[jlc1182]

I am looking to buy my first semi auto hand gun and was looking for some opinions. Im considering a Kimber or Springfield 1911, Glock, H&K, or Sig. Probably going to go with a .40 or 45 ACP caliber. IT will be strictly a in the dresser drawer gun not for carry. Looking to spend between 600 and 1000 $. IM not particularly fond of compacts or small framed guns....especially for this purpose a concealed carry gun would be a different story. Any suggestions, past experiences or other opinions would be helpful.

Thanks
J

 

[Asylum Keeper]

I would say go for a Springfield Armory 1911, Mil-Spec wont break the bank and leave extra cash for ammo, ya know, for practice. 1911's very popular, lots of after-market stuff if you want to customize it. .45ACP is a great choice for a home defence pistol. (my personal fave for HD is a 12 gauge :wink: )
Or maybe take a look at the SA XD in 45ACP, 4 or 5 inch barrel, great "grab and go" type pistol.

 

[Fuelburns2]

Both very good suggestions, but if you don't want a .45 then I would recommend a Sig 226 for your price range. I have personal experience with this gun in 9mm and would readily recommend it as a dresser drawer gun in .40. You can also get interchangeable barrels later and fire .357Sig in your .40 with just a barrel swap.

 

[jlc1182]

Well im surprised know said anything about the H&K. Its probably narrowed down between the H&K USP in 45 ACP or a Springfield mil. spec 1911.

 

[Asylum Keeper]

Go with the parkerized Mil-Spec and spend the extra cash on ammo :wink:

 

[Veritas]

The H&K and 1911 are completely different guns. The usp is awesome but your gonna pay for it. The 1911 has a great histroy and almost a cult following. The major reason to choose one over the other is whether or not you want a polymer frame. Both are excellent tried and true firearms so you won't go wrong with either. Its just a matter of personal preference.

 

[uglydog]

There is nothing wrong with an H&K other than a price that is higher than I think it is worth. There are many other guns out there that will serve the purpose just as well but cost less. If it is a gun that tickles your fancy then there is nothing wrong in getting it. I'd rather get a bit less expensive gun that I feel is just as appropriate and use the savings for something else like lessons and ammo. My personal protection guns are currently some model of Springfield XD. I have all the sizes in .40 S&W and the Service in .45 ACP and find them to suit me fine. I have used a Springfield 1911 for a few years but have switched to the XD for the most part. The major reason is I sometimes forget to thumb the manual safety off the 1911 as there isn't one on the XD. The Springfields are the best value in 1911 style pistols by a long shot in my mind.
I am not a fan of Glocks only because they do not fit my hand or style of shooting. They are a very good and reliable gun though and I have no qualms of recommending them to others. I have heard more complaints with these in the .40 and .45 calibers but the numbers are still fairly low considering the numbers out there. I do think they are a little overpriced but police turn ins can be found quite reasonably and often come with added features like night sights.SIGs are also very nice guns, I have a 220 in .45 ACP that they produced for Browning. It is also a dependable brand that has many good references.
I would go with the USP over a 1911 for a nightstand gun especially if I wouldn't be spending a fair amount of time at the range. I feel a single action auto is not the best type for the average handgun owner and that something similar to a revolver is a better choice. That is my personal opinion of the average person based on my observations as a range officer for CCW courses over many years. 1911, S&W, Beretta, and others carried with the manual safety on all gave non-avid shooters fits. These shooters all did much better with guns without manual safeties. It all depends on how much training one gives themselves.

 

[wwb]

..... IT will be strictly a in the dresser drawer gun not for carry....

If that's really what it's for, I'd get a good DA revolver (Smith, Ruger, Colt) and forget the semi-auto.

You stated that this would be your first semi-auto, which presumes very limited familiarity with whatever you choose. A nightstand gun has to be as simple as possible to operate and as reliable as humanly possible. That's a wheelgun, not an autoloader.

 

[jlc1182]

I have a S&W 44 mag. Great gun but been wanting a semi auto. Besides, the wife has a hard time handling the 44.

J

 

[TMats]

If you're going to keep "one in the pipe" then no problem (assuming safety issues are adequately addressed), but if you don't, then your wife may have some trouble handling the auto loader too; here I'm thinking about racking the slide.

The USP is famous for being the SEALS gun and carrys a $350 cool gun tax over a very comparable Sig. Uglydog gave lots of great advice, given the use described, you'd be wise to follow it. :wink:

Good luck and please, whatever you settle on. Shoot it. Both you and your wife. And frequently.

 

[jlc1182]

Thanks every one for their replies and advice. I took my wife in to handle the different guns I was thinking about. She quickly dashed my desires of a 1911. She has very small hands being she is only 5' tall and she couldnt release the slide. She liked the H&K but was still a little awkard for her. The Sig fit her perfectly, we are going to go with the Sig 2026( I may be off on the numbers) in .40 cal. The gun fit me well so Im happy with it. After all rest assured it probably wont be my last autoloader. Maybe Ill buy the Springfield 1911 mil. spec also, it goes on sale here for 450$ in couple of weeks.

Thanks Again
J

 

[Asylum Keeper]

as for the 1911, you can get slim profile grips and an extended slide release, those might help

 

[16'er]

Tell the wife to get her own gun!! :wink:

 

[BigDog]

I'm a big 1911 fan - but I think you'll be happy with the Sig as well.

I'm not a big fan of the Sig double action guns ( or anyone's double action guns for that matter ) - but I really like the Sig 226 XFive in a single action. But like others probably told you - you can get "thinner" grips for a 1911 as well and that may be the trick for your wife.

I have a Kimber Tactical pro - 4" barrel - 1911 model in 9mm that seems to suit my wife - and some of the kids pretty well. It's a little lighter - alloy frame - and shoots pretty well in a 4" barrel. Not everyone wants a .45 ACP for a first gun ......