What do Americans look for in a handgun?
June 18th, 2010 by eranio
It could be you personally, but I would like to know what have historically been the features of handguns that make them preferred by the military, law enforcement, and your average firearm owner. I’m looking for things like, "pointablitity", balance, weight, concealment, cost, reliability, consistency, ease of maintenance, maybe the ability to customize. What has really sold it to the American public, and why?
Thanks everyone, keep them coming!! I’m not so much looking for a handgun personally, as the best overall balance of all the traits and what balance has made a gun popular historically.
Posted in military firearms
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
accuracy, reliability, doesn’t kick too much, performance, good looks, easy to use <— just some things
Handguns are popular here in the United States because of the convenience of them, being small, they’re easier to conceal and carry. Both males and females like them.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Accuracy and reliability are the most important aspects when considering it’s ability to shoot. If a gun can’t hit it’s mark, or jams unexpectedly, it is effectively useless in that regard. Concealment is also important for those who carry guns for self-defense. Unfortunately, concealable guns have shorter barrels and are less accurate. That means that people looking for a concealable weapon are going to be interested in different guns than those looking for sporting or hunting weapons.
The balance, weight, and size of a gun all vary depending on their user. I personally prefer a heavier, larger gun because I have large hands and the increased weight reduces recoil, making it more comfortable to shoot.
The ability to customize is only important to the serious gun owner who knows what he’s doing. Unless you know a lot about the specific gun, do not attempt to customize it. You might accidentally defeat a safety feature and make the gun dangerous to fire. For example, there is a risk of any gun’s barrel shattering. They are designed, however, to shatter in such a way that none of the pieces strike the user. Adding, say, a sight bridge to a gun might mess this system up and put the user in danger.
Basically, it’s all about personal preference. I own a rather formidable collection of hand guns, but my absolute favorite is a Smith and Wesson Model 25 .45 revolver with a brushed nickel polish. I also own an M1911 .45 semi-automatic which was issued to me in the military. The semi-automatic holds more ammo, is faster to fire, faster to reload, and is more accurate, but I still prefer the revolver. I’ve owned it for years, fired it thousands of times, and know it inside and out. I trust it, and have even carried it into action with me when I was sent to Iraq the second time.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
One that will kill a brotha dead.
Preferably a .40cal Glock 22.
EDIT:
Hey Andrew, not everyone in America is entitled to the right. We can’t just go into a store and purchase one no questions asked.. we have to have an extensive criminal background check performed as well as carry a permit if we carry it concealed.
Knives, swords, hammers, bats, etc. can kill you just as fast as a gun can.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I believe you answered your own question. All your reasons are very good ones, and what I would have come up with answering your question myself.
As a competitive shooter, I look for balance, weight, accuracy and quality. All can be quantitatively measured. I also carry concealed, and for personal protection other qualities are important to me, such as weight, caliber, size, reliability and the ability to conceal.
Ultimately, I purchase handguns based on the intended use.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
personally, giving the choice between an M4A1 carbine or a glock, id use the glock. very reliable, very accurate, easy maintenance and an all time favourite gun of mine.
Although, there are many others who dont like the glock, but the best gun school in america suggests the glock, this is from frontsight gun schools. and they teach law enforcment and soldiers and they learn lots from that school.
But it shouldnt be the gun that makes a difference in a fight, its the user, so make sure you know how to use it and use it well.
Good luck.
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Chapter Four: What To Look For In Handguns
The primary attributes that everyone regardless of experience looks for in a handgun, apply:
1. Purpose – Does the gun meet the intended purpose of the gun, whether it’s home defense, personal protection, concealed carry, hunting, plinking, competition, practice or whatever. The appropriateness of the caliber needs to be considered.
2. Quality – How is the fit and finish, and the the robustness of the materials used? Is it designed and manufactured well?
3. Price – Budget is a constraint for most people. This is the major determinant for most people in making tradeoffs with all the other features listed here. You may not be able to afford the best quality or the one that is most accurate or easiest to use. Also, don’t forget to consider the price of ammunition for your gun candidate.
4. Accuracy – Does it shoot where you point it, or close enough?
5. Ease-of-use/handling – Is the gun convenient to handle and operate?
6. Durability – Is it resilient over the long-term?
7. Reliability – Can the gun operate effectively a high percentage of the time?
8. Maintainability – Is the gun as close to maintenance free as possible?
9. Vendor support – Does the manufacturer or gunshop provide a service warranty on the product, and for how long?
10. Safety features – Besides complying with law, is there sufficient safety features of the gun?
11. Appearance – Is the gun attractive?
June 18th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I belong at Yahoo Group have selections of book "12 Criteria For Choosing a Combat Pistol", it first have chapters of each criteria tell some pistols good of each criteria, then test revolvers versus semi-automatics, then test specific pistols at several chapters, I try recall criteria of book.
1. Convenient size overall and grips, carry concealed of not, good balance, etc.
2. KO Power have several theories; General Julian Hatcher, John Taylor, Homer Powley, Jeff Cooper, Department of Justice, Thompson-LaGarde.
3. Adequate combat accuracy, target pistol not always good combat pistol.
4. Spare and custom parts and ammunition readily available.
5. Quick draw capability, quickly draw and shoot target at close range.
6. Good bullet selection of many purposes and must function of many bullet types.
7. Good firepower, must fire quickly many times at target and reload quickly.
8. Controllable recoil and components, good trigger, safety, cylinder or magazine release, etc.
9. Rugged reliability and durability, must fire every time you pull trigger and last long time.
10. Safety factors, safe at user and friends, only fire when fully depress trigger.
11. Capability of ambidextrous use, anyone may need use pistol at right or left hand.
12. Ease of maintenance and need minimum maintenance, easy diassemble and clean, not need clean often.