So a coworker was looking to get his first pistol so we went to shore shot to check out their rental board. Got to shoot more Different stuff than I've had in total previously.

 

So we get there and rent the 9mm and .45 stuff. Loaded 5 rounds per magazine and tested them out.

 

First up was the glock 17. Felt good but wasn't overly impressed. About how I remembered it from before when I shot it once in the past

 

Next up was the Kimber 1911. I couldn't even get to enjoy the trigger because it's such a slim gun. I felt like I was "smothering" the gun for lack of a better word. I shot it reasonably well but would need a lot more time to get used to the slim grip.

 

Beretta 92fs. Big big surprise here. I hated it. The trigger felt horribly sloppy and the external trigger bar looked cheap and weird. I really thought Id like this gun but was surprised that I really didn't.

 

Sig p220. I liked it a lot. It's very similar to my p226 that I personally own but the grip is thinner. Not as thin ad the Kimber. I think this would work better than a 1911 for me if I wanted a .45

 

P226. It's the first handgun I own and the one I have the most trigger time on. Mine has about 550 rounds through it and I've probably only racked up 1000 rounds total through handguns to date so about half of my trigger time is on this gun. I like the platform, feel, and trigger of this gun. Maybe I'm biased but I was happy leaving knowing I liked it as much a I do.

 

M&p9. Only 5 rounds through it total but I really liked it. Shot and S&w40 before and hated it but that one was DAO. This was way nicer although the feel of the parts together was a little lose. But shooting was nice so no issues

 

Last up was my biggest surprise. A full size .45 glock. G21 I think??? I shot 5 rounds at 7 yards and this is what I ended up with. I'm sure it's not great for some others but for me. It is really good.

 

Big Block Glocks are great. The wide grip does a lot to soak up the recoil too.

Some people are compatible with Glocks and some are not.

 

Cant go wrong with the Sigs or the M&P. I am surprised however to hear about the 1911.....

Maks, is your GAP glock on the big G21 frame?

I was surprised about the 1911 as well. I should have changed the targets more as the flock was the only one without a lot of holes confusing me. But time didn't allow. What inwas happy about the most is the fact that my 226, which I bought without ever shooting, worked out the best for me. Usually doesn't work out that well for me.

Amazing how personal a gun is.

I can not hit a damn thing with a glock, yet I can rip holes (right Caine?) with my 92fs like there's no tomorrow!

Some 1911's have the slim-line grips. I know Dan Wesson and Les Baer do on some carry models. I personally find them too skinny too.

 

Jon,

The 45GAP is not on a large frame (i.e. 10mm, 45ACP) frame glock. It is based on the regular frame. They make the equivalent of Glock 17/19 and 21/22 for 45GAP. It is the 37/38.

 

Not that anyone would buy one, of course.

Maybe I need a glock 10mm then !!!

Do all 92fs have the exposed trigger bar? Do they break or get caught up on things. It looked really flimsy

All Beretta 92 models and their derivatives (i.e, Cougar, etc) have the exposed trigger bar. I know it doesn't look the best, but I have never heard of one breaking or stop working because crud got caught in there.

 

The 10MM Glock is a one-of-a-kind. Except for the Smith 10XX series, it is the only autoloading pistol I felt handled full power 10mm loads without feeling like it was slowly (or quickly) slamming itself to pieces. Unless you are a handloader, or plan to be, I would recommend against getting the Glock in 10mm. Most non-range stores don't carry it, and it is usually pricey at those that do. If you do plan on handloading, there is no better cartridge in my opinion.

You have a very wide range of bullet weights (i.e. 135gr, 155gr, 165gr, 180gr, 200gr, 220gr). And you can load them @ 800fps for plinking or to magnum velocities for self-defense/hunting/woods protection (i.e. 135grain @1700fps, 180grain@1300fps). The only downside is chasing the brass. It's not like there is much 10mm laying around on most range floors. If someone forced me to only own one handgun for all purposes, it would be a G20 or G29.

Lunker beat me to it... the Glock 37/38/39 are the same thickness as the 9mm and 40 cal versions. Makes a huge difference. That was the whole point, to get a 45 caliber round, into a 9mm package.

Do they break or get caught up on things. It looked really flimsy

 

never and theyre not

I own a Glock 21SF... has a grip with a reduced backstrap to make it similar to the grip on a 17. Shoots great.

never and theyre not

what's weird is that the pics i'm seeing online look a lot different than i remember in person. i'll have to get my hands on one to check it out a little more closely. the one i had in my hand almost looked liked it was a piece of stamped sheet metal, the ones online look like an actual solid piece.

I am drinking a little glock kool aid right now.

 

Kristen wants to try the g21 and I would love to see the g21sf.

 

I am still thinking of a g37/38

Someone said a couple weeks ago that the 92fs rental was broken, they may have fixed it just enough for it to shoot. I stand by my 92fs m9a1, very solid pistol, and the trigger is very crisp with SA, the DA can be a little long and heavy on the first shot, but still crisp on the break. I wondered about the exposed trigger bar too, but from the feel of mine it is very solid, and i barely notice it. I'm not sure what they did with it to make you think of it in such a poor way, people may have misused it all this time and they are willing to fix it but not replace it. Damn shame if i may say so.

You forgot to shoot an H&K!

could be that it was broken. the trigger actually had a noticeable amount of play in the horizontal direction (or whatever direction is perpendicular to the plane the trigger moves in) and was anything but crisp. almost like pulling through a sponge.

You forgot to shoot an H&K!

 

they didnt have any for rent

92FS flimsy? No, it's arguably one of the greatest handguns of all time. Nothing cheap or flimsy about them.

 

Next time out try an XD too, mine as well shoot as many as you can before you take the plunge.

a friend has an XD45. i've shot it on a few occasions. i think i've shot a good amount of stuff. i want to try another 92fs, it cant be as bad as i thought it was. and trust me, i was excited to try it out too so its not like i was being picky about it. as much as i like my sigs, i could almost be happy with any/all of them.

a friend has an XD45. i've shot it on a few occasions. i think i've shot a good amount of stuff. i want to try another 92fs, it cant be as bad as i thought it was. and trust me, i was excited to try it out too so its not like i was being picky about it. as much as i like my sigs, i could almost be happy with any/all of them.

 

92FS is one of the most solid handguns to own, especially as one of your first handguns.

I really like the Smith and Wesson M&P in 40sw .Great feel good round placement. Next in line for me for sure. Not a Glock man myself .Don't care for the feel. JMO

a friend has an XD45. i've shot it on a few occasions. i think i've shot a good amount of stuff. i want to try another 92fs, it cant be as bad as i thought it was. and trust me, i was excited to try it out too so its not like i was being picky about it. as much as i like my sigs, i could almost be happy with any/all of them.

 

I will be at Shore Shot with mine on Sunday Feb 20th if you want to shoot it.

Just bring some ammo if you want to shoot more then a couple 15rd mags.

I once rented a G30 in Las Vegas and couldn't believe how accurate and how controllable it was!!!

 

I have refallen in love w/ my M&P40 w/ Apex sear and polished internals. Had it for sale forever on this site, but glad I held onto it. The M&P is a very very nice shooting platform. My wife has a Beretta 92FS that I find hard to shoot good groups with. Sig P226.... outstanding pistol. Recently picked up a Gen4 G23.... really digging that pistol as well.

 

I have 2 permits ready to use, but have no idea what I want to get. M&P9c, Gen4 G19 (although I already have a Gen2 & Gen3 G19), Gen4 G26, G21SF/G30SF, M&P45. I'd love to get another .45, but ammo is pricey. Yup after reading this thread, my lust for a Glock .45 grows.

so did the shore shot rental again today. and once again. super let down by the beretta 92fs. seems like the trigger bar issue was fixed or at least different than i remember, but the gun jammed 4 times in 15 rounds. every time was a failure to feed or whatever you'd call it. simply racking the slide fixed it every time.

I tried out the M&P 45ACP at Shore Shot and liked it. I'm going to try out the G20 and G21 on Saturday. I understand from Smyrna that the Gen4 G21 should be introduced in April.

so did the shore shot rental again today. and once again. super let down by the beretta 92fs. seems like the trigger bar issue was fixed or at least different than i remember, but the gun jammed 4 times in 15 rounds. every time was a failure to feed or whatever you'd call it. simply racking the slide fixed it every time.

I wouldn't use that as your model. The Beretta 92 is one of the most jam-free designs ever. I would chalk it up to being a range gun. There are a ton of forum members who own that gun. Why not post ahead of time that you want to shoot at SS, and want to try a Beretta 92. I'll bet someone wants to shoot.

I tried out the M&P 45ACP at Shore Shot and liked it. I'm going to try out the G20 and G21 on Saturday. I understand from Smyrna that the Gen4 G21 should be introduced in April.

 

I am a Glock guy, but that M&P is pretty awesome, right? And lefy friendly for me.

I wouldn't use that as your model. The Beretta 92 is one of the most jam-free designs ever. I would chalk it up to being a range gun.

 

If it was such a flawless design, usage at the range wouldn't negatively affect its performance. This is not to say it's not a good gun, it is. Glocks, Sigs and H&Ks however can go thousands of rounds without cleanings and never miss a beat.