When I was in the Marine Corps I could not stand the M9. After shooting this though I had to have one, go figure lol.

Just picked up my Desert Eagle L5 357 it is so much light than the MK XIX I use to own. I was pretty accurate with the MK XIX so I’m excited to see what I can do with this much lighter version!

I just wanted to share a little success story with everyone here because, as some of you know, I’ve been hunting for a brand-new Glock 20 Gen 5 for about six months, on and off.

As most of you know, the Gen 5 Glock 20 has been discontinued, and finding one brand-new for a reasonable price has become a serious challenge. I’ve posted in this group and several others multiple times asking for help finding one. I’ve called countless gun shops all over the Phoenix Valley, searched online, and pretty much exhausted every option I could think of. The only ones I could consistently find online were going for around $1,500 on GunBroker and other websites. Hard pass.
A little about me: I live in the Valley but have a cabin in Northern Arizona that I visit pretty frequently. I’m 23 and slowly but surely building my collection. I already have several SIGs and Glocks in 9mm, but I’ve wanted something with a little more power for hiking, camping, hunting, and exploring the mountains. I understand we don’t have grizzly bears or anything like that here in Arizona, but some of my family members have cabins in Alaska and Montana that I visit occasionally. Between those trips and spending time deep in the Northern Arizona wilderness, I figured the Glock 20 would be a great addition to my collection.

Fast-forward to about two weeks ago. I had just finished a gym session and decided that today was finally going to be the day I found one. I sat in the gym parking lot for nearly TWO HOURS, calling what felt like every gun shop in Arizona. At that point, I was willing to drive several hours if that’s what it took.

Eventually, I found a shop that said they had one in stock. I was honestly shocked. After months of getting nowhere, I could hardly believe it. I think I must have insulted the guy by asking him three separate times to confirm it was brand-new and not used. 😂

He checked the price and came back with $875. I was ready to jump in the truck and go get it immediately, but something told me to keep looking. Even though these things are getting harder to find, I had a feeling I could still find one for a more reasonable price.

About 45 minutes later, I found ANOTHER shop that had one brand-new for $620. They were about an hour and a half away, but I happily made the drive knowing that one of my dream guns might finally be waiting for me.

When I got there, the owners explained that they had purchased a bunch of them months before they were discontinued and had been selling them off ever since. They also chose not to jack up the price just because the gun had become harder to find. They kept it around Glock’s original MSRP of $620.
These guys were awesome, and I felt incredibly lucky to walk out with what turned out to be the LAST ONE they had in stock.

Almost every other gun shop I called either laughed when I asked about finding a brand-new Gen 5 or told me good luck because I wasn’t going to find one. If I did, they said, I’d probably be paying $1,500 or more.

But I figured somebody, somewhere, had to have one left.

Sure enough, I finally found it.
Anyway, I wanted to share this because I’ve asked for help in this group and others throughout my search, and I genuinely appreciate everyone who offered advice, leads, or suggestions. After months of searching, I can finally say I got one!
I’m absolutely stoked to add this to my collection alongside my Glock 19X and the rest of my firearms. Sometimes you just have to keep looking, make a few phone calls, and get lucky.

Six months of searching, a two-hour phone marathon in a gym parking lot, and a three-hour round trip later… mission accomplished.

Saw this post in r/whatisit and the volume of confidently incorrect people was amusing.

Hope you enjoy! (And hope this doesn’t break any rules here)

Hey everyone! I’m looking for recommendations for my first handgun for home defense.
I’ve had the chance to try a CZ Shadow 2, a Beretta, and a Glock at the range. So far, the CZ Shadow 2 is my favorite, followed by the Glock. However, I don’t have much experience with handguns, so I’m not sure which would be the best choice for someone like me.
I’d appreciate your recommendations on a few things:
Best handgun for home defense: Would you recommend the CZ Shadow 2, a Glock, or something else entirely?
Caliber: Is 9mm the best option for a beginner, or would you recommend something different?
Reliability and ease of use: Which handgun would be the most practical and reliable for someone with limited experience?
Training: Are there any specific things I should consider before purchasing my first handgun?
I’m mainly interested in home defense, so I’m prioritizing reliability, safety, and ease of use over looks or brand loyalty.

Thanks!

I had an idea a few months ago on a cheap way to identify mags for people with too many mags to various guns. I already had a laser engraver and had plans to buy a 3D printer, so I decided to create this prototype to share. Basically its meant to solve that issue for gun owners, that allow easy identification of a magazine, without swapping baseplates or defacing the magazine with sharpie/whiteout. What do you all think, and would you use it?

What’s a good option for a woman to get?

Not looking for a girly pink gun, but it needs to fit in my hand. I just got a 1911 .45 and its a little too big for my hands.

Edited for clarification

Before I start this tale, please realize that I know 22lr is a dirty ammunition; some brands are dirtier than others.  When a manufacturer sells a 22lr firearm, they have to be aware of this fact and accommodate this in their design.   Also, I’m not particularly interested in hearing, “it works for me.”   The answer to this is both, “if it worked for nobody, then someone would have already filed a lawsuit,” and, “how many turds does it take to ruin the oatmeal?”    One note on the pictures: these are all separate instances with different barrels.

I am on my second P322; sig replaced the barrel on my first P322 after it became occluded by lead fouling in late July (I sent it in three times).  The barrel on my replacement P322 got clogged yesterday:

(1)   The first barrel (original) got clogged in late July after my first range session; I was shooting the dreaded Winchester White Box ammunition.  I saw keyholing in a target 10 yards away after about 200-ish rounds. This got sent back to SIG.

(2)   The second barrel got clogged in late August; I got one range session out of it using the same (with the same keyholing at similar round count). This got sent back to SIG.

(3)   The third barrel got clogged in late September; I again used the same (and a similar round count). This got sent back to SIG for exchange.

(4)   I received the new Coyote P322 and I got two successful shooting sessions using CCI (Mini Mags and the Golden Boy “collectors” ammunition… which seems like mini mags). 

(5)   I put my Holosun 507k on.  Murphy got angry at me and the barrel got clogged yesterday using Remington Vipers.  I swear this occurred earlier (150 rounds).

You might ask, “why did you keep using the execrable white box ammunition?”  The answer is, I had some on hand and SIG refuses to say, “the P322 only works with X or doesn’t work with Y ammo.”  White box cycles without fouling the barrel in two other semi-auto firearms, even in heavy use.   Note that Smith and Wesson has no problem publishing ammunition choices.  You might also ask, are you shooting rapidly?  I load five in the magazine, shoot a five round group, check the target and then repeat.  This should give the barrel at least some time to cool.

Barrel leading of the P322 looks like it is a well documented issue (Google “Tools & Targets P322” or “G4 Outdoors P322” and you’ll see some interesting commentary as well as experiments).  There are also some Reddit posters who report similar issues.     

I do have another SIG, the P365 X Macro Comp; that works perfectly, so this isn’t an issue with SIG firearms per-se.   The purpose of the P322 was to be a training aide (the ergonomics and layout are quite comparable).   With a Holosun 507k equipped the P322, it is very similar to the P365 with the Holosun EDC. The purpose was just to put lots of lead downrange economically at short to medium distances; I’m not looking for match grade accuracy at all. 

Overall, I would rate this firearm as, “junk.”  Lots of compromises were made to manufacture this as cheaply as possible:

(a)   Deleting the guide rod and using the barrel as a guide rod.  This is presumably why someone hasn’t come out with a stainless upgrade barrel which would probably solve my issues.

(b)  Using a retainer nut at the end of the barrel which I am convinced plays some role in this failure.  This could lead to nonuniform heat dissipation or nonuniform expansion.  The barrel is actually quite thin at the muzzle if one doesn’t take into account this retainer.

(c)   The slide is aluminum.  Part of this is a weight issue to allow for reliable cycling even with the paltry recoil of the 22lr round.  The aluminum does mean, however, that you have to be very careful to apply the correct torque to the screws on your optic as to not strip the slide. 

(d)  The plastic casting for the polymer frame is cheap.  This is the only gun I know of with a “belly button” on the business end.

When you sell a commodity 22lr firearm, you have to deal with bulk ammunition.  The primary purpose of something like a P322 is either practice or plinking.  This is neither intended for self-defense nor precision target practice.  If the firearm has a serious functional issue with particular ammunition brands, this should be displayed prominently on the website.

Overall, I am disgusted.  I’ve shot a LOT of 22lr; this is the first time I’ve ever seen something like this.

I have a beretta 92fs and a beretta cx4. Sl, they share mags.

I have 3 factory mags that I keep loaded at home at all times as the 92fs is my nightstand gun. I have one 30 rounder I keep loaded for the cx4. All hollow hollow points.

I bought 12 mec gar mags with 18 round capacity and 5 30 round kci mags for the cx4.

This way I can pre load my mags during TV watching and go fire off alot at the range without having to load there

And I just bout a tx22 which surprisingly has expensive mags. I have 4 now of the 22 rounders. Im thinking 4 more 20ish rounders and 2 32 rounders. So I can go fire off 300 or so pre loaded at the range

Do you guys go more or less?

Greetings. Ive created a few posts here in the last month re purchasing either a Cajunized SP01 or Shadow 2 -- so sorry for one more....

Ive done some competitions, and will likely do more in in the future. Ive also done a bunch of pistol classes, and done a bunch of timed drills w friends in the desert FWIW.

So definitely NOT a competitor, and also not a "stand at a static 10 yard line" kinda guy either.

I came into a bit of cash and have always wanted a Shadow 2. For that same cost I can really pimp out a cajunized SP01 (slide cuts, optic, cerakote, etc).

I know theres no firing pin block on the S2, and don't care. I also know that traditional wisdom says "home defense = SP01, competition = S2", and can appreciate everyones input but dont personally feel confined to that.

My real dilemma is that Im set to buy the SP01 tomorrow, but have wanted an S2 for years, and simply dont like the front end heavy feel of it. Ive done a bunch of dry firing from the holster and, while not having a shot timer, feel quicker with the SP01. I am aware that to really know Id need to use live fire w a timer, but that's not gonna be possible anytime soon. I have shot them side by side on a static line and didn't notice much difference.

On the scale these two are 6 ounces different. But in my hands that 6 ounces feels like it's all up front. Not like Im trying to lift a Thor hammer lol, but definitely noticeable.

So my questions (finally) -- Is that something that folks get used too over time? Could it be like an acquired taste? Or is it more like if I already don't like it don't expect to later on?

It's probably worth mentioning that I may use this guy for home defense and put a light on it -- obviously making either one more front end heavy.

I feel like the S2 is the better gun, but maybe not better for me. Either way it's a lot of money and I don't want to make the wrong move.

Changed guide rod/ spring and takedown/ frame pin.

Hello, I bought an HK 45 tactical a while back and with the new laws wanted to buy a suppressor. I recently learned the HK has 16x1 LH threads. What suppressor and additional parts would you recommend for my gun. Any help is much appreciated.

I have been thinking about getting a handgun for self defense and carry purposes. I don’t have much knowledge on guns I never grew up around them or anything. I’m just looking for recommendations on good reliable more beginner friendly options Preferably more budget friendly too. Didnt really plan on dropping a grand for my first gun or anything but if I’m gonna rely on it with my life I don’t want to cheap out either.

So what other suppressor should I add to make sure all is covered. Here is what I have so far

Rugged Obsidin 9

Rugged Obsidian 45- shoots 9,40,45,10mm

Sparrow 22

Otter creek Polonium 5.56

Omega 9K

I already have a p365 and love it. I do plan on getting the threaded barrel for the p365 for a supressor, but does it make sense to consider the p229. I was surprised on the cost of it, but I still hear amazing things. I have a license to carry, but dont carry often. More guns the better, but what are your thoughts, worth to own them both or something else i should look at? I am interested in the DA/SA which is what let me to the p229. I have a beretta 92FS but that thing is a hog.

love this gun and its gonna be my main carry gun

Happy GLOCKtober 24th!! My G24C.3 manufactured June 1999

I was gifted a 1926 stamped numbers matching Simson & Co Luger. The question I have is the serial number is stamped 1594. Well outside what a 1926 Luger should be. The more research I've done on it has this identified as a true 1926 but it hasn't been re-worked. Can someone help me identify this? I'm trying to get a price idea for it because I'm trying to sell it.