and 24) and just now in a postion where we can spend a little extra money getting prepared. Also, When I say "her" gun and "my" gun its really just an excuse to get 2 guns instead of one to share...

I envy some of you who have an established house, property, gardens, etc....I will someday if the SHTF holds off...but right now I have to make due with what I have.

Big Country

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Great 1st post. Since you got the best all around handgun IMO and if you like Glocks, I would try a Glock 21 or Glock 30SF if you want to carry concealed. Great 1st gun purchase by the way and great price, I got my 17 when I turned 21 nine years ago and it was 520 bucks NIB. So you got a good deal with the value of the dollar but thats another thread in itself right there. Anyway the guns you mentioned I dont know about, I am a Glock man. Always keep a round chambered, I was watching wildest police videos and this jewelry store owner got robbed and he drew his weapon but forgot to take the safety off and hence he was shot a bunch of times and the guy put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger and it just went click. Empty. Go with Glocks round up top and no external safeties to worry about!

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Before you buy anything look at Springfield Armory XD-45(.45 cal). I have a Glock 30 (.45 Cal Midsize) and Glock 32 (.357 Sig Midsize). I prefer the XD-45 any day.:ok:

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

9 mm ammo is so hard to stock up on now so if you've got one now I'd get another so you don't have to divide your time and energy looking for multiple calibers.

Oops, I reread and saw you intended to stay with 9mm - Good idea!

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Difficult to pick out a pistol for someone else. If you have followed this forum, you are aware there are different opinions. There are a bunch of fine handguns out there...Beretta, Sig Sauer, Springfield XD, CZ, S&W, etc. as well as Glock.

My preference is Glocks (lightweight, accurate, reliable, simple to use and maintain, plentiful parts, etc.). If you like the Glock 17 and it works well for both of you, get another. Or try out the subcompact G26 (concealment), G34 (tactical), G17L (target). You may want to try one in another caliber such as the G22 (40 SW) or G30 or G21 (45 ACP).

I would visit your local gun range and try out other makes and models before you decide.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I picked up a CZ75B Matte Finish Stainless Steel last month, and I LUV that SUMMABITCH! I've run about 500 rounds of everything I could get my hands on (Winchester, Blazer, Remington, FMJ, JHP, all 115 grain, have 147 JHP Ranger T on the way) in two sessions at the range and it has NOT produced a single Failure to Fire or Eject.

Fits my little ole' hands perfectly, and the flat serated section on the front of the trigger guard is a great place to wrap my left hand around to steady against recoil (which is very low based on the limited number of revovlers (.38, .357) and semi-autos (9mm, .45) I have fired). I love the rubber grips as well. Not too soft, but soft enough to get a damn good grip. Plus, its a real looker:

http://www.czforumsite.info/custom_b...s_Banner.x-png

It is now availabel with an upswept beavertail for 2009 (mine's an 08), and in polished stainless as well. GO CZ!!!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/...9d9a7a30_o.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...8/P2155177.jpg

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Thanks for the replys. I fully intend to buy something in 9mm for myself...for the time being. If the good LORD allows us a few more years here with things at the status quo I may look into other calibers in the future. Right now its going to be 9mm for me since that is what my wife liked the best and the whole reason we let her choose first. I'm comfortable shooting many different handguns.

I was just curious if any of you had heard one way or the other about the two that I posted in my original post. I think the CZ is first on my list, but I'm considering the baby eagle too. I'd like to get a fully steel handgun not a polymer one, no real reason just personal preference and the reason I'm not really considering a Glock for myself, though I'm thrilled that is what my wife picked out for herself.

These aren't going to be the only guns we ever get, and I know that we'll each get a "concealed carry" gun in the future, though right now that is not the intent for our handguns. We just both wanted a backup solution to our 870's incase we had to defend our "castle"...aka...apartment for the time being.

Thanks for all the replys and I know that everyone has their favorites for one reason or another and it is a tough question to ask, I just wasn't sure if anyone had a reason NOT to pick one of those two guns over something else

Big Country

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

All-steel guns are HEAVY to carry...just remember that. Especially when you add a few fully loaded mags on your belt. If you don't plan on carrying it around all day, go for the steel.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I absolutely love my 9mm XDM.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I like the 9s for a first timer.

I didn't go that route and could have bought another for the difference I spent on the more expensive ammo.

CZ will be fine.

E-A

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Another endorsement of said weapon except for the 2.2 lb weight when loaded with 20 rounds of Winchester Ranger 'Law Enforcement Only' hollow point. I concealed carried this for a while, but moved on to a lighter weight Ruger LCP for daily carry. Love the 9mm however and trust my life to it. I keep it in the car.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Big Country,
Welcome aboard! So many choices available today. I never thought I would like a polymer pistol, but a friend bought a 4-inch Springfield XD in 9mm and I tried it. I've changed my opinion. Yes, I also think about the commonality of magazines among pistols, but I don't think it should be an overriding factor in what you prefer. Have fun and try a few before you buy.
Take care,
Mod1

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I saw this Ruger on a Gun TV show. The host was demonstrating how well it was concealed in his left breast pocket.

Caveat - after further research, it turns out that the model has been recalled.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I have read it elsewhere, and I agree with the principal that it is better to get "all the same" handguns.

The problem with having multiple guns of different brands is that they may have the controls in different places. In a high-stress situation you tend to focus only on the attacker, and you won't remember which gun you picked up until after the fact. Most ordinary people think they will be able to think clearly in such a situation, and any big-city cop will tell you that they can't--they do all sorts of dumb stuff because they're simply not used to being attacked. If all the pistols you have are all the same type, then there will be no confusion as to how the controls are placed and used.

For the same reason above, I am also a fan of Glocks--because (like revolvers) they have essentially no fire controls other than the trigger. No decocking levers or separate safety to worry about operating properly, just point and shoot.

-end-

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

New2This,

Thanks for the pics. I was looking at that exact model on-line last night. Really sharp looking weapon and I am a big fan of the matte stainless. Love the look and I hear nothing but good about them. That right there is the next handgun purchase for me. If you don't mind me asking.....what did you pay?

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

15 and 1 from what I remember reading.....

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

VICTOR:

I live near a CZ "authorized" dealer, so I just went on over there, and they had one in the case. It was $679, which is steep, but I live in gun-hating Maryland, so there is no CABELAS near me. If you happen to live in a state with one of those stores (mostly out west, but some in PA as well), I would highly recommend checking there, becasue they have the SS model for $589, and then you can save anywhere from $20 to $100 off that price if you apply for a credit card at the time of purchase. Alot of guys on the CZ forums were bragging last December about snagging $489 75B polished SS with fancy "Cocobolo" (WOOD) grips.

I guess I could've gone with an online dealer and and FFL, but the charge for delivery from an FFL would probably negate any savings over the online price. With crappy $10 MD "gun training" feee and taxes, my total came to $730, but I really wanted the damn thing, and the past year of super-high GOLD premiums and hard to get Buffalos has completely broken my will to "shop around". I have the gun, and that is really what matters at this point. I may pick-up a second one, maybe an 09 with the fancy upswept beavertail. A "collector's item" that's highly functional as well.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Excellent thinking.

Welcome to GIM. You should fit in here real nicely!

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I like the way they did that for the ladies. Let them try everything, then buy what works for them. You should really follow that same approach. Find out when the Men's night is (and if there isn't one, lay on the pressure), test fire anything and everything before you lay out the cash. That's how I buy cars. Test drive everything on hand. Then maky up a top three list, and rent the number one for a weekend. You've no idea the strange looks I get when I try to reserve the crappiest, most banged up one of that model. They're convinced I'm going to Jackass the thing. What I really want to see is how well it breaks in. Used club guns (renters) give you a similar insight. They're used, but well maintained ... just like yours will be (it will be... won't it?)

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

Thanks for the info my friend. :coolbeer:

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

How about Glock 19? Can use the 17 mags....the 19 can be carried in a holster beter than 17. There is also the 21 Glock....but it is very short in the grip = I do not like. I have 4 Glocks.....i think the Glock 17 is the very best end of the world handgun.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I went into my local cabelas (glendale, AZ) and they had 2 Cz's one black and one stainless and both were around $670. I sent a letter to my local gun store that I like to deal with (he told me to stop in) and I'm going to stop in there tomorrow to see what they've got and their prices.

I'm absolutely thrilled that my wife got a glock and we've been out to shoot it twice now (just got it last weekend). Its a nice gun, but I think I want something else for me. I've always been a fan of steel guns. My dad carried his service pistol (forest service...not a cop, though he has jurisdiction on all state owned lands...Ohio) and I always saw that thing as a kid and since then have always wanted something in steel. It was a S&W 5906 I believe...

I think I'm going to try to pick up the CZ since no one has mentioned anything about the baby eagle at all in this thread so far. I thought it was a neat looking gun and I've never heard anything really bad about Magnum Research (everyone knows them for the Desert Eagle) but was curious if anyone here had any experience with one.

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

I don't know this firsthand, but it is possible that the "listed" price of $670 is not the "for sale" price at Cabelas. Here is a cz forum post that seems to indicate this is so:

I feel lucky to have snagged one so cheap, and I wasn't even trying. When I had called Cabelas about the CZ that I currently own, they told me $699.00. I called back again and talked to someone else, and they said $548.00. I went to buy it, and they told me it was on sell for $599.00. So I fill out the paperwork, and leave. The next day I called them back and told them the CZ that is in their sales flyer for $599.00 is supposed to have wood grips, and the one I filled the paperwork out on had the black rubber grips. The guy then told me that the one with the black grips is $548.00, and asked if I wanted to swap for the display with the wood grips. I said no, and he was happy because he said he would have had to change the paperwork. I then confirmed with him that mine will only be $548.00, and got his name so I could hold him responsible when I went to pay for it. When they called me to come pick it up, I noticed on the paperwork that the guy had hand written $548.00, and that was not on there the day I filled out the paperwork. When I called a couple days ago to see if Cabelas got any new CZ's in, they told me yes, that they received two SS's. I asked the price, and the guy told me $548.00. They were not going to let that gun go for under $699.00 when I was there yesterday. I should have gotten the guys name again when he quoted me the $548.00 price tag.

Cabelas throws prices out all over the place. I really think they screwed up the pricing on the SS that I bought, but that's ok by me.

http://www.czforumsite.info/index.php?topic=21961.0

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

well I went to the gun store to see their CZ-75 B's that they claimed they had in stock, and when I got there they were all out of CZ-75 B's they only had a CZ-85 and a CZ-75 tactical? I was specifically looking for the stainless steel matte finish model and they didn't have any and claimed they couldn't even order them :-(

So my wife and I walked out with a Mosin-Nagant (one each... :5_1_120:) and a spam can of 440 rnd's of ammo.

The Mosin-Nagants (I believe they are M91/30's) were $109 each (cleaned!!) and the spam can was $119. I'm guessing by the time I pay shipping and FFL fees online at most places that isn't too bad. We're happy with those and excited to get out to the range to blast a few holes in something.

Still looking (and now saving...) for a CZ-75B can't wait to get it!

Big Country

Re: Which handgun to get?
 

+1 on that....I LOVE my XD-45. However, if she already has a 9 mm, you're probably better off getting the same caliber (unless you plan to get a LOT of different guns :36_3_12:), that way you can share ammo. Look at same or different Glock or even an XD-9. I find that I like the XD line a lot better than most Glocks, but hell these days Glock makes so many damn models they probably have one that is very similar to the XD.