Handguns

lulwut, Theguy is making a new topic. Must be that time of the year.

deadeye007 wrote: Glock 19 FTW

Word.

Your cops use 9mm?

If you're thinking about becoming a LEO, consider whatever sidearm the department of your choosing is currently issued.

All in all... if your local range offers a variety of rentals, try them all! You want what you're comfortable with first... secondary would be familiarity with whatever department(s) are using around you.

Other than that, there are so many good quality choices out there, that it's impossible to pick one based solely on opinions of others. DeTrevni mentioned the FNP-9. Excellent handgun. The new M&Ps are good. I have CZs that I'm very happy with.
I never liked Glocks... but have more recently become a convert. My daily carry is now a G26, and I have a G19 as well. G19 is a popular police-issue (well, G23 these days, as most departments seem to be going 40S&W). Parts, holsters, magazines... all easily found and CHEAP.

If you have a budget, that makes it a little easier for you. Limit your rental choices to what you can afford. Better yet, if the range will allow it... combine one "rental" and perhaps try several in one day? Will they let you fire 2-3 magazines out of a gun, then turn it in for a different one, and only charge one rental fee for the day? Look into it.

9x19 is a good caliber to own. Many will tell you to go with 40S&W, and there's nothing wrong with that. Look into ammo availability and cost in your area to help determine which road to take. Most handgun makes will offer same/similar models in multiple calibers. DeTrevni's FNP-9 is also offered as an FNP-40. The G19 is identical to the G23. G17 to 22, 26 to 27.   So even if a department by you is carrying G23s, it'd be perfectly fine for you to get a G19 and maintain the same feel.

You find yourself in a better position than most. Lot of people don't have rental opportunities near them. Try before Buy is a tremendous help. Being able to physically hold the pistol in your hand is of great importance before deciding... but being able to actually fire the pistol is that much better! You could be dead-set on a particular make/model, and upon firing realize it's not a good match for you. You could also have a negative opinion of a make/model from the beginning, and then realize that you actually enjoy that piece. I've experienced both of those myself.

All in all... first and foremost is TRY. Holding is a good first step. But if you have the opportunity to fire them, do it!

Then do pro/con list if you still have to make a decision from that point. Cost and availability of spare mags, cost and availability of ammo (if diff calibers), cost and availability of holsters (if you consider carrying at some point). Weigh configurations and aftermarket factory options... do I want decocker or manual safety, do I want night sights, etc.

Again... lots of excellent choices out there. Really up to you to determine what's "best". Each of us has already made that determination for ourselves and that may or may not translate into what would work for you.

Springfield Armory

stick_boy_2002 wrote: a full clip

Ur doin it wrong

Curious to know what offerings they have for rentals. Write down the choices and let us know.   

As for Glocks...



j/k
Valid concern, and good that you have that criteria. Again... limits your choices, making things easier for you.

Edited by ShortyBP - 11 September 2011 at 10:28pm

I really do like the feel of Glocks. Its just that safety issue I have. 

M&P.

They are the new Glock. You can get a version with a thumb safety, IIRC you can install the safety on any model of M&P.

They are getting more and more serious use.




KBK

Hydrashocks is good stuff.

That's what I carry.