I went through 23 Handguns before I found the right one(s)

[Tyler-The-Piker]

Just an FYI for the n00bs out there:

I bought, sold, traded 23 handguns before I finally found 2 that I wanted to keep and carry. I know some folks hope or think that the first and only gun that they buy will be the one for life. maybe so, maybe not. It took me some time to finally be knowledgeable and comfortable with my abilities and needs. I rented a couple, shot friends' guns and generally studied up on and read a lot of this site before I was for sure what I wanted. I spent nearly 2 years time and went through a little over half of these (and umpteen holsters) before I even applied for my LTCH.

SCCY CPX-1 gen 2 (9mm)
Taurus 942 (22 mag)
Taurus 85 (.38 spl)
Phoenix HP22A (.22lr)
Taurus PT-22 (.22lr)
Hi Point (380)
Taurus 85 hammerless (.38spl)
Sig Sauer P230 (.380)
Rossi (357mag)
FEG SMC (.380)
Taurus PT740 Slim (.40)
Chiappa Puma 1911-22 (.22lr)
CDM Sportarms (.22 s/l/lr)
Glock 23 gen 3 (.40)
Bersa Thunder 22 (.22lr)
Zastava EZ40 (.40)
Taurus 85 (.38spl)
Taurus 96 (.22lr)
Smith & Wesson SW9VE (9mm)
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard (.380)
Beretta 9000S (.40)
Beretta Bobcat 21A (.22lr)
Glock 27 gen 3 (.40)

...I went with the Glock 23 and the Glock 27...
might be cliche (to the Glock haters lol)
but those were by far the best 2 options for me.

FWIW

 

[dshaf]

Can't go wrong there!

 

[lucky4034]

Lesson learned?

Buy quality and reputation once

Cry once....

There are so many options that you haven't tried yet in the same category (as the Glocks you've chosen)... I wouldn't be surprised if you doubled that list with quality firearms before settling on an XD, M&P, Beretta, CZ or ???

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

it was fun to go through the process. and i got a lot of good experience. plus I never took a hit on selling or trading any of those that I didn't keep. I never had any trouble reselling or trading any of those. some of them I traded for long guns (that I still have).

 

[Birds Away]

My story is pretty much the same except for the number, which I would feel a little silly sharing, and the final destination. I didn't always do well with the trades/sales but that had more to do with my impatience than anything else. Congrats on finding what works for you. For me it was a whirlwind two years but man it was fun.

 

[other dave]

Just an FYI for the n00bs out there:

I bought, sold, traded 23 handguns before I finally found 2 that I wanted to keep and carry. I know some folks hope or think that the first and only gun that they buy will be the one for life. maybe so, maybe not. It took me some time to finally be knowledgeable and comfortable with my abilities and needs. I rented a couple, shot friends' guns and generally studied up on and read a lot of this site before I was for sure what I wanted. I spent nearly 2 years time and went through a little over half of these (and umpteen holsters) before I even applied for my LTCH.

SCCY CPX-1 gen 2 (9mm)
Taurus 942 (22 mag)
Taurus 85 (.38 spl)
Phoenix HP22A (.22lr)
Taurus PT-22 (.22lr)
Hi Point (380)
Taurus 85 hammerless (.38spl)
Sig Sauer P230 (.380)
Rossi (357mag)
FEG SMC (.380)
Taurus PT740 Slim (.40)
Chiappa Puma 1911-22 (.22lr)
CDM Sportarms (.22 s/l/lr)
Glock 23 gen 3 (.40)
Bersa Thunder 22 (.22lr)
Zastava EZ40 (.40)
Taurus 85 (.38spl)
Taurus 96 (.22lr)
Smith & Wesson SW9VE (9mm)
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard (.380)
Beretta 9000S (.40)
Beretta Bobcat 21A (.22lr)
Glock 27 gen 3 (.40)

...I went with the Glock 23 and the Glock 27...
might be cliche (to the Glock haters lol)
but those were by far the best 2 options for me.

FWIW

And you really think you're done? Muahahaha!

 

[Que]

What, no M&P?

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

And you really think you're done? Muahahaha!

touché

 

[SERparacord]

The list explains it all.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

The list explains it all.

you can see the n00bness scattered throughout that list, huh?

 

[JettaKnight]

Wow! Not to be mean, but there's a lot of crap on that list. There's only a few that'd I even consider carrying. (owning, yes, carrying, no)

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

no offense taken, Jetta. that's why I don't own any of them anymore except for the 2 Glocks.
I didn't have anyone to properly school me on junk vs. quality. I kinda had to discover it for myself.

 

[Spanky46151]

Don't pick up a G29...you'll have to chance your post header!

 

[Birds Away]

I just think it's interesting that you seemed to focus on the smaller calibers and then ended up with a .40.

 

[lovemachine]

Just an FYI for the n00bs out there:

I bought, sold, traded 23 handguns before I finally found 2 that I wanted to keep and carry. I know some folks hope or think that the first and only gun that they buy will be the one for life. maybe so, maybe not. It took me some time to finally be knowledgeable and comfortable with my abilities and needs. I rented a couple, shot friends' guns and generally studied up on and read a lot of this site before I was for sure what I wanted. I spent nearly 2 years time and went through a little over half of these (and umpteen holsters) before I even applied for my LTCH.

SCCY CPX-1 gen 2 (9mm)
Taurus 942 (22 mag)
Taurus 85 (.38 spl)
Phoenix HP22A (.22lr)
Taurus PT-22 (.22lr)
Hi Point (380)
Taurus 85 hammerless (.38spl)
Sig Sauer P230 (.380)
Rossi (357mag)
FEG SMC (.380)
Taurus PT740 Slim (.40)
Chiappa Puma 1911-22 (.22lr)
CDM Sportarms (.22 s/l/lr)
Glock 23 gen 3 (.40)
Bersa Thunder 22 (.22lr)
Zastava EZ40 (.40)
Taurus 85 (.38spl)
Taurus 96 (.22lr)
Smith & Wesson SW9VE (9mm)
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard (.380)
Beretta 9000S (.40)
Beretta Bobcat 21A (.22lr)
Glock 27 gen 3 (.40)

...I went with the Glock 23 and the Glock 27...
might be cliche (to the Glock haters lol)
but those were by far the best 2 options for me.

FWIW

With the list of poor quality guns, minus the Glocks, I'm surprised that there aren't any XD's and M&P's on that list....

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

I just think it's interesting that you seemed to focus on the smaller calibers and then ended up with a .40.

ya, the first time a ran a magazine through the 23, the proverbial clouds opened up, the sun shone down (with harps playing) and it was quite an epiphany

 

[sparkyfender]

Nothing wrong with a GLOCK, I have affinity for the 27.
Congrats on finding something you really like!

I predict you may "wander" a bit more in the future. There are a lot of good handguns out there, a lot of fun to be had.......

 

[Birds Away]

Someday we should go shooting. I might convert you again.

 

[kawtech87]

If I have learned anything in my short time in the gun world it is that the quest for the "perfect pistol" never ends.

Congrats on the Glocks. They are good guns and will serve you well. Just don't pick up the Walther PPQ, or a S&W M&P Pro series, or a CZ, or a CZ clone, or a quality 1911, or an H&K or a German Sig or a....

 

[Birds Away]

Some of us find our destinations, others not so much. Some, I think, really just enjoy the search too much. It's all good.