First Handgun...

ndeezl

ndeezl

Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
2,037
Hi All,
I posted this in W&C but it may be better placed here. I would like to purchase my first handgun this weekend. It will be used primarily for home defense and shooting at the range. Suggestions? Guns to look for or stay away from? I am looking to spend $500 or less. Thanks.

Nathan
 
Its really up to you, but can tell you this: Glocks are reliable cheap and come in many calibers, things i don't like about them: striker fired, which means no exposed hammer to go to single action and double action.
i suggest you go to a gun store and handle a few you might be interested in, then do some research on that model. Good luck!
 
Thanks, been looking for a while and am leaning towards a Glock 19 if I can find one. Just wanted opinions on diff calibers and makers and such. I have fired a Kimber 1911 a number of times and really love the platform and gun, just not sure if i want to drop the extra cash for the kimber.
 
I have a Kimber compact and love it. If you're looking at Glocks then I'd also advise looking at the Springfield Armory XD series. Ive used both and like the feel of the XD a tad more. But in the end, if you're gonna pay for it, save a little longer and get what you want. If you don't, you'll end up kicking yourself later.:)
 
You can't go wrong with a Glock, what you really need to focus on is whether you can find the bullets for the firearm you purchase. For example the Ruger LCP, or Kel tec .380 are pretty sweet pistols but try and find .380 ammo.......
 
Home defense handgun should be a .357 revolver, or better yet- a dog and an pump action 12gge.

Unless you manipulate a semi-auto twice a week and have a total of 10,000 repetitions, also learning all phases of clearing and handling misfires, failure to feed and worse- how you going to handle that task at 3am?

Semi-autos, unless you possess absolute proficiency- are sexy ornaments that will likely get you killed. Calibers such as .380's serving as a primary weapon are a joke.

The Glock 19 is a concealed carry weapon that has a whole lot of ammunition weight putting out of range as a civilian concealed carry. It is not a "target" or range weapon due to it's short barrel and stubby grip. Compared to your other choice, it is unpleasant to shoot much. It does not have a "light recoil", in fact this 9mm will offer much greater felt recoil than the steel framed .45acp (simple physics: it's heavier than the Glock 19) If you gotta have a Glock and will use it at the range, consider a full size Glock (17, 34, etc)

The Kimber (.45) you mentioned is on the opposite end of the semi-auto spectrum. This one will take even more training to operate successfully and reliably. It will be a lot more pleasant to shoot at the range due to it's weight and sight radius (barrel length). It is generically a "1911" and there are cheaper ones out there- if you weren't buying it for "looks". Have you priced ammo lately? If you consider the commodity of LEAD alone, the 9mm uses 115 grains and the .45 need 225 grains. Guess which one is almost twice as expensive as the other?

If you want a fun toy- either will do nicely. If you really want it for what you said- the choices mentioned so far... become less viable.

You can get a good used revolver for under $300 in most parts of the US, often closer to $200.

You can still buy .38 and .357 ammo, even finding bulk packs at MallWart on occasion.

Revolver goes bang- every time.
 
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Something in 9mm. I recommend Glock, H&K, Sig, and CZ. CZ's are cheap as hell and very awesome.

You want 9mm because not only is it a good all around caliber, but it's cheaper than most any other handgun round (except for .22, which doesn't really count). Cheaper means you can shoot it more. You want to shoot a LOT. You want to become very comfortable with the gun and with your abilities. The only way that'll happen is with a ton of practice.
 
If you're set on a semi-auto, then consider a 9mm (as you already have)

Besides the Glock 19, consider the G-17 along with the Springfield XD or XD-m, or the Springfield M&P

Good guns all.
 
.357Magnum revolver with a 4inch barrel and adjustable sights would meet your SD and range use requirements while being easier to use and cheaper to practice with especially if using .38special rounds.

As has been said, Semi Auto's need a higher degree of skill sets to use and they do malfunction. An organised training course in handgun use would be a good idea to start with, maybe even before buying a gun.
 
mack_t_knife said:
Home defense handgun should be a .357 revolver, or better yet- a dog and an pump action 12gge.

Unless you manipulate a semi-auto twice a week and have a total of 10,000 repetitions, also learning all phases of clearing and handling misfires, failure to feed and worse- how you going to handle that task at 3am?

Semi-autos, unless you possess absolute proficiency- are sexy ornaments that will likely get you killed. Calibers such as .380's serving as a primary weapon are a joke.

The Glock 19 is a concealed carry weapon that has a whole lot of ammunition weight putting out of range as a civilian concealed carry. It is not a "target" or range weapon due to it's short barrel and stubby grip. Compared to your other choice, it is unpleasant to shoot much. It does not have a "light recoil", in fact this 9mm will offer much greater felt recoil than the steel framed .45acp (simple physics: it's heavier than the Glock 19) If you gotta have a Glock and will use it at the range, consider a full size Glock (17, 34, etc)

The Kimber (.45) you mentioned is on the opposite end of the semi-auto spectrum. This one will take even more training to operate successfully and reliably. It will be a lot more pleasant to shoot at the range due to it's weight and sight radius (barrel length). It is generically a "1911" and there are cheaper ones out there- if you weren't buying it for "looks". Have you priced ammo lately? If you consider the commodity of LEAD alone, the 9mm uses 115 grains and the .45 need 225 grains. Guess which one is almost twice as expensive as the other?

If you want a fun toy- either will do nicely. If you really want it for what you said- the choices mentioned so far... become less viable.

You can get a good used revolver for under $300 in most parts of the US, often closer to $200.

You can still buy .38 and .357 ammo, even finding bulk packs at MallWart on occasion.

Revolver goes bang- every time.
Click to expand...

i shoot 1911's and SIG P220's quite a bit and i can assure you they recoil more than my glock 19, or my glock 26, 32C or 33, i also shoot a kahr PM9 a lot and its probably one of the smallest and lightest 9MM's around and the '45's still kick more, imho, i would even go so far as to say the 9MM is one of the easiest cartridges to learn to shoot, not too much muzzle blast, and lite recoil, other than a S&W 586 with a 5" bbl shooting 148gr wadcutters i dont know of anything any easier to learn to shoot than say a glock 17 or really any of the larger 9MM's.

you also need to practice with pump shotguns too to get to where pumping it is instinctive, my wife (and others i know) always had problems with pumps she would forget to pump them lol, she did better with autos.

but ya are right for a novice a .38 revolver, double action with a 4" or so bbl and a pump shotgun are probably the best, unless ya are willing to put in the time to learn how to work an auto, imho the autos arent that much harder to get to learn to deal with it just takes time and not all are willing to put in the time, or spend the $$ for ammo.
 
Lot of nice guns out there. For home defense and esp range shooting, I'd recommend a 1911 in 45ACP. I'd say get the full sized version and probably not a Kimber. It's more fun to play with all the aftermarket stuff and mods. I'd recommend stainless, but it probably doesn't really matter. I'd look into reloading to cut ammo costs and just because it's a lot of fun. I used to have some Dillon equipment and it was cool stuff.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/
Check out Sinclair too for reloading tools.
http://www.sinclairintl.com/
Find out where the local gun matches are and go shoot some. Nothing better. You can buy Glocks, revolvers, shotguns, and little girly man guns later. Plenty of time for all that.

If you're going to own a gun, you might as well have a good time with it.
 
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Home defense handgun should be a .357 revolver, or better yet- a dog and an pump action 12gge.
Unless you manipulate a semi-auto twice a week and have a total of 10,000 repetitions, also learning all phases of clearing and handling misfires, failure to feed and worse- how you going to handle that task at 3am?

Semi-autos, unless you possess absolute proficiency- are sexy ornaments that will likely get you killed. Calibers such as .380's serving as a primary weapon are a joke.
Click to expand...
While a semi-auto takes more practice to use effectivly, they are hardly going to get you killed.
Revolvers are easier to shoot from the get-go, but without practice reloads are awkward, and a slow reload IS going to get you killed.

Any responsible gun owner should practice wether he has a revolver, semi-auto, shotgun, bolt action, semi-auto rifle or a mounted machine gun.
All weapons require practice to use effectively.

The Glock 19 is a concealed carry weapon that has a whole lot of ammunition weight putting out of range as a civilian concealed carry. It is not a "target" or range weapon due to it's short barrel and stubby grip. Compared to your other choice, it is unpleasant to shoot much. It does not have a "light recoil", in fact this 9mm will offer much greater felt recoil than the steel framed .45acp (simple physics: it's heavier than the Glock 19) If you gotta have a Glock and will use it at the range, consider a full size Glock (17, 34, etc)
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A glock 19 unpleaseant to shoot? Are you kidding me?
While a 17 or 34 is more comfortable and easier to shoot a 19 is definatly not uncomfortable. Not even the 26 is uncomfortable to shoot and it's tiny.

The Kimber (.45) you mentioned is on the opposite end of the semi-auto spectrum. This one will take even more training to operate successfully and reliably. It will be a lot more pleasant to shoot at the range due to it's weight and sight radius (barrel length). It is generically a "1911" and there are cheaper ones out there- if you weren't buying it for "looks". Have you priced ammo lately? If you consider the commodity of LEAD alone, the 9mm uses 115 grains and the .45 need 225 grains. Guess which one is almost twice as expensive as the other?

If you want a fun toy- either will do nicely. If you really want it for what you said- the choices mentioned so far... become less viable.
Click to expand...
Kimbers are shite. The only time I would ever own one is if I was given one, and then I would promtly sell it.
 
Pick a pistol that fits well for your hand, but not so big you can't comfortably reach the controls. You are in luck since a lot of gun buying is focused on concealed carry these days, you can often find a "normal" or full sized pistol for a decent price.

IMO, there is so many different types of 1911s out there, it might be hard to find a good one in your budget. The Glock or XD would be a great value.

Since you want it for home defense, look for one with night sights already installed. Often it is cheaper to buy it that way than get a regular pistol, then purchase the sights and get them installed. Along those lines, you may want a pistol with a rail for a bright light. Although not absolutely necessary, having the rail and not using it, is better than wanting the rail and not having it.
 
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mack_t_knife said:
Home defense handgun should be a .357 revolver, or better yet- a dog and an pump action 12gge.

Unless you manipulate a semi-auto twice a week and have a total of 10,000 repetitions, also learning all phases of clearing and handling misfires, failure to feed and worse- how you going to handle that task at 3am?

Semi-autos, unless you possess absolute proficiency- are sexy ornaments that will likely get you killed. Calibers such as .380's serving as a primary weapon are a joke.

The Glock 19 is a concealed carry weapon that has a whole lot of ammunition weight putting out of range as a civilian concealed carry. It is not a "target" or range weapon due to it's short barrel and stubby grip. Compared to your other choice, it is unpleasant to shoot much. It does not have a "light recoil", in fact this 9mm will offer much greater felt recoil than the steel framed .45acp (simple physics: it's heavier than the Glock 19) If you gotta have a Glock and will use it at the range, consider a full size Glock (17, 34, etc)

The Kimber (.45) you mentioned is on the opposite end of the semi-auto spectrum. This one will take even more training to operate successfully and reliably. It will be a lot more pleasant to shoot at the range due to it's weight and sight radius (barrel length). It is generically a "1911" and there are cheaper ones out there- if you weren't buying it for "looks". Have you priced ammo lately? If you consider the commodity of LEAD alone, the 9mm uses 115 grains and the .45 need 225 grains. Guess which one is almost twice as expensive as the other?

If you want a fun toy- either will do nicely. If you really want it for what you said- the choices mentioned so far... become less viable.

You can get a good used revolver for under $300 in most parts of the US, often closer to $200.

You can still buy .38 and .357 ammo, even finding bulk packs at MallWart on occasion.

Revolver goes bang- every time.
Click to expand...

Clearly if there is one person in this thread the OP shouldn't listen to its you. So many statements that just bulk everything together.

I hear of people like you but I've never seen one. Are you the guy in the gun store that thinks he knows everything? I'm not even going to bother with going over everything thats wrong with your post.

It took me all of 10 seconds on google to find PLENTY of revolver failures.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=450955
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=301206
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com/showthread.php?t=26719
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1150370
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-198482.html
 
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Max Manley said:
Revolvers are easier to shoot from the get-go, but without practice reloads are awkward, and a slow reload IS going to get you killed.
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Reloads- Another oft referenced statistical rarity. This is one of the most often repeated bits of conventional wisdom that is irrelevant. Statistically, lethal exchanges occur at distances of only a few feet, involve less than 2 shots total, and the chances of a hit are minute.

Aint nobody doing a reload. That's a Hollywood movie or a rarity in the realm of the North Hollywood shootout. Either way, what a lot of people see on the screen, they tend to take as the norm. The fight usually goes to the first guy to shoot- this puts the "home team" at a slight disadvantage- but he still has to hit what he's aiming at.

Revolvers are indeed a thicker width than any automatic in the CCW class, that's what makes them truly a negative for most CCW uses. Again, abilities factor in. How are your abilities at 3 a.m.? You want a "point and shoot" revolver or do you want a complex machine- some needing safeties manipulated, as well? Remember, most believe that this is what saved our President Jerry Ford's life- thank-you-Jesus - that the shooter was an idiot and didn't cock the 1911 (argue about whether it was technically unloaded or not on your own time). The other shit head- the one that was hot for Jodie Foster? He got real smart and used a .22 Revolver. An absolute dimwit took John Lenon from us using one of those primitive but effective revolvers. Can you remember Selena?

That's the headlines stuff. The day-to-day realities are in some ways, very similar. Statistically, though, there are fewer revolvers out on the streets, so you do hear more about interchanges involving "automatic weapons", which is what the pretty boy talking head on TV calls a semi-auto pistol.

97% of CCW holders believe they are "above average" shooters. :foot:

More high capacity guns, extra magazines (and +2 floorplates) are sold to guys who get this in their head. My CCW weapons hold 5 or 7 rounds, but that's just me. For home use or range fun, size is irrelevant- except to say, bigger (greater weight) is better. The gun recoils less- simple fact of physics.

I was out shooting last night with a young cop who I counseled when he was just starting out. He insisted that he wanted a hi-cap mini-Glock for off duty CCW. I didn't bother telling him that he was going to change his mind. He now carries a micro slim single stack auto- but this kid is a superb operator.

Here, watch him shoot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS3wNIvq6Og

Look at what happens on second # 00:35... Can you clear a FTF as well as he does? If not, you're a schlubb like me. (and 99.9% of all shooters)

If you do not become proficient with the manipulation of the tool, there is no amount of ammunition that will compensate for poor marksmanship.

zenheretic said:
9mm is consistently cheaper than the .38 round for several years now.
Click to expand...

Cheaper, maybe. Available? No way. There is still .38 bulk pack to be had at my MallWart last night before I went to the range- they had no 9, .45, or .40

Curiously, they also had .380 ammo available as well.
 
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mack_t_knife said:
Cheaper, maybe. Available? No way. There is still .38 bulk pack to be had at my MallWart last night before I went to the range- they had no 9, .45, or .40

Curiously, they also had .380 ammo available as well.
Click to expand...

Your personal experience in your local walmart is not statistically significant. ;)
 
mack_t_knife said:
Home defense handgun should be a .357 revolver, or better yet- a dog and an pump action 12gge.

Unless you manipulate a semi-auto twice a week and have a total of 10,000 repetitions, also learning all phases of clearing and handling misfires, failure to feed and worse- how you going to handle that task at 3am?

Semi-autos, unless you possess absolute proficiency- are sexy ornaments that will likely get you killed. Calibers such as .380's serving as a primary weapon are a joke.

The Glock 19 is a concealed carry weapon that has a whole lot of ammunition weight putting out of range as a civilian concealed carry. It is not a "target" or range weapon due to it's short barrel and stubby grip. Compared to your other choice, it is unpleasant to shoot much. It does not have a "light recoil", in fact this 9mm will offer much greater felt recoil than the steel framed .45acp (simple physics: it's heavier than the Glock 19) If you gotta have a Glock and will use it at the range, consider a full size Glock (17, 34, etc)

The Kimber (.45) you mentioned is on the opposite end of the semi-auto spectrum. This one will take even more training to operate successfully and reliably. It will be a lot more pleasant to shoot at the range due to it's weight and sight radius (barrel length). It is generically a "1911" and there are cheaper ones out there- if you weren't buying it for "looks". Have you priced ammo lately? If you consider the commodity of LEAD alone, the 9mm uses 115 grains and the .45 need 225 grains. Guess which one is almost twice as expensive as the other?

If you want a fun toy- either will do nicely. If you really want it for what you said- the choices mentioned so far... become less viable.

You can get a good used revolver for under $300 in most parts of the US, often closer to $200.

You can still buy .38 and .357 ammo, even finding bulk packs at MallWart on occasion.

Revolver goes bang- every time.
Click to expand...

:jerkit: Yeah. What RMC85 said.

I own both Glock 23 and S&W j-frame .357. Obvisously, you have never actually seen an individual who knows how to use a semi-auto correctly. Yes, there can be reliability issues, most of which are user inflicted (polymer type semi's), but any gun owner who is not proficient with THEIR handgun, in my opinion is not much of an owner.

Find me one person who actually thinks a G19 is "unpleasant" to shoot. People who talk out of their ass don't count.

Ndeezl,

You will find a great handgun for $500 or less. There are hundreds to choose from and I recommend going somewhere you can rent and try out as many as you want. Glock are great pieces, revolvers are very nice shooters as well. My .02 on brands; no Hi-Point or Kel-Tec. Don't waste your dough.

Go Huskers!!
 
I found this barely fired Ruger GP-100 in a Bargain Mart type paper for 350.
It's a tough reliable revolver, great for home defense.
As far as finding ammo goes times aren't normal at present. I doubt they will stay like this much longer. Surely ammo will become easier to find and if it doesn't something will have to happen, other than just speculation of tighter firearm restrictions.
zj841t.jpg
 
I will suggest to you what I would suggest to anyone buying their first handgun, go to a range an RENT a few. See what works for YOU! What is the perfect gun for you, may NOT be the perfect gun for you. YOU need to shoot a few and see what you are comfortable with.
 
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