Which Glock to get?

[drpepper14]

Ok i'll admit right up front i'm new to guns. period.

I've done some research and have plenty of friends and some that are well qualified to give advice, and i've been told a Glock or Sig is the handgun to buy...but this is just advice from friends.

I want to buy a handgun for home defense and I will be getting my license to carry/conceal.

I will be going to the range in the next week or so and renting a few different guns, but i'm mainly looking at a .40 or 9mm for the ability to have a combination of stopping power/mag capacity.



I have been looking at the G23 because it is affordable, .40, and can carry up to 17 rounds which should be enough, hopefully.
Any thoughts/ideas/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Keep in mind:
1. Reliability
2. Affordability
3. Size
4. Stopping power
5. Magazine Size
6. Customization

[VTECking]

Ok i'll admit right up front i'm new to guns. period.

I've done some research and have plenty of friends and some that are well qualified to give advice, and i've been told a Glock or Sig is the handgun to buy...but this is just advice from friends.

I want to buy a handgun for home defense and I will be getting my license to carry/conceal.

I will be going to the range in the next week or so and renting a few different guns, but i'm mainly looking at a .40 or 9mm for the ability to have a combination of stopping power/mag capacity.



I have been looking at the G23 because it is affordable, .40, and can carry up to 17 rounds which should be enough, hopefully.
Any thoughts/ideas/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Keep in mind:
1. Reliability
2. Affordability
3. Size
4. Stopping power
5. Magazine Size
6. Customization

Glock 17 9mm

[drpepper14]

any reasons why?

[VTECking]

Porb the best glock made "even though all glocks are good". These glock are know as "combat tupperware" because parts of them are a high quality extra durable plastic and like I said, the gun is very tough. Just think of it as the AK-47 of the pistol world.

[drpepper14]

I like the G17, but i'm looking at getting one of the compact models so it is easier to conceal when I do carry it.

If I went with a 9mm, i'd probably get the 19 since it's the compact version of the 17.
Any objections to getting a compact over a standard glock?

[DieselNuts]

since you are new to guns and plan on getting a carry license, I HIGHLY recommend that you take some sort of gun safety course so you can keep yourself safe as well as others.

As far as stopping power, I would get a .40 over a 9mm any day of the week. I mean, sure, a double tap to the head w/a 9mm will do the trick, but since you are new to guns, that isn't a very likely scenario. I prefer a .45 cal, but that's just me.

also, I've never bought into the Glock hype. I mean, sure, they are great guns, but there are other brands out there that are just as reliable such as HK, Springfield & Smith & Wesson. I read an artical on the Springfield XD where it went through the Glock torture test after it already had 15k rounds through it and had 0 malfunctions after the test. That being said, you might want to consider a gun that has more than a "trigger safty" for your first gun.

[drpepper14]

Yeah the trigger safety is of some concern to me, but I fully intend on taking a safety course and any courses I can find on shooting/troubleshooting/maintaining my gun.

I like the trigger safety however because in the chance that I am defending my home and my wife, I don't want to get nervous and make the mistake of trying to fire my weapon with the safety on.

[drpepper14]

I will also be firing a .45 glock if I can get my hands on one, because a .45 is not out of the question.

[Danny]

good luck finding .45 ammo to run through the rental

I think you will be happy with any glock you choose, unless you choose the G36 (its kind of the red headed step child of glock, somthing isnt right with that ugly kiddo).

Choose the size you want, which sounds like you have done. Then compare the glock models to the springer XD models and decide from there which you think is mathmatically better for your application. Make sure to at least hold a springfield and a glock, thier grip angles are very different and alot of people are very partial to one or the other due to this.

caliber. Age old argument. My only recomendation is to buy the caliber you can shoot well, and afford to shoot often.

I would steer clear from smith and wessons M&P line, and Taurus. Your on the right track with glock. Its one ugly ass gun, but it runs most of the time.

Or you could be a real man and buy a 1911.

[VTECking]

I mean what I would really recommend is a 1911. I would take a 1911 over a glock any day. You probably want to get a Springfield, or a Colt. But if you want a cheap 1911 and fires and shoots just as good as any other, get the Rock Island 1911.

[Danny]

ewww rock island... yuckkkkkkk lol

Hey e36. why does your tagline say future f-15 ace?

[Danny]

drpepper. Want the best advice on the planet?

[drpepper14]

well i'm just looking for an affordable gun at the moment...as I gain experience and shoot more often I plan on picking up a nicer/high end gun. I'll compare the XD and glock for sure because that is not the first time I have heard that people love one or the other.

Are there any good and informative gun forums? I plan on buying my gun new, but if I can find a nice used one I will also look into that.

[drpepper14]

which springfield armory is that? 1911 I assume by your previous posts?

[VTECking]

ewww rock island... yuckkkkkkk lol

Hey e36. why does your tagline say future f-15 ace?

Gonna fly the F-15 before it goes out of service. And when I go in service Im pretty sure that I will see some sort of combat with things heating up in the middle east "particularly Iran w/them trying to make nukes".

[VTECking]

which springfield armory is that? 1911 I assume by your previous posts?

Yup, Springfield 1911. Just get the cheapest one that they make, and dont get the OPERATOR because I'm sure you have no need for a rail and a threaded barrell if you want it as a carry weapon.

[Danny]

its a springer Mil-Spec. You can get a the model just below it for about 400 bucks used (that model is the GI). I see them quite often surprisingly.

gun forums?

www.1911forum.com

no i am not biased.

[Danny]

Oh and i should give a warning about 1911s. They are not glocks, and dont try to be. Alot of people LOVE them, some dont care and some dislike them. I would only recommend getting one if you find you LOVE it. They are a piece of art, and some times can be tricky to get running right once you buy it.

[Danny]

here is the GI model. The entry level 1911 made by springfield.

Its a WW2 reproduction (its exactly like the issued 1911 our troops carried in WW2)

[81911SC]

I honestly don't recommend a 1911 to someone new. I'm not a Glock guy either though. Try the XD's also. Same as Glock if that's what you like. Make sure it fits your hand, that's what's important. Stopping power is bullshit and a stupid argument. JHP's will do the trick in 9mm, so don't think they won't.
I have a Sig Sauer personally.

[drpepper14]

Yeah i'm going to stick to trying out the Glock and XD, but if I find a Sig Sauer to rent I will try it also. If not, I have a friend that has a few different Sigs that I can try

[81911SC]

You will like them man, I love my P250.

[BanginJimmy]

I love my Glock 23. It fits my hand perfectly, it fires great and is very smooth.

[drpepper14]

has anyone ever checked out Ed's Pawn in Stockbridge? Apparently it's pretty popular for Glocks, especially LE trade ins.

[Danny]

"LE trade ins" - isnt that code for "used often, never cleaned" ?

[drpepper14]

Probably, but over on GON forums some people seem to love the place.

Are there any local places I can go to look @ new glocks?

[Truegiant]

drpepper. Want the best advice on the planet?

wow.. I dont even have balls that big. Def. not the best entry level 1911 in my eyes.. with that being said ..

Get what suits you best and then run ammo through the gun that suits it best.

Anywho..

E36-ace.. have you actually spoken with anyone about how hard it is to fly fighters in the military? And please dont say "well the recruiter said i could"

no thread jacking intended.

[Truegiant]

"LE trade ins" - isnt that code for "used often, never cleaned" ?

yeah but come on.. most le trade ins locally never see more than 1000 rounds in there life. I know the yearly qualifications are like 100 rounds at most of the smaller depts. And then the only reason they do trade ins most of the time is when they get a new sherriff - approx every four years, haha

[drpepper14]

I'll probably check that place out when I get a chance, but I would rather find a good place locally that I can pickup a Glock and/or a Springer XD that is brand new

[Danny]

Gonna fly the F-15 before it goes out of service. And when I go in service Im pretty sure that I will see some sort of combat with things heating up in the middle east "particularly Iran w/them trying to make nukes".

Carful buddy. No one has the right to claim future service. Your going to step on ALOT of toes with that attitude.

But good luck man, getting a pilots seat is slim pickings!

[Danny]

wow.. I dont even have balls that big. Def. not the best entry level 1911 in my eyes.. with that being said ..

as i said, im biased

And its by far the best entry level 1911 for build up.


Anyways. Back on topic, TACTICAL TUBERWEAR ONLY!

[drpepper14]

After some more research i'll probably stick to the G23.

[drpepper14]

Actually found some .40 S&W at walmart tonight for 12.47 a box while there were 10 other people standing around asking if they had any 9mm, 45acp and .357.

It seems to be an ammo I can find easily so a .40 glock seems to be a good route. I think i'm going to head over to adventure outdoors tomorrow to take a look and see if they have some guns in stock.

Any other places local to look?

[Danny]

i was adventure outdoors today. i quickly peeked in the springer case. they have a decent selection of XDs and XDMs. They always have a crack ton of blocks in stock.

[drpepper14]

Good to know. Do they have a range and rentals there? I've never been and just heard it's a good place to look at guns.

If everything works out, and they do have a range...i'll probably walk out of there with a glock which I have a feeling will be my first of many firearms.

[BanginJimmy]

If AA doesnt have one, I know Hot Shots had a G23 and a G19 a couple weeks ago.

[Danny]

Like jimmy said what was called "hot shots" down the road from AA is a good place to, they have a range and a tiny pro shop (dont expect a big selection, but what they have is usally at a fair price). Hot shots is now called wild west traders, google maps them. They are literally 3 minutes down the road from AA. So hit both at the same time.

WWT (wild west traders) has a range and rental guns too.

[drpepper14]

yeah I just looked it up and I will stop by there for sure tomorrow. Question though.

Like I said in my orig. post: I'm completely new to guns, but obviously want to fire the one I want to buy before I buy it. Never been to a gun range, and haven't shot anything before...so any tips for going to a range for the first time? I'm sure they get new guys in there a lot, especially in these times of guns and ammo flying off the shelves. I'll probably stop by AO and look at their selection and prices, and then head to WWT to check out their stuff and fire it.

[Danny]

tips? Ask for help if your not sure about somthing. And look up the 4 basic rules of gun safety, and follow them.

good luck man, weekends are busy. i prefer weekday evenings. expect a wait to get on the range past noon on the weekends.

[drpepper14]

Yeah i've read the 4 rules repeatedly.

Always assume all guns are loaded unless you personally cleared it yourself, and if you turn your back...it is loaded again.

Don't point the muzzle at anything you are not willing to shoot

Keep your finger off of the trigger until you are on target and ready to shoot

Always be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

I believe those are the 4 rules you are speaking of??? Yeah i'm assuming the range will be busy tomorrow, but worst case scenario I get to take a look at the guns and get a feel for the ones i'm looking at. If they are busy i'll just go back later this week so I can get some more personal help because I obviously want all the help I can get.