[Reddirt]

I've been shooting a Browning Buck Mark 22 pistol for a while. I love the gun and it's cheap to shoot. Now I'm working on getting my concealed permit. I'd like to buy a larger caliber pistol 90% for target and 10% for protection while camping/hiking.

I'm thinking about getting an HK or Sig. But, I'm having a hard time understanding the various models from each manufacturer. For instance the HK P2000SK, UPSc and P30 seem to be very similar. I'm leaning towards the Sig P239 in 40SW.

What's a good way to learn to tell the difference in models?

Thanks,
Reddirt

 

[darkgael]

The best way, of course, is to shoot as many of them as you can. Unfortunately, it is easier to write that than to do it. Do know of a gunstore that also has a range? (though whether they'd let you try a gun is another thing.)
The firearms that you mention are all superb weapons; it's hard to go wrong. Most important is the fit to your hand. Fit must be comfortable, stable, and natural, so that every time that you pick up the piece, it is in the same position.
FWIW: when I was of looking for the same type gun, I ended up with a Glock 36 - their smaller (6 round mag.) .45ACP. Partly the decision was made because I reload .45s so practice is cheap
. I have never once regretted the buy. Modern .45 +P ammo is in the same power class as the 40S&W, actually nearer the 10mm. The gun is very accurate, though I have never benched it; at 25 yds.,it will put all it's shots into the black on an NRA timed fire target if I do my part. Not bad for a stubby gun.
It fits into my back pocket when I go for a walk in the woods.
Buying a new gun - a fun project. Good luck.
Pete

 

[Reddirt]

Thanks for the advice! There isn't a gunshop in our town with a shooting range. Sportsmans has a good selection and I'm able to compare the feel of each pistol. The one that actually felt the best was a PPK/S. But, I've read that HK and Sig are better manufactured. I'll let you know what I end up with.

Reddirt

 

[jack62]

The advice so far given, i think is excellent advice, I will like to add, that a nice progresion up from the .22 might be a 9mm. For the reason's of ammo price and most guns chambered in this caliber, recoil is not such an issue. Most times ammo for the .380 costs more than for the 9mm.

An in looking into auto's beside hand and grip feel. Look at how the slide reacts to the web of your hand. When it is fully back, after a round has been fired. You can hold the gun unloaded, with your shooting hand. Using your other hand rack the slide back and see if it will be close to your web, between your thumb and index finger. I find that although they are great pistols, the ppKs have a tendency to "bite"

There are other factors to look for of course, as far as sights and what not. But normally your best shooting is a gun that you can get your highest grip hold on. You will control the recoil better, and muzzle rise. Triggers are another issue, but most guns with enough practice you can get use to this.

Ruger just came out with a new 9mm. Its in the new January 2008 Guns and Ammo. I think this will be a great choice in a 9mm. It is defintly worth looking into.

Any way, good luck in your quest, Jack

 

[UncleFudd]

Reddirt;

From the name I assume you may be in the Panguitch area or more south than that.

I travel through your area a lot and have been training several of the police depts in Utah for "use of deadly force".
Be that as it may the guys have given good advice and it sounds like you are taking it to heart.

Something I would add is emphasis on what jack62 said about progression and expense. You can buy the 9 mm or even the 40s for the same or less than the 380 and the ammo is (for the (9mm) much cheaoer. The gun such as the ones you mentioned in 380 are as expensive or more so than the guns in 9mm or 40 s&W. The ammo is where you are going to pay a penalty both in cost and in the reduced choice of bullet design and weight. Whereas the 9MM in particular has soooo many choices for SD as well as range, practice ammo.
The 40 ammo is more expensive than the 9 and probably still more than the 380 even though so many departments have gone to the 40 as issue weapons. However the 40 S&W has a large choice of bullet designs and weight such as the 9 and is sooo much more powerful than either.

Also your choice of frames, models and manufacturers along with huge differences in price is endless, so finding the right size for you physically and for concealment will be better also.

As darkgael says, try as many as you can. I know there are no stores as you mentioned but you may want to contact the PD in your area and see if they will let you shoot with them when they go out. Also there are some good pawn shops in Kanab and they have some of the different models you can at the least handle them for fit.
I am fortunate in that I own the indoor range in Mesa and have a renatl program so I provide the opportunity for so many people to actually shoot ANY of the top brand and models of handguns, shotguns and rifles. This has been especially helpful to the guys who are trying to fit their wifes or girlfriends with new guns. I get tremendous feedback from them and from other dealers in the area who send their customers to me to fit and then we send their customers back to them to buy.

It also gives me a chance to see which guns really are workhorses or just great write-ups for the gun magazine gurus. You would be surprised at what is done to SELL guns and which ones are actually junk.
I have tried to help several people here on the forum or through PMs if they have questions before they buy.
I do not bad-mouth a gun if I don't know for certain what it will or has done. And one must remember that my rental guns will be uised more in one week than most guns will be used in a year. Also they are used by people of every level of experience and competency. So I point that out as well.

As I said the guys had already given excellent advice IMHO and I just wanted to add some emphasis to their thoughts and words. Hope it has and will help. Send me a note or ask outright if I can help.

UF

Merry Christmas

 

[Roadkill Bill]

From the original list, I would suggest the Sig.

For something you want for 90% target shooting, the PPK is a poor choice. For a woods gun, even worse. The PPK is a close range self-defense weapon. The .380 has never been known for great stopping power, the ammo is expensive, and it is not a fun gun to shoot for any extended period of time.

The 9mm is cheap to shoot at the range.
The .40 is a better defense round.

The .357 revolver is great for target shooting (with cheap .38 Specials), and for woods/camping gun, the .357 is better for four-legged critters up to black bears, and of course, nothing is better against the two-legged kind. Of course, you may be too young for revolvers, yet!