Obviously with my newly received VA Non-Res CHP, I had to go to the gun range, and I did that last night with a good friend of mine, Foxtrot Uniform (he told me to use it, I swear). With the cost of ammo lately, and now with my permit in hand, I wanted to closely examine if I had the best arm for carry duty.
The first handgun I ever purchased was a 1911. Something nostalgic and American about John Browning's design with your bugger hook on the bang switch, but as much as I love that arm, I never intend upon it to be much more than a pleasure / target gun. So that necessitated picking up an 4" service model XD in .40 from a friend who was selling it about 4 years ago. I've shot that gun plenty, but then the little birdy in my ear (read AKFan) has been telling me to ditch it for a 9mm Glock. Having shot an old G21 when buying my 1911, I about wanted to shoot myself with the Glock 21. I've been thinking of switching to an XD(m) in 9mm to compensate for the soon to be departure of the .40. I listened to AKFan and test drove a Glock last night.
After renting a Ruger LCR (Foxtrot Uniform wanted to give that one a run), a Glock 17 fourth gen, and a Beretta 92 (the latter two in 9mm), I have to say I'm done with the .40 game. High pressure rounds mean recoil and harder second shot placements. I used to be the kind of shooter who preferred more power at the expensive of sensible control, but as usual, AKFan has finally trained me to become a believer of doing things the "right way" versus the marginally harder way.
The G17 was a dream to shoot for a service model and could quite potentially become my future carry gun. Good, consistent trigger squeeze, with good break meant my first shot was dead center X on a full sized target. Follow up shots for the 13 rounds at a reasonable combat pace yielded 2 "fliers" in the 8 ring at 10 yards. I know I don't shoot often enough, but, the last time I shot my .40, I didn't have nearly that consistency. Maybe part of it was me, but not having the gun practically jump out of your hands every shot means you can focus on pulling the trigger and getting back on target rather than re-grasping the gun.
The 92 was also nice. If I had to pick a handgun in 9mm to strap up for "duty" operation, I would seriously consider this one. Being a DA/SA means the first shot (unless cocked and locked) is long and heavy, but it was consistently smooth as well. In SA mode, the trigger was like a chem class glass rod snapping in two with short travel and reset. I contend it may be better than my 1911. If I didn't have to compromise and stick to a budget, there is the chance I'd be buying two new guns, but I don't have a need to be that spendy at the moment.
In summary, a night at the range with a buddy is always good therapy. Especially when you get to come home to a loving wife who wants to go out to dinner afterwords with her friends. Hat tip to a gem of a chick who even ponied up for dinner and congrats to her and her new fiance on their engagement.
Until next slice of life, keep the "front towards enemy."
Any reason why you'd prefer the 17 over the smaller 19 for carry?
ReplyDeleteI ditched my .40 for .357SIG. I still have the .40 barrel but hardly ever use it. Most of the time I find myself carrying 9mm.
Also, congrats on getting your VA Non-res.
Actually, I had every intentions on shooting the 19, but the range had it rented out while I was there. Additionally, being a fairly big guy, I don't have problems hiding a gun on me.
ReplyDeleteI also did measure the 17 vs. my XD to see if there was a major difference in size and the 17 was fractions of an inch longer than my XD 4". Given the choice, provided concealing a slightly longer pistol isn't too much of a problem, I'll take the longer barrel / sight radius any day of the week.
I haven't made up my mind yet, I'd still like to shoot an XDm and an FNP and maybe a SIG 228/9.
Good times at the range sir. Looking forward to doing it again soon. That little LCR has got me thinking about my first wheel gun..
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