recommend me a handgun?

Midget

Midget

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Joined
Jun 1, 2002
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Hey, i'm planning on picking up a handgun in the next 4 months or so.

I know nothing about firearms except how to fire them (some of them).

I currently own:
1 SKS dragunov
1 stock, ruger 10/22



soo.... it's time for a handgun!

*i am right handed
*need reliability
*must use a common round
*mid size. not worried about concealability b/c i won't be carrying it around, but also i'm not after a handcannon.
*versatility. i need something that i'll generally keep around the house, but will also be able to take with me when i am deployed (many, many years from now).
*i have about 500.00. however, some of this will have to go towards a trigger lock, cleaning tools, magazines, etc.

please recommend brand + specific model and perhaps why. just something to get me started. i'll do the research.

i'm not a collector, i don't plan on ever owning more than one handgun, i'm not a tactical superhero, and i'd rather just get the "right" handgun and not think about it anymore. basically, i'm looking for the "spyderco" of the handgun world. glock guys, speak your mind ;)


thanks a bunch everyone.
 
First, go to the nearest gun shop and ask about the local gun club. Second, take the NRA pistol safety course. One or two of the gun club guys teach it. You'll get a chance to shoot a variety of guns while you're taking the course, and you'll find most of the guys at the club are very willing to let you handle and shoot their guns, and they'll fill you full of opinions, and you can buy used guns from them much cheaper than from a dealer, too. Gun clubs are a lot like Bladeforums.... :cool:
 
Training, training, training, then make your own decision based on your personal preferences which will develop as a direct result of your training.

Me personally, ..... I'm a revolver guy. Nothing against semi's, just my personal preference are revolvers. If it wasn't a revolver, then I'd seriously look at Glock's.

Again, think training first, equipment second.
 
Cougar Allen said:
First, go to the nearest gun shop and ask about the local gun club. Second, take the NRA pistol safety course. One or two of the gun club guys teach it. You'll get a chance to shoot a variety of guns while you're taking the course, and you'll find most of the guys at the club are very willing to let you handle and shoot their guns, and they'll fill you full of opinions, and you can buy used guns from them much cheaper than from a dealer, too. Gun clubs are a lot like Bladeforums.... :cool:
Click to expand...


That's what I'm in the process of doing, although I like my P85!
 
Sounds like you want a good .357 magnum revolver. It can fire .38 Special for low recoil and low price, or full-power magnum ammo which has the best one-shot stop record of any caliber on the books. I like Smith and Wesson myself, however Ruger also makes excellent guns. They just aren't as refined. Most importantly, take Cougar's advice and get educated about the use and care of your weapon before you buy it. They're a lot of fun if you're careful and know what you're doing, but never forget the damage they can cause.
 
Totally agree with Cougar and Yam. It isn't the round, it's where you put it. Training is the most important aspect. The tool becomes somewhat secondary. Your mind and training are your best weapons.
 
If you are deployed by the military it is very unlikely that they will allow you to take a personal handgun with you, but I could be wrong.

My first suggestion would be a full-sized Glock in either 9mm or .40. It has been widely commented that Glock is the Spyderco of handguns and I suspect one would suit you well. However, a new Glock generally runs more like $550+, which is over your stated limit. You may want to look around for a used one.

I think my general bias is actually toward revolvers, but I carry a semi-auto for self defense. Some of my reasons, like the flatter profiles for concealment, do not apply to your situation. Other reasons, like lighter triggers, higher capacities, and faster reloading do. Revolvers are more versatile. For task-specific self defense I prefer a semi-automatic. It is worth noting that virtually every organization that faces similar tasks (police, military, and private security) seems to agree.

If you do decide to go with a revolver I would recommend a .357 Magnum, because it will shoot both .38 Special and .357 Magnum rounds, providing a wider range of options. For non-concealment I would look for a 4" to 5" barrel and a 6-, 7-, or even 8-round capacity cylinder. My personal favorite in this category is a Taurus Model 627 Tracker.

Whatever you do, and however you go about it, plan on spending the time to become proficient with your chosen handgun.

Best of luck!

--Bob Q
 
I have a H&K USP .40, and a Glock 22 and they are ok. ThenI picked up a SIG 228 9mm, used, with Houge grips this summer and I can shoot the S$&T out of that gun. 5 yards to 25 yards, great piece. It just works better then the other two newer and bigger one's in my collection. If bad stuff happened to me and I could only go for one of my pistols it, would be it. I cannot recomend it highly enough.
Still dying to get a .45 bit that will wait just a bit.....
 
I personaly like everything in the SIG family. I got nothing against Glock, Berreta, S&W, etc. I have shot a lot of different handguns, but my fav is a SIG 226.
 
Get yourself a Glock model 23.

That's all you need to know.:D.
 
Man that doesn't sound right.

Glocks are OK, but your can really shoot the schnott out of a Sig. 9mm is very easy to control, and the manual of arms is very simple.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Cougar has it right. Go to a gun club/pistol range where you can try a wide variety of guns then you can decide pistol or revolver, .22, 9mm, 357 or .45ACP. Don't forget to try a single action revolver too. They are a blast to shoot.
 
Find a police turn-in S&W Model 10, that'll be about $200. Spend the remainder on training and practice ammo. It'll be all the gun you'll need 'til you decide what works for you, and you'll actually be able to use it more effectively than the guys who buy an expensive gun and think that skill comes with it ;)
 
Consider a used handgun over new. A twenty year old handgun isn't the same as a twenty year old car or truck. You can save a bunch of money buying used and most of the time a used handgun is as good as "new". In semi-auto's the 9mm pistol is probably the best "all-arounder" to start out with. Generally less expensive ammo.

In revolvers a 4" 357 magnum is just about perfect. You can shoot 38 specials or 357 magnum ammo in the same gun. Very versatile. Once again ammo is reasonble.

Semi-auto's that are generally reliable?
Glock's
Ruger's
Sig Sauer's
Smith&Wesson's
CZ's
Beretta's
The list goes on but you get the idea.
Revolver's?
Ruger's
Smith&Wesson's
Taurus's
You don't have to spend alot of money to get a good, solid, reliable handgun.I buy, sell, and trade guns as a hobby so if you want to chat feel free to "shoot" me an e-mail. Best, John
 
1. Training.
2. Glock.
3. (see 1.)

(Seriously, IMHO, "try before you buy" applies to handguns more than anything else. I bought a Sig-225 without shooting one, just to see what all the talk was about (and to stay with 9mm). After a couple of sessions at the club I found that I didn't like shooting that gun at all - my fingers are too long to get a decent grip that I find comfortable. It's been sitting unused in the back of the safe for a couple of years now.)
 
Get a 1911, and dont look back...look for a used Kimber...you cannot go wrong. 1911 parts are everywhere, and .45 is jsut a great round.


After that i would have to say look into a used HK USP, or look at a Sig 226 if you want a 9mm.

If you can, go out and test fire a few...tell the dealer you are interested in purchasing from them (and please do, support your local store).
 
I don't know what model the P225 is, but if it is like the P226, they make Hogue rubber wraparound grips that should help with the "long finger" thing

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
I wouldn't recommend a USED gun for a first handgun, although you may save money, there is a much greater chance that it being your first handgun you MAY not be able to recognize telltale signs of a bad or worn-out gun and are MORE likely to buy a lemon than if you buy NEW. Also despite what anyone tells you stick to the MAJOR name brands, don't buy crap whatever you do GOOD to me means: Browning, Beretta, COLT, Glock, Heckler and Koch, Sig, Smith and Wesson, Walther.


If I could have only one......HONESTLY The only one you need, esp for one that is going to be a SHOOTER, forget about customs and raceguns, and as I heard it said be before "a 9mm is a .45 set on stun."

Get a COLT M1991A1 Government Stainless(80 Series), you have to TRY to make them jam, its very simple to strip and clean, don't have to fool with different trigger pulls, COMBAT proven, won't blow up in your hand, .45 is a very potent but easy to shoot round, cannot fire unless cocked and all safeties deactivated. And I may take some arugment for this but SAFER to carry with one in the pipe on "safe" than a Glock. Also, there are those out there (none have posted on this thread yet) that will tell you that a 1911 is inferior, will jam every other round, etc. and then push their fav. brand, they're full of crap, the 1911 is a heck of a gun and among the BEST autos out there. BTW I don't like Glocks BUT I don't trash them and they ARE good guns I just don't like them or Berettas. BUT if I were to buy a GUN solely for home protection (had no intention of carrying it) I'd check out the FULLSIZE Glock .45 (good gun plus high-cap mags) just remeber that a Glock has a short, light, trigger and NO external safety, IF I wanted a carry piece I'd go with a 1911 (bc I'm comfortable with it, others may not be) or a SIG.

Also if you want a semi-Auto, but want a traditional double action get yourself either a Smith and Wesson 4566 TSW or a Sig-Sauer P220ST (sigs don't have a manual safety, only decocker levers), both are all stainless .45s and are about as good as a double action gets. BUT if you want to stick with a Ruger they make a good .45 with an aluminum frame too, but I don't know the model (I'd avoid the polymer model though)

Or if ya want a wheelgun get a Smith 686 .357 mag, I'd recommend a 6in barrel for the .357. Ruger makes a good .357 but the trigger is not as good and it is overall less refined than the Smith.
 
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