Best way to test firearms?

OakleyAnna · April 12, 2013, 03:37 PM

I'm eager to purchase a new firearm (more specifically a 9mm) and have held a few, but I don't have any friends or acquaintances who live near me whose firearms I can try. The local gun stores won't me test new guns (for obvious reasons) and their selection of used ones isn't too big. I really like the Sig P226 or maybe P229. I've also heard good things about the Springfield XDs and the Glock 19.

I'd hate to just wing it and end up buying something that I might not enjoy shooting. Everyone on this site, and other forums, has different opinions of which guns they love. Should I just wait until the market is better and then hope there are more used ones for sale that I can try?

wogpotter · April 12, 2013, 03:43 PM

Some ranges rent guns, is there one near you that offers such an option, perhaps?

BigJimP · April 12, 2013, 05:14 PM

Yes, I would wait until you can fire each of those 4 choices.....they're all radically different in terms of trigger styles ( how they break, how they reset, how much slack they have) .....grip angles are all different....controls are all different....and even within each model ( like the 226 ) ...there are so many different options - slim grips, short reset triggers, DAK trigger, DA-SA trigger...

A gun you might like firing ( for bulls eye accuracy ) might be one thing.....and then you run some tactical drills with it ...some double taps, some mag reloads...and it might feel very different...( you might not like the grip angle, the way it comes up and out of a holster...) all kinds of things.....

But they're also - all very popular models..../ hanging around your local range for a few hours, I'd be shocked if you don't see all of those models represented there. At least talk to folks shooting them / they might let you put a mag thru each of them...

but I wouldn't recommend you buy until you can hold and fire each basic model.

A note....just in the 226 / I have a pair that are all stainless one in 9mm and one in .40S&W...and a buddy was in love with that model and really wanted one / but after he fired mine - he didn't like them at all. They were too heavy to suit him, he thought the grip was too big, had trouble reaching the mag release without moving his grip, didn't really like the decocker, didn't like the 10lb trigger in DA..../ so he ended up buying a XDM instead...

redhologram · April 12, 2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Some ranges rent guns, is there one near you that offers such an option, perhaps?

This would be where I would be checking as well. What have you been shooting so far?

SauerGrapes · April 12, 2013, 07:31 PM

Buying a handgun cold, can be a crap shoot. I'm pretty fortunate to belong to a large club with a lot of different guns coming and going. Most guys are more than happy to let you put a few rounds down range.

Prices probably aren't very good right now, so unless your really pressed to buy something, I would let the dust settle.

Dragline45 · April 12, 2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

I really like the Sig P226 or maybe P229. I've also heard good things about the Springfield XDs and the Glock 19.

Realize that the Sig 226 and 229 trigger types differ significantly from the Glock or XDS. The Sig's traditionally have a DA/SA trigger, meaning the first trigger pull will be a long double action pull like a revolver. Essentially what you are doing with that first trigger pull is cocking the hammer and dropping the hammer all in one pull, hence the name double action. After the first shot, when the slide retracts to the rear it automatically cocks the hammer for the next shot. So each subsequent shot will be a light crisp single action trigger pull. The Glock and the XD are striker fired, there is no hammer and every shot will have the same trigger pull from the first to the last. Read up on DA/SA triggers and striker fired triggers to get a real good understanding of each before you make a decision. And of course dry fire them in the shop to get a feel for the trigger before buying.

If you really like the Sig 226 or 229 but find the grip is too large for your hands, take a good look at the Sig 239. Plan to pick one up for myself sometime down the road.

ClydeFrog · April 13, 2013, 04:39 AM

Are you fully new to weapons & the shooting sports?
You never shot any firearm? Rifle? Shotgun? Handgun?
First, I'd check around & see if there are any NRA, www.nra.org training programs or respected(stable, well run) courses near you.
Take a 4hr seminar or a 1 day class then gauge the skills/teaching methods of the firearms or tactics instructors.
Professional instructors & cadre rarely bad-mouth or put down any other program no matter how poorly run it is out of courtesy but you can tell rather quickly if a course or school is up to your desired standards.
Shoot a few rental guns or see what you'd like to buy. If it's your first firearm, get a .22LR to start or if it's for security/protection, a simple stainless steel 5 or 6 shot .38spl(or the larger .357magnum) in a K or medium frame.
You do not need a $1200.00 "race gun" or SWAT type sidearm to protect yourself. Avoid the gun shop rangers & "mall ninjas". There are many top instructors, DVDs, books & media for new firearm owner(s).
Learn to keep your new weapon(s) and gear clean and check them often.
Learn & understand your area's gun & use of force laws too. A critical incident or a gun fight isn't the time to hire a law firm or plan for a emergency. Here are a few good websites to review.

ClydeFrog
www.Gunvideo.com www.deltapress.com www.jgsales.com www.brownells.com www.galls.com www.uscav.com www.safariland.com www.USgalco.com www.blade-tech.com www.paladin-press.com www.shopcorbon.com www.gunzilla.com www.gunlawguide.com www.natchezss.com www.grafs.com www.handgunlaw.us www.gunsamerica.com www.massadayoobgroup.com www.mpro7.com www.qmuniforms.com www.taser.com www.mernickleholsters.com

LarryFlew · April 13, 2013, 09:28 AM

Since your listed choices are so apples vs oranges I would also suggest you hold off until you can shoot one. If they where closer to being the same style of gun just holding one might suffice if you know how one close to it feels when fired. IE the 2 SIGs would be close to the same but the XDS would be different and the Glock even more different.

You could start by the feel of the 4. Likely if the SIGs feel right for you the Glock will not and visa versa with the XDS being closer to the SIG but not exactly the same feel. That way you could eliminate at least one before having to find one to shoot.

Bob Wright · April 13, 2013, 11:20 AM

I've never seen a revolver I didn't like to shoot, at least not a modern revolver.

I'm not really fond of shooting autoloaders, the recoil characteristics sort of distract me, plus the fact that my valuable brass case goes flying into the wild blue yonder. Add to this the relatively short range of most auto pistol cartridges and I find the revolver much more satisfying to shoot.

I do like to shoot some else's .45 ACP like a Colt Government Model, using their ammunition. And the little .30 Carbine autos are great sport.

Point is, I don't "try out" guns prior to purchasing. I've already got a pretty good idea how each gun performs.

Bob Wright

johnwilliamson062 · April 13, 2013, 07:12 PM

One thing I really miss about not belonging to my local club is going to the range and having people willing to let me put a mag through their gun.
Of course, I had a Kahr T9 almost no one had shot before in exchange.

I carry a Glock subcompact, but it doesn't fit my hand well. Many people, like me, don't have big enough hands to perfectly grip a double stack. The Kahr pistols are so much more natural for me.

April 12, 2013, 03:37 PM	#1
OakleyAnna Member Join Date: July 7, 2012 Posts: 19	Best way to test firearms? I'm eager to purchase a new firearm (more specifically a 9mm) and have held a few, but I don't have any friends or acquaintances who live near me whose firearms I can try. The local gun stores won't me test new guns (for obvious reasons) and their selection of used ones isn't too big. I really like the Sig P226 or maybe P229. I've also heard good things about the Springfield XDs and the Glock 19. I'd hate to just wing it and end up buying something that I might not enjoy shooting. Everyone on this site, and other forums, has different opinions of which guns they love. Should I just wait until the market is better and then hope there are more used ones for sale that I can try?

April 12, 2013, 03:43 PM	#2
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Some ranges rent guns, is there one near you that offers such an option, perhaps? __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

April 12, 2013, 07:31 PM	#5
SauerGrapes Senior Member Join Date: March 22, 2009 Location: S.E.PA. Posts: 920	Buying a handgun cold, can be a crap shoot. I'm pretty fortunate to belong to a large club with a lot of different guns coming and going. Most guys are more than happy to let you put a few rounds down range. Prices probably aren't very good right now, so unless your really pressed to buy something, I would let the dust settle. __________________ NRA member, DCF&S member, PAFOA member, USPSA member, NSCA member R.I.P.____Murphy

April 13, 2013, 04:39 AM	#7
ClydeFrog Junior member Join Date: May 1, 2010 Posts: 5,797	Guns, ranges... Are you fully new to weapons & the shooting sports? You never shot any firearm? Rifle? Shotgun? Handgun? First, I'd check around & see if there are any NRA, www.nra.org training programs or respected(stable, well run) courses near you. Take a 4hr seminar or a 1 day class then gauge the skills/teaching methods of the firearms or tactics instructors. Professional instructors & cadre rarely bad-mouth or put down any other program no matter how poorly run it is out of courtesy but you can tell rather quickly if a course or school is up to your desired standards. Shoot a few rental guns or see what you'd like to buy. If it's your first firearm, get a .22LR to start or if it's for security/protection, a simple stainless steel 5 or 6 shot .38spl(or the larger .357magnum) in a K or medium frame. You do not need a $1200.00 "race gun" or SWAT type sidearm to protect yourself. Avoid the gun shop rangers & "mall ninjas". There are many top instructors, DVDs, books & media for new firearm owner(s). Learn to keep your new weapon(s) and gear clean and check them often. Learn & understand your area's gun & use of force laws too. A critical incident or a gun fight isn't the time to hire a law firm or plan for a emergency. Here are a few good websites to review. ClydeFrog www.Gunvideo.com www.deltapress.com www.jgsales.com www.brownells.com www.galls.com www.uscav.com www.safariland.com www.USgalco.com www.blade-tech.com www.paladin-press.com www.shopcorbon.com www.gunzilla.com www.gunlawguide.com www.natchezss.com www.grafs.com www.handgunlaw.us www.gunsamerica.com www.massadayoobgroup.com www.mpro7.com www.qmuniforms.com www.taser.com www.mernickleholsters.com

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April 12, 2013, 05:14 PM	#3
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Yes, I would wait until you can fire each of those 4 choices.....they're all radically different in terms of trigger styles ( how they break, how they reset, how much slack they have) .....grip angles are all different....controls are all different....and even within each model ( like the 226 ) ...there are so many different options - slim grips, short reset triggers, DAK trigger, DA-SA trigger... A gun you might like firing ( for bulls eye accuracy ) might be one thing.....and then you run some tactical drills with it ...some double taps, some mag reloads...and it might feel very different...( you might not like the grip angle, the way it comes up and out of a holster...) all kinds of things..... But they're also - all very popular models..../ hanging around your local range for a few hours, I'd be shocked if you don't see all of those models represented there. At least talk to folks shooting them / they might let you put a mag thru each of them... but I wouldn't recommend you buy until you can hold and fire each basic model. A note....just in the 226 / I have a pair that are all stainless one in 9mm and one in .40S&W...and a buddy was in love with that model and really wanted one / but after he fired mine - he didn't like them at all. They were too heavy to suit him, he thought the grip was too big, had trouble reaching the mag release without moving his grip, didn't really like the decocker, didn't like the 10lb trigger in DA..../ so he ended up buying a XDM instead...

April 13, 2013, 09:28 AM	#8
LarryFlew Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2009 Location: Minnesota CZ fan Posts: 902	Since your listed choices are so apples vs oranges I would also suggest you hold off until you can shoot one. If they where closer to being the same style of gun just holding one might suffice if you know how one close to it feels when fired. IE the 2 SIGs would be close to the same but the XDS would be different and the Glock even more different. You could start by the feel of the 4. Likely if the SIGs feel right for you the Glock will not and visa versa with the XDS being closer to the SIG but not exactly the same feel. That way you could eliminate at least one before having to find one to shoot.

April 13, 2013, 11:20 AM	#9
Bob Wright Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2012 Location: Memphis, Tennessee Posts: 2,987	I've never seen a revolver I didn't like to shoot, at least not a modern revolver. I'm not really fond of shooting autoloaders, the recoil characteristics sort of distract me, plus the fact that my valuable brass case goes flying into the wild blue yonder. Add to this the relatively short range of most auto pistol cartridges and I find the revolver much more satisfying to shoot. I do like to shoot some else's .45 ACP like a Colt Government Model, using their ammunition. And the little .30 Carbine autos are great sport. Point is, I don't "try out" guns prior to purchasing. I've already got a pretty good idea how each gun performs. Bob Wright

April 13, 2013, 07:12 PM	#10
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	One thing I really miss about not belonging to my local club is going to the range and having people willing to let me put a mag through their gun. Of course, I had a Kahr T9 almost no one had shot before in exchange. I carry a Glock subcompact, but it doesn't fit my hand well. Many people, like me, don't have big enough hands to perfectly grip a double stack. The Kahr pistols are so much more natural for me.