thoughts on the SW9VE? sort of first gun

[11Z50]

I have a SW9G and I am happy with it. It serves a purpose. When I first acquired it in 2003, I had to send it back to SW because it had a light hammer strike and would not reliably fire. Got it back in a week(!) and it's been a good shooter ever since. I use it primarily for a spare carry weapon, and when I travel out of state by air. If it gets lost in my baggage, I won't be terribly upset. It is reasonably accurate, easy to shoot, and reliable.

I would not recommend it for a first handgun. I'd prefer something with a manual safety and more accuracy. I might be crazy, but I'd recommend a Ruger Blackhawk convertible 9mm/.357. It will last you a lifetime, and is extremely versitile.

[pilotimb]

I took my .380 Makarov out recently, after not having fired it for a while, and it's a great shooter, as well as being one of my most reliable semi-autos.

Unfortunately, you don't see them around that often. I saw one at Sportsmen's Supply a while back for $160, which is a good price locally, and it was gone a few days later. The FEG and P-64 aren't actually Makarovs, they just shoot the same ammo, and you should definitely avoid them for now.

The problem with them as a primary home defense weapon is that they're just not that powerful, and the sights aren't very good. Personally, I'd recommend a good fullsize 9mm for starters, because they're easy to shoot, powerful enough, and inexpensive to train with.

If I were looking for a first gun today and wanted to keep the price down, I'd stick with a CZ75, Glock, XD, or Ruger, and test them at the range. I prefer the CZ75 (my favorite!) and the XD, as the Glock fits me poorly and the Ruger P series are harder for me to shoot accurately, but that's just me.

At the same time, getting a lesser gun due to cost is a bit of a false economy, since a good gun will be with you long after the extra $100 is forgotten. I tend to spend about $30 in cash and ammo each range trip, and I try to go every week or two, so that obscures the extra cost quickly.

max

Thanks for the feedback Max. My first purchase will be a full size 9mm. The Mak would probably be a 2nd gun once I get some shooting in. They seem like really cool little guns.

[delloro]

why get a full-size 9mm that can only hold 10 rds.? if you are interested in a "full size" gun the Springfield XD in .40 is tough to beat. 10 .40s beat 10 9mms hands down.

[Ericthenorse]

Remember..... When drooling over the guns on Gunbroker... They must be on the list of certified handguns. If not, you can not bring them into the state. They must have the EXACT model number of one on the list to be eligable for import.... Otherwise you must buy private party from someone in CA....
http://justice.doj.ca.gov/safeguns/safeguns.asp

[pilotimb]

why get a full-size 9mm that can only hold 10 rds.? if you are interested in a "full size" gun the Springfield XD in .40 is tough to beat. 10 .40s beat 10 9mms hands down.

Yeah,

A .40 would be great, but I'd like to put lots of rounds through the gun, and ammo cost will be a big deal since I'm a poor college student at the moment.

[maxicon]

Not only that, the recoil of the .40 is a lot sharper and more uncomfortable than the 9mm, IMO. It's not a big deal, but for someone learning control, follow-ups, avoiding flinching, etc., I think the 9mm is ideal.

I like .38 spl for this reason too, but it's a good bit less powerful, limits you to revolvers, and still costs more than 9mm. Still, my favorite caliber after .22 and 9mm is .38/.357, because of the flexibility.

max

[jlmurphy]

If you buy a gun from out of state it will have to be on the Ca. approved list.