2nd pistol purchase preference between these listed?

[x007x]

Hello, everyone I was looking at getting one of these for my next pistol after I try them out, but wanted to see which one people were a better one to own. This is also for CC, and range use.
CZ97b, Beretta 92FS, HK USP 45, 1911, and which brand of 1911..Thanks everyone.

[WildBill]

What is your first pistol purchase? IMO, the only choice on your list is the 1911. Which brand? The best you can afford.

[alvins]

smith wesson 1911

[Steve133]

Heck, if you have it narrowed down to a list with relatively few things in it, you're most of the way there. Speaking from somewhat limited experience, those seem to all be fairly solid choices, and I don't think you could go completely wrong with any of them. They're also all pretty common, so it should be pretty easy to find a range that rents each of them (or at least a similar model). That's the single best way to choose a gun; there are obviously some differences in inherent quality, but personal preference plays a huge role in whether a certain weapon "works" for you.

In addition to taking them all for a test drive, think about some other issues - since you're planning on using whatever you buy for CC, one thing to consider is how easy each one is to conceal (incidentally, the answer in all of those specific cases is "not very," though it wouldn't be impossible in any case). Not too long ago, I was in the market for a new carry weapon, and I narrowed the field down to 3 through research. I pulled the specs for each one off of the manufacturers' websites, made a 1:1 scale version of the outline based on catalog pictures, and then carved approximately to-scale versions out of styrofoam to see how well each one would conceal. Comparing the actual gun that I bought to the foam version reveals that it was actually a pretty good approximation. Between that and renting each one, I eventually wound up going with something completely different from what I would have expected to begin with (I was virtually certain at the outset that I wanted CZ-75 Compact and would up with a Smith M&P 9c).

The short version - beware of making up your mind too early, and always test everything you can think of first.

[pbwalker]

...were a better one to own.

Whatever fits your hands better, you shoot better, and can practice a lot with.

No one can tell you what you should own. Try them all out and see what works best.

[karder]

I have never shot the CZ, but I am very familiar with the other three options your looking at. All are great choices, but the thing that strikes me is that they are all very different guns. Try and shoot them first, but you won't go wrong no matter what you choose. I would vote for the 1911 due to all the available accessories and fun you can have customizing it.

[CC Italian]

All the guns you listed are high quality imo. I have shot a cz75 (9mm) great and under rated firearm. I have shoot both 92fs and m9 Beretta, also great firearms. I have shot an HK in .40 S&W and they are very high quality and worked great but I really thought that the price was over inflated and offered nothing over a sig, Glock etc. This is why they will never be as popular as other polymer firearms. 1911 price tag with a polymer gun is hard for many to stomach. As for what 1911, your going to get a lot of answers but they go from roughly low $400s-$2000 and opinions are like you know what, everybody has one. I would say the best imo for the money would be Springfield, used S&W or CZ Dan Wesson variant but many are custom guys and alot start with a Caspian build. Of those mentioned I would think a commander series 1911 is good for cc but some carry the government and some carry the defender 3inch barrel or officer 3.5 but I prefer the 4.25inch commander as a compromise. But I would personally go officer or commander, or Springfield Champion 4inch imo in .45acp for cc. The old Springfield I had in college was a Champion (4inch barrel) and I hated giving it back to my father when I had enough money to buy my own firearm.

[CC Italian]

The other thing is that all the pistols you mentioned are on the heavy side for cc. Not that it can't be done any many do but carrying a 33-50 ounce gun when fully loaded is not as easy to do or easy to conceal as a sub compact polymer. Just keep that in mind. Out of the ones you mentioned other then a officer 1911 I would think the HK would be the easiest to carry all day. Just my 2 cents.

[DocV]

I am an antique who teethed on a 1911. I have two 1911's - a commander model and a full-sized government model. Neither seems too big to me for carry even though I am only a 5' 8" 164 pounder. Of course, I got used to these things eons ago. Your mileage may vary...

Your plan to try these out is spot on.

If you are looking at 1911's first take a look at some of the 1911 specific forums.
1911 addicts has a buyer's guide:
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.p ... 11-addicts.." onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

As a general rule, buy quality and cry once.

Edit: Verb noun agreement.

[RHenriksen]

that was my thought as well.

The other thing is that all the pistols you mentioned are on the heavy side for cc. Not that it can't be done any many do but carrying a 33-50 ounce gun when fully loaded is not as easy to do or easy to conceal as a sub compact polymer. Just keep that in mind. Out of the ones you mentioned other then a officer 1911 I would think the HK would be the easiest to carry all day. Just my 2 cents.

[CC Italian]

This is what I would most likely go with for a balance of carry but still a good range gun. Not to light not to heavy. M&P compact .45acp.http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y

Let the 1911 guys start the bashing but the M&P is a sweet pistol!

Edit: Like I said don't get me wrong I carry a Glock 20 with 6inch barrel that weighs over 40 ounces loaded all the time but if I carried a polymer .45acp the M&P compact would be on the short list!http://us.glock.com/products/sector/hunting Just like the guy in the picture and no one is the wiser!
Also the Glock 30sf is a good option but it jumps a little more then the M&P being that it is a little lighter and for the most part smaller. M&P feels better in the hand but by no means is a small gun. It still weighs about 36ounces loaded and I think the Glock weighs around 33 or so. Once you put 9-11 rounds of 230 grain it starts to get heavy quick!

[RHenriksen]

Yep, I carry an M&P, too. Full sized .40.

This is what I would most likely go with for a balance of carry but still a good range gun. Not to light not to heavy. M&P compact .45acp.http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/ ... rrorView_Y

Let the 1911 guys start the bashing but the M&P is a sweet pistol!

[x007x]

What is your first pistol purchase? IMO, the only choice on your list is the 1911. Which brand? The best you can afford.

Glock 19 4th gen.

Thanks everyone, and I was not thinking about the weight, but I will not compare all the specs.

[AEA]

Ed Brown Special Forces Carry .45acp 1911.
Start saving now, place your order (with desired custom options after you have 1/2 saved). Wait about 7-9 Months for delivery and you will have saved the remainder to pay for it by that time.

[WildBill]

What is your first pistol purchase? IMO, the only choice on your list is the 1911. Which brand? The best you can afford.

Glock 19 4th gen.

Thanks everyone, and I was not thinking about the weight, but I will not compare all the specs.

I didn't think that Glock owners were allowed to own a 1911.