What semi automatic should I get?

dmarbell said:
OK, this is from my feminine side. Wait until you have accumulated a few more dollars and get a better gun than the Taurus. For $400 you can get a used Glock, M&P, XD or maybe even a P320. You might even get a good used one for under $400. These are proven platforms. Your PT111 might perform well, but why trust your life to such an inexpensive gun?


My experience exactly with Glocks. Same with HK VP9. Every hand is different. I bought a Steyr L9-A1 for the grip angle and trigger guard.
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I saw a video of the Taurus, plus read some reviews. Apparently lots of people don't think it's horrible...but I will save more $, and handle as many guns as I can. It will come down to how it feels, I guess. If it feels good in my hand and I can work the parts easily, that's a good start. Thanks for all the good responses, people! Much appreciated.
 
One more piece of advice. I've found it isn't only how it feels in the hand and whether I can reach and operate the controls, each gun actually shoots differently. Best way to save money is shoot before you buy. :)
 
I read reviews on these...anybody got an opinion? Lol. Taurus 738 TCP...sounds small! Taurus 809. Big! EAA ST10 9mm. Ruger P95. These were liked by the testers. Who has one, who likes them and why. Who hates them and why? I can't wait to hear the replies......no hurry, as it looks like I'm not buying right this minute. Life has intruded on my hunt! So it may be a few weeks...no pressure! And thanks in advance!
 
Flashpoint said:
I've always liked the way they looked. They get great reviews from those that own them.
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Ok, now that I've fired a .38 and a .380.....is this pt111 too light to keep fairly still while shooting and not try to kill my thumb joint? I'm getting the idea now about lightness/snappiness and heavier guns/not so snappy. I picked up a revolver that looked similar to mine yesterday, but was heavier. Fit nicely in my hand too. A Rossi I think? Picked up lotsa guns yesterday. Lol. I guess my question is how are heavier guns going to be to carry daily? And to conceal? Can a smaller gun be heavy enough not to snap so much? I'm sorry to pepper you with questions like this!!! I was the problem child on the range last week, and I've still go a lotta questions. Thanks in advance for your patience! PS I enjoyed firing the .380 more than the revolver, but unlike another poster, I can't tell which one I aimed better with. The holes looked similar to me..
 
My wife settled on the Bersa Thunder 380 and loves it. Shoots with very little recoil and is very accurate. They can be had for reasonable prices, especially used. If you ever get to the Raleigh area, Fuquay Gun and Gold in Fuquay-Varina has a nice selection of used pistols.
 
SmokeyJoe said:
My wife settled on the Bersa Thunder 380 and loves it. Shoots with very little recoil and is very accurate. They can be had for reasonable prices, especially used. If you ever get to the Raleigh area, Fuquay Gun and Gold in Fuquay-Varina has a nice selection of used pistols.
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I actually might one day....relatives there! I'll make them go with me....no sense of direction even with written directions! It's sad.....
I'll check for a Bersa. Thanks.
 
If you are in Raleigh, I can take you to Triangle Shooting Academy on a guest pass. One rental fee lets you shoot multiple guns of the same caliber. For rentals, you have to buy their ammo but that is not as overpriced as the rest of their stuff. I'll split the cost with you since there are not many things that I have shot and it would be fun to try them out!
 
Millie said:
I guess my question is how are heavier guns going to be to carry daily? And to conceal?
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Much of that depends on how you're going to carry it. I went for years clipping an IWB holster to a walmart belt and it was ok but when I got a belt from CFF's own Curt (@gunbelt) I suddenly realized I've been doing it wrong all this time. I mention this because you can always find a suitable carry method. The point of this whole exercise is to find a gun that you can draw, aim and put several rounds on target quickly. If that's a 22 then go for it. A couple 22LR's to the brain are much better than 6 357's that miss because you couldn't handle the gun. Most folks end up with a 380 or a 9 because they are easy to control, reletively inexpensive and there are dozens (if not humdreds) of options available. YMMV Find the gun that speaks to you and there will be lots of advice here on how to tailor your gun to your carry style ( I envision you as an LC9 in a corset-kinda gal myself :)). Enjoy the hunt!
 
If you want to ride up to holly Springs, I can let you try a few different guns- .22, .22 mag, .38, .380, 9mm, .40..
I have been teaching a few ladies the past 2 months. Most like the Bersa single stack .380 over the double stack- grip is smaller. No one really liked the Sig .380. Most like shooting .38 on a .357 frame- more weight but less felt recoil. All disliked the .40- too snappy.
 
Ferrisfan said:
If you are in Raleigh, I can take you to Triangle Shooting Academy on a guest pass. One rental fee lets you shoot multiple guns of the same caliber. For rentals, you have to buy their ammo but that is not as overpriced as the rest of their stuff. I'll split the cost with you since there are not many things that I have shot and it would be fun to try them out!
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Agree this is one of the best ways to find 'your gun', you have to try them before you buy them.
I'm a mile away from TSA with a membership and I have a nice collection of handguns and can bring them to test them out.
 
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while at academy try out a tristar or canick I have a 40 and the wife has a 9mm. her 9 is lighter than my 40 but still a well made semi auto.
 
Tigard said:
Much of that depends on how you're going to carry it. I went for years clipping an IWB holster to a walmart belt and it was ok but when I got a belt from CFF's own Curt (@gunbelt) I suddenly realized I've been doing it wrong all this time. I mention this because you can always find a suitable carry method. The point of this whole exercise is to find a gun that you can draw, aim and put several rounds on target quickly. If that's a 22 then go for it. A couple 22LR's to the brain are much better than 6 357's that miss because you couldn't handle the gun. Most folks end up with a 380 or a 9 because they are easy to control, reletively inexpensive and there are dozens (if not humdreds) of options available. YMMV Find the gun that speaks to you and there will be lots of advice here on how to tailor your gun to your carry style ( I envision you as an LC9 in a corset-kinda gal myself :)). Enjoy the hunt!
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Wow! Corset? Really? I'm an old lady! Maybe Spanxx! Lol. Just asked about cz 75 in a new thread. I know someone mentioned that one somewhere, but I can't find it. My revolver speaks to me, but it bit me last week, so I'm a bit leery of it at the moment! I'll look up the lc9....but NO on the corset....and I am very much enjoying the hunt!
 
Ferrisfan said:
If you are in Raleigh, I can take you to Triangle Shooting Academy on a guest pass. One rental fee lets you shoot multiple guns of the same caliber. For rentals, you have to buy their ammo but that is not as overpriced as the rest of their stuff. I'll split the cost with you since there are not many things that I have shot and it would be fun to try them out!
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I'd love to take you up on the offer....once I get my papers filed with the sheriff's office. At least I've actually been to Raleigh a few times. If it's not too hard to get to the range, it sounds like a good time! (I have a sense of direction issue.)
 
dewey said:
while at academy try out a tristar or canick I have a 40 and the wife has a 9mm. her 9 is lighter than my 40 but still a well made semi auto.
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I'll look them up and try them if I get the chance!
 
Hey @Millie ... another one to consider would be a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm. These are great pistols and can be found for really low prices, especially used. And Smith has a lifetime warranty. I think you would enjoy shooting it.
 
Button Pusher said:
Agree this is one of the best ways to find 'your gun', you have to try them before you buy them.
I'm a mile away from TSA with a membership and I have a nice collection of handguns and can bring them to test them out.
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Pictures, please!
 
SmokeyJoe said:
Hey @Millie ... another one to consider would be a Smith & Wesson M&P Shield in 9mm. These are great pistols and can be found for really low prices, especially used. And Smith has a lifetime warranty. I think you would enjoy shooting it.
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That's definitely on my list. Lots of people seem to like them.
 
mj1angier said:
If you want to ride up to holly Springs, I can let you try a few different guns- .22, .22 mag, .38, .380, 9mm, .40..
I have been teaching a few ladies the past 2 months. Most like the Bersa single stack .380 over the double stack- grip is smaller. No one really liked the Sig .380. Most like shooting .38 on a .357 frame- more weight but less felt recoil. All disliked the .40- too snappy.
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What's Holly Springs near? I've spent a fair amount of time in the last week driving around looking for stuff...and this was with printed-out directions! I'm hopeless. Do you own a range?
 
the tristar is a well made weapon and a clone of the cz75. the beavertail should keep it from biting you.. the s&d w mp can and will get a thumb if not careful how you hold it. had a friend who learned the hard way. he had four stitches in his left thumb for trying to two hand it.
 
Millie said:
What's Holly Springs near? I've spent a fair amount of time in the last week driving around looking for stuff...and this was with printed-out directions! I'm hopeless. Do you own a range?
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Holly Springs is between Raleigh and Sanford. Not a range but 6 acres with dirt pile for back stops
 
mj1angier said:
Holly Springs is between Raleigh and Sanford. Not a range but 6 acres with dirt pile for back stops
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Mapquest says 81 miles. Doable depending on turns...I get lost a LOT! Lol. The fewer turns the more I like it.
 
Tigard said:
Much of that depends on how you're going to carry it. I went for years clipping an IWB holster to a walmart belt and it was ok but when I got a belt from CFF's own Curt (@gunbelt) I suddenly realized I've been doing it wrong all this time. I mention this because you can always find a suitable carry method. The point of this whole exercise is to find a gun that you can draw, aim and put several rounds on target quickly. If that's a 22 then go for it. A couple 22LR's to the brain are much better than 6 357's that miss because you couldn't handle the gun. Most folks end up with a 380 or a 9 because they are easy to control, reletively inexpensive and there are dozens (if not humdreds) of options available. YMMV Find the gun that speaks to you and there will be lots of advice here on how to tailor your gun to your carry style ( I envision you as an LC9 in a corset-kinda gal myself :)). Enjoy the hunt!
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Turned out I'm a Sig (.380) in the waistband kinda gal!!!
 
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