pistol choices

[cattailcrew1]

I am pondering what type of pistol to purchase. I want a semi-auto in the .40 or .45 calber range. I am relatively new to the handgun market. I am interested in the glock model #23. Does anyone have any opinions or first hand knowledge on this gun. Also what would be a good price for this gun.

[scotty18]

Welcome! This is just the kind of question I was waiting for. I'm a huge glock fan. That's all I carry now. They are foolproof!
Model 23 is a great choice. I love mine. Any glock in .40 sw or .45 is good. If your going to use this for carry, don't forget nite sights. I have shot just about every kind of handgun, I keep going back to glocks. My second choice would be for a 1911 clone, but the 1911's I have stay at home and the glocks go with me.

Ok this will make some people mad, Stay away from 9mm. guns!

Thanks, Scotty

[Gus]

Scotty, Why do you say stay away from 9mm? I do not own a handgun, but have been thinking about it. Just wondering why? Thanks. I'll probably end up with a new shotgun before I look at a handgun, but the info would still be nice. Thanks,

Gus

[scotty18]

Gus, welcome. I probably read to much. Each year the Dept. of Justice comes out with a report on Law Enforcement. Part of that report covers handgun bullet/load perforemance. I use the info in that report to form my opinion on 9mm, which usually does poor against other loads. When I carry, I want the best performance from my gear. If you have to decide on what to get, Get both and have fun shooting

Scotty

[huntnfish]

I like the reliability of the Glock's but they leave something to be desired in the looks department. They are a very proven pistol. I like the look of a nice nickel finish 1911. If I were getting a pistol that was only to shoot at targets and do some plinking, I would go with a 9mm, but for anything that could get serious, I would get one with a little more punch behind it.

[scotty18]

Huntnfish, welcome. I know what you mean about the Glocks. But what other gun can you bury in mud, then freeze, drop 3 stories and shoot? Glocks will even fire under water and the action cycles. Try that with another brand. Did you know some commercial divers take glocks with them because they can get more than one shot if they need to. When I was on the line, I carried a smith wheel gun. When I went back to the family business, the first conceal gun I had was a detective special. I've had full size 1911, but I'm small framed so it looked like I had a tumor growing on my right side. When glock came out with the mini gun, I got the md.27 right away. I have several different Colts. But I don't let them out much because of the value of colts now. I wish I would have know how much colts went up in value because I bought one of the first Anacondas. Before I ever shot it,I sent it out to Magna-port for a port and trigger job. Then it went to another 'smith to have a scope mount put on. At that time they were so new the 'smith had to machine a space for the mount because no one made a mount yet. It's a cryin' shame. But it shoots like a ray gun!
When it's time to repel boarders, The glocks come out and the rest stay in the safe.

Scotty

[cattailcrew1]

Thanks for the info and opipions. I also have another question. It is in regards to the price. What would you guys pay for a used glock (shot twenty rounds through, older guy who is old fashioned and wants some sort of revolver). Also wondering if the model 23 is a good choice for a beginner. I have shot pistols, just not that many or often. My dad owns the Super Red Hawk from Ruger (Awesome). Also wondering if a red dot scope worth putting on the Hawk.

[scotty18]

Cattail, from my experience used glocks don't get much cheaper than new ones. If you can get it cheaper than a new one, get it. As far as a good choice for a beginner. Glocks are the ultimate beginner gun. They are foolproof. There are no external safties to learn to use. They are durable. The last time I read, the original Model 17 imported to the US is still going. The glock company uses it for demos. By now it's had hundreds of thousands of rounds though it and they have never cleaned it. The last I read they've replaced one part, a spring that failed after thousands of rounds.
As far as optics for your dad's ruger, I tend to stick to regular old scopes. I don't have much experience with red dots. I'm sure their ok. Hopefully someone else can help you with that question.
Get the glock and have fun!

Scotty

[This message has been edited by scotty18 (edited 03-09-2004).]

[Coach Dog]

scotty18,
You seam to know what you're talking about when it comes to guns...What do think of Sigarms? I want to purchase a handgun as well and am caught between a Sig P220 and a glock. I am looking for a 40 cal.

However, a friend of mine dropped his glock on a concrete floor and part of the handle shattered. It was cold, but only with a composite gun would you have to worry about this. Your thoughts on this?

Thanks, Coach Dog

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GIT-R-Done!

[scotty18]

Coachdog, welcome. I'm no expert. I may have a little more experience than some.
Sigs are good. All those cops who carry them can't be wrong. I don't own one, but I have fired them. What are you looking for in a handgun? Carry, home defense, etc. A big factor for me is size. If I'm buying a gun to carry, I go for the small size. I wouldn't worry about glocks breaking. They accually drop them 2-3 floors and shoot it. I think what happened to your friends is a rare event.
Now does your friend still have the glock he dropped? If he does, there is a easy fix.
You can sent it back to Glock and they will put a new frame on it. I wouldn't be supprised if the repairs were inexpensive. They are real good about that stuff.

Scotty

[This message has been edited by scotty18 (edited 03-10-2004).]

[This message has been edited by scotty18 (edited 03-10-2004).]

[Guest]

A friend of mine who shoots quite a bit claims his Glock "stovepipes" spent cartridges sometimes. Have you had any experience with that problem? The spent cartridge doesn't fly quite clear, and stops the action from travelling fully forward, leaving you with a live round partially up the pipe and an empty in the partly opened action.

[Coach Dog]

scotty,
I'm sure it was a rare case when his Glock broke, they paid for all expenses on the reapair, shipping & handling, etc.

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GIT-R-Done!

[scotty18]

Pete, I've had my glocks stovepipe maybe once or twice. Each time I was using my own handloads, never with factory ammo.

Scotty

[cliffy]

I just wanted to add my two cents worth about Glocks. As stated before, they are not much to look at but if you want a gun that you can trust...look no further.

I have three of them....model 17, 27 and 22C. I carry the 27 and 22C for work and the 17 I have for home protection. I put about 2000 to 3500 rounds per year through the 22C (for the past four years) and I have never had any problems. I have shot it when it was frozen and covered in frost, I have shot it when it was covered in sand and mud..and it has not failed me yet. The only draw back to the 22c is the fouling of the front night sight....and to be honest..I dont think the open ports really do much as far as handling goes....

I only put about 100 rounds per year through the 17 and 27 and have not had any problems as well. So, if your buying a gun for its looks, the glock may not be for you. If your looking for a gun you can depend on..its a good choice.

[scotty18]

cliffy, welcome. You must be out there protecting us from evil. Thank you. Thanks for your views on Glocks. They may not be the best looking, but I know when I squeeze the trigger it will fire. Everytime! I don't have any of the comp gun, I didn't feel the need. Although my md 27 with cor-bons has quite a kick to it. I respect every one of you guy out there putting it on the line. I tried it for a while, but the lure of the family business was to strong. The funny thing is when I went back to the business, I ended up working on the local ambulance for 8 years.

Thanks Scotty

[This message has been edited by scotty18 (edited 03-11-2004).]

[cliffy]

Scotty18:

Thank you for the kind words....

[jparrucci]

I can't believe you guys don't like the look of the Glocks. I think they are the best looking pistols in the world. Maybe it's because I'm younger than most of you. I wish I would have went with the Glock instead of my Ruger. Although for the price, the Ruger 9mm is hard to beat. Under $300 new for a first pistol is a great deal.

[scotty18]

jp, Don't get me wrong. I love Glocks. They are my choice in hand guns. You got to admit they aren't the prettiest guns out there. When I leave the house, it's a glock that goes with me.

Scotty

[Benny]

Scotty18, you asked what other gun can you burry in mud, freeze in water,and basicly abuse and still shoot fine.

My Springfeild XD does and did just that, I belive it was Guns & Ammo who did the test to see if they were up to the challenge set forth by Glock.

I would never do those things to my personal weapon, but I know of at least one police department that did a few tests on the Springfeild as well, and they also found them to match the Glocks.

Springfeilds also have sthe safety in the trigger and one in the back strap as well as the standard button safety.The newer ones may have the new key style safety now instead of the push button.

Just wanted to point this out, not flaming Glocks.The Glock is a fine weapon as well!!

Benny

[scotty18]

Benny, I've read about the XD. Sounds like a fine gun. I have used the Springfield 1911 and like them. I'm a glock guy, they're almost foolproof. Of course you know what happens when somebody makes something foolproof, someone builds a bigger fool

Scotty