advice for a new pistol. Hi-point has to go...

[VanBurne01]

Hello All,

I purchased a .40 S&W Hi-point some time ago, now it's time to purchase a real pistol. I love the . 40 caliber round, and that's what I'm looking for. So it's time to shop around.

I found the Hi-point bulky, didn't fit right in my hand, accuracy is
OK under 12 yards nothing to write about, clunky and noisy like a baby's rattle, not a pistol made for concealment, shot about 1000 rounds and had about 20+ FTF/FTE and it looks like frozen dog crap. But the price for a first time pistol was acceptable.

So far what got my eye is the Glock 22 priced at about $450.00, not cheap for this old deer hunter but acceptable.

Should I move to another caliber?
Should I think about a revolver?
What is an average price for a reliable weapon for home defense, 25 Yard Semi-Auto Production Class, that will go bang everytime?

The bottom line is I'm looking for a dependable, hard hitting, reasonable priced pistol
that I can take to the range without laughs because I'm shooting a HP brick POS.

Thanks in advance,

VB

 

[akodo]

Ammo is a BIG cost in firearms. Top Notch 9mm ammo has PLENTY of power for self defense...and plinking ammo is a lot less expensive in 9mm than in 40SW. If cost is a factor to you, I'd strongly suggest going 9mm.

The bottom line for reliable self defense weapons, talking NEW or 'almost new' is probably $300 -350

That will get you a Smith and Wesson Sigma or a Ruger P95. No one will laugh, but no one will be highly impressed. The sigma has great ergonomics, is reliable, but just isn't terribly accurate. The gun will definately be able to put all shots on a paper plate at 25 yards (something a lot of shooters can't do) but it won't be getting 2 inch groups at 25 yards. The Ruger P95 won't win any beauty contests but it isn't butt ugly either. It is very solid and very reliable...but it is built like a brick. It is blockish, and while I bought one I am selling it simply because it is too wide for my hands.


(The funny thing is, the pistol Ruger replaced the P95 with, the SR9...available only in 9mm, 17 shot, $400, maybe $420... is the slimmest doublestack 9mm out there.)

a step up in price but not really much improvement in quality is the Taurus Millenium and Taurus 24/7 It falls between the two...better ergonimics than the Ruger p95, but better accuracy than the Sigma. If the Ruger 95 doesn't fit your hand i'd look at the Taurus, but otherwise I'd go ruger on a budget.


Stepping up to about $450-500 you have a lot of good choices. Glock, Springfield XD, Smith&Wesson MP, Taurus 92 (Taurus copy of the Beretta 92), Taurus's 'improved' 24-7, the Taurus 24-7 OSS, CZ-75 (I recommend you check that one out) Sig 2022 (IMHO this is 'sig economy' not really worthy of the name) SIG 250 (this one is a tad more expensive, but it has a WONDERFUL trigger, but is Double Action Only striker fire..but still find one and try that trigger pull)

Now, if you step up to about $650 you get the springfield XDM, Walther P99, H&K, some Sig more worthy of the name, etc. But there is absolutely NO reason you need to be in this price range. $450 +/- $50 should be able to get you a FINE firearm in 9mm OR in 40SW

I suggest getting your paws on these and seeing how they feel, see how much they want for them, before finalizing your decision on the Glock

Sig 250
Springfield XD, full size and compact (and subcompact I suppose if you really want small)
Smith and Wesson M&P
CZ-75 (75B, 75 Compact, or 75 P01)
CZ-P07 (polymer frame, but very similar to above)
Ruger SR9
Taurus 92

You may end up back at the glock, and that is fine. Glock makes an excellent gun. Just by then you'll be arriving at the decision to buy a glock fully informed of your other choices

 

[slabuda]

I think its kind of hard to find a really bad gun these days, especially if you go with the more popular makes. Do you want light and concealable or do you mind a bit heavier/larger? Im not one for glocks but they are proven. CZ has loads of models at ta good price. You could go used and get a nice Sig 228/229 or HK USP. A nice J-frame revolver or ruger LCR are two great options too. I may look at a LCR next year myself. Just go out and see what fits/feels best in your hand and go with that.

As far as caliber, you cant go wrong with .40 at all. But 9mm, .45 or .38, .357 in revolvers are just fine too.

 

[pegan]

I think you're on track with the .40, as it seems to be far more avail. during the current shortage. I personally prefer it for other reasons, but being able to find ammo sure does help the argument. I have a Beretta 90two in .40 and love it, but it is not very easily concealed and is in the $650-$750 price range. I also have a SAXD subcompact in .40 that I love equally. Picked it up here with 250 rounds of ammo and a paddle holster in addition to the XD package they come with for $450, also has night sights, VERY good weapon and VERY good price. Easily concealed as well. As far as the sigs and czs go, I have no experience and thus no opinion, but I prefer to stay away from the semi auto taurus. I like taurus revolvers, but haven't had good luck with the semis. The S&W M&P is about the closest thing to the SAXD that I have found, and in the same price range, but the XD has some advantages like higher capacity mags and the accessory package. Then there is the option of a revolver if you are willing to consider it. My Ruger sp101 is fantastic, easily concealed and very reasonably priced in the .357 caliber(I've seen some other calibers with ridiculous prices though). The Ruger revolver is built like a brick out house too. Hope this helps. Oh, and don't forget to look at the Bersa Thunder, cheap, concealable, amazing trigger and comes in 9mm or .380 and .380 ammo is not easy to get or cheap right now. I'm not going to endorse 9mm, because I hate it, but just saying.....

 

[Defense Minister]

I have two Smith & Wesson M&P 40s, and I love them. I read in American Rifleman recently that over 500 LE agencies have switched their service weapons from Glock to the M&P since it's inception. That definitely says something, considering the long-standing love affair that many LEOs have had with Glock. I actually sold the only glock I ever owned to buy the compact M&P .40 after shooting the full size M&P.

Price wise, you're looking at around $500-550 for a new one, but you'll pay at least that for most quality defensive pistols. Also, I agree with one of the previous posters that, unless you're made of money, you will be able to afford more training if you go with a 9mm. Not a recommendation, just something to consider. Speer and Double Tap make excellent defensive rounds for the 9mm.

Good luck!

 

[kanook]

Considering the size of a 4" revolver vs the full size semi auto, I would go with a nice revolver in 357mag. More chances of finding an ammo that you like for defense or if your state permits "hunting".

Full blown hang on for the ride 357mag or my little child shoots this thing 38special target. If you reload the possabilities are endless.

Either way you go, be careful, they seem to multiply very fast.

 

[Griz44]

45 is my favorite round for defense. 40 is a good choice though. For value, the Taurus Millennium Pro is a good value and a good shooter. I have them in 9, 40 and 45 and they all shoot good. The 745 is very slim and easy to conceal. I personally carry a Colt Defender in 45, but that is twice your stated price range. I have a Taurus 745 in stock, and would consider a your Hi-Point for a trade in.
That would save you some cash outlay.

 

[sohcgt2]

I've carried a Glock 22 for years now and have no complaints. It is an excellent choice.

 

[greyling22]

check cdnn for police trade in glock 22's, they have them for pretty good prices occasionally. the steyr m9 or m40 is another low priced gun $350-400 range, and I too like the smith m&p line. You could also look around for a hi-power clone (feg or fm) they should run you under 400-450 or you can find some plain jane 1911's for that money too. springfield gi, taurus pt1911, rock island 1911, sti spartan can all be had for under 500, especially used. sometimes well under 500. Also the baby eagle is a cz-75 clone that is cheaper than the cz but still seems to be pretty good.

 

[railroader]

Nice used glock 22's. $330 plus shipping. http://www.summitgunbroker.com/Glock_22.html Mark

 

[SteelyNirvana]

Have you looked at the Cougar? I have one in .40 and I'm very happy with it.

http://www.stoegerindustries.com/firearms/stoeger_cougar.php

 

[armoredman]

In the CZ line in 40 S&W, there are three good choices that come to mind immediately, the standard CZ-75B in 40, full size duty pistol, the P-06, which is the excellent P01 in 40,alloy frame + decocker, and the Compact 40, like the P-06 except the frame is steel, not alloy, and standard safety.

 

[benderx4]

My recommendation would be a SA XDm. Available in the caliber of your choice, although I'm a big fan of the 45. For whatever reason, Glocks don't aim where I point, if that makes sense - weird grip angle. Plus, the XDs give you the grip safety in addition to the trigger safety. Good luck!

 

[pancakeofdoom]

+1 for the XD. i just grabbed a cz-75d compact PCR and i'm in love with it even though i haven't even shot it yet haha. perfect ergonomics. i can't even imagine if it had even slimmer grips on it. i'm almost afraid to get some slim grips for it for fear that i'll never want to hold another pistol again.

i really like the XDs though. as far as polymers go, i think they're right up there with the rest of em. glocks are nice and they have a sterling reputation, but the XDs point much better IMO

 

[cluttonfred]

If you like .40 S&W, then I'd stick with it. Used guns are always an option, as stated above, especially if you can find a nice carried much, shot little police trade in. As an example, I just went over to Buds Gun Shop (because they have a good site, not because I have done business with them) and found several new options in .40 S&W at well under $450 (other than Hi Points):

• Smith & Wesson Sigmas (various models)
• Taurus 24/7 (various models)
• Ruger P94
• Springfield XD

I am not a big Taurus fan, but all of those guns and brands have their following. The Smith & Wessons start at $299 for the basic two-tone model (polymer frame, stainless slide) and a little more for a blackened slide. That certainly seems like a lot of gun for the money, as does the Springfield, which comes with a lot of extras including a holster for $419.

Good luck!

 

[Mainsail]

I'm in the camp that thinks the .40S&W was the answer to a question nobody was seriously asking. If you want big, go with the .45ACP. If you want capacity, go with the 9mm. If you want the best of both, get a real 10mm.

Look at the new Glock G29SF, 10mm, light weight, and compact size.

 

[gglass]

Smith & Wesson M&P 40

This is the most up-to-date iteration of modern combat pistol. It does not get any better than this.

 

[Lonestar49]

Sig or Beretta.. both,

...

Sigs P229/40 a/o P226/40 are "soft shooting" balanced, quick back on target, accurate shooters, up close or out to 60ft..

Beretta Px4 40 is also a soft shooter, due to its balance and rotating barrel..

Both guns offer excellent accuracy with consistency, along with, both offer dependability, reliability, and "ease" of disassembly, inspections, cleaning, and reassembly..

With my two P229/40's both have shot, combined total, of just over 7000 "flawless rounds", as well as my Beretta Px4 40 has just over 8000 flawless rounds from NIB..

NIB Beretta Px4 40 start at around 450.oo give or take where ya buy one.

NIB Sig P229's or 226's start at around 900.oo or, like both mine, bought them used, around 500 - 600 bucks for nice ones.

Sigs come with frame mounted decocker-only..

Beretta offers F-models with decocker and safety in one, along with, G-models, decocker-only (which is what I have). One can, if desired up the road, convert an F-model to a G-model by simply removing a spring and ball bearing, about 10 mins of one's time, no extra parts needed.

Soft shooters, well balanced, and size is "just right" for all needs..

Luck,


Ls