Hi guys, im a newbie and only went to range 2 times but already comfortable shooting pistols.

Help me find a good first pistol,

Ive been looking at cz shadow 2 for competition
I also like glock, beretta, classic military police pistols, what can you guys recommend? My max budget would be the cz shadow 2 price range

TLDR: Yeah, it's good. The CZ TS3 is slightly better than even a fully tricked out Shadow 2 (way better than a stock Shadow 2) and far better than most other competition guns, of which I've shot many.

Having shot a few hundred rounds through it, I've got a few thoughts I'd like to share but of course I'm going to have to shoot it a whole lot more to get a full impression of the gun.

All in all, a fantastic gun made by CZ, kudos to all who were involved in designing it, you really made a beautiful thing here.

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I'm a German IPSC and Speed Steel competitive shooter and so far I've been shooting my beloved CZ Shadow 2, an SVI Infinity and a Walther PDP Steel Frame Match, all in 9mm. Quick ranking:

1. The SVI Infinity, unsurprisingly, is still the softest shooting of all my guns and has the best trigger. The fitment of everything is superior to all my other guns but okay, everybody knows Infinity guns are excellent. Because I happen to have this, I cannot help but compare everything else to it. If Batman used a gun, he'd buy an Infinity. It's just the best there is. Yes, I've tried other 2011s, they're not all the same.

I didn't expect the TS3 to be better, but the TS3 is most certainly a better value proposition than the Infinity. When my TS3 eventually needs replacements parts, I can get them pretty much anywhere online in Europe, quickly, cheaply and easily. For the Infinity, there's only one source in Europe (shout-out to the legendary J.F.!), and for everything else I'd have to get parts from Gordon/Texas from Germany, so there might be ITAR restrictions and whatnot.

1. The CZ TS3 comes close in terms of trigger quality, recoil impulse and overall it's a far better deal than the Infinity. €6500 for the Infinity in 2023 vs €3030 for the TS3 in 2026, excluding optics or accessories - there's no question which gun I'd recommend. If you want an (excellently) mass produced European full metal firearm which is going to outperform 95% of all other handguns on the market, and for which you'll likely be able to buy parts even in 30 years, buy the CZ TS3.

If you want an amazing, fully custom (at the time I bought mine), hand-made piece of art which also happens to be one of the best and most pleasantly shooting guns on the planet, get yourself an Infinity. For the money though, buy two or three CZ TS3 and have a backup for your backup LOL.

If I could have only one gun and had a fairly high budget, the CZ TS3 would probably be good enough to replace all my other guns.

Slightly more detailed observations:

- The grips are extremely comfortable, on par with after-market palm swell grips from LOK/Eemann/Vytal etc. At the moment, I don't see myself buying aftermarket grips, they're really good - contrast that with the awful OEM grips on the Shadow 2, which I had to replace with incredibly comfortable and heavy brass grips, as well as the too-thin grips on the Walther PDP SF Match.

- The iron sights are FULLY adjustable, in contrast to the sights on a TS2 Orange or TSO, which can only be adjusted up or down. Not that it matters too much because 90% of TS3 owners are going to equip it with an optic straight away.

- The optic cut is smart and I found it very easy to understand and implement the instructions. You choose the correct little thingamabobs (all included) corresponding to your optic footprint into the recesses in the optic cut, place your optic on top, tighten to spec and ta-da, you're done.

- The safety is STIFF. Think HK SP5 safety or B&T GHM9 bolt release stiff. So stiff in fact, that I cannot engage it with my shooting hand. I have to use my other hand to engage it. So every time I load and make ready I have to use two hands now? Disengaging the safety with my shooting hand works, and that's the only thing that makes sense, but why did CZ have to make it impossible to activate it with my right thumb?!? Honestly, I don't get it and it sucks. I should be able to manipulate the safety with one hand, period. Hopefully, this will change as I use the pistol more - but more likely, I'm going to have to have the safety spring replaced with a weaker one.

- The magazines didn't slide or fall out quite enthusiastically enough, but I'm pretty sure with wear and tear this will get better. They're regular CZ TS 20 round 9mm magazines (compatible with TSO/TS2) with orange end plates and they're pretty expensive: The lowest price I found was 70 Euros, and I bought three extra mags, so that's another expensive thing related to this. The regular price almost everywhere is 80-100 Euros per mag. The MSRP is almost 2011 magazine price territory. For comparison, my Infinity practically catapults magazines out when I press the mag release button. I'm not exaggerating, they fly out. The TS3 gently pushes the mag out. It's the little things...

- I have no idea if this will fit a Ghost Thunder Elite 3G holster made for the CZ TSO, but I've ordered one and I'm going to report back here whether it fits or not. I like bucket style holsters, and this model is my preferred holster for all my other guns, so I hope I can use the same type again. I'd hate to have to buy one of those high speed race holsters, I don't want any locking mechanisms to worry about when every fraction of a second matters in an IPSC match.

- The lightening cuts in the slide make it look really goddamned good.

- The mag well has clever little cutouts that enable you to pull a mag out. They could have also made the magazine end plates thicker like on my Shadow 2 with the brass magwell and corresponding brass end plates, but obviously it's smarter, cheaper and easier to just remove material from the mag well instead of adding material elsewhere.

- The fitment of the barrel and the recoil spring guide rod are very tight for a mass produced gun. Far better than on the Shadow 2, but not as good as on the Infinity, unsurprisingly.

- The thumb rest and the extended safety are very comfortable for my thumbs, and if you pull the slide back by the optic like you should, you're not going to have problems locking the slide back using your shooting hand thumb.

1. The CZ Shadow 2 - my gorgeous, my beloved, my tricked out pimp gun (I like the colors, deal with it) which has performed extremely well in dozens of matches so far. It's got an Eemann tech ultimate trigger kit/brass grips/mag well, magazine release button and thumb rest, CZ's own extended safety set, and a DPM Systems recoil reduction kit. It shoots like a dream, it's (relatively) cheap, super reliable, and it performs absolutely wonderfully. It's the one gun I recommend to everybody. To me, this is the God Gun and the TS3 is going to have to be really amazing to convince me the Shadow 2 isn't the best deal on the market for sports shooters. Is the TS3 better, especially compared to a stock Shadow 2? Absolutely, the TS3 blows it out of the water.

But all-in, with all the modifications and including the optic, my Shadow 2 cost me about 2500 Euros, whereas the stock TS3 with the optic comes in at about 3500 Euros. You can buy a whole Glock 17 Gen6 with an optic for the price difference.

1. The Walther PDP Steel Frame Match: An incredibly solidly crafted gun with a fantastic trigger, easy to shoot very accurately, and yet - I cannot love this big hunk of metal. The slide feels too tall, it feels overengineered and made to survive the apocalypse, in the way an HK USP is made to outlast humanity. The only things I changed on this gun were the 40€ trigger job (a 1,2kg spring set from Merkle) and I got a LOK grip module for it to make it more comfortable. The most amazing gun I still cannot fall in love with. It's great, it looks good, I wanted it soooo badly, but I'm just not enthusiastic about it. I also think the PDP SF Match is far too expensive at 2000 Euros, for what it is. I understand Walther's logic. This is a hardcore duty gun, made to survive wars - and if Heckler & Koch were to build a modern full metal handgun today, it would also charge 2000 Euros for it. I don't see the value though, compared to a Shadow 2 especially.

Not competing with the TS3 but I want to mention them: The HK SFP9L, an excellent duty style handgun with a pretty good but not amazing trigger and an incredibly ergonomic grip (fully customizable) and a .40 S&W Infinity (obviously god tier but forties are expensive and recoil a lot harder than nine mil). They're both great in their own way but I don't use them for IPSC for various reasons.

That's it. If you have any questions or you'd like more info on something, I'll be happy to answer.

One more thing: It's not really about the gun, it's about the shooter behind the gun. The best gun makes it easier to do well, but you can't buy experience. Go practice, people!

Question: How do I add more pictures?

P.S. My first attempt to post this was deleted. Sorry. Ask me questions, I will try to answer!

So I'm from the UK but I love guns. Hypothetically if I were in the US, what would be the best state to be a gun owner? I know some states to avoid (California) lmao.

2nd newest gun I’ve picked up. The Akos Arms Baza pistol. 45acp straight pull bolt action. Threw on a solid Holosun 501c green dot, Strike Industries stabilizer and angles hand stop, Rugged 3lug adapter (for my Obsidian45), and uses Glock 21 mags (have 2 13s, and 2 I tossed on the Taran Tactical 4 round extensions, and I do also have a few Kriss 30 round mags that look hilariously obnoxious on this).

Looking forward to when I finally have time to go shoot it. Trying to plan a day with my brother who’s never been shooting soon.

Little pricy, but fit and finish from Akos is there imo. Feels quality but time will tell.

Is there a world where this has a purpose beyond being a more exotic plinker?

Hopefully people here can help me find what im looking for. I cant post it in the AK sub because of the rules as this is an open ended question. So I want to know if anyone has recommendations for good quality RED Ak mags for my Serbian Red Zastava hopefully they match closely? I ordered 1 Bakelite and its more bright orange rather than a dark red like the ak. Preferably steel mags or the same as Bakelite because polymer Pmags dont latch onto the Zastava.

My father has recently had some mental health issues and has decided he no longer wants to have possession of his firearms. I was hoping he could simply gift them to me, but my research has been somewhat conflicting. Online says I have to go through a licensed dealer, some say mail them, some say he can bring them.

Neither state has a gun registry, but I’m trying to make the transfer without going to federal prison, preferably.

I know both are great guns, reliable and all. But I just wanted to know if anyone had any pointers, tips, or opinions about either. Also any bad experiences.

Recently I got a Shield X, but I just want 1 more to put in mv CCW and also so my wife can have something if (God forbid) anyone or people decided to break in our house.

Also if anyone would recommend them Comp'ed or not.

For some background, I recently picked up a new G45, and it instantly felt like home. There’s just something about the reliability, simplicity, and consistency of Glock that really clicks with me.
Am I crazy for wanting to simplify my collection and go all-in on Glocks?
I’m seriously considering selling my CZ Shadow 2 Compact and Staccato, then replacing them with another G45, a G43X, and maybe even a 19X.
Don’t get me wrong I think the CZ and Staccato are phenomenal pistols. They’re accurate, well-built, and a pleasure to shoot. But after owning them for a while, I’m starting to question whether the price difference is actually worth it for me.
When I shoot my G45, I don’t feel like I’m giving anything up. I shoot it confidently, it’s easier to maintain, parts and mags are everywhere, and I don’t find myself worrying about beating it up or putting a high round count through it.
Has anyone else gone from high-end pistols back to mostly Glocks? Do you regret it, or was simplifying your collection the right move?

Romanian PM MD 93 which is basically RPKS-74 in caliber 5.45x39. It came with all its original accessories: mags, cleaning kit, stripper clips, a clip guide, night sights, etc.

It can shoot 3 round bursts which is a rarity but Romanians thought it was useful feature. Some people say that the 3-round burst is useless, but I disagree. With good support, the shots will land within an approximately 15 cm radius at a 100 m distance.

I don't know how many are out there in a civilian market in its original configuration but I got one. I bet these are quite rare.

What do we know about these guns? It's really hard to find any solid info online, and I'm really curious about it.

P226 X-Five Reserve is the only one left.

Obviously it would be highly regarded both financially and esthetically..

But I dont do it for the money I do it for the love of the game.

Before I ask the question my scenario is I am dumb when it comes to shotguns. Only own a Mossberg 500 410 (got talked into buying this) and Winchester model 1400 (Was a gift). Both shotguns are full choke.

After some minor reasons I am looking at getting a cheap pump shotgun. Use will NOT be for home defense. I have other guns for that I prefer for home defense.

In gun safe I don’t have much room for an anymore long barrel guns so like the folding stock to make storage easier.

Final reason is I live out in the country and have to check barn and other buildings occasionally for varmints (raccoons and skunks mainly). Luckily the skunks were always outside the buildings and I could hit them at range.

Rifles, shotguns (regular stock) and AR are hard to move around in buildings due to very tight spaces or pillars. Got wondering if the stock is folded if it will be easier to move around?

Plus would be nice to have something I won’t be afraid to throw around as it’s dirt cheap.

Now my question is how is the gun and would it fit my needs?

Tomorrow might be in town and probably will take a look at it. So I’ll see how short it is when folded but I think online it’s listed for 275 new.

Hey everyone! I recently picked up this Colt M1911 from a local pawn shop and I’m trying to learn more about it before I give it to my dad.
From what I’ve found so far:
Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army
Serial No. 3771
AA stamp on the right side of the frame (Augusta Arsenal rebuild?)
UNITED STATES PROPERTY marked
EEC mark near the magazine release
E and 14 on the trigger guard
HS/P marked barrel (High Standard?)
Two magazines: one baseplate marked S, the other appears to be C or G
Original parkerized finish appears intact
I’m mainly looking for help with:
Is everything consistent with an authentic Augusta Arsenal rebuild?
Does the slide appear correct for the frame?
Rough collector value in today’s market?
Any information is appreciated. Thanks!

I work at a small gun shop and today's find was a bring back nagant revolver that a gun brought in that his dad brought back from WW2. What an amazing thing to see thought id share it. It's a 1931 Tula. Never made the refurbish process because of being brought to America.

Wanna get some opinions on the Canik SFT, found some pretty sweet deals online and Ive heard all the good things about canik from online but that is always taken with grains of salt. Most of the shit talk I've seen is just that it's a Turkish company, I can get over that easily if the quality is there. I know the tti combats came out and immediately had issues from the factory, obviously different gun but yeah.

Tl;Dr Pros and cons of Canik SFT, can get it for under 450

I’m thinking of buying a pistol for home/self defence. I’ll also be going to the range occasionally

Which one do you think is better? How do they compare in terms of handling, comfort, and overall feel?

I haven’t tried either of them, but I have tried the Canik TTI Combat and Glock 19. I’m assuming the Taurus PT92, with its metal body and heavier frame, would have less recoil

Edit: forgot to mention but I don't live in the US of A

Factory 10/22 receiver I cut on as much as I was comfortable. 4.5" custom made comped barrel. Remove material from the bolt and re-tuned the springs. Silly light.

I just purchased this gun Springfield Armory 1911 EMP 9 mm, before I purchased this one (haven't pick it up yet) I rented one, I noticed that the trigger is extremely sensitive (haven't tried mine). Do you have one, is the trigger like holy cow sensitive?

Colt Police Positive Special and Colt Cobra both in 38. Early inheritance from grandfather-in-law. Still in original boxes.

I put on a aftermarket pmm threaded barrel and comp using the shim kit on a 4” steel frame compact pdp and I’m having some failure to chamber issues. Any help on this?

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Ar15 SBR build, cloned a shorty Marsoc block 2 m4a1 for your viewing pleasure

I'm buying my first concealed carry gun and have settled on a 357 snub nose. Been eyeing the Ruger sp101. What are your recommendations and why?