[Bigfoot99]

I am considering trying a bit harder to get the wife to let me get a gun. But I am no expert. I know I'd like a .45 semi-auto to start but don't know much else.

What's the difference between brands, i.e. Glock, American Tactical, S&W, etc...

Is ACP anything important to these kinds of guns.

Other info you guys might have would be welcomed.

[Big Poppa]

ACP is the style of bullet. A .45 ACP and a .45 GAP are different bullet types that will not work in the opposing weapon. If it were me, I'd do the ACP.

As far as different brands, get what you like and what feels good in your hand. Buy a good brand (Glock, Sig, Beretta, H&K, Kimber, S&W, Springfield to name but a few) and you should be fine. REALLY hard to go wrong with a 1911 style if you like the way it fits your hand.

I say go to a good range and rent a few different types to see what you like to shoot before you drop the coin.

[Bigfoot99]

I stopped in a place down in Avondale is why I asked. They have a couple of American Tactical for $425...I've hear of them before, but don't know anything about them.

[Big Poppa]

I've never heard of them, but that doesn't mean it's crap. that is sorta cheap though....

[theChad]

You can pick up a lightly used one, typically in new condition, from several folks here: arizonashooting.com (p.s. You'll have to sign up for a forum account to see the classifieds) I've done several buys / sells / trades on here. If you find what you like, you can typically get one with accessories for the same price as a brand new one. Or a discounted, used sale price with no accessories.
My first pistol was a Glock 23. .40 cal compact. It teaches you a lot of "trigger safety" since the trigger IS the only safety. I've graduated to 1911 frames, but still love shooting the Glock. I still have my 23 and have NEVER had an issue with it. No jamming, eject, or loading problems, and I've probably put well over 2000 rounds down the pipe. Sometimes, and it's a faux pas, I've not cleaned it between shootings and still don't have issues. Just keep from limp wristing it, like all semi-autos, and you'll be fine.
Enjoy the shopping!
Welcome to the club!

This post has been edited by theChad: 27 July 2010 - 05:30 PM

[old yeller]

My Sig Sauer 40 cal. is a sweet shooting gun. I like it better than the 45 cal. I had.

[Bigfoot99]

Well, they also had a Glock 21 (.45 ACP) with 2 clips and a case for $499 I think.

[Eddie44]

I love my Glock. Unfortunately the PD didn't convert to 40 cal until after I retired. I never shot better than with my Glock. As said above you just can't limp wrist it and you'll do fine.

I personally think you should consider a 40 cal over the 45 but that's just my preference. Consider what you're going to do with it too. Are you ever going to conceal it? It's easy to shoot a concealable gun for home safety but it's really tough to conceal one you buy specifically for home protection w/o consideration to concealing.

[Bigfoot99]

I may eventually get a CCW Eddie, but I'm not wanting to get this for any ability to coneal it...it's a WANT thing.

If I do want something to conceal and take where I go, I will get something smaller...later.

I can't imagine me "limp wristing anything" but I'm not 100% sure what you guys are referring to. I have shot a 9 mm DAO from Ruger some years ago and do know how to fire guns in general.

[theChad]

I may eventually get a CCW Eddie, but I'm not wanting to get this for any ability to coneal it...it's a WANT thing.

If I do want something to conceal and take where I go, I will get something smaller...later.

I can't imagine me "limp wristing anything" but I'm not 100% sure what you guys are referring to. I have shot a 9 mm DAO from Ruger some years ago and do know how to fire guns in general.

Limp wrists are just that... toooo much relaxing in the wrist after pulling the trigger causing the semi-auto cycling action to be affected and not cleanly ejecting the spent round, or "stove piping" the spent cartridge, forcing you to clear it before being able to fire the next round. This is typical of folks also saying, "it jumped out of my hand"... yeah, because you didn't have a good grip on it, were expecting it to jump/scare you, thus the slide didn't have enough opposing momentum to actuate fully, causing the weapon to jam.

I got the 23 for the same reasons you're looking to purchase. I wanted a nice defense weapon for the house initially, and it was still fairly compact enough that you can carry it concealed later. I didn't have a CCW at the time either, but it's what I initially qualified with and still own today. They're very reliable weapons, and at .40 cal with (then) a 10 round magazine (it came with 2 mags, a load-assist tool, and cable lock) it'll stop just about anyone given the amount of lead you can sling.

[theChad]

...and BTW, if you want to hit the range and borrow my 23 in .40, let me know. I'll even provide a couple mags of ammo. Maybe you can find someone else on here with a .45 version for comparison. It's the least I can do for letting me borrow your roof. Just don't go after those pesky tweens at school.

This post has been edited by theChad: 27 July 2010 - 07:16 PM

[Bigfoot99]

I may take you up on that offer.

[Buccaneer]

I have a nice model 28 SW 6” .357 that I bought new in 76 and still looks like new. I’ve shot it a lot over the years and really like it as a revolver, it’s the same large frame as the model 29 .44…an N frame Dirty Harry revolver. I also have a 1936 9mm Luger WWII vintage all matching #s that shots nice for what it is I also like the 1911 .45 Taurus with rail, it shoots nice and fits my big ass mit just fine. A .40 is a nice caliber as well and the rest is personal preference. I’m more of a rifle/shotgun guy though and have plenty.

Like mentioned, go to a range and try different brands and calibers and see what you like best and go from there to get the best price. There's a ton of brands out there and which ones are best is rather opinionated. Some will say Taurus sucks and there 9mm auto and the Baretta 9mm look the same. However, the Taurus is lifetime warranty, Baretta isn't and you'll pay more for a Baretta as well. If my life depended on my weapon to work every time without fail, then I’d probably go with a Glock and a .40cal, they are dependable. Everyone here will have a different opinion on this subject depending on what they use their weapon for, and none will probably be totally wrong. You might want to plan on spending around $500-$600 on a new piece, maybe more depending on a few things.

[Kens06]

OK, .45's are old school. Big punch IF you hit what you are shooting at...
Two hits with a 9mm are better than a .45 miss!
My 9mm has 15 shots, your 45 .....8??

I own 9mm, 357Sig, .40 S&W, .357 Mag and .41 Mag handguns.....
Concealed Carry is small and useful, not big and awkward...
I would really take the time to go to someplace like Scottsdale Gun club and
rent/shoot what you are looking to buy.
Do a dozen shots at 15-25 feet then move out to longer distances!

You are buying a weapon, not a toy...

My .02 Bro!!
Ken

[Drewstein]

As some have mentioned you should shoot them before you buy them. After having a .40 Glock and now having a .45 Taurus I won't ever go back to the Glock. The Glock was very thick which didn't sit well in the small of my back, but more bothersome was that Glocks are double action only. This causes what I like to call "Glock finger" because it's a full pull every time affecting accuracy. My .45 is much more accurate because of the single action trigger pull.

I also like having the bigger round as someone hopped up on drugs may not notice the impact of a 9mm, but a .45 can take them down better. The 9mm has also been proven a weak round vs other items like vehicle windshields etc. There's a reason the police are issued .40 cal guns now.

The point is if you don't have a gun that fits your hand well then it's not as affective. If operating the safety is too difficult for example then that could be a very big problem. That's one reason I don't like the XD.

[Marco]

I think guns, like colors, are personal. Get what you like and gives you a woody. That's what I do.

Just don't buy cheap ones. While you may never use it, there may be a time when you will and you don't want a jamb or a miss fire.

This post has been edited by Marco: 27 July 2010 - 09:16 PM

[Marco]

I may take you up on that offer.

go with me and shoot real guns

[Bigfoot99]

I may take you up on that offer.

go with me and shoot real guns

When?

[fourseventeen]

I personally do not care for the .40. I have owned a couple and have a few complaints about that round. My .02 cents a .45 is the only pistol I will carry. I own a few Glocks...they are lightweight, dependable and easily concealable...anyone notice I had a full size Glock 21 on me the other night at Rock Bottom? ;) And another compact Glock 30 in my center console LOL.

Anyway Sean if you wanna get out a shoot a .45 before buying let me know. And if you need help looking at guns give me a jingle..im just down the street as you know. I have a lot of guns and know a fair amount about them. I have a place about 10 mins from my house where I go and shoot so if you wanna go out and pop off a few rounds let me know. You buy/bring the ammo you shoot...shits not cheap! LOL.

If you want to buy used....azshooting.com and AZ backpage are good places to look. Personally I like AZ Backpage for gun deals if I am to buy used. If your gonna buy used find out the serial # and let myself or one of the other LEO's here know so it cant get ran to make sure its clean before you take it home.

[Buccaneer]

I think guns, like colors, are personal. Get what you like and gives you a woody. That's what I do.

Just don't buy cheap ones. While you may never use it, there may be a time when you will and you don't want a jamb or a miss fire.

Remind me not to go shooting with you. I don't want anything to get in your way or have any accidents while your handling your weapon.

This post has been edited by Buccaneer: 28 July 2010 - 06:11 AM

[Eddie44]

I think guns, like colors, are personal. Get what you like and gives you a woody. That's what I do.

Just don't buy cheap ones. While you may never use it, there may be a time when you will and you don't want a jamb or a miss fire.

Remind me not to go shooting with you. I don't want anything to get in your way or have any accidents while your handling your weapon.

This is my rifle, this is my gun

[Bigfoot99]

I personally do not care for the .40. I have owned a couple and have a few complaints about that round. My .02 cents a .45 is the only pistol I will carry. I own a few Glocks...they are lightweight, dependable and easily concealable...anyone notice I had a full size Glock 21 on me the other night at Rock Bottom? ;) And another compact Glock 30 in my center console LOL.

Anyway Sean if you wanna get out a shoot a .45 before buying let me know. And if you need help looking at guns give me a jingle..im just down the street as you know. I have a lot of guns and know a fair amount about them. I have a place about 10 mins from my house where I go and shoot so if you wanna go out and pop off a few rounds let me know. You buy/bring the ammo you shoot...shits not cheap! LOL.

If you want to buy used....azshooting.com and AZ backpage are good places to look. Personally I like AZ Backpage for gun deals if I am to buy used. If your gonna buy used find out the serial # and let myself or one of the other LEO's here know so it cant get ran to make sure its clean before you take it home.

Give me a buzz when you get back in town. Maybe you, me and theChad can go out together.

[Buccaneer]

I think guns, like colors, are personal. Get what you like and gives you a woody. That's what I do.

Just don't buy cheap ones. While you may never use it, there may be a time when you will and you don't want a jamb or a miss fire.

Remind me not to go shooting with you. I don't want anything to get in your way or have any accidents while your handling your weapon.

This is my rifle, this is my gun

[ChadC]

........ but more bothersome was that Glocks are double action only. This causes what I like to call "Glock finger" because it's a full pull every time affecting accuracy. .....

you are mistaken Drew.
Every Glock I have used (gen1 to 4) the first shot is a Full trigger pull, and every shot after is a short trigger pull.

The key is you have to slowely release the trigger until you hear a 'click' (it will be about 1/4 the distance of a Full trigger pull) and then you can fire another round.

That is a feature I look for in every pistol I buy, and that is how I have I have adapated my shooting style.

[theChad]

I think guns, like colors, are personal. Get what you like and gives you a woody. That's what I do.

Just don't buy cheap ones. While you may never use it, there may be a time when you will and you don't want a jamb or a miss fire.

Remind me not to go shooting with you. I don't want anything to get in your way or have any accidents while your handling your weapon.

Yeah, that brings a whole new meaning to, "Accidental Discharge".