Firearm chatter. it's like Pandora's box....it can't be closed!

TPVT

TPVT

Joined
Feb 14, 2012
Messages
5,768
hey guys.
so, i have looked through all the firearm threads, but i wanted to ask for some specific advice. and, i know most of you are also gunnuts here.

first, i just put a Browning X-Bolt Hunter on layaway. i'm psyched about that.

BUT...that's not why i'm posting. need help deciding on a handgun. i've never had a handgun. nor, have i ever even fired one.

so...what should i get?? :rolleyes: :D

i am pretty sure the answer is figure out why you want one and then go look at a bunch and find the one that feels the best. yeah?

but man...there are so many. i started looking at 45's, then i thought i decided on .357 magnum. like a S&W 686 or a Ruger SP101. i liked the S&W 629 3" TALO (think John posted this) and the Ruger Alaskan for the 45 revolvers. but today, i went to my local gunshop, and held a couple of the 357's and man....they're heavy.

i was planning to carry it around as a woods gun cuz i figure it offers some sort of bear protection. but maybe that's silly. i'm 40, and i've never needed one.

then, i held a bunch of semi-autos....mostly 9mm cuz the shop was out of 40 cal ammo. I held Sigs, S&W's, SA's, FNX, and a Ruger. was disappointed by their Ruger selection.

I think my fav's were the S&W Shield and honestly a couple of the .38 specials i held (can't remember the models).

i spent over an hour at the shop and ended up just leaving. that's what i do. that's how i shop. i overthink everything and then i freak out and don't buy anything.

then, it occurred to me that when i bought my rifle at gander mountain that they had a used S&W model 39 for $299. i may go back and try that one. it just looked right. but, that place is 90 minutes from me.

anyway....sorry to barf all over the place here. any advice at all? and by all means...please post pics of your fav's.
 
Most any handgun these days will be very reliable. I recommend you find one that fits your hands the best and go from there. Glocks are my personal favorite just do to the stupid reliability they have. so easy and so many abundant parts. great pistols. the S/W m and p or shield are great pistols. I'm not a huge revolver fan however they are also great reliable pistols.

My personal preferance is the glock 19 or the 4.25 inch M and P. high mag capacity, super reliable, great ergos, lots of holsters ect.
 
Keep in mind that the S&W Model 39 has not been made for many years. I had one in the 80`s, it was one of the best feeling guns I ever held. A note of interest, Illinois State Police were the first agency to standardize on the Model 39, I believe in the 1970`s. A lot of you may disagree, but if I could only have one handgun, :eek: it would be a 4" barrel .357. You can start out with .38`s to get used to it, move up to +P .38`s, then on to the magnum loads. You can also load them with CCI snakeshot if needed. Find a shop with a range that rents guns, and try the different models out.
 
For a first handgun, I would go with a double action revolver. They are simple and safe. The S&W 686 is a good one, but there are plenty of others. The .357 Magnum is a good chambering because you can practice with 38 Specials. And as you get accustomed to shooting a handgun you can use .357 Magnums. The .357 Magnum with the proper bullet could be used for bear protection. It may be light for large Grizzly bears, but it should work on black bears. Semi-auto pistols are another ball game. In my opinion, semi-autos require more expertise to shoot well than revolvers. But who knows, your results may vary. As you become an expert, a 686 would still be a good choice. I love my 6 inch 686, but sometimes wish I had purchased a 4 inch to ease of carry. That is also something to think about.
 
thanks for the responses guys. maybe i will stick to my guns (get it!?! eesh) and get the 357 mag. as longun said, i could use the 38 specials first. i'm just not psyched about the weight. i guess i will visit all my local shops and try as many as possible. i will end up getting one from the shop today, since i have a credit with them. but, they can always order me what i like if they don't have it.
 
JK Knives said:
Keep in mind that the S&W Model 39 has not been made for many years. I had one in the 80`s, it was one of the best feeling guns I ever held. A note of interest, Illinois State Police were the first agency to standardize on the Model 39, I believe in the 1970`s. A lot of you may disagree, but if I could only have one handgun, :eek: it would be a 4" barrel .357. You can start out with .38`s to get used to it, move up to +P .38`s, then on to the magnum loads. You can also load them with CCI snakeshot if needed. Find a shop with a range that rents guns, and try the different models out.
Click to expand...

hey John. just curious....why did you mention it hasn't been made for awhile? hard to get parts, if necessary?
 
I am very, very old school when it comes to firearms, but I know my way around them a bit! (J K might vouch for that)That being said; everybody should own at least one K frame Smith & Wesson Revolver! Very well made, proven design, reliable as a fork, old time machining, good accuracy, safe & simple. Model 19 or Model 66 (357's) in 4" or 6" probably most practical and versatile but there are a lot of Model 65's (38 special) on the Internet now (police trade ins) at really good prices! I currently have a Model 65 and a Model 18 (22lr), both 4 inch barrels and am on the lookout for a 6" Nickle or Royal blue older model 19 at a price that won't shock me into the 21st century. If I had all the K frames back that I have owned over time, it would be a pretty good collection! (will the son-of-a-bitch who stole my Model 15 please bring it back!) Just my opinion today.
 
There will be parts for S&W 39's for as long as there will be parts for small block Chevy's!
 
First handgun I purchased when I was legally able to was a 686. The handgun I would reach for today is that same 686. I've had it for 23 years and many, many lots of rounds later it is still going strong. It is also one of the only firearms that I have used extensively that has never, ever failed to go boom when I pulled the trigger.

For what it sounds like you want it for, i would look at either a .357 or perhaps .44 revolver with a 4" barrel. There are a ton of great choices out there.
 
cool thread, always some good information about guns around here...mostly posting to keep track of it :D
 
I'm a Sig guy, myself. I'd recommend going to a range that has handguns to rent— if there are any near you.
I also prefer .45. The recoil is much more manageable than .40 or 9 IMO. If you get the chance, shoot anything and everything you can before you buy.
 
First I recommend a good safe,secure storage method for your guns & especially the handguns.
It seems like every other month or so up here there is a news story about a sibling shooting another with dads' handgun,either in the home or vehicle.
Imagine the horror.Keep it secure!
Second, support US makers!
Third,support US makers!

For woods carry get a 4-6".357 & start with .38s or some light .357 loads,then once you get used to it move up to the heaviest load you can get & practice till profecient.
The .357 may be considered light for bear,but it will do the job with the proper load.
I keep mine loaded with 180 grain JSP loads for woods wandering.
Like everyone said,if you can,shoot a variety of calibers & guns to see what feels right for you,but if you can't test drive a variety then go with a .357,you can't go wrong.
I would avoid the macho rounds as you won't really need 'em & feeding them enough to be proficient with them is very expensive unless you get into hand loading.

I cannot recommend the solid framed,solid performing Ruger GP 100 enough.
I've shot Colt wheel guns (Diamondback in 38 & Anaconda in 44) & the GP is just as smooth as the old Colts.
It has a very light single action (I would estimate at 1.5-2 lbs.)& the double action is super smooooth with a nice crisp break that lets me keep all shots on target when just pulling the trigger,(15-30 ft.)and that's right out of the box.
I have never been happier with a new gun than I was with the GP100,with the exception of my Colt seen below.
I do wish I had gone with a 4" barrel for woods wandering,but wanted to get as much power out of the .357 as I could so went with the 6",it's a trade off.

As for as autos, go with what feels good in hand.
380,9mm,40 & 45 are all good for urban self defense which is usually at close range & why I included the 380.
I love my 45,but consider it too big for urban carry,(printing being the problem with a big gun)so I'd recommend a smaller 380,9mm or 40 for around town carrying.(or a small wheel gun like the SP101 you mentioned,or an LCR)

Have fun in your quest Todd.

Here's my babies,with the JK Hiker & Phoenix.(thanks again for the Hiker btw)
70eb255e.jpg
 
thanks for the advice Myke. and thanks for the pics!

and guess what? i think i found my gun today. was visiting a different local gunshop (they had 22 ammo!) and a revolver caught my eye. it felt like it was meant for me. :D

asked the guy the model and he said that he thought it was a S&W Model 10. but, it looks like that can't be because it was a .357. I am guessing maybe it was a Model 27.

anyway....i am going to start saving my pennies and see if i can find a good deal on one. this one was $599 used, which is a good deal, but i already have my rifle on layaway. can't do another one right now.

anyone here ever owned or fired a 27?
 
For woods carry I always carry a wheel gun. It is either one of my super black hawks in 41 mag or 44 mag or my Super Redhawk in 454 Casull. For EDC in the City it is one of my semi autos in 9.40 or 45. I have a Colt King cobra 6 inch 357 mag that is on my night stand loaded with federal 158 grain Hydra shock ammo. The 357 is so I can fight to my Benelli Super Nova 12 gauge with PDX1 segmented slugs. These are just my personal choices. Like has been said try out many different handguns and get one you are comfortable with. I was a master Firearms trainer in L.E. for almost 20 years. The gun I suggested to most who asked was a 4 inch 357 and start with 38 specials and move up to full power 357 loads when you are comfortable with them.
 
I`ve had Model 27`s back in the 80`s, including one of the rare 5" models (Skeeter Skelton`s favorite gun) $599 seems high for a used one, but I have not really kept up on prices.
 
TPVT said:
not the 19. has the "classic" look....i.e. blued with wood grips.

599 seemed like a good deal based on what the same model was going for on gunbroker. they were all 800+.
Click to expand...

A model 13 is a blue version of the model 10, but in .357. Maybe that`s it?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top