Turning 21 soon...what gun to get?!

B

bmilla35

Joined
Aug 29, 2007
Messages
1,601
After a long debate as to whether I could post this here I finally decided to take the chance (if any moderator feels I made the wrong decision, feel free to move it)

Anyways, onto the business at hand. I have been waiting years to get a handgun, and next Sunday (Feb 14th) the day will finally be there where I can get my first handgun. Well technically I will have to wait till Monday as I don't think you can buy a gun on a Sunday.

The long standing debate that has been going on in my mind is what kind of gun I want to get, i.e. a semi-auto or revolver, and also what caliber to get the gun in. I created this thread so you guys could hopefully try and convince me towards one direction.

I'm relatively ignorant but as of now in the semi-auto category I think I like the .40 cal and in the revolver I like the .357 MAG.

I'm on a college student's budget, so I would like to keep the gun around 500-700 bucks. Used guns are not a problem...and actually preferred if its a good enough deal.

Thanks for any suggestions guys, I really appreciate it.

P.S. I'll make sure to drink enough for all you on the big day :D:thumbup:
 
Ruger GP 100 in stainless with 4" barrel. It's what I carry every day. It's big enough to put a large hole in something, even to go up to deer hunting with. Plus it's super tough
 
In my oh-so-humble opinion, there are two handguns every toy-addicted male should own: A Glock 17, and a good 1911.

I doubt there are any handguns in the world more popular than those two. There are certainly others that are just as good, but those seem to be universally liked.

A good 1911 can be damned expensive, so you might want to look at Glocks. :D
 
can't got wrong with a H&K USP, but it all depends on what your planning on doing with it. If you are going to get a carriers permit, you may want to get something smaller. Yes a .40 caliber would be a great first gun...
 
Much to consider of course. I recommend that you try out several - see if there is a local gun store/shooting range which will let you rent or try out several. Look for good fit in your hand (make a circle with your middle finger and thumb - you should be able to touch while holding the gun). Also, while holding, your trigger finger should natural fit inside the trigger guard to allow you to pull straight back without pulling either left or right. Are you meticulous about cleaning after a range session? If not, Glocks are hard to beat for toughness and forgiveness. Will you be reloading? if so, be careful about 40 cal and Glocks (and I am a HUGE Glock fan, with a G19 and G20). Also, consider after-market and holster options. If you stick with something widely used, like Glock or Sig, you'll be able to find most anything you need. Go with something like an HK, and you're gonna have less options. As to caliber, I recommend buying the largest caliber you can shoot safely and accurately. Finally, the NRA instructor in me urges that you attend an NRA Basic Pistol course in your area (search on the NRA web site) and continue your training with other NRA courses and maybe even some competitions. Good luck, be safe, and happy birthday!
 
I got a j-frame Smith .357 snubby for a first gun. I still find it extremely useful and easy to carry.
 
I would say go with a nice .357 Mag for your 1st one, then move on to automatics after.
 
I am going to suggest the same to you that I suggest to all new potential gun buyers. Go to a gun range and try as many as you can. Find one that fits your hands and you can shoot well. Everyone has different style hands and natural point of aim. Different style guns will all handle differently to you. If you can, go with someone who does lots of shooting.

As far as caliber goes, there are thousands of battle threads out there on that. Again, pick the best round for you. What is the largest round you can accurately shoot, with relatively fast follow up shots?

Semi auto vs revolver? Will come down to personal preference again. I tend to carry a revolver as my backup gun and a semi-auto as my primary. With the semi-auto options out there right now I would recommend one of them as your first choice, however, if you plan on concealed carry (I know nothing of PA law) a small revolver may be the best choice.

Now, my personal preferences and opinions which are sure to stir up someone as most opinions do:
I have shot guns my entire life. When I turned 21 I went to the courthouse that afternoon to get my firearms license so I could carry concealed. I have been carrying ever since and have carried a variety of handguns. My most carried pistol is my S&W 340SC(357MAG). It is the most carried because it can fit in my pocket when I can't carry my full size gun. My most carried full size is my 4" 1911, followed closely by my full size 5" 1911. I carry these guns because I have the most practice and experience shooting them. I am the most accurate and quick with them and I feel completely confident in the mechanics of the gun. They fit me well and are comfortable for all day carry(now that I have good sheaths.)

I have carried Glocks, but I personally just never did like them. I own a 21SF now because I wanted a higher capacity 45ACP with a light to have around. I have carried large revolvers and will say that I did enjoy my S&W 625PD 4". Very light and comfortable for all day carry, again in 45ACP. You may start to notice a theme of 45ACP in the round that I have chosen for all my primary carry guns. I have tried a number of other guns and always return to the 1911 for my main gun. It points naturally for ME. Everyone will have different results.

Summary: Go shoot everything you can get your hands on. Try not to be brand biased(very hard to do in gun world) and pick the gun that feels the most natural for you, that you can shoot accurately, and that you are confident with.

What kind of gun thread is this with no pictures? And yes, the snub nosed 45 does get carry time too. She is quite a handful with 230gr loads and the wood grips, but with 185s she is a pure joy.
P1010148.JPG

PA130088.JPG

PA130087.JPG
 
Last edited:
College student's budget. . .

Least expensive would probably be a Ruger or Taurus .357. I prefer Rugers. The .38 sp is fairly inexpensive for ammo and .357 costs more, but does a great job. If you are going to carry it, try a 3" GP-100. It's only a little bigger than an SP-101, but gives you 6 shots instead of 5. Otherwise, go for the 4" version.

If you want an autopistol, least expensive will be a 9mm Glock. If you are going to carry it, the G19 is probably the top choice, otherwise the G17. There's .40 Glocks in that same size range, but 9mm is MUCH cheaper, and the .40 Glocks and 9mm use the same frame, so you can get a .40 conversion kit later if you want, instead of buying another whole gun.
 
Really the smartest thing to buy 1st is a .22 handgun to really learn how to shoot well then move on to the larger ones.

You have to walk before you can run.

Then as I said up to a .357 mag and shoot .38 Special Wad-cutters in it until you get good with that.

Then move up to standard .38 loads and onto the .357 mag loads.
 
Depends what you need it for. Guns are like knives have different functions. Consider the ammunition costs when you think how often you'd spend on the range. If you are on the budget, then Rugger or Glock, are your best options. I'm also impartial to Sigs. Look around go to the range see what fits your hand best. I'm not sure how is it in PA but college campuses are usually guarded well, you might consider .22, you'd save a lot on ammo costs, and would be able to spend more time shooting it. If you are going for home defence though, you can't beat a good 'ol shotgun.

If I was buying a gun right now though it would be a revolver in 357 or 1911.

Rugger SP-101 felt real good in my hand
sp101hogue800tv6.jpg

rugergp101.jpg
 
get a 1911.:thumbup: reliable, easily pimped, almost everone has the ammo, and women love them.:cool:
 
coolhandluke4 said:
Ruger GP 100 in stainless with 4" barrel. It's what I carry every day. It's big enough to put a large hole in something, even to go up to deer hunting with. Plus it's super tough
Click to expand...

+1

No gun owner should be without a good, versatile, .38/.357 revolver IMHO. I have had all kinds of autos, but the last handguns I would ever let go of are my 4" GP100, Slabside Gov't MKII, and a .45ACP (1911 or HK)

If you're absolutely set on an auto, seriously consider a MKII (MKIII) with a 4"-6" bull or slabbed barrel. For a defensive gun, go to the range and rent/borrow/shoot everything you've pined over and make the decision from YOUR experience and capabilities.

Although, as Liu Kang mentioned, the HK products in .40S&W, .45ACP are excellent choices and super reliable, (Ok, the Glock 22/23 are just as good:o ).
 
I am a huge fan of the classic single action semi-autos, espically the 1911 and the Hi-Power. With that being said,
unless you have substantial experience shooting handguns I would start with a S&W medium frame .357 mag with a 3 or 4 inch barrel. You can load it over a large range of power levels with .38 special and .357 mag ammo. You can start out with standard pressure .38 special, and move up to .38 special +p then .357 mag loaded to various levels as you progress.

In fact, my two 3" .357 Model 65's that are hidden strategically around the house are loaded with .38+p, although the ones that get to go out and about are 1911's, and the Hi-Powers get to go fishing or hiking.
 
It's really preference, for

Revolvers: Anything Ruger or Smith & Wesson. Smith is a bit smoother, more refined/better finished while the Ruger revolvers have the upper hand in ruggedness/ultra reliability. I've had some problems with EVERYTHING loosening up on my Smith even to the point where I had to tighten the torsion to get it to fire again while at the range a couple times. Not a big deal, I check it before I fire and when I clean for anything that might need adjustment. I know it'll go boom when I need it to.

Autoloaders: A used Springfield Loaded 1911 in your prefence would probably be the best you can get for around $600-700. Not as modern as the newer polymer pistols but nicer to shoot and while the gun isn't inherintly more accurate than a good polymer pistol it's easier to shoot it better.

In terms of a polymer pistol I'd stick with Glock, Springfield XD's and maybe a USP .40 or .45 from H&K for the most part.

The best bang for the buck IMHO at the momment is the FN FNP series. They index like a 1911, have high-ish clip capacity are ultra reliable and just shoot exceptionally well. I love mine. I've got two polymer pistols, a Glock 17 and a FNP-45. I like the glock for it's simplicity and sheer ruggedness but the FNP is the better shooter for me at least. Definitely worth looking at and within your range.



When it comes to it, for the money I'd go with a Ruger GP-100 with a 4'' barrel in stainless if you're going to get a revolver. I'd go with a used Loaded Springfield 1911 if you're going to go with an all metal single stack autoloader and a new FNP-.40 or .45 if you're set on a polymer. If you find yourself on the fence with the FNP I'd get a glock in that case. You can't go wrong with ANY of the guns mentioned and there are many other great guns out there but those are just my personal choices.

Also, being a college student on a college budget a 9mm might not be a bad idea. Ammo is a bit cheaper and it's still a blast to shoot and trust me: if you need to defend yourself, it'll still do the job.
 
Oh, and if you get a S&W...check the 686 in whatever barrel legnth (4'' recommended). It's a great gun. I love mine!
 
What's the saying? Get a nice American made 1911, throw it on the ground for distraction as you shoot the perp with your Austrian Glock?

I'd get a 17 or 19 depending on what you like the feel of. I also like the XD series, the new XDM is awesome. HK is very cool but I only have first hand experience with the P series.

Just don't go in asking any counter jockies for advice, 99.9% of them have no clue what they are talking about.
 
rover said:
Just don't go in asking any counter jockies for advice, 99.9% of them have no clue what they are talking about.
Click to expand...

Amen to that. I have heard some of the dumbest gun advice/"facts" come out of gun store workers. It's worse than the internet.:eek:

As for your 1911 comment, I can only counter with this:

howaglockworks.gif


:foot::foot:

Disclaimer: I own multiple Glocks, I shoot them, I only prefer 1911s. I have never had reliability problems out of either style, and no KABOOMS either...yet.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top