I do have a 1911 and they are very easy to break down...

I have a couple shotguns, just bought a Winchester SX3 12 gauge and also have a Browning BPS Ducks Unlimited 20 gauge.

I am planning on buying my first pistol soon since I just turned 21 recently. Any recommendations? I am thinking either a G19 or G23 since I have smaller or hands or possibly an XD. I found a really good deal on a an XD .45 GAP, but I'm just worried that it will be too hard to find ammo for it, so I haven't pulled the trigger yet (see what I did there?). Anyways if you guys can recommend any good range guns for a newer shooter it would be much appreciated.

I recently got a Glock 19x9 and it fits my small hand reasonably well but not what I would call great. The best fit for me is my Walther P4 but they can be difficult to find nowadays (and are pretty heavy). It's your hand; try out a bunch of different pistols and see which one fits you best.

Anyone here into firearms?
 

I'd stay away from the GAP unless you plan on loading your own. I've got a G19, and its a great pistol but Glock ergonomics leave something to be desired. Take a look at the S&W M&Ps. They fit the hand well. The Glock does have more parts and accessories available for it if you're the type to modify things.

Or just go buy a 1911. Eventually every gun guy will own one. A Browning Hi-power is another great pistol that gets overlooked since its old school and not made out of plastic, but I love mine.

You know your guns Chuck! I'm looking into a XD .45 right now. I bought a Glock 19 for self defense and the wife is a good shot with it. But that muzzle flip is crazy! While wet were sitting one day she had a hot casing cine back at her and fall right into her tits.

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Anyone here into firearms?
 

With the smaller Glocks it seems like the best way to deal with the muzzle flip is to grip it really high and push your wrist up into the grip of the pistol. It's hard to explain, but once you have the gun in hand it'll make sense.

Now she knows not to be showing cleavage at the range. Could be worse, I had a piece of hot brass bounce off the underside of my hat and wedge itself behind the nosepiece of my safety glasses. Hurt like a sonofabitch.

That XD is a nice piece. My dad just picked up the compact 45 for glovebox duty. If I didn't already have a bunch of Glocks, I would have gone XD. They point more naturally. Or more like a 1911, which is what a gun should point like.

She tries not to but... she's hot. And blessed... So yeah. Lol

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Yes sir I have a Tax Stamp for this SBR and others. But thanks for keeping me honest. :)

Jimmy D

Went shooting again this past weekend and had a good, if brief, time. Honed in my technique and by the end of the day, my grouping was much closer together. My friend and I will be taking the CWP class soon, I will report back with my thoughts on that after we do...

Just a heads up in case no one noticed.
Walmart raised their ammo prices. Bulk 22lr ammo (525+) use to be 21 or 22 and some change, now they are 27+.
Winchester m22 22lr 1k bulk use to be 40+ and now they are 50+.

It seems ammo prices is higher across the board in walmart.

Just when i was getting into guns more and more.

Also, not sure if this is connected or not but but M.A.C (military arms channel) on youtube said on facebook that a lead smelting plant was closed down do to the epa in texas that might have or will cause ammo prices to go up even higher.

Actually, it was the LAST primary lead smelting plant in the United States. And it was in Herculaneum, Missouri and had been in operation for around 120 years.

The EPA instituted stricter restrictions that would have cost $100M for the plant to meet. Therefore, they decided to close down operations.

Keep in mind, this is the LAST primary lead smelting plant in the country... which means no other plant can take lead ore mined out of the earth and turn it into lead ingots or lead bullion for use in things like ammunition. All new lead will either have to be mined, shipped out of the country to be smelted and brought back in, or just purchsed from a foreign source.

And what foreign source has the majority of the lead market? That's right... China. Seems like it would be pretty easy for the .gov to strangle the firearms enthusiast community by cutting out the availability of affordable ammunition a lot easier than by banning the guns, doesn't it?

Here is my current AR "family portrait" - all self-built from the ground up:

http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/f...ps07456e3b.jpg

they didn't ever need to bother mentioning trying to ban guns. they found an easy way to do it... :mad:

Hello

One of the last fun toys you can still get in California. Yes I have the $5 tax stamp. And a shoulder holster.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...d/IMG_9753.jpg

I'm a pistol fan, love to shoot them!

HK USPc .40
SA TRP
SA LW Champion operator

I also have a rifle, 22-250 my Grandfather smithed that's fun to plink with.

My wife carries an XDs in .45.

I'm shocked you can have a SBS in Cali!

This actually isn't true, almost all lead used in ammo is recycled.

This is an AOW since it never had a shoulder stock. We can have SBS if they are over 50 years old.

That sucks! Can you own suppressors or full autos?

If you ever make it to Florida let me know, we can have all the cool toys and I enjoy seeing gun guys get to shoot them!

skunkape72 - YouTube

Full auto, well legally yes but good luck getting the required permit unless youare a Hollywood armorer. Supressors are not allowed in CA.


I used to live in Tampa and want to get back there so badly. Buddies there now own several full auto toys. The only thing keeping me in CA is that we get paid way more out here than most the other country. Sure taxes are high -- for now. When I retire in FL I'll be golden.

Looking at the Kel Tec KSG, Utag UTS-15 and so far my favorite is the Molot Vepr 12.

I am looking for a long lasting and reliable shotgun. I was leaning toward the KSG, but the awful reviews have steered me away. Since I cannot get my hands on one to shoot unless I driver about 500miles, I am looking for some input from some forum members who have held and shot any of these.

I've got two kel tec pistols. I don't know why. They make garbage. It's a shame. I want a KSG, but nothing kel tec makes is quality. I know its not on your list, but if I were buying a shotgun for HD use it would be a Remington 870.

I personally like the shortest and most compact design possible for home defense only because of all the doors and walls you need to be able to get around without dropping your muzzle as much as possible. We would get our asses shot with sim rounds if we dared to drop our muzzles going through a door in training (or at any time). It's what they do in the movies and it is wrong. And depending on the situation, an 870 will force you to drop you muzzle.

I'm not hating on the 870. Damn good shotgun and proven. But I'd never own one. Unless I'm trying to hunt. And I don't hunt.

That said, the UTS-15 rocks. It's different and certainly something to get used to. But the ability to play with your load-outs so freely and switch between on the fly (flip of a switch on top) is fantastic. I wouldn't hesitate on that little guy. Feels like a toy but it will really surprise you on how effective it can be.

A shotgun isn't really part of my "home defense plan", but I do use this Benelli M2 in 3-gun. It's a great firearm.

http://SSEquine.net/benelli1s.jpg

I highly recommend the Walther PPQ. It doesn't have the blocky uncomfortable grip of the Glocks, and the trigger on the Glock isn't even in the same league.

I have small hands and a Glock 19 and have to agree that the grip is not the most comfortable, but it's not that bad. Guess it depends on just how small your hands are. Only way to know for sure is to try it. I usually get single-stack magazine pistols but got a good deal on the G19.

I've found the trigger on the G19 to be a bit "weird" but you get used to it. Nothing that would mess me up in an emergency. No way to decock but snap-caps are cheap.

My biggest "complaint" about the G19 is the safety system. Not a gun I would keep if I had kids in the house (or I'd keep it locked up, which defeats the purpose of a HP weapon).

All-in-all, I'm happy with my G19 but, if you have small hands, it may not be the gun for you.

Kel Tec brought the KSG out to a subgun match at Port Malabar several years ago before it was for sale. They used it for part of a stage so everyone got to run it and while I like the size it was a pain to load and it just feels cheap.

I love Vepr 12 and the Saiga 12 ( I've converted 9 so far) but if you want reliability and long lasting I would get a 870. It's my go to around the house.

One gun mag described holding a Glock like "shaking hands with a 2x4". :rofl2: The trigger can be cleaned up to not be as weird, but it's never going to feel great. I've got a bunch of Glocks. Great pistols, but they definitely have their drawbacks.

I'll tell ya, though....as light and fast as my M2 is, I'd have to give serious consideration to Beretta's new 1301 Competition if I were doing it again. It's about the same cost, but already has the desirable competition items like oversize bolt release, non-grab carrier, oversize ports, etc.

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Does your M2 shoot low brass? Have you ever shot it left handed? I bought a HK M1 (Made by benelli) many years ago and was so excited to shoot it. Unfortunately it didn't go well, I'm left handed and the M1 sent lots of burning powder straight back at the right side of my face. After 3 shots I quit, and let a right handed friend try it. He still owns in after 20 something years and loves it.

Son in law of our owner had a POF USA ar-15 pistol with a suppressor in the other day at the shop, he pulled the rear pin all the way out of the lower receiver somehow and one of our military vets and I had the pleasure of helping to fixing it...nice piece right there... my my core look like a Chinese knock off.

It has shot anything and everything I've put through it, low brass or high brass. Walmart-type light 1100 FPS target loads is what I shoot through it the most. The M2 is inertia-operated for cycling, so I was concerned about the light loads, the way the thing is held, and the weight of attachments on it. However, it cycles fast and reliably with the light loads even with a shell carrier attached and an 11 oz Eotech on the rail. In the occasional stages I've had to shoot from odd positions including left handed, I've had no problems and my son shoots it left handed and it cycles fine for him.

R.i.p.
 

Vortex StrikeFire Red/Green-Dot Scope - $119.99 + Free Shipping | Slickguns

Boom. Been waiting for this deal to come back. My friend has one, and it's great!

Find a range that will let you rent pistols, then try several. Make your decision based on how the gun fits your hand, then decide on caliber after shooting it. Most new shooters do better with a 9 than with a .40 or .45. Don't go with an oddball caliber like .45 GAP, it's too hard to find ammo for it. The XDs are nice, I'm not sure but if they have the option to switch calibers by changing barrels, that might be the way to go. I have a SIG P226 in 40 that I switched to .357 SIG by changing barrels. Another thing to keep in mind is what are you going to use the gun for. For CCW use, I'd go with a 9 because recoil is easier to manage and that will equate to more rounds on target. I still carry a .45, but I'm seriously considering switching my carry gun to a 9 after doing some training with Rob Pincus (I hope I spelled that right). Recoil management seems to be the key, I can get 8 rounds of 9 on target faster than I can 8 rounds of .45, and I've sent more than a few thousand rounds downrange. Just my :twocents:

:iagree:Couldn't have said that better!