Whats the best handgun

Chipboard

Just thought I'd throw it out for discussion, seeing as I'm hoping to purchase over the next couple of months - what do you reckon is the best handgun. I'm sure its a case of horses for courses. Obviously a competition shooter wouldn't necessarily choose the same gun as a police officer. I'm seriously considering a Beretta 92FS partly because I shot it in the US and it felt good and partly because it looks bloody excellent (see www.world.guns.ru). Was surfing various sites looking for comments and found some instances of the slide coming off and injuring the user but then found instances of the Glock 21 exploding in two cops hands from the same city in the US (as well as some other instances) resulting in the replacement of around 250 Glocks (every police gun in the city). Mind you I got the impression that in most or all explosions the shooter was using (probably incorrectly) reloaded ammo. Also, I think that police dept replaced them with another Glock model so it wasn't a vote of no confidence in all Glocks.

What do ye think.....

Bass.exe

I'm told that the Sig-Sauer P228 and 229 are favourites of the FBI.
Can't really go wrong with a German weapon... especially when the Swiss helped with it.

Sparks

Can't really say what the "best" one is without some idea of what you want to use it for, especially since a firearm's more a tool to do a job than anything else.

I can say though, that I'm seriously thinking about how to set aside the cash for something like an IZH-35M...

GreenGun

As you say “Horses for courses” and this is very true for pistols.
Sparkes suggestion is for an ISSF pistol while Bass.exe is looking at a PPC type gun.
Unless you know what you want it for it’s very hard to advise. (I shoot both).

For ISSF I’d suggest Hammerli SP20 or Walter GSP (because you can change the top slide between .22 and .32).
But you can’t use the .32 for PPC.
If you don’t want to shoot both centerfire and rimfire or prefer a second gun for each I would also consider Pardini. :cool:

Don’t like Glocks. Not because I have any problem with there reliability they are extremely reliable. Just don’t like the trigger! But they are popular for PPC because of the trigger safty.

The Beretta 92 is a looker and has the prestige name but I would not buy a gun on that basis. (Who am I kidding!!!)

SigSauer was my first choice. That decision was based on reliability and trigger. And I am very happy with it on that basis.
That said I would quite like the new Xfive but at around 2500 euro I’ll hold off just yet.
If your in that market you may like to try a STI or a Les Baer custom!
For PPC I would go with 9mm.

Don’t worry you won’t have to wait long for advise, in a few weeks there will be plenty of “experts” able to advise you.

GreenGun.

les45

Chip, we have a 92 in the club, bought brand new 2 years ago, it has not proved to be popular so much so we have sold it, a CZ 75, OR 85, or a High Power are a very good "starter " , gun accurate and reliable, Steve can organise demos of most models, at the moment I am shooting a Beretta 87 .22 ,great gun, great fun! and a 1911 again very accurate and great fun, good luck with the purchase.

Gun Shy

Opinions welcomed on the following package

Sig Sauer P226 Xpress 9mm Champions Package (German price) of 1650 euro

http://www.triebel.de/suche2.php3?bes=sofort+lieferbar&artikelnr=249493&begriff=wgr&value=KP9

Sig Sauer P226 xpress gun only price 1490 euro (german Price)

http://www.triebel.de/suche2.php3?bes=sofort+lieferbar&artikelnr=238014&begriff=wgr&value=KP9

Dont know if the links will work but if you start from the homepage they offer an english translation.

Horeb

I am looking at a CZ75 as they are similar to a Browning Hi Power.

But I shall hold off to see exactly what the score will be regarding the actual law and if it will be stablised or made illegal again.

But the CZ75 with the 19 Round magazine is a good all round robust pistol and I have use both it and a BAP and enjoyed using them both.

Musashi

I'd like to get a Korth revolver with both cylinders just to be L33T, so there

"Best" as in exotic a Dan Wesson Super Magnum or a .454 Casull single Action will fit the bill if u get elephant or Predators to kill.

For Cowboy Action Shootin I'd like a S&W Schofield revolver or a Ruger BlackHawk type weapon in .45 long Colt.

"Handgun" implies handheld, I'd sure like me an FN Minimi (aka SAW) with a Carbon Fibre wrapped match barrel by Shilen if your buying!

Renegade_Archer

Im an ISSF shooter, but if I had to buy a "conventional" pistol, I think it would have to be the Desert Eagle, practicality be damned:
http://www.magnumresearch.com/Expand.asp?ProductCode=DE50TG-TS



Regards


Ewan

Sparks

Ewan, if you're getting one of those, get a helmet as well
(There's been a case already this year of some poor kid in Canada who was killed when firing a heavy calibre pistol because the recoil was so bad he was struck in the head with the gun).

Zakalwe

They ( Desert Eagles in .50AE) are supposed to be hell to clean and keep operating reliably because of the design on the gas tubes. They're also unwieldy, prone to jamming and require expensive ammunition.

If we're talking large non-competition pistols, I'd love to try out a 1911. They're supposed to be reliable, practical and accurate.

les45

Zak , the desert eagles are big brutes, I have shot both the .357Mag and also the .44Mag, the .357 was not bad but the .44 was hard work!! after 7 rnds I had enough. The .45 1911 is by comparison a doddle, you can shoot it strong hand, weak hand, any of the better quality guns will easily shoot in to 50mm at 25 Mts, and ammo is well priced at around £8.oo a box.

Renegade_Archer

Sparks wrote:

Ewan, if you're getting one of those, get a helmet as well
(There's been a case already this year of some poor kid in Canada who was killed when firing a heavy calibre pistol because the recoil was so bad he was struck in the head with the gun).

Jeebus, never knew that - after a summer of shooting pellet pistols even the kick from a .22 competition pistol was quite noticeable, a Desert Eagle would probably knock me on my ass

Irishglockfan

Zakalwe wrote:

They ( Desert Eagles in .50AE) are supposed to be hell to clean and keep operating reliably because of the design on the gas tubes. They're also unwieldy, prone to jamming and require expensive ammunition.

You can get a 1911 design in 50AE.One is new design and custom prices the other is the LAR Grizzley,now not made anymore and in the 1.5 to 5K region



If we're talking large non-competition pistols, I'd love to try out a 1911. They're supposed to be reliable, practical and accurate.

Exellent gun, you can get them in any shape from Gi issue from china at about $300 to race gun at $8k

how about a pistolised AR15 or AK?a REAL BLAST to shoot,with more power going down range than a 44mag without its kick.
Still like the S&W model 29 44mag

murph226

Just snooping around and came across this thread:cool:

Fired a H&K USP 9MM last week, thought it had a horrible trigger, didn't get on at all with the grip and the safety/decocking lever was a pain in the ass.
Couldn't reach the mag release with my thumb either, had to use my forefinger and I have fairly big hands.

Fired a Glock 34 a while back, didn't like the trigger or the longer barrel.

Must say I'm glad I went with the Sig, fits me perfectly and the trigger is OK.
May get some work done on it in the future if I'm allowed to hold onto it:rolleyes:

chem

les45 wrote: »

Zak , the desert eagles are big brutes, I have shot both the .357Mag and also the .44Mag, the .357 was not bad but the .44 was hard work!! after 7 rnds I had enough. The .45 1911 is by comparison a doddle, you can shoot it strong hand, weak hand, any of the better quality guns will easily shoot in to 50mm at 25 Mts, and ammo is well priced at around £8.oo a box.

Had the same feeling les. It hurt to shoot. But was alot of fun had a big grin on me after it unlike dirty harry :pac:

ejg

I was invited to a "hausmesse" (exhibition) of Peters Stahl yesterday in northern Germany and flew over to have a look at things.
Peters Stahl build one of the finest 1911 pistols and the same company also do tactical rifles SWS2000.
I was very impressed with the targets shown shot with these 1911's, some seemed under an inch at 25m with 9mm or 45 cal.
http://www.peters-stahl.com/
I had a close look throughout their workshop, if you want something special, you could be right here. Good lads.

edi

Grizzly 45

Lucky you to get to see some "made in Germany" 45's.
However the way things is going.The "best pistol" here in Ireland will be the one you now own,if you do have one.:(

So asCol. Jeff Cooper said."if thats all you got.Use it and use it alot."

G17

No surprises here.


The best pistol, ever, no question, when you take everything into account, is a Glock 17.

Price, durability, ease of use, ease of upkeep, accuracy-(anyone got any questions on that, I'd be happy to give a demo, if I had a fiver for every time I heard, "those Glocks aren't very accurate", I'd have bought 4 more by now), more available accessories than Barbie, huge number of forums/books/DVDs available, it eats any factory ammo, the trigger is consistent (anyone who complains about the trigger, really needs to learn to shoot, I have no problems with 1911s, 75s, Sigs, Glocks), did I mention price, there's no better feeling than whooping a smarmy SVI owner and arriving to the competition with a gun, ammo, accessories, lunch and car that all cost less cumulatively than his firearm alone............

All this before I even think about reasons to have one in a country where you can have a firearm for anything other than target practice.

I really could go on but I won't, mods can you close this thread, there's nothing more to be said on this matter.:D

Sparks

G17 wrote: »

The best pistol, ever, no question, when you take everything into account, is a Glock 17.

No, no, no.

Glock 46M. Far better.

chem

Just thinking. Sparks that pistol is in .177. The only mention in the new law is .22 pistols. So what will happen to .177 air pistols?

G17

Sparks wrote: »

No, no, no.

Glock 46M. Far better.

I have an application for an IZH going in tomorrow (no,really), memo to self, don't mix them up!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

jonmiranda

if you are looking for a easy to handle and less recoil handgun beretta 92fs is your gun , for an added kick try a 40 cal pistol . but for some serious shooting 45cal is the best to shoot. with real stopping power.

murph226

Glock reliability?

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/problems.html

Sparks

chem wrote: »

Just thinking. Sparks that pistol is in .177. The only mention in the new law is .22 pistols. So what will happen to .177 air pistols?

The law doesn't mention .22 pistols, it mentions olympic pistols as specified in the Restricted List SI, which includes both .22 and .177 air pistols.

Sparks

jonmiranda wrote: »

for some serious shooting 45cal is the best to shoot. with real stopping power.

Really? I find my .177 air pistol is well able to stop a paper target. Even a wooden one (happily punching holes in 5-ply plywood at 25 yards). And I can even knock over the smaller biathlon-type steel targets with it. So what more stopping power could you need with a pistol in Ireland?

G17

murph226 wrote: »

Glock reliability?

http://www.thegunzone.com/glock/problems.html

Cough, tumble weed rolls by......:D

Cass

Originally posted by jonmiranda

but for some serious shooting 45cal is the best to shoot. with real stopping power.

What...the....hell.....! Stopping power for what.

Don't go for all this lark about "the best handgun". Its down to individual taste and preference. Don't like the feel of the Glock and the Beretta 92fs is a great fun for all gun but not for target work. I settled on the Sig 226 for feel, performance and looks. Will give you one thing though they are on the expensive side. The gun can easily out shoot me but in the hands of someone more experienced i saw what it was capable of. Impressive. Even the lad shooting it said it was a nicer shot than his Glock. Make up your own mind. Pick what gun suits you best.

kowloon

Isn't it all about personal preference? I want to get a replica 1858 Remington solid frame when BP rules are cleared up.
A precision .22 shooter would have no use for one and a practical shooter wouldn't look sideways at it.

chem

kowloon wrote: »

Isn't it all about personal preference? I want to get a replica 1858 Remington solid frame when BP rules are cleared up.
A precision .22 shooter would have no use for one and a practical shooter wouldn't look sideways at it.

BP pistol shooting in the north if your interested kowloon? I was at a range yesterday shooting some pistols and a guy came in with a colt navy percussion cap revolver. It was .44 cal and good fun to shoot. Used pyrodex, so the range was not covered in a fog;)

kowloon

chem wrote: »

BP pistol shooting in the north if your interested kowloon? I was at a range yesterday shooting some pistols and a guy came in with a colt navy percussion cap revolver. It was .44 cal and good fun to shoot. Used pyrodex, so the range was not covered in a fog;)

I am 100% up for that. Where up north do you shoot?

chem

I shoot at kells pistol and rifle club NI. Im from the south but hate our governments ideas on gun ownership.:mad:

steppen

murph226 wrote: »

Just snooping around and came across this thread:cool:

Fired a H&K USP 9MM last week, thought it had a horrible trigger, didn't get on at all with the grip and the safety/decocking lever was a pain in the ass.
Couldn't reach the mag release with my thumb either, had to use my forefinger and I have fairly big hands.

Fired a Glock 34 a while back, didn't like the trigger or the longer barrel.

Must say I'm glad I went with the Sig, fits me perfectly and the trigger is OK.
May get some work done on it in the future if I'm allowed to hold onto it:rolleyes:

Surpised to hear someone not liking the USP trigger, it was DA/SA or the LEM trigger?

for me it took me a while to find the most suitable gun for me, for competitions I went for HK USP Expert in 9mmx19, i tried tanfoglio and STI, while they shot great i never warmed to them,

for a carry weapon, i had the chance to have a HK P7 for a while, loved the mechanism i gotta say, also it gave a nice smooth draw and was very accurate.

not a big fan of SIG's I shot some of the older firearms from them and they were great but some of the recent ones i saw... just gave me the feeling that they have gone from making outstanding firearms (where the price was justifiable) to expensive firearms

murph226

It was the DA/SA.

I just didnt get on with it at all, I hated the grip and the safety catch.

I wouldnt be a big fan of polymer framed pistols anyway, but hey thats just me, every man to his to his own!

Even though the USP is a few ounces lighter than the Sig it really didnt feel noticeable.

I would like to fire a P30 though!

steppen

steppen wrote: »

Surpised to hear someone not liking the USP trigger, it was DA/SA or the LEM trigger?

for me it took me a while to find the most suitable gun for me, for competitions I went for HK USP Expert in 9mmx19, i tried tanfoglio and STI, while they shot great i never warmed to them,

for a carry weapon, i had the chance to have a HK P7 for a while, loved the mechanism i gotta say, also it gave a nice smooth draw and was very accurate.

not a big fan of SIG's I shot some of the older firearms from them and they were great but some of the recent ones i saw... just gave me the feeling that they have gone from making outstanding firearms (where the price was justifiable) to expensive firearms

As per a moderators request, I would like to clarify my above post with regards to my carrying a firearm on my person:

I do not live in Ireland.

Where I live concealed carry weapons licenses are part of legislature

It is an unfortunate necessity for me to carry a firearm on my person because of my occupation.

regards,

steppen

John_Dillinger

My apologies if this question has appeared elsewhere, but what's the story with handgun licensing in Ireland?

Sparks

That's a bit in flux J_D - take a read of the Criminal Justice (Misc.Provisions) Bill thread for the current state of play.

CJhaughey

Sparks wrote: »

That's a bit in flux

It has been fluxed up by a Minister looking to make a nama for himself.

Zambia

I carry A Glock 17 in work and in every case it does the job it puts nice little holes in paper targets when on the range and I have no doubt it will fire if I tell it to.

I hope I never have to.

Is it the best, I don't know. Personnally I think the question is more what you want it to do. I doubt many comp shooters would go far with a Glock 17...

I dont live in Ireland.

jonmiranda

07142009030.jpg

packas

I'm drooling over a Sphinx 3000 Production at the moment
Pricey at about 2500 Euro. I Got to "play" with one at the STI Open in Germany in 2008. Fantastically well built.

http://www.sphinx-systems.ch/en/3000com_prod.html

Grizzly 45

Looks like a souped up CZ.:).

packas

Grizzly 45 wrote: »

Looks like a souped up CZ.:).

Ya. It's based on the CZ 75. I've got an SP-01. For the money it's a great gun. 9mm all steel, very ergonomic. Real beauty to shoot. But the Sphinx being a semi custom gun is better & tighter finished. For me it's pure gun porn!! I must admit I like well engineering & machined steel. Considering you could probably buy 3 SP-01 shadow's for the same price as a sphinx though kind of puts a dampener on it. If I had 2500 to spare I'd get me a Les Baer Premier II 1911 45ACP. Not that's some gun!!!!

Grizzly 45

Have U tried the Frankonia CZ Shadow"mamba".For under a grand that is some gun out of the box.
Would like a Para Ordinace 45 hi cap steel frame in single action.But that is unlikely here now as Dermot Aherne taking up target pistol shooting.:(:mad:.So it looks hi tailing it to NI and keeping it up there in a club.Crazy situation...
It is ironic that we deride the "God save Ulster"attitude somtimes down here.But in reality we as shooters should be thankful,as it is still the only more or leass quickly reachable spot on the island where a modicoum of reasonable gunownership still exists.

jonmiranda

cz guns are very reliable even if it is out from the box. YOU CAN SUBMERGE IT IN WATER OR MUD AND IT CAN STILL SHOOT WITHOUT JAMMING . If only the slide is a little bit wider shooters wont have a hard time putting one in the chamber.