Gun Guys: Where to buy a used handgun, and what to look for?

[azasadny]

Ryan,

Sorry, "DA" stands for double-action. Pookie gave you all the dirt on the model numbers and nomenclature. I don't know what you would have to go through, paperwork-wise to get the gun registered because each state has different laws and they even vary by county and by city. Call you local PD and ask them, they'll have the paperwork you need, at least my city did.

[pookie]

I'm going to guess the Lethal Weapon model is a 92F or 92FS. I know its a 9mm I know it has a 15 round mag, and I know the barrel protrudes slightly from the slide. The 92 F and FS were introduced in 1984 and continue prodcution with some small variations till today. It would have been manufactured at the same time the movie was made. Just a WAG by the way I'm sure a google search could pull up the exact one.

All that came from the Blue Book of Gun Values. It just happened to be on my desk.

azasadny, is right DA is double action which means at least with all the other pistols the first shot will be double action and the second will be single action. Meaning the first shot as you pull the trigger the hammer will move to the rear and them come forward to hit the firing pin, the action or movement of the slide will cause the hammer to stay back and allow for each consecutive shot to be in single action. DAO is double action only where each shot is double action. That is how I have always understood it, granted they may not be correct.

[bigchillcar]

ohhh..double-action. thanks! knew what it meant, but didn't recognize the acronym. thanks again, fellas.
ryan

[bigchillcar]

good idea, great guess, pookie...it was a 92F.
ryan

[bigchillcar]

rick...CDNN is a site under construction? you sure about the link?
ryan

[bigchillcar]

found it, rick. $419.99 for a beretta 92f, in blue matte finish, light weight alloy frame. didn't see a black matte, but they sell in single or double action, full-size, 4.9" barrel.

[Az911]

Originally posted by bigchillcar
found it, rick. $419.99 for a beretta 92f, in blue matte finish, light weight alloy frame. didn't see a black matte, but they sell in single or double action, full-size, 4.9" barrel.

Go with the single action nothing is worse then a long heavy trigger pull.

[bigchillcar]

it's double action on the first pull only, not a double-action only gun.
ryan

[onewhippedpuppy]

The Ruger P95 9mm I was offered was DAO. Booo. I don't know all that much about guns just yet, but I know I don't want that. What is the benefit of DAO? Safety?

[red-beard]

Safety, consistency and simplicity.

A single action (SA) automatic pistol, i.e. a 1911, you cock the hammer by pulling the slide back, which also loads the 1st round. The trigger only releases the hammer. The dis-advantage is you either have to pull the slide back before using (Condition 3) or carry with one in the chamber and the hammer cocked, but the slide safety on (Condition 1).

Most of the Sigs are DA/SA (Double Action/Single Action), which means that the first pull will be double action (cock and fire) and the rest are single action, fire only. The slide recoil cocks the hammer. You load the first round by pulling the slide back, and then you can "de-cock" the hammer with a lever. The DA pull is much longer and heavier and longer than the SA. You can leave the hammer back if you wish like a SA. Typically, you carry de-cocked (hammer down) with one in the pipe (Condition 2).

My Kel-Tecs are DAO (Double Action Only). You cock and fire each time the trigger is pulled. They don't need a safety with an 8-10lb trigger pull. If the action is smooth, it is fine. You load the first round by pulling the slide back, but the hammer is not cocked. Again, typical carry is one in the pipe (condition 2).

In most cases, automatics will lock open after the last round fires, allowing a magazine change and only releasing the slide to load the 1st round.

Note, automatic pistols are _really_ semi-automatic.

[onewhippedpuppy]

So does a DAO with a light trigger pull have the same feel to it as a SA? I was offered a Ruger P95 9mm for $300 in excellent shape locally. It includes 4 magazines, a hard case, and several boxes of a ammo. A quick search online came up with mostly glowing reviews, especially for it's accuracy and reliability. I think the trigger pull on it is something like 6-8 lbs. Should I consider it?

[red-beard]

The trigger pull on a SA is a release only and is generally relatively short. A DAO pistol requires a longer pull to run the hammer back and release it.

So 6-8 lbs over about 1/2 inch versus 6-8 lbs over a fraction of an inch.

[Rick Lee]

I don't like DAO and just about never use the DA feature on my SIG's, though I should practice with it more. When I did my first IDPA shoot last year, the vast majority of the guys had SIG's and the vast majority of them missed the first shot at a target no more than 6' away because it was drawing from a holster and DA for the first shot. That's how cops carry and it's definitely safe with SIG's. But I hope I never get into a real life quick-draw scenario because I suck at it. On SA I am competent. My P229 has a super light pull on SA. It's so light it feels like you just have to think about it and the hammer goes down. Ditto for my S&W .44 mag. DA is a whole different ballgame though.

[Tim Hancock]

The Bersa is just like Red Beard described most of the Sigs above, DA/SA. The trigger in SA is pretty nice right out of the box.

[red-beard]

I persoanlly don't mind DAO. Rick, the problem you have is you are not used to the DA first shot. I prefer DAO over DA/SA since it is consistent. I also like DAO for carry. You have to be deliberate in firing the weapon. Very little chance of an accidental discharge while aiming.

I've had to work with my wife on not aiming her SA with a finger on the trigger.

[tabs]

Well Lads I had the opportunity to bid on this little number at Bonhams in London this week...http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/public.sh/pubweb/publicSite.r?sContinent=EUR&screen=lotdetailsNoFlash&iSaleItemNo=3383368&iSaleNo=13648&sServer=http://images1.bonhams.com/&sPath=

However at 6600 GBPs it was a bit more pricey than I was willing to go. I guess I don't need two of them after all... I gave it a good run though to about 4000 GBP...

Ahh well there is a nice little Remington Hepburn Sporting Rifle in 40/70 SS that might make a nice consolation prize.. As well as some nice High Standard 22 Target Pistols. That goes off in the mornining in Ohio.

[targa911S]

DO NOT be sucked in by the sexiness of a Walther PPK or PP or PPKS. If James Bond really existed, and he had a Walther there would have been only one Bond movie as he would be dead. I had a PP 9mm and a PPKS 9mm. neither could get a whole clip through without jamming. Even with silver tip.

I do love my Colts though. I carry a Govt. model .380.

[tabs]

I much prefer one of these...its sweet to shoot...acurate..at 15 feet I can consistantly put 5 round into a 1/2 $ circle. It lays flat and has outstanding quality. http://www.hallowellco.com/colt_1908%2093583.htm

[red-beard]

The original gangster gun!

[targa911S]

Got one of those too. The only reason I don't carry it is that if you have one in the pipe it is ready to rock. I have had an accidental discharge with mine. There is no way to decock it once it is loaded. However is is my favorite.