Coolest Guns you have fired?

DSully1995

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As a candian please allow me to ask: is this handgun to protect yourself? Leisure? A mixture of both?
 

Andy in Sactown

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Congrats. That's a fine piece.
Did you try an M&P? If I was inclined to carry in .40, that'd be my choice.

I did not. And while I was able to shoot a lot of guns in the .40 S&W (from SIG's to H&K's out of my price range) that was the only one missing from the range/shop's rental offerings. I've heard good things though, and my disappointment subsided as I fell in love with the Springfield.

As a candian please allow me to ask: is this handgun to protect yourself? Leisure? A mixture of both?

Both. In my home I will have Glaser Safety Slugs in a magazine for self-defense (they fracture easily and rely more on hydroscopic shock as opposed to raw penetration). This is so I don't have to worry about a discharged round penetrating through walls/doors/etc. and inflicting any unintended colladeral damage.

For sport, I will shoot a more economical, traditional round at the range and up at my family's property.

So while the answer is both, it's a weapon I bought to shoot for sport, with a mind that should I need it for defense, the choice of caliber would keep me and family safe; heaven forbid.
 
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Fbolt

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congrats on a fine purchase. IMO, the Springfield XD line is absolutely fantastic. I have an XDSC and I enjoy the lower profile of that gun which can also be brought back to fullsize with the extended mags.

Fun exercises such as this will help you become more familiar with the gun:

IPSC :: What is IPSC?
 

JadeBrecks

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Sorry to hear you live in Cali. Big congrats on the XD! I own both a M&P and a Glock. The Glock has a special grip that doesn't suit all people. To me the M&P fit like a glove and runs amazing but I have had the pleasure of shooting an XD and trust me it won't let you down. Enjoy!
 
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HereComeTheIrish

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Shoot straight, Brah... i'm not a gun guy, but I've thought about it in the past. Best of luck with the new piece...
 
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Bogtrotter07

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Sometimes this thread just cracks me the hell up!

Hey northern brother!

Canadian, if you are still reading, (I am both a stateser and a cancuk, actually I am a Genna). It is always for a plethera of potential reasons. Self-protection, sport, competition, prevent alien abduction, self-aggrandizement, personal self-adequacy and sometimes it just goes with beer.

Sincerlely,

Bogs.
 
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DSully1995

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Sometimes this thread just cracks me the hell up!

Hey northern brother!

Canadian, if you are still reading, (I am both a stateser and a cancuk, actually I am a Genna). It is always for a plethera of potential reasons. Self-protection, sport, competition, prevent alien abduction, self-aggrandizement, personal self-adequacy and sometimes it just goes with beer.

Sincerlely,

Bogs.

Gotcha! I guess in an environnement like the states itd be hard not to buy one
 

DomerInHappyValley

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I follow 2 schools of thought when it comes to hand guns.
The first is the 9mm is a 45 set to stun.
The second is the short gun is only to be used to fight your way to the long guns.
 

Whiskeyjack

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The first is the 9mm is a 45 set to stun.

When comparing premium JHP rounds, there are minimal differences between the major service calibers in penetration depths and temporary cavitation effects:

Handgun_gel_comparison.jpg




The second is the short gun is only to be used to fight your way to the long guns.

That bit of conventional wisdom is good for conveying how superior long arms are to handguns, but it's usually not realistic advice. If you're going to the party, bring a long arm; the hand gun is for when the party comes to you. How often during your typical day are you close enough to a long arm for the above to be a realistic strategy?
 
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peoriairish

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Not to mention that 9mm rounds are half the price of .45 and 25% cheaper than .40. Hence why I went with 9mm. The XD is a great gun though. Excellent choice.
 

DomerInHappyValley

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Actually whiskey it's very rare that I don't have a rifle or shotgun in the truck.
I do enjoy hunting.
 

IrishinTN

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Have any of you guys owned or fired the Taurus 738 TCP .380? It's a lightweight and I am wondering if getting a lightweight is really a good idea or stick with full mag. Its only 10.2 ounces.
 
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Bogtrotter07

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There are a few lighter semi's that adjust for the lack of weight. But smaller and heavier is good. Heavier is much better; jumps less. I am so much better with my .357 than with my friends semi's. (S&W 686+) Mine has a rather short barrel, and barrel length does not matter. I don't know what has the heaviest frame for compact semi's; but the other advantage of a revolver is there are many fewer things to go wrong. My revolver holds seven rounds, and the .357 hollow point packs too much punch for me. I use a .38 hp round. Who you point it at isn't going anywhere.
 
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IrishinTN

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That was the main reason I bought my alloy beretta. Its real heavy and has almost no kick. I need to get a few more, though, because I honestly don't think I have enough.
 

FLDomer

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since this got bumped, does anyone wanna buy a Winchester Model 94 30-30 (Post 64)? $300

PM if interested and I will get pics to ya and figure out the details.
 

JadeBrecks

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Just got to shoot both a Beretta Model 12S full auto and a a MP5SD2 suppressed full auto! Both are freaking sweet guns!
 

peoriairish

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Good stuff Jade. Were they a friends or rentals from a range? I've always wanted to shoot a suppressed firearm.
 

JadeBrecks

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Good stuff Jade. Were they a friends or rentals from a range? I've always wanted to shoot a suppressed firearm.

Rentals from a range. After shooting it though they are on my radar now. Both were beyond amazing to shoot. Very very accurate and very controllable.
 

Irish Insanity

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Alright, I'll start by saying please don't laugh or revoke my man card.
Now, I've owned one gun, but never fired anything but a BB gun in my life. Lately I've been looking into purchasing one and aquiring my CCW. Being that everyone who has contributed to this threat has a lot more knowledge than I do, what would any/all of you suggest for a first time 'starter' gun? I'm looking for something that is easy to carry, reasonable in price and for ammo as well. And if its not to much to ask, in your responses can you include some logic/belief in why you chose the gun you did. Thanks in advance.
 

peoriairish

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To start, I'll address the caliber part. I just purchased my first handgun this year and decided to go with a 9mm. I know it doesn't have the 'stopping power' of a .40 or .45, but if you get enough practice behind the gun and are accurate with it, your accuracy and comfort with the gun should make up for the lack of power. The main reason I went with the 9mm was for the price of rounds. Here in Central IL, a 50 round box of 9mm is, at cheapest is $13 and .45 is around $20. Basically, you can shoot a 9mm 2 times as much as a .45 for the same cost. There are come pretty solid single stack carry size 9mm guns out there for not too expensive.

As for what kind, I don't really like to give recommendations on that. Everyone has their own opinion on what type of gun to get and what brand, but what it really comes down to is how it feels in your hand and when you shoot it. My advise is to find a range that had rental guns and try a whole bunch of types and brands. I have a good friend who swears by Glocks, but I just purchased a Sig Sauer SP2022 because I liked the trigger better and it fit better in my hand. It honestly is all about how it feels and if it is a reputable company and gun.

Good luck in your shopping and keep us posted when you get one! And of course, if you have any other questions, don't be afraid to ask.
 

JadeBrecks

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As far as the round to go with that depends highly on what you want and how much $ you have. Like stated above 9mm is cheaper than .45. .45 has more stopping power than a 9mm but you get less rounds in the same size gun and you don't have the penetrating power. Of course there are a lot of different rounds in between there. .40 is a good compromise between the two.

As far as the gun that will be more of what you want to do with it and once again how much $ you have to spend. If you want a nightstand gun meant solely for home defense a full size pistol is a very nice choice. A home defense gun weight and size isn't a big draw back. If you want to carry the gun you will want to be very conscious of size and weight. A big gun is hard to conceal. A heavy gun will wear on you as you carry it. (As I say this my current primary carry gun is a full size 1911) Also how you dress as you carry it will also make a big difference. When I am at work I have to wear a tucked in shirt. This eliminates carrying on the hip anywhere. I put tools in my pocket so that eliminates that. My only option is inside my ankle. That requires a very small gun. Also like mentioned above. See if you can hit up a range that has a nice selection of pistols to shoot. If you cant do that find a gun store with a great selection and see what feels good in your hand.

Do you know if you want a semi-auto or revolver style pistol. Both have pros and cons. Also if you want to buy a pistol I do ask you take a safety course. (usually free or cheap at your local gun shops) Do not just strap on a pistol and think you are invisible. If you get a pistol learn it, practice with it, and become very proficient with it. One last thing is watch some videos online about the responsibilities of carrying. If you have any more questions feel free to ask and if you could specify exactly what you plan on doing with it/purpose of it and what your big concerns are we could give you more specific advise.
 
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