Birthday Shopping

[Irish Lager]

So last Sunday was my 21st birthday. I did a lot of pistol shopping and some knife shopping while i was at it. I have made my decision about my carry piece, and while i was at a local gun shop i found something that caught my eye. It was a PE Spur w/ gray looking kraton insert. So i picked it up, and called it a day. I have to save up for my pistol and go get my purchase permit. I decided to go w/ a Walther PPK .380 SS. Later on I plan to get a hunting piece and most likely a 6 gun too. But for now the PPK will be my main focus.
Just thought id share my thoughts and get some of your opinions about my choice.
J

[zenheretic]

So last Sunday was my 21st birthday. I did a lot of pistol shopping and some knife shopping while i was at it. I have made my decision about my carry piece, and while i was at a local gun shop i found something that caught my eye. It was a PE Spur w/ gray looking kraton insert. So i picked it up, and called it a day. I have to save up for my pistol and go get my purchase permit. I decided to go w/ a Walther PPK .380 SS. Later on I plan to get a hunting piece and most likely a 6 gun too. But for now the PPK will be my main focus.
Just thought id share my thoughts and get some of your opinions about my choice.
J

Is it the most updated version? Smoothed and extended beavertail by Smith and Wesson? Otherwise don't bother. Also verify if it is drop safe? (can be dropped onto concrete without fear of discharge.) All older models and perhaps all PPK are not drop safe. The pistol needs the beavertail and the extra smoothing work because it will bite your hand web (the soft flesh between the trigger finger and the thumb) when you shoot. The PPK is famous for this.

The PPK was a great design in the 1930s, but unlike a 1911 .45 it hasn't stood the test of time. The .380 cartridge is the bare minimum for self defense if that is a consideration. If you have to get a .380, the Sig Sauer .380 is a far better gun.

If the small size caught your eyes, Kahr makes a 9mm approximately the same size which is also a better gun. The PPk is heavy for its size.

On the bright side, it is real fun to shoot. I've owned two for about 15 years.

For a first pistol, I don't believe it is the best choice. IMO, a first gun should fill more than one role. An underpowered, heavy, short barrled pistol that is not safe and bites you just doesn't cut it. If folks respond to this thread, you'll hear a million opinions, but you can't go wrong with a Sig or a Glock. Since you have to save for a gun, you obviously aren't made out of money. The Glock is the best value of the two.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Irish: Check your PM's..........Doc

[zenheretic]

Irish: Check your PM's..........Doc

Not fair Doc. We like to hear your firearm opinions.

[Dr. Snubnose]

Not fair Doc. We like to hear your firearm opinions.

I sent Irish a PM on this matter...but to be honest I agree with your comments 100%....Doc

[zenheretic]

I sent Irish a PM on this matter...but to be honest I agree with your comments 100%....Doc

Ok, good, just checking my work with the pros.

[DAYWALKER]

Is it the most updated version? Smoothed and extended beavertail by Smith and Wesson? Otherwise don't bother. Also verify if it is drop safe? (can be dropped onto concrete without fear of discharge.) All older models and perhaps all PPK are not drop safe. The pistol needs the beavertail and the extra smoothing work because it will bite your hand web (the soft flesh between the trigger finger and the thumb) when you shoot. The PPK is famous for this.

The PPK was a great design in the 1930s, but unlike a 1911 .45 it hasn't stood the test of time. The .380 cartridge is the bare minimum for self defense if that is a consideration. If you have to get a .380, the Sig Sauer .380 is a far better gun.

If the small size caught your eyes, Kahr makes a 9mm approximately the same size which is also a better gun. The PPk is heavy for its size.

On the bright side, it is real fun to shoot. I've owned two for about 15 years.

For a first pistol, I don't believe it is the best choice. IMO, a first gun should fill more than one role. An underpowered, heavy, short barrled pistol that is not safe and bites you just doesn't cut it. If folks respond to this thread, you'll hear a million opinions, but you can't go wrong with a Sig or a Glock. Since you have to save for a gun, you obviously aren't made out of money. The Glock is the best value of the two.

Aloha and happy 21st IL,

I agree with zen' here...by now, most know I am a big fan of the Glock as are a lot of folks, and with good reason. They are like the Salt series...nearly 0 maintenance and very reliable. The Glocks are easy to shoot well also.

Kahr's are great guns also for the small pawed folks like you and I. I was planning on getting a Kahr 9mm back in 96, but settled on the Glock instead.

Congrats on the Spur and keep us posted on your choice of firearm!

God bless and take care Knifebro

[TheKnifeCollector]

Happy belated 21st!! Cool on the knife. I have owned Glocks, and sold all the ones I had. I have 2 Kahr Arms guns that I just LOVE!! I have an Elite 98 in 9mm & .40.. They ARE fantastic guns!! I ran Tactical Handgun course with my 9mm Kahr, and it was awesome! I can not say enough good stuff about my Kahrs!

[Irish Lager]

well it appears you have convinced me to chage my mind.
I am going to keep looking around. I was suggested a Sig or Glock by one of the other members. Even though i find glocks to be a great gun, it is not the manufactuer for me. With the size of my hand they just dont fit. So basicly i am looking for a slim profile .40 or .357 sig i think. I am going to look into some revolvers as well, but wanted to know what my options are w/ theese 2 calibers. The grips have to be thinner than the glock, as it is too wide for my hand.
Thanks for any help.
J

[TheKnifeCollector]

I.L., do yourself a favor an check out Kahr Arms too! TRUST me!! They are awesome guns. I LOVE them. They are wicked accurate.

[zenheretic]

well it appears you have convinced me to chage my mind.
I am going to keep looking around. I was suggested a Sig or Glock by one of the other members. Even though i find glocks to be a great gun, it is not the manufactuer for me. With the size of my hand they just dont fit. So basicly i am looking for a slim profile .40 or .357 sig i think. I am going to look into some revolvers as well, but wanted to know what my options are w/ theese 2 calibers. The grips have to be thinner than the glock, as it is too wide for my hand.
Thanks for any help.
J

Yeah my hand is barely big enough to hold a fat .45 Glock model 30. You can have Glocks slimmed down at a number of sources, but if it doesn't fit your right out of the box, why bother? Especially for pistol number 1. The reason I said the Glock was a better value is it is usually a few hundred dollars cheaper when new, lasts a darn long time without problems (especially in 9mm) and the magazines are a lot cheaper than Sigs. ($20 vs $40-$50). I advise buying as many magazines as you can afford....expect more magazine bans in the future...possibly as soon as November...sooner if someone important gets assasinated.

The .40 caliber seems to be the most popular for the Police and has about 15 years of stats to back it up, so I'd say that is a good choice. There are a ton of pistol options. Just about everyone makes one or more models. A Sig might fit your hand better (it does mine). I like the Model 229 in .40. If you buy a .357 barrel (either now or later), you can fire .357 Sig ammo through the same gun using the same magazines. (you probably can do this with other manufacturers too but I don't know for sure). On paper, .357 Sig is a great ammo, is supposed to shoot flatter and roughly the same ballistics as a real .357. The .40 cal ammo is much cheaper. 9mm being the cheapest and going up per box in the higher calibers. .45 is almost always more expensive.

For revolvers look in my very recent revolver thread for a lot of good advice from everyone. The great thing about a revolver is no extra money for magazies (although speed loaders and speed strips should be considered). Also the .357 has about 50 years of stats to back it up. To save money you can shoot .38 ammo in a .357. Also you can find .38 or .357 in every backwater town you might ever cross...other ammos may be harder to get. Top choices for me at the moment would be the Ruger SP101 (and Doc Snubnose recs it too) or a Smith and Wesson Ladysmith both in .357. Don't let the "lady" name fool you, it is a great choice for anybody.

[Irish Lager]

Went to another local gun shop today to see what they had. Saw a few glocks that i liked there was the 33 and 32c in .357 sig, and then i took a look at a hammerless Ruger SP 101. I have held the SP 101 on several ocasions and like it a lot. I also took a look at a 5 shot airlight Smith 642-2 hammerless and 648 w/ the hammer spur in .38+P

I really like the SP 101, but i am still not sure if i want to go that route or maybe with the Smith 648. I like the feel of it, and for my intended purpose .38+P would do me just fine i think. Lots of thinking to do for now, any one have any feed back about the Smiths or perhaps even the Glock 33?

Thanks again for all your help.

On a side note, went to the local PD to get a purchase permit today, should have it on thurs, and will be the proud new owner of a .25 auto that is being gifted to me by my uncle.

Take care all,
J

[Dr. Snubnose]

Irish: Smiths and Rugers are the best revolvers made...the Ruger will be more comfy to shoot because of the special recoil absorbing grips...shooting a 357 mag out of the Sp101 will be a lot more comfortable to shoot then the .38 special out of the Smith...that being said enjoy the .25 caliber...have fun shooting it but never carrry it for SD....Doc