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Brother buying his first pistol

irish52084

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
285
Location
Puyallup< WA
So, my older brother is getting a divorce and wants to buy a pistol for concealed carry. I'm trying to get him to join me in open carrying, but that may take some convincing. He's about 6'5 tall and he's of medium build or about 200-215 lbs with large hands. He's never shot a handgun before, but has some rifle experience. I was hoping to get a list of semi auto pistols going to give him lots of options to try out before he buys. I let him handle my glock 32 and the trigger guard rubs his knuckles in a bad way, my CZ SP-01 he likes, but is too big for carry. He wants a common caliber so 9mm, 40sw, 357 sig and 45acp is the order of the day. I don't think he wants to spend more than $800-900, so keep that in mind please.

Here's my list so far:
1. Glock 19, 23, 32
2. Springfield XD 4"
3. Sig 229
4. S&W M&P
5. Sig pro
6. 1911 clone
7. CZ 75 or p-01
 

Dreamer

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
5,360
Location
Grennsboro NC
If you can find a Sig 229 for $8-900, I'd say go with that...:banana:

Good luck with that though... :rolleyes:

All the other guns you listed are good choices. It's gonna depend a LOT on how he carries, what his training is, and how they fit his hand.

Have him go to a range that rents guns, and try a few out. The only way to figure out which one you like is to try them on the range...
 

Grapeshot

Legendary Warrior
Joined
May 21, 2006
Messages
35,317
Location
Valhalla
Take him to the range and let him shoot as many different style handguns as he chooses to try........after a thorough handgun safety briefing. This needs to be his choice not your recommendation IMO.

Where is the connection between getting a divorce and wanting a handgun - not related I trust - it doesn't seem to be. :uhoh:
 

irish52084

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2010
Messages
285
Location
Puyallup< WA
He's been talking about buying and carrying a pistol for almost 2 years, but his soon to be ex-wife wasn't too fond of the idea. He will definitely be spending some serious range time with every pistol I can get into his hands. I'm just trying to get a list together so I can make sure I do my best to help him find something he really likes. I'm not great at recommending pistols to people, because they all seem to shoot really close to the same for me regardless of their make or caliber.
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
Before the trip to the range, take him to the gun store with the largest selection of pistols and let him paw them all.

Let him get a basic idea of what "feels good" in his hand and what does not. Let him try to manipulate them - sometimes folks just get all flummoxed over one action type for no known reason.

And especially let him see/touch the issue of certain striker-fired pistols needing to have the trigger pulled before the slide comes off. Not saying anything against them, but some folks when actually doing that decide that another method might be more to their liking.

When he has a list of what he liked WRT fit in his hand, start towards renting at the range.

stay safe.
 

SFCRetired

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 29, 2008
Messages
1,764
Location
Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Might want to hold off on him getting the gun until after the divorce. Before the divorce it will be property subject to division. "Fair" division in my divorce of the firearms was 13 pistols/rifles to her and 1 Taurus PT-145 to me :cuss:. I had a lousy lawyer.

Sad the way courts do in divorce cases.

On the bright side, that is even better than the "tragic boating accident" so many claim. It has the added advantage of sending the powers-that-be to your ex's house. Sweet, sweet revenge!!:banana:

Yeah, I've been though that process, too. She got the gold mine and I got the shaft.

Back on topic: For a big man, I'll still swear by the Ruger although I do love the Springfield Armory .45 I've got now.

Best advice I've seen is what skidmark and grapeshot posted. If you're not comfortable with a particular pistol, you aren't likely to carry it either CC or OC.
 

45acpForMe

Newbie
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
2,805
Location
Yorktown, Virginia, USA
Since he is a big guy with big hands I recommend either a 40s&w or 45acp.

If he can rent some guns and choose which caliber he feels comfortable with that would be the best bet. Once he has honed in the caliber he can start eliminating guns based on other criteria.

The Sig229 is a good choice but is not available in 45acp. The trade-off between the two is with 40s&w you get larger capacity but have a more-felt-recoil than a 45acp.

Since I long ago decided to go with 45acp I started with Sig P220's and kept searching for the perfect high capacity 45. There are a couple good ones out there but for CC they may not be a good fit.

Talk to him about how he wants to CC too. IWB can be uncomfortable and gun width matters. I carry a Taurus in a pocket holster and if he wants to try that it puts strong size restrictions on the choices. Any large gun can be CC-ed on the hip if you wear a jacket or long shirt.
 

HvyMtl

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2010
Messages
271
Location
Tennessee
Skidmark is spot on.

I suggest, as Skid proposed, go let him get a feel for the firearms.

Suggest he looks at how easy it is to aim, how it feels in hand, how well it would draw out of whatever type of CC he intends.

Then choose caliber. How? By shooting all calibers he wants to try. My suggestions are the 38sp, 9mm, 40sw, 45, 357, 10mm. Nothing smaller, as you want to stop the threat. Some like the quick snap of the 9, some the hard snap of the 40sw, some the heavy push of the 45, etc. Remind him to look at the best balance. Round power vs quickness of reacquiring the target and shooting the second shot... A near miss with a 357 is far less than a hit with a 9.

Since this is his first firearm, revolvers are a good suggestion, as they are easier to maintain and pretty straight forward.

Then go back and look at the firearms again. Feel, ease of use, ease of aim, ease of draw, reliability and quality are the aspects to look at. Price, of course, impacts.

Remember, if he is unhappy with the purchase, he will not carry it, or not practice enough to protect himself.

Have FUN! This is one of the best things of new gun ownership. Picking out your first gun!
 
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The Wolfhound

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2009
Messages
728
Location
Henrico, Virginia, USA
H&k usp

His budget could support an H&K USP or USP Compact. I personally recommend the .45ACP. They are not really guns for people with small hands but that does not sound like his situation. With a bit of shopping they can be had under $900 and a real shopping wiz can get it closer to $800. Seconding those who spoke first, get him to try the fit on dozens of handguns. Get one that is a good fit and that he wants to shoot. .45ACP is pleasant to shoot and the USP reduces the felt recoil. You never hear anyone really questioning the stopping capacity of the .45ACP:=)
 

45acpForMe

Newbie
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
2,805
Location
Yorktown, Virginia, USA
His budget could support an H&K USP or USP Compact. I personally recommend the .45ACP. They are not really guns for people with small hands but that does not sound like his situation. With a bit of shopping they can be had under $900 and a real shopping wiz can get it closer to $800. Seconding those who spoke first, get him to try the fit on dozens of handguns. Get one that is a good fit and that he wants to shoot. .45ACP is pleasant to shoot and the USP reduces the felt recoil. You never hear anyone really questioning the stopping capacity of the .45ACP:=)

While I love my Sig P220's, my H&K USP is my daily carry gun. It is dead on accurate (just like the Sig) but holds 12+1 whereas the Sig is 8+1. I strongly agree that a USP is an excellent choice. On gunbroker.com you can find them cheaper than $800 and occassionaly much cheaper. I got mine for a song and would consider getting another. I just wish they had more factory installed night sights available.

The USP is a full size gun and the Compact is ok. Flush at 8 rounds with an extension (not really desireable) to 10 rounds. I would rather have the full size at 12+1.
HK-porn.jpg
Here is a fullsize for $739: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=203642321
 
Last edited:

REALteach4u

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2010
Messages
428
Location
Spfld, Mo.
So, my older brother is getting a divorce and wants to buy a pistol for concealed carry. I'm trying to get him to join me in open carrying, but that may take some convincing. He's about 6'5 tall and he's of medium build or about 200-215 lbs with large hands. He's never shot a handgun before, but has some rifle experience. I was hoping to get a list of semi auto pistols going to give him lots of options to try out before he buys. I let him handle my glock 32 and the trigger guard rubs his knuckles in a bad way, my CZ SP-01 he likes, but is too big for carry. He wants a common caliber so 9mm, 40sw, 357 sig and 45acp is the order of the day. I don't think he wants to spend more than $800-900, so keep that in mind please.

Here's my list so far:
1. Glock 19, 23, 32
2. Springfield XD 4"
3. Sig 229
4. S&W M&P
5. Sig pro
6. 1911 clone
7. CZ 75 or p-01

If he likes the CZ, look at the P-01 or if he can handle polymer look at the P-07 Duty. I've had a couple of the P-07's and love how they shoot. You'll find a lot of conflicting and confusing information on the P-07 so feel free to PM me if you need info on the P-07 to clarify some of the stuff that's out there. I put 1000 rounds problem free through my first one before I traded it for the SP-01 Tactical and the other for the SP-01 Phantom.
 

BaconMan

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2010
Messages
61
Location
Los Angeles
A lot to consider

I am new to the open carry world, however, I do support one's right to arm themself. With that being said, your brother will have to consider size because if a buyer gets a large .45, 9mm, .44 or 357 caliber weapon, trust me, he will feel it on his side and over time, he will be looking for a more compact weapon. He has to first find one that he likes to shoot and can disassemble and reassemble with no problems, nothing worse than having a weapon and in the process of cleaning it a part is not replaced in the correct spot or is left out on the table and he believes he is holding a fully assembled weapon.

He should consider where he may have to fire the weapon and what type of rounds will travel pass their intented target, recoil, if the weapon has an external or trigger safety, what type of holster and how he will carry it on his waist. What type of clothing he will have to wear when he carrys and is he ready for the sense of responsibility that goes with carrying a weapon in the open.

I know revolvers are not sexy, but they never jam, they are easy to clean and they are easy to reload and they pack a good punch....they come in small, medium and large as well.

"It's not the number of rounds, it's can you make the rounds you have count."
 
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