A friend needs help

boykinlp

boykinlp

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A buddy called me last night and wants my help buying a new gun. The problem is....I am a revolver guy and he wants a pistol. He already has a Ruger P89 in 9mm. He says that he wants a different caliber and has a budget of $1000 which I think should be plenty. He is not planning on carrying it, but says he doesn't want something heavy.

Please experts, give me some direction and if there are some other questions that I need to ask him, let me know. Thanks.
 
You are going to get a ton of opinions!!
I carry an S&W Shield 9mm, This is my third carry pistol and find it the best shooting and most comfortable

He has a good budget, I would search google and you tube, he will find plenty of reviews on carry pistols which will help narrow down select and features.

example, I carry double action only pistols because I like to be able to draw and fire without having to remember to take the safety off or rack the slide. again IMHO!
 
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If he's not going to carry, weight shouldn't matter, but the heavier the gun the less noticeable recoil. If he decides to go w/ a lighter weight weapon the M&P's and Glocks are fine pistols. Make him aware of the differences between DA and DA/SA triggers and if possible rent different guns from a range or barrow a buddies. It's always best to try them before buying. He may find that what feels good in the hand may not shot well for him. Especially since he's likely going up in caliper.

Regards,
Bruce
 
What does he want it for? Target practice? Home defense?
 
Has he ever shot a revolver ?

He may enjoy a Model 19,66,686,586,27,28,29, etc.
 
Knowing what kind of trigger he wants will narrow the choices significantly.

Lots of good advice here. Lots of choices in 1911's these days. And don't forget Beretta. For $1K the pistol world is his oyster.
Brucenterry said:
If he's not going to carry, weight shouldn't matter, but the heavier the gun the less noticeable recoil. If he decides to go w/ a lighter weight weapon the M&P's and Glocks are fine pistols. Make him aware of the differences between DA and DA/SA triggers and if possible rent different guns from a range or barrow a buddies. It's always best to try them before buying. He may find that what feels good in the hand may not shot well for him. Especially since he's likely going up in caliper.

Regards,
Bruce
Click to expand...
 
mr-mom said:
Offer to take him to a range where they rent guns, and let him try several before making up his mind.
Dave
Click to expand...

Palmetto armory rents all kinds of handguns w/ a range right there...It's out on the service rd. on I-26 west...
JIM............. (from Gilbert)
 
There's a bumper crop of sub $1k 1911 out there lately. Ruger, Springfield and Rock Island to name just a few.

If a 1911 isn't his cup of tea then, full size M&P, Beretta or FNH in .40 or .45 would be tough to beat.

A grand should go a long way to scratchin' his itch!
 
Full size Glocks are SUPER. The 21 is a .45, The 22 is a .40 and the 17 is a 9mm. Accurate and ready to go right out of the box and rugged and dependable. And if he wants a gun that isn't good looking he's all set with a Glock.

All calibers mentioned are available in compact and sub compact as well. I'll never understand where all the hate comes from when it comes to Glocks. But I suspect that it is mostly from those with little or now experience with them. I do know that some do not like the Glock Grip angle but that's a personal thing and I've never had a problem with it. I have 4 of them with over 22,000 rounds between them in the last 10 years and not a single problem of any kind.

And he won't have to spend anywhere near his budget which will allow for extra magazines and ammo.

As always: Try before you buy...
 
I am surprised no one mentioned a .22 rimfire pistol. IMHO, everyone should have a rimfire. I have a High Standard Victor, a Kimber 1911, and a S&W M&P22.
 
I am a revolver person, but I have a lot of respect for Sig automatics. I really like the older carbon steel slide models. They have alloy frames so are lighter than all steel guns, but have a little more heft than a plastic gun. Glocks and S&W's M&P pistols are also nice.
 
Ransom said:
What does he want it for? Target practice? Home defense?
Click to expand...

Both actually. He does not have a carry permit though.

Maze 686 said:
Has he ever shot a revolver ?

He may enjoy a Model 19,66,686,586,27,28,29, etc.
Click to expand...

Revolvers are the way I would go. He wants something more "modern" with a higher capacity.

mr-mom said:
Offer to take him to a range where they rent guns, and let him try several before making up his mind.
Dave
Click to expand...

This will be my first suggestion. Hopefully, he will agree.

Walkin' Jack said:
Full size Glocks are SUPER. The 21 is a .45, The 22 is a .40 and the 17 is a 9mm. Accurate and ready to go right out of the box and rugged and dependable. And if he wants a gun that isn't good looking he's all set with a Glock.

All calibers mentioned are available in compact and sub compact as well. I'll never understand where all the hate comes from when it comes to Glocks. But I suspect that it is mostly from those with little or now experience with them. I do know that some do not like the Glock Grip angle but that's a personal thing and I've never had a problem with it. I have 4 of them with over 22,000 rounds between them in the last 10 years and not a single problem of any kind.

And he won't have to spend anywhere near his budget which will allow for extra magazines and ammo.

As always: Try before you buy...
Click to expand...

Yea, his budget won't be an issue. I have a Model 23 and like it, but don't shoot it very much. Thought I might steer him in this direction in case he may want to carry at some time. But still open to suggestions. I have had my 23 with standard sights for a few years. I thought by now most would come with night sights of some type, but it appears not.

I am really surprised that there have not been more suggestions for the S&W M&P. I know nothing about them, since I already had my Glock.
 
boykinlp said:
A buddy called me last night and wants my help buying a new gun. The problem is....I am a revolver guy and he wants a pistol. He already has a Ruger P89 in 9mm. He says that he wants a different caliber and has a budget of $1000 which I think should be plenty. He is not planning on carrying it, but says he doesn't want something heavy.

Please experts, give me some direction and if there are some other questions that I need to ask him, let me know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

OK, these are the criteria you've provided:
  • Must be a pistol.
  • Must be a caliber other than 9mm.
  • Budget is $1000.
  • For home defense and target practice, not for carry.
  • Not heavy.
The S&W gun that satisfies all these criteria is an M&P semiautomatic pistol. I'd suggest any full size M&P .22, .40, or .45. For $1000 he could get a very nice one and have money left over for ammo. Personally I would not suggest a Glock because I like Smith & Wesson guns, which is why I'm on this forum.
 
With a thousand bucks to spend, take him to your LGS and let him have some fun, he will find something he likes.
 
a friend has 2 s&w 45 1911s both flawless the scandium frame pd is pretty light but the anniversary model has a nice "heft" to it ,the way a quality gun should (imo). those are the only autos i could recommend from experience , i prefer revolvers.
 
boykinlp said:
A buddy called me last night and wants my help buying a new gun. The problem is....I am a revolver guy and he wants a pistol. He already has a Ruger P89 in 9mm. He says that he wants a different caliber and has a budget of $1000 which I think should be plenty. He is not planning on carrying it, but says he doesn't want something heavy.

Please experts, give me some direction and if there are some other questions that I need to ask him, let me know. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Friends don't let friends buy auto-loaders. So step up and be a friend:D
 
2ndAmendmentNut said:
I am a revolver person, but I have a lot of respect for Sig automatics. I really like the older carbon steel slide models. They have alloy frames so are lighter than all steel guns, but have a little more heft than a plastic gun. Glocks and S&W's M&P pistols are also nice.
Click to expand...

Plus 1. I'm also a revolver person but own 2 Sigs, a P6 and a P226. Because he wants something besides a 9mm the P220 in .45 is a classic as is the P226 which can be had in .40 S&W. I've handled the M&Ps and think they are the best handling poly pistols available. That said, not much beats a 1911 for handling. I personally think the Ruger SR1911 is one of the better 1911 choices out there right now.

Glocks leave me cold for some reason.
 
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