New to the Gun World

[Luc Anderson]

Hey all, I am new to the gun shooting overall, intend to get full tactical, maintenance and shooting training. While i'm working on those I need to decide which is the best unit for me... thats where you experienced folks come in.

Lookin forward to it all.

L. A.

[Fronty Owner]

welcome aboard.

1. where are you located? best way to give useful advice.
2. what are your intended use for the firearm?
3. what kind of budget are you on?
4. what other considerations do we need to know about (children, unfriendly wife, live in parents basement)

[Luc Anderson]

welcome aboard.

1. where are you located? best way to give useful advice.
2. what are your intended use for the firearm?
3. what kind of budget are you on?
4. what other considerations do we need to know about (children, unfriendly wife, live in parents basement)


1] Located in the Caribbean..Jamaica
2] self-defense mainly, fun secondary
3] no budget constraints
4] none of those constraints apply

[BT2Flip]

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php

all their products are AWESOME (in a word)

browse the site I have the XD .45

[BT2Flip]

however definitely find a dealer and try a lot of different guns to find the one that fits YOU best

you will find a gun picks the person, not the other way around

[Fronty Owner]

Ok, being in Jamaica, I have NO idea what laws apply to you.
Im guessing that its like most countries outside the US. You have no right to own guns, but you can have what ever you want IF you can afford the licensing and afford to purchase the firearm?

For self defense, I recommend the XD for outside the home.
The sig is also a good handgun for carry. I find them a bit pricey here and the grips feel slick to me.

[Gunlovingvet]

Welcome to the site. I hope you find it useful.

[tightgroup]

Welcome aboard Luc!

There are many good pistols available to do what you want. My favorites are:
1. A good quality 1911 from Springfield, Dan Wesson, or STI.
2. Sig Sauer. New Sigs are pricey but reasonable on the used market.
3. CZ. The 75B and P-01 are reasonably priced.
4. There are many polymer framed pistols out there that will serve you well from Springfield, Glock, and I really like the S&W M&P series.

If possible, see if you can try out as many guns as possible before making a purchase. I think you are heading in the right direction by receiving as much training as possible.

[Luc Anderson]

I have been looking at the PX4, any owners, users, critics, advocates?

[Redleg]

I have no experience with it, but looking at it, I like the idea of the picatinney rail, but i'd do some serious reading up and trying out before I bought into that rotating barrel lock. Looks like something complicated that might foul up in a lot of use?

[Adaminak]

Rotating barrel lock is the same idea as the rotating bolt in the AR-series of rifles. Beretta's been using it in handguns since the Cougar in the mid-90s. As with anything, the more complicated something is the more apt for failure it is, but this doesn't always mean it's going to fail. I know the trigger assembly on my Beretta skeet gun has a third of the moving parts compared to my friend's Kreighoff, but neither has ever broken and his trigger is certainly smoother than mine.

If it were me Luc, I'd buy one gun that I'd been eyeing for awhile, then haunt the gun ranges and see if you can shoot the hardware other people bring. This will give you a broad experience base that allows you to make better formed opinions about certain design features. Some folks just can't shoot certain guns for whatever reason, and you'll never know it until you actually have it in your hands and put rounds downrange.

All that being said, I really like the Kahr pistols, the Browning Hi-Power feels like it belongs in my hand, and I've never had a hint of trouble with my Sigs. Your mileage may vary.

[Fronty Owner]

rotating bolt is usually so the firearm can have a weaker spring versus a blowback gun. In a pistol, this will make the slide easier to pull back.