[kerensky]

I'm going to be going to Iraq as a civilian contractor. And will be in dangerous situations on occasion. So I would like your guy's help selecting a good handgun for protection. I am smaller guy about 5'10 and 150 lbs. I have never used handguns before but I am failure with rifles. I spent a short time in the Marines, before my medical discharge.

I need something that is Accurate, but also carry some punch too it. I've been looking at a 9mm or something comparable. I’d like a desert eagle however i think the desert eagle would be a little large for me and impractical.

Any advice or help would be great. Also any ideas on good places to purchase them and general prices. I'm looking at around 600 or so i might be able to budget up to 1k. I would also need spare magazines, would like to have plenty of rounds in case something does happens.

Thanks
Steve

 

[ranger_sxt]

Glock 19. Magazines should be easy to get replacements for on the economy, and you can get ammunition through US Government supply channels.

Just be sure that your employer will allow you to carry weapons.

 

[Shooter]

Which company are you going to work for?

 

[kerensky]

probably KBR... i havn't finalized everything out specificly. My brother was in the Army in Iraq and he said it was pretty safe. but i'd rather have it and not need it rather than not.

 

[Shooter]

So your going to go to Iraq and once there find a contractor to work for?

 

[RMTactical]

Glock.

My good friend who worked as a contractor over there said that all of the contractors he knew carried Glocks. They just work! Plus, they are plentiful over there.

 

[pioneer461]

Lots of opinions. May I suggest you go to a range that has rental guns available and try various kinds. Or, if you know friends with different kinds, see if they will let you shoot them. What works for me, won't necessarily work for you.

Glocks are accurate and reliable, I once owned one, but it didn't fit my hand well and I was nervous about the trigger. I carried it a couple of years, then traded it.

Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Don Lu]

If you would ask a question like this I have to assume you are not very expirienced w/handguns (or you'd know your own preference/answer)......If you are familiar Id sugest a Hi-cap .45 like glock or XD..If not too familiar I suggest a Glodk or XD in 9mm for lighter recoil...but practice practice ....practice.

 

[Doc]

If you would ask a question like this I have to assume you are not very expirienced w/handguns (or you'd know your own preference/answer)......If you are familiar Id sugest a Hi-cap .45 like glock or XD..If not too familiar I suggest a Glodk or XD in 9mm for lighter recoil...but practice practice ....practice.

Get some instruction first or you may become very proficient at doing it WRONG.

Doc

 

[OSTRANDERJB]

You should look into

I am also new to handguns. About 2 months ago i got a cz 100 cal. 9mm. I was going to get a glock but, all your paying for is the name($600.00). The cz is "your best bang for your buck!!" i was told by the owner of the gun range i've been going to that... All the recent handgun comps. Have been getting won by ppl with the cz. I got the gun, 2 13 round magz, 3 boxes of bullets, 2 cleaning tools, and the carrying case for $399.00. It's all up to you and how each gun feels to you. Can't let other ppl tell you what to get.

 

[WDB]

Lots of opinions. May I suggest you go to a range that has rental guns available and try various kinds. Or, if you know friends with different kinds, see if they will let you shoot them. What works for me, won't necessarily work for you.

Glocks are accurate and reliable, I once owned one, but it didn't fit my hand well and I was nervous about the trigger. I carried it a couple of years, then traded it.

Different strokes for different folks.

+1 on that thought
To add to it take training classes so you have at least reasonable skill with the firearm before you carry it anywhere! Going into a hostile place with a pistol you can't use effectively is a truly bad idea. You would be better off unarmed than captured with a firearm you weren't capable of using. In a war zone like Iraq if your an armed American you better know how to use that firearm well. Otherwise it will cause you far more hurt and give another firearm to the wrong people.

 

[dunerunner]

I'm in agreement about getting training, and I mean Combat Handgun training, but; why are we responding to a post the OP put up over two years ago?

 

[SGT-MILLER]

You better train alot before going into hostile territory. Get a simple handgun (Glock 19) and train, train, train.

Do not fall into the temptations of the nice paychecks you may be getting from KBR/Halliburton. You get to get into the mindset right now, and train, train, train, and train some more. Once you get tired of training, do it some more. I'm not just talking about firearms training either. You need to be eating a very healthy diet and working out. Also, you need to train on hand to hand combat.

Do not count on the Army or Marines to bail you out over there. You will be responsible for your own self, so make sure you are ready.

P.S. I have to ask. How in the world are you going to go in country without being first hired with a contractor (you said you weren't sure which company)? You don't need to spell out the details on a public forum (I'd prefer not), but I'm hoping you are not going to try and get there, then look for work...lol.

 

[bobbyb13]

I agree but consider.

Glock, yes. But, Firearm been around forever. Does not scream American, dependable as day, and night. Browning Hi-Power.

 

[dcp1987]

1911 .45acp
if you have your heart set on a 9mm though
i would go with a beretta 92 or m9 (same thing)
i have one and i love it
i would pick the 1911 over anything else though

 

[Slawth]

I'm going to be going to Iraq as a civilian contractor. And will be in dangerous situations on occasion. So I would like your guy's help selecting a good handgun for protection. I am smaller guy about 5'10 and 150 lbs. I have never used handguns before but I am failure with rifles. I spent a short time in the Marines, before my medical discharge.

I need something that is Accurate, but also carry some punch too it. I've been looking at a 9mm or something comparable. I’d like a desert eagle however i think the desert eagle would be a little large for me and impractical.

Any advice or help would be great. Also any ideas on good places to purchase them and general prices. I'm looking at around 600 or so i might be able to budget up to 1k. I would also need spare magazines, would like to have plenty of rounds in case something does happens.

Thanks
Steve

^Posted in 2007

I am also new to handguns. About 2 months ago i got a cz 100 cal. 9mm. I was going to get a glock but, all your paying for is the name($600.00). The cz is "your best bang for your buck!!" i was told by the owner of the gun range i've been going to that... All the recent handgun comps. Have been getting won by ppl with the cz. I got the gun, 2 13 round magz, 3 boxes of bullets, 2 cleaning tools, and the carrying case for $399.00. It's all up to you and how each gun feels to you. Can't let other ppl tell you what to get.

^Post Dredger

I'm in agreement about getting training, and I mean Combat Handgun training, but; why are we responding to a post the OP put up over two years ago?

^First one to pick up on it


This is all a bit silly t'isn't it now... Entertaining none the less.

 

[SGT-MILLER]

That's what I get for not paying attention to the dates.......lol.

Now I feel stupid.........thanks, OSTRANERJB.

 

[WDB]

Dam it almost sounds like a hook for a college term paper. The punk can use our input as source info and write his paper.

I think the next time this comes up we all agree a 22 short in a cheap daringer is the best choice!

 

[Ubergopher]

So even though this is a bump here are a couple points to consider...
1. When I was there (July 08- January 09) KBR was not authorized to carry weapons. Except for a few security people iirc but that could be based off faulty information.

2. If as a KBR contractor you need to draw your hypothetical weapon, I'm assuming there are dead Soldiers/Marines/Airman/Sailors around, so why not buy your own M-9 (Bretta 92 iirc) so you will be able to use their ammo without wasting time to put it in a different magazine? Or just use one of the M-4s laying around...

 

[741512th]

Browning Hi-Power.

Absolutely. No doubt. You can't go wrong with a Browning Hi-Power. In any dangerous situation, I'd trust my legs and cowardice first, but after that the most dependable sidearm you could possibly carry would be the Browning.

Why limit yourself to either a pistol or a rifle? Would it be possible for you to lay your hands on an H&K MP5 or similar small automatic weapon once you get there?

Heckler&Koch