[PorscheVille]

My younger son wants a pistol....he wants a 9 mm. And, with the price of a Kimber and of .45 ammo, I'm inclined to let him get a cheaper 9m. Like $600 or less. His friend has told him to get a Smith & Wesson M&P polymer pistol.
I don't like the looks of it plus it looks small. My son is 6'8"/320lbs and has sausages for fingers. He needs a full-sized gun. Plus, I like something more classic. Metal, not polymer.

With his big hands and limited manual dexterity, I'm thinking about a Beretta 92fs. Simple break down. Ultra reliable. And about as good looking as a non-1911 gun can get.

Suggestions and nominations welcome.

 

[FLSTF]

I was also thinking the Beretta 92fs. But remember the 92fs is a DA/SA

 

[Islander]

If you're buying, I'd take him to a gun shop and let him pick what he likes. He's going to be the one using it, not any of us!

 

[bigdog10]

Steve is 100 percent right. its apparent that you've taken your son to the range. so he will have some sort of idea of what he wants already. now dad I've been looking at an Ed Brown exc. that you can purchase for me!!!

 

[pbsdaddy]

Good suggestions. Let the shooter make the choice. If used isn't a problem, check out the Browning Hi Power. The original single action is still a fine, well respected weapon. In good used form, (often not very used at all), they can be had for the $600 or maybe a bit more. But, they will never depreciate and the feel is much like the 1911.
On the other hand, if he's a big boy, what's wrong with a 1911? The difference in the cost of rounds is pennies each. A decent Rock Island or other similar brand can be had for about $450.

 

[Dude22]

Another vote for Rock 1911. Great first 1911! May not be pretty but reliable and accurate. Being a 1911 you can always modify it the way you want.

 

[PorscheVille]

If you're buying, I'd take him to a gun shop and let him pick what he likes. He's going to be the one using it, not any of us!

Good point Islander. Except he'll see a Nighthawk and want that.

 

[Islander]

Good point Islander. Except he'll see a Nighthawk and want that.

And the problem with that is.......

 

[PorscheVille]

Good suggestions. Let the shooter make the choice. If used isn't a problem, check out the Browning Hi Power. The original single action is still a fine, well respected weapon. In good used form, (often not very used at all), they can be had for the $600 or maybe a bit more. But, they will never depreciate and the feel is much like the 1911.
On the other hand, if he's a big boy, what's wrong with a 1911? The difference in the cost of rounds is pennies each. A decent Rock Island or other similar brand can be had for about $450.

My only reluctance about him having a 1911 is that I want him to clean it. He had a brain injury at age 4 (long story) and his fine motor skills are almost non-existent. But he is fascinated with machines and especially weapons and he does have some mechanical inclination. (I asked him to take a radiator out of a tractor with no instruction and he did it.) He is 21 and I have put off getting him a gun for a long time until he was more mature. Anyway, I want to make sure he can strip and clean a gun without too much frustration and I think a 1911 would be a bit challenging. I heard that a M9 is much simpler to break down.

I haven't shot a DA/SA gun before. I know what it means but haven't experienced it.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[PorscheVille]

And the problem with that is.......

Haha....he won't get a Nighthawk before I get a nighthawk!

Honestly, my son has no concept of money. "I can't buy you a $5,000 toy" means nothing to him.

 

[Chuck43]

If simplicity of maintenance is a concern have you considered a revolver?

 

[PorscheVille]

Yeah, that's a good idea. And some makers like S&W offer large frame models that would fit his big hands. Although most S&Ws costs about as much as much a Kimber. But, yeah I do see cheaper revolvers in gun stores.

He is very impressionable and with my luck he'll get fixated on a vintage Colt Python or something. (Which I'd like for myself)

 

[Islander]

Haha....he won't get a Nighthawk before I get a nighthawk!

Honestly, my son has no concept of money. "I can't buy you a $5,000 toy" means nothing to him.

No offence meant. I didn't know the rest of the story.

 

[pbsdaddy]

FEG Hungary 9mm Pistol Browning Hi Power Copy : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

Some of these clones are very good guns. This would give him something that looks and feels like the 1911 but is much simpler to takedown, (push the slide back, pop out the slide release and pull everything off the front of the frame).

 

[PorscheVille]

FEG Hungary 9mm Pistol Browning Hi Power Copy : Semi Auto Pistols at GunBroker.com

Some of these clones are very good guns. This would give him something that looks and feels like the 1911 but is much simpler to takedown, (push the slide back, pop out the slide release and pull everything off the front of the frame).

Thanks. I'll give that a look.

 

[sbubrick]

In passing through my gun monger's store yesterday to check on what he knew about the Kimber micro. while waiting to speak with him. I saw a Sig 9mm compact that will most likely will be my next purchase. Hopefully replacing the Solo that has been a nightmare. More info after this weekend.......

 

[OscarZ]

In passing through my gun monger's store yesterday to check on what he knew about the Kimber micro. while waiting to speak with him. I saw a Sig 9mm compact that will most likely will be my next purchase. Hopefully replacing the Solo that has been a nightmare. More info after this weekend.......

I just bought a Sig P938 yesterday on GB.
Then the wife tells me that it will be her carry gun but I can shoot it too!
I guess having a wife that likes the pistols does have a downside!
I suggested his and hers since she wanted an Extreme or AG and I liked the rubber grips with the finger grooves. She said "Having 2 of the same gun makes no sense". I agreed to disagree. That is it's own discussion. I will start a new thread on that subject and not Hijack the Villes thread.

 

[sbubrick]

I have a Sig P-238 (the .380 version) and love it it's my daily carry and has been for about two years! Great gun!

 

[lightfighter363]

How about a shield???

 

[Gmountain]

My favorite 9mm, without question, is my Walther P99 AS. I carry it daily. I love this gun. It's comfortable, shoots great, is SA/DA, second strike capability, can be carried SA, and the grip can be customized. Walthers are totally reliable too.

If I had to give up all my handguns but one, I'd be keeping the Walther.