Gun-owner opinions sought:

[darkstar3]

(Moved from the Guns forum)
The Glock M23.

I am primarily interested in home defense, with CCW being a possibility in the future. After doing a lot of research online, I think I've found a great weapon to meet those needs. The problem? I haven't found a way to shoot one before I buy it yet.

What are you thoughts on this weapon?

BTW; My current weapon is a .38 special undercover. One of the many things I'd like an opinion on is a recoil comparison.

[X_Digger]

1. How about a 1911 in 45acp?

I like the grip angle better, and it really feels like an extension of my arm.

[X_Digger]

3. On second thought..

.. (and I say this because I picked one up yesterday after shooting a friends' gun)..

How about the Springfield XDM in .45acp? All the stopping power of a 45, with the sewing machine reliability of the XD line.

[krispos42]

2. Recoil comparison:

Bullet weight times bullet velocity. That's the momentum of the bullet as it leaves the barrel, and thus the momentum the gun and you must absorb.

Example:
.45 ACP, 230-grain@850 ft/s = 195,500 Krispos' Nonstandard Momentum Units.
9mm Luger, 147-grain@1,000 ft/s = 147,000 KNMU
.40 S&W, 180-grain@1,000 ft/s = 180,000 LNMU


The .45 makes 33% more recoil than the 9mm, the .40 makes 23% more recoil.


Note this is different from muzzle energy.

[oneshooter]

4. Have you checked with local ranges for rental guns? n/t

[SteveM]

5. Good advice about rental guns...

You can try a model/style similar to the one you have and at least get a notion of what the recoil would be like. Keep in mind that the larger a frame, the less felt-recoil (but more difficulty in CCW-mode). Also, different grips help with recoil. I replaced the wooden ones on my Ruger .357 medium frame revolver with Hogue rubber ones, and can better take the magnum load's kick. And of course, semi-autos generally kick less due to recoil being spread "over time." Finally, if you chose a gun which can use different rounds -- a .357 mag can use .38 Spl -- practice with the milder rounds and a some of the biggies; most of the latter saved for self-defense. Good luck!

[ManiacJoe]

6. Glocks: try before you buy.

Glocks are well made, accurate, reliable guns. However, the Glock grip angle tends to be one of those love-it-or-hate-it things. The previous suggestion for a rental range is right on the money. Find something that feels good in YOUR hands, that is the gun for you.

[old mark]

7. If you are shooting a .38 Spl alloy frame snubbie, you can handle anything

short of a .357 magnum. I love the .38 Special, and have been shooting many different ones for almost 45 years, and I HATE teh alloy frame snubbies, no matter who makes them...they are too light for tha power of that round, especiallly in the +P loadings. I find them uncomfortable to shoot, and nearly uncontrollable for a fast second shot. They are great to carry, and terrible to shoot.

Try as many guns as you can, even if only to handle them in a shop to get the feel for them...get what feels good to your hands rather than going by the recommendations of others...the more experience you can get with different pistols, the better...they are very individual, and all have good and bad points.

Good luck.


mark

[spin]

8. Alloy frame snubbies DO have a nasty recoil ...

you can learn how to shoot them but it takes practice and the recoil makes practice very uncomfortable. I carry a Model 642 S&W Airweight in .38+P in my front pants pocket and it's so light you can almost forget that it's there. Like you say, "great to carry and terrible to shoot". The Model 642 weighs only 15 oz.


Model 642 1.875" barrel



In the winter months I often shift to a S&W Model 60 .357 Magnum with a 3" barrel in a inside the waistband holster. The added weight makes practice much more enjoyable, even with .357 magnum loads. The 3" Model 60 tips the scale at 24.5 oz.


Model 60 3" barrel

I have fired S&W Model 60s with a 2 inch barrel and again the added weight makes a big difference. This snubbie weighs 22.6 oz.


Model 60 2.125" barrel

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. Glocks are reliable, but ...

I don't care for the lack of a manual safety. All the safeties are automatic. For example, one safety is a lever in the middle of the trigger. Pull the trigger and the safety automatically disengages. It's like having no safety at all.

Also, one of the first steps in field-stripping is to pull the trigger. So you gotta be extra sure that you looked to see it's not loaded. And look again, just in case you only thought you looked.

Try to ignore recoil during practice. It can be annoying (even painful) if you shoot a lot. But in any defense situation, you will probably shoot zero rounds. And if you do shoot, you'll have too much on your mind to notice recoil.

[old mark]

10. How did this work out?...nt