ThatNewGuy wrote:Good afternoon guys and gals,
I am going to be doing my safety course for a cat H license soon and was wondering what you fine people suggest for a beginner (and history buff) once my 6 months provisionary wait is up. I was tempted for a luger before I saw the recent post on those, I'm now thinking of a G2 or even a G1 contender due to its multi-caliber potential.
I'm in QLD if that makes suggestions easier.
Thank you for your suggestions,
That (reasonably)NewGuy
bladeracer wrote:ThatNewGuy wrote:Good afternoon guys and gals,
I am going to be doing my safety course for a cat H license soon and was wondering what you fine people suggest for a beginner (and history buff) once my 6 months provisionary wait is up. I was tempted for a luger before I saw the recent post on those, I'm now thinking of a G2 or even a G1 contender due to its multi-caliber potential.
I'm in QLD if that makes suggestions easier.
Thank you for your suggestions,
That (reasonably)NewGuy
What is a G2?
BangWhizzClack wrote:I must have missed that thread on lugers. Are you able to post the link in here please mate?
As for an answer to your question... It depends... are there any specific disciplines you'd like to shoot in? Any particular historical themes you prefer and would really like? Any... extracurricular purposes for the handgun? Any specific features you are chasing?
I myself am working towards getting a ruger gp100 or sp101 and a cz shadow 2. Why? I love the way the CZ feels in my hand, and I shoot pretty darn well with it. I'm also a prepper, and cz's are the most common handguns in Australia, so spare parts wouldn't be the hardest to come across in a shtf scenario. My reason for choosing the revolvers, is because I think they're cool, and other reasons I won't go into. If I was wealthy enough, I'd personally also get a couple of ruger single action revolvers for SASS comps and also a Luger because why the f*** wouldn't you want a luger?
ThatNewGuy wrote:Good afternoon guys and gals,
I am going to be doing my safety course for a cat H license soon and was wondering what you fine people suggest for a beginner (and history buff) once my 6 months provisionary wait is up. I was tempted for a luger before I saw the recent post on those, I'm now thinking of a G2 or even a G1 contender due to its multi-caliber potential.
I'm in QLD if that makes suggestions easier.
Thank you for your suggestions,
That (reasonably)NewGuy
ThatNewGuy wrote:BangWhizzClack wrote:I must have missed that thread on lugers. Are you able to post the link in here please mate?
As for an answer to your question... It depends... are there any specific disciplines you'd like to shoot in? Any particular historical themes you prefer and would really like? Any... extracurricular purposes for the handgun? Any specific features you are chasing?
I myself am working towards getting a ruger gp100 or sp101 and a cz shadow 2. Why? I love the way the CZ feels in my hand, and I shoot pretty darn well with it. I'm also a prepper, and cz's are the most common handguns in Australia, so spare parts wouldn't be the hardest to come across in a shtf scenario. My reason for choosing the revolvers, is because I think they're cool, and other reasons I won't go into. If I was wealthy enough, I'd personally also get a couple of ruger single action revolvers for SASS comps and also a Luger because why the f*** wouldn't you want a luger?
Pretty much any pre ww1 to ww2+ would be my theme I as for disciplines I want to try them all before settling on any discipline as for the luger thread here it is:
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=14723
I want a luger for their history and for the unique toggle action they have sadly all of the club legal ones that I have found are in the 2k+ bracket and my wallet would be pretty sad if I spent that much on a luger sadly.
EDIT: I've heard about glocks my LGS said "if you are gonna get a glock might as well throw a rock" he apparently didn't think to highly of their accuracy...
ThatNewGuy wrote:@BangWhizzClack & CrackThump Thank you both for your suggestions you both seem to like the 1911 platform despite your disagreements ill be sure to look into all of your suggestions
Do either of you or anyone really, know what are some good places online to troll when push comes to shove for buying handguns, or is it more of a try at your local range and make a decision based on experience?
Side note: I'm not too worried about being crucified for shooting it too often my local range has had to put up with me bringing my 115yr old rifle and causing the lights to blackout on every trigger pull for a while now (if you are apart of this range and see this I'm sorry for the noise)
ThatNewGuy wrote:Bello,
Thank you for your insight the G2 Is looking like my go-to if I cannot get a milsurp that if I don't find another gun that I feel would be superior.
Bang,
Ill patrol those websites looking for a deal after I get my hands on a few that I have tried... And the 115yr old beasty is a 1905 Swedish m96 retrofitted to a M96/B at some point the barrel is still sharp despite having been used as a training rifle, There are still wood chips underneath the thread protector!
rc42 wrote:The difficulty in QLD is that you can only have one 'real' pistol plus an air pistol in the first year of becoming licensed so your choice has to be driven by the competitions that you want to take part in rather than what your final collection is going to look like.
The Contender pistols would probably get you around that limit as the different caliber barrels are easily available and don't require PTAs, however, they are single shot break action with long heavy barrels so they are great for metallic silhouette and near useless for everything else. Most competitions make use of the rapid fire ability of pistols and they don't have that.
If you go for a 'jack of all trades' first pistol then 22LR is the most sensible choice so you can burn through thousands of rounds and learn good technique without developing a flinch, there are lots of options available in 22 semi autos. Revolvers might also be a good choice if you like that sort of thing, in 22LR they hold up to 10 rounds so can take part in most competitions even with their slow reload.
Center fire is more fun but comes with a big cost in $, lot of models available and you can compete in a lot of competitions with a 9mm semi auto, not so many with a 38/357 revolver and larger calibers (class C) are only approved for metallic silhouette so aren't a good first pistol choice as you'd hardly get to shoot them (plus the cost is $$).
So overall my suggestion is consider what you will be able to use most over that first 12 months of being licensed and whether you have the budget to keep feeding the more expensive types. Personally, I went for the Ruger Mark IV Hunter and I shoot about 10 competitions per month of various types and have put about 8,000 rounds through it since July, I still think I made the right choice but I'm already preparing the shopping list for next year.
Sarco wrote:IMHO, unless you are intending to do matches like the small bore (rimfire) silhouette matches, I could not possibly recommenda Thompson Contender G2 or the older contenders. I do own two G2 in 22LR and one older model in a 30cal configuration.
Yes the barrels can be changed out easily in a minute or so and what is a 22LR could well become a 30-30. However the single shot nature makes them impractical for many matches. Also note in QLD (unlike Vic) every barrel has to be registered.
A far better initial option would be a reasonable quality basic semi-auto 22 eg. Browning Buckmark. Useful for far more matches, cheap ammo (for far more practice) and a good learning tool.
ThatNewGuy wrote:I just double-checked the laws in QLD I'm pretty sure Sarco is correct as the barrels could be considered a conversion kit I guess I'll have to ask my LGS sometime next week if so that puts a damper on my mood slightly.
ob1 wrote:Newbie advice ............
9mm is your obvious choice - commercial ammunition is readily available; easy to reload and lots of 9mm supplies available.
Three options for semi-auto handgun type - striker fired, double action / single action, single action only.
Striker fired with no visible hammer: Glock and other polymer striker pistols. Accurate and easy to use and maintain. Downside is that every trigger pull for the Glock is the same relatively heavy weight, often leading to shooters with poor trigger control complaining that the pistol is not accurate. This is BS. Glocks are very accurate and reliable, as will be any modern pistol you will buy.
Double action / single action with a visible hammer: CZ Shadow or Tanfoglio are popular. Double action trigger pull weight for first shot is similar to a Glock, single action shots the trigger pull is much lighter and closer to a 1911. Can be used as single action by not lowering the hammer for the first shot. After the first shot the hammer stays cocked and following shots are single action. Again, very accurate and reliable. Much easier trigger control than the Glock.
Single action only: 1911 / 2011 platform. A little more complex, requiring manual safety activation, etc. Very accurate and reliable. Cannot be fired double action for first shot. Easiest trigger to master.
World shoots have been won by each of the above, so the guns are all good for accuracy and reliability. Do you want a polymer frame or a metal frame. Do you want a heavier or lighter trigger. Personal preference. Do a search on usedguns looking at 9mm handguns. Avoid Beretta and other brands that are not common, or you will suffer on retail when you want to sell at a later date.
If you cannot decide, buy a CZ or Tanfoglio that can be competitive in a lot of competitions.
ThatNewGuy wrote:Do the actions make a major difference in terms of accuracy or is it more the shooter when it comes to handguns then?
CAVEMAN wrote:Don't forget an underused bit of legislation is then "like for like" in QLD.
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-li ... r-warranty
So say you buy a Glock 17 and you don't like how its going for you. There's nothing stopping you going to a LGS and swapping it for say a Glock 34 or a 9mm 1911. As long as you stay same caliber and action its an open field.
Same goes for any other categories, swap that burnt out old Slazenger 22 for a brand new Ruger.
ThatNewGuy wrote:CAVEMAN wrote:Don't forget an underused bit of legislation is then "like for like" in QLD.
https://www.police.qld.gov.au/weapon-li ... r-warranty
So say you buy a Glock 17 and you don't like how its going for you. There's nothing stopping you going to a LGS and swapping it for say a Glock 34 or a 9mm 1911. As long as you stay same caliber and action its an open field.
Same goes for any other categories, swap that burnt out old Slazenger 22 for a brand new Ruger.
My mind has been blown I didn't even know this was a thing I doubt I'll ever use it but it's nice to know I've got an out