i'm new here. thinking SR40, SR40C, or Beretta PX4 .40?

[SR40C]

The SR40c is an easy 40 to handle. My seven-year-old grandson shot it, and did just fine. I first loaded it with only one round, then only two rounds, just in case he lost control. He said it did not hurt him at all.

It appears that you want the SR40c pistol, and that is reason enough. Nothing says you have to only have this one for the rest of your life. I can't decide what I want either, so I own more than one pistol.

Good advice about getting a 22 pistol also. If I had to pare down to just one firearm, it would be a 22.

Jeff

Thx Jeff. Its good to know a 7 yr old can handle the sr40c. but i bet your 7 yr old is a lot more experienced than most. I will def look into a 22. any recommendations? I also really want to get into longer range practice ie Ruger Scout Gunsite, bolt action rifle.

 

[Mike J]

I doubt you could find a SR40c to rent right now as it has just been released but I would suggest you go to a rental range & shoot a similar sized .40 along with its 9mm counterpart (maybe rent a Glock 26 & 27 & put a box of ammo through each). This could give you a good idea of what you are getting into. Personally I like .40 but many folks don't like the way it recoils. We all need to find what works for us but recoil is subjective & you aren't going to know how it is for you until you try it. The cost of the rental & the ammunition will be less than what it might cost to buy a new gun that does not work well for you. Then you would either have to suck it up & be stuck with something that isn't best for you or lose money trading.

 

[revhigh]

I will def look into a 22. any recommendations? I also really want to get into longer range practice ie Ruger Scout Gunsite, bolt action rifle.

You'd want to look at a Ruger MKIII 5.5 inch (for perfect balance and similar feel to most larger caliber autos) ..... or if you wanted to go as inexpensive as possible ... a Ruger 22/45 (polymer frame) and again with a 5 inch barrrel or so ... if you want to have the gun balance similar to most autos, stay away from the longer barrelled Rugers, as they are front heavy, and not all that much better in terms of accuracy, although the longer sight radius of the longer barrelled guns is a help in aiming.

Here's a few links ....

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/12754

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/13153


I'd seriously consider getting the .22 first and becoming far more familiar with guns in general before buying a gun on impulse, which it seems is kinda like where you are now. Just some friendly advice.

REV

 

[revhigh]

Are hollowpoints civilian legal in NJ?

I can't remember but I thought I swore someone said hollowpoints aren't legal for civilians n NJ or maybe certain cities in NJ?

If this is true, I would probably want a caliber that makes a larger hole......

Hollow point is not illegal for home defense and range in nj

Uh ..... you better check on that .... I shoot with a lot of guys from NJ, and from what THEY say .... it's illegal to even POSSESS hollow points in NJ. They;re all terrified of accidentally leaving their house with a boxful of 22 hollowpoints by accident and getting caught with them. THe penalty is something like one year for every HP bullet.

THe PRNJ is just stupidly idiotic when it comes to gun laws ... and they don't mess around.

Actually .... I stand corrected ... according to the law ... you can possess it at your home, or carry it and use it at the range. You can NOT carry a gun with HP's.

Guess my buddies were wrong .... :D

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[SR40C]

Are hollowpoints civilian legal in NJ?

I can't remember but I thought I swore someone said hollowpoints aren't legal for civilians n NJ or maybe certain cities in NJ?

If this is true, I would probably want a caliber that makes a larger hole......

Hollow point is not illegal for home defense and range in nj

Uh ..... you better check on that .... I shoot with a lot of guys from NJ, and from what THEY say .... it's illegal to even POSSESS hollow points in NJ. They;re all terrified of accidentally leaving their house with a boxful of 22 hollowpoints by accident and getting caught with them. THe penalty is something like one year for every HP bullet.

THe PRNJ is just stupidly idiotic when it comes to gun laws ... and they don't mess around.

REV

Its not on impulse. I plan to continue my pistol training and look at this as a long term commitment.

as for hollow points. If your NJ friends are worried they can go DPX, which technically are not hollow.
http://www.nj.gov/njsp/about/fire_hollow.html

 

[revhigh]

Its not on impulse. I plan to continue my pistol training and look at this as a long term commitment.

I only meant impulse regarding WHICH gun to purchase ... not the purchase of a gun itself. It's great that you're doing that, especially in the PRNJ, as well as taking training .... many here don't even/haven't done that, so you're approaching this in the most responsible way possible. Good Luck !

As you can see in my post above ... I corrected myself, and now realize that my buddies from NJ didn't understand the law.

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[SR40C]

Its not on impulse. I plan to continue my pistol training and look at this as a long term commitment.

I only meant impulse regarding WHICH gun to purchase ... not the purchase of a gun itself. It's great that you're doing that, especially in the PRNJ, as well as taking training .... many here don't even/haven't done that, so you're approaching this in the most responsible way possible. Good Luck !

As you can see in my post above ... I corrected myself, and now realize that my buddies from NJ didn't understand the law.

REV

cool. yeh i want to get my butt out to gunsite and pay for 1 week type training as well.

 

[revhigh]

i want to get my butt out to gunsite and pay for 1 week type training as well.

For a less expensive option that you can do whenever you feel like it ... there's a range in Stroudsburg PA called Pocono Pistol Club that offers very inexpensive training on all kinds of subjects in groups.

They also have an NRA certified instructor that will train you (one on one in their private police range) on various tactical shooting for $50 per hour (and that includes the $20 or so range fee). Every thursday they have 'tactical night' when you can go there and practice in all kinds of tactical situations on the police range, like shooting from a car, from behind barricades, from all different positions, etc, etc. You have to be safety certified and pass a qualification test to be able to participate, but it's really not hard. Most of the tactical participants are cops doing training, but once you're certified, you can participate too. It's dirt cheap too. From 4-7, it costs $25 to participate, and everybody takes turns.

Not sure where you are in NJ, but it's the closest option for good training other than going to a very expensive school like Gunsite.

PM me if interested, and I'll tell you more about it.

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[SR40C]

I just pm'd you. that facility looks AWESOME! my closest range looks like a $hithole in not such a good neighborhood.

that drive is 1.5 hrs from me. but i rather do that once a month, than go to my local place which is only 20 min away.

i want to get my butt out to gunsite and pay for 1 week type training as well.

For a less expensive option that you can do whenever you feel like it ... there's a range in Stroudsburg PA called Pocono Pistol Club that offers very inexpensive training on all kinds of subjects in groups.

They also have an NRA certified instructor that will train you (one on one in their private police range) on various tactical shooting for $50 per hour (and that includes the $20 or so range fee). Every thursday they have 'tactical night' when you can go there and practice in all kinds of tactical situations on the police range, like shooting from a car, from behind barricades, from all different positions, etc, etc. You have to be safety certified and pass a qualification test to be able to participate, but it's really not hard. Most of the tactical participants are cops doing training, but once you're certified, you can participate too. It's dirt cheap too. From 5-9, it costs $25 to participate, and everybody takes turns.

Not sure where you are in NJ, but it's the closest option for good training other than going to a very expensive school like Gunsite.

PM me if interested, and I'll tell you more about it.

REV

 

[revhigh]

I just pm'd you. that facility looks AWESOME! my closest range looks like a $hithole in not such a good neighborhood.

It's pretty much brand new ... only a few years old ... it's owned by Dunkelbergers ... a sports outfitter and gun store in Stroudsburg as well.

It's a VERY nice professional facility.

1.5 hours isn't bad if you spend a while there. YOu can also get a membership which allows you to shoot at a discount or free depending on the level of membership.

REV

 

[SR40C]

the only 9mm i like at this point is the px4 storm in the mid size "Compact" which still retains rotating barrel design. Reason being its full capacity is 15, the max in NJ. Price point is $480.

As a new firearm owner I would like to have a safety. If I got a 9MM, what are some options outside the mid sized px4 storm? holding 15 max?

I have no interest in going over $800 ie Sig or H&K.

 

[Tam 212]

imho, the #1 safety in any firearm owner is observing the 4 cardinal rules. New user or old timer.

A manual safety in a striker fired "safe action" pistol (a la Glock, SR, M&P) is kind of moot for many people. And unless you train in accordance to the manual of arms for that gun... having a manual safety can be a bad thing in a SD situation.

That said, I like the SR9. It works for me. But my other semi-auto is a 1911 so... a thumb safety is part of the manual of arms and I am comfortable with it.

I think the PX4 is only widely available in the decocker only version here in the states? Don't quote me on that though, I'm not up to speed on thePX4. My only experience with one has been putting a couple of magazines through a range rental.

 

[revhigh]

CZ75B ... IMO ... the best choice overall, and they make a compact as well. It's metal though .... not polymer .... and the most ergonomically perfect 9 on the market.

REV

 

[Tam 212]

The CZ brigade has arrived! :D

 

[SR40C]

imho, the #1 safety in any firearm owner is observing the 4 cardinal rules. New user or old timer.

A manual safety in a striker fired "safe action" pistol (a la Glock, SR, M&P) is kind of moot for many people. And unless you train in accordance to the manual of arms for that gun... having a manual safety can be a bad thing in a SD situation.

That said, I like the SR9. It works for me. But my other semi-auto is a 1911 so... a thumb safety is part of the manual of arms and I am comfortable with it.

I think the PX4 is only widely available in the decocker only version here in the states? Don't quote me on that though, I'm not up to speed on thePX4. My only experience with one has been putting a couple of magazines through a range rental.

I agree on the #1 safety being the person. But in any case, I personally would like my firearms to have external safety. As you said, I just need to train with it.

The F type PX4 has the safety built into the decocker. you can get all the other configs too in U.S.

The PX4 is def a soft shooter from my testing at the NRA class. it seems just like a Sig operations, outside of the slide mount decocker, and safety.

 

[SR40C]

I am taking heed but not taking everyone's word for it. Next Sat i am going to a range that rents out pistols, and i plan to shoot 50 rds .40, and 50 rds 9mm.

Renting
M&P 40 Compact
Glock 23 = 40 cal
Ruger SR 9mm full size

If the M&P 40 compact is too much to handle then i wont get sr40c. If its manageable, then I will likely stick with my initial gut choice (SR40 compact). I am renting the full sized sr9 to get a feel for the frame, as its the same lower dimension as the SR40 full size. And i plan to handle a new SR9 compact at their store, to see how that feels in my smaller hands.

So my options look like this:
9mm - Sig sp2022, px4 storm mid size, glock 23 (all 15 rd capacity)
40 cal - SR40c (1 mag = 9 rd. 1 mag = 15 rd)

 

[Lateck]

If the M&P 40 compact is too much to handle then i wont get sr40c. If its manageable, then I will likely stick with my initial gut choice (SR40 compact). I am renting the full sized sr9 to get a feel for the frame, as its the same lower dimension as the SR40 full size. And i plan to handle a new SR9 compact at their store, to see how that feels in my smaller hands.

To judge the new SR40c by another gun is not really fair, is it?????
I have a SR9c and SIG P239 (.40) and they are almost the same size but the SIG is very heavy.......
I love my 9c, it's my go to gun when I need to carry, and shoot straight!.
I'm waiting on a 40c, as we speak. (Put a deposit down on one already).

Please judge the SR40c on it's own marits....

Lateck,

 

[SR40C]

I would love to shoot one. But no one has one for rental, and as you know there is a wait to buy.

I have never shot a 40 cal. some say i shouldnt get one as 1st gun. So by firing 40 it will show me if that is true. right? if the recoil on the glock 23 and m&p compact 40 is too much, then the s40c will likely be too much too.

This is as close as I can get to evaluating. if the 40 cal on two very pop guns is too much, then i will stick with 9mm. and due to nj mag laws, i will have to get something other than sr9.

at the end of the day, i am going to end up with a SR40C or a Sig SP2022 9mm. Not too bad of a choice.

If the M&P 40 compact is too much to handle then i wont get sr40c. If its manageable, then I will likely stick with my initial gut choice (SR40 compact). I am renting the full sized sr9 to get a feel for the frame, as its the same lower dimension as the SR40 full size. And i plan to handle a new SR9 compact at their store, to see how that feels in my smaller hands.

To judge the new SR40c by another gun is not really fair, is it?????
I have a SR9c and SIG P239 (.40) and they are almost the same size but the SIG is very heavy.......
I love my 9c, it's my go to gun when I need to carry, and shoot straight!.
I'm waiting on a 40c, as we speak. (Put a deposit down on one already).

Please judge the SR40c on it's own marits....

Lateck,

 

[Tam 212]

Another consideration is cost of ammo.

I think it was already mentioned but... "inexpensive" .40 S&W FMJ range ammo prices are almost double 9mm.

Unless cost is no object, getting out to the range and practicing is less harsh on the wallet with 9mm than with .40 S&W.

 

[Anonymous]

I'll never personally buy another .40. Practice ammo is 50% more than 9mm, and I feel for defense, a good 9mm hollow point like Gold Dots will very easily get the job done.

I have 4 9mm's, and only 1 .40.

Too many people get hung up on caliber, when in all likely hood, you'll never use it for defense, but if that day ever comes, a 9mm loaded with good hollow points will end the bad guys day easily.

Edit: I have 4 9mm's, not 3 like I said originally.

 

[revhigh]

I'll never personally buy another .40. Practice ammo is 50% more than 9mm, and I feel for defense, a good 9mm hollow point like Gold Dots will very easily get the job done.

I'll never buy another 40 simply because of accuracy issues ... I had 3 and all were the worst shooting guns I've ever owned. It's rare that I sell a gun, but I sold all 3 of those. They were ....

CZ40B ..... Beretta P96 .... Ruger KP91 .... worst guns I've ever owned.

9MM will easily get the job done for a civillian. Hell ... a .22 will get the job done for 99.9% of civillians. I always laugh when civillians (typically mall ninjas) act like they need all this firepower .... gotta have something that starts with a '4', gotta have 17 rounds ... gotta carry two extra 17 round mags .... they walk around with their tactical pants and vests and concealment this and concealment that .... If you want to be a bad-ass tactical assassin ... become a cop or join the military for God's sake. That might not be as much fun as being a mall ninja though .... because then you might REALLY BE in danger.

Where do these people live, and just where do they go, and what situations do they put themselves in, that they need 52 rounds of self defense ammo that starts with a '4' on them at all times ??

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[Anonymous]

In AZ, you can carry concealed without a permit. I may do that on occasion, like going to the store or getting gas or something late at night. I plan on nothing more than having my SR9c with the 10 round magazine. No extra mags, or anything. If I need more than that, I need to run and call the cops, not have a shoot out with 6 or 7 people at the same time.

 

[SR40C]

I would have to agree with everyone's posts. I am slowly converting to the 9mm idea. a 9mm with dpx or crit def aint gonna bounce off a bad guy. And cops are fairly close by to my home. i am not rambo.

i am renting the sr9 full size sat. they dont rent out the sr9c. also trying 1 40 just so i can experience. prob glock 23.

If 15 rounds of 9mm cant save me, i have bigger problems

 

[SR40C]

btw thx for everyone for giving me constructive criticism and not chewing me out as a newbie.

 

[cruzerlou]

I carred a Beratta 92FS for almost 15 years and It was a solid gun .Now I've not has the chance to handle the Rugers but I have handled a PX4 [My feild training officer carries one ]and just speaking for my self the Beratta felt just weard in my hand .I've been shooting long enough to tell just by looking that the Rugers will fit the hand better ,again speaking just for me . Having said that if it were me I'd go with the Ruger wheather it be in 9 MM os .40 S&W and in the fullsised or compact model .Just my 2 cents,Oh BTW WELCOME TO THE FORUM!! :D
Lou

 

[Anonymous]

Not that looks are everything, but I find those PX4's to be one of the dumbest looking guns I've ever seen.

They look more goofy in person than they even do in pictures.

 

[revhigh]

btw thx for everyone for giving me constructive criticism and not chewing me out as a newbie.

That's because you approached it as a newbie with an open mind.

Most times when a newbie gets 'chewed out' as you put it, is when he already has the answer made up in his mind, but wants confirmation. WHen he doesn't get it from everybody, he argues that his way is right, which brings out the age old comment ... 'If you already had your mind made up ... what the hell did you ask the question for ?' :D

Good luck this Sat ... let us know what you decide.

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[revhigh]

Not that looks are everything, but I find those PX4's to be one of the dumbest looking guns I've ever seen.

They look more goofy in person than they even do in pictures.

I'd totally agree with that ... they are fugly. One of the most un-ergonomic looking guns I've ever seen. When you look at the lines of a HiPower or CZ75 or 1911, it just about makes you gag.

Maybe they shoot good, though, so I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :D

REV

 

[Anonymous]

I can't help but think WTF?, when I see one.

 

[SR40C]

I actually like that. but that is the sub compact.

they also have a mid size with 3.2" rotating barrel. identical height and length to glock 19. "compact" PX4 has 15 round mag in 9mm.

vs M&P compact

Right side ambi slide release plugged