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

rover said:
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.
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The only problem I have with 1911's versus Glocks is weight. Many people talk about clip capacity....if you can't hit what you're shooting at at least once or twice with 8 rounds then you should probably stick to baseball bats. If you NEED more than 8 rounds then you should probably have an assault rifle :p. I haven't had ANY problems with either. The only thing I ever had go wrong on a 1911 is a jam from crappy reload ammunition. If you get a quality gun, you shouldn't have a problem with it if you properly maintain it and shoot decent ammo. Kinda funny though, you probably won't ever have a problem with a Glock even if you DON'T properly maintain it. Unless you let the recoil spring go to shit without changing it.

In the extreme, the only thing more reliable than a glock IMO is a revolver. Though the fact that the 1911 survived over 70 years in military and law enforcement service shows that the gun does it's job. And modern "upgraded" ones are that much better.

I figure the most effective gun is the one you're most comfortable with and find YOU can shoot best. Everyone loves a different flavor.

If there were any ONE right gun out there I don't think so many companies and models would be out there :p
 
Wow...this is a lot to take in lol.

First off, I do plan on taking a handgun safety course as I intended to get a carrying permit. I just went over my friends house and handled his Walther PPS 9mm...pretty nice gun. It fit my hand well.

The general consensus seems to be that I should go to a local range and handle and shoot different guns to see what is best for me. I think that's a good idea...ill try to do it sometime soon (but once they get rid of all this snow!).

As for all the specific recommendations, I am writing them down and will do more research on them and continue to update everyone. Geez..maybe I should focus this much on my schoolwork :D

Thanks for all the information so far! Keep it coming!
 
If you ARE going to go with a 9mm, the biggest bang for your buck on a range gun is the CZ-75 hands down. It's one of the nicest shooting 9mm's out there. I personally like it more than the Hi-Power. The Glock 17 or 19 is a great all arounder and the simplicity is great for home protection and the FNP-9 is a great banger on the range and for home protection. I'd put it at second at the range to the CZ and second to defence to the Glock but a good jack of all trades gun.

The only thing keeping the Springfield XD from being in the top three is that it's made in Croatia and the I don't like the balance as much as the other guns but it's one of the best INDEXING guns out there.
 
pbubsy said:
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!
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+1 Perfect gun for a college student budget. They are relatively cheap, very accurate, easy to clean, and perfect for the pack. Love mine too!
 
bmilla35 said:
Wow...this is a lot to take in lol.

First off, I do plan on taking a handgun safety course as I intended to get a carrying permit. I just went over my friends house and handled his Walther PPS 9mm...pretty nice gun. It fit my hand well.

The general consensus seems to be that I should go to a local range and handle and shoot different guns to see what is best for me. I think that's a good idea...ill try to do it sometime soon (but once they get rid of all this snow!).

As for all the specific recommendations, I am writing them down and will do more research on them and continue to update everyone. Geez..maybe I should focus this much on my schoolwork :D

Thanks for all the information so far! Keep it coming!
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If you intend to carry it I'd probably get a glock 19. It's a good balance of a good shooter for the range while still being small enough to carry and large enough to be comfortable with for home protection. I woudn't want to fumble with a small gun in the middle of the night all sleepy eyed if I ever have to use one. Since it's your first gun I'd probably get a new one. You'll be keeping it ;)
 
Barbarossa said:
+1 Perfect gun for a college student budget. They are relatively cheap, very accurate, easy to clean, and perfect for the pack. Love mine too!
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Totally, I stick mine in the maxpedition gearslinger along with a full bladder of water and a little food (of course a Busse too :D) for those long hikes in the middle of nowhere. It's the one gun I have compete faith in. Especially if I have a mountain lion licking it's lips at my meaty self. I want a show stopper. I can't see a 9mm putting down a big animal with sharp teeth like my .357 can. It's great to plink with some 38's or even some 38 wadcutters that my buddy loads. It kicks like a bb gun with those :p
 
you should be able to get a factory reconditioned SIG 229 in .40 for under $500. That's what I'd get (again) anyway.
 
pbubsy said:
If you intend to carry it I'd probably get a glock 19. It's a good balance of a good shooter for the range while still being small enough to carry and large enough to be comfortable with for home protection. I woudn't want to fumble with a small gun in the middle of the night all sleepy eyed if I ever have to use one. Since it's your first gun I'd probably get a new one. You'll be keeping it ;)
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I want something not only for home protection, but when i'm out at my camp walking around the property. We've already encountered some weird people/rednecks...I don't want to be ill prepared if the day comes when they turn at me! Oh, and there are quite a few bears out there too :p
 
bmilla35 said:
I want something not only for home protection, but when i'm out at my camp walking around the property. We've already encountered some weird people/rednecks...I don't want to be ill prepared if the day comes when they turn at me! Oh, and there are quite a few bears out there too :p
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Sounds like you should go with something heavier than a 9mm or even a .45 if you might need something fo de big aminals. I'd go with either a Ruger GP-100 or a Smith & Wesson 686 both in 4''. The bonus with the 686 is that you can get a 7 shot gun and if you carry it, load it with 6 rounds and carry on an empty chamber so if you nudge the hammer somehow you don't separate yourself from your favorite body part or end up with two butt cracks :eek:

Bonus is you can get a big bang with the .357 but save money and use the easier shooting 38 special. 38 is still plenty for home protection and wont blind you or make you deaf in the dark if you're using it for home protection. Also wont travel through walls like a .357 will. Personally I keep mine loaded with hot light federal hollow points. Serious knock down power. Good for bears AND people.
 
Here's my Smith, a tad :p heavy for concealed carry but fine for open carry in a shoulder holster, loads plenty quick with speed loaders and is a blast to shoot. Sold the knife long ago but will NEVER sell the gun. I did a trigger job on it and it's a dream.
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You won't find another 5'', I'm personally not too terribly hot on the unfluted cyllinder either way but it's a hell of a gun. My perfect configuration for a revolver. They come factory 3'', 4'' and 6''. Again, the Ruger is the more rugged and reliable gun between the two (though not by leaps OR bounds), but the Smith just shoots so much nicer and is a bit prettier IMO.
 
For my first gun I would simply buy a Glock. They're cheap and reliable. You don't need something fancy as your first gun.
 
If you need a smaller revolver in your price range, one of these 686 3'' with the rounded butt are very nice. Especially in 7rd. On the cheaper and slightly smaller end is the Ruger SP-101 to which I've NEVER heard anything but praise either.

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I stole the picture, I think the grips are aftermarket. I personally like rubber. Hogue is what I believe I have.
 
test firing different handguns at a range is a great way to spend an afternoon.
ruger GP100 or S&W 686 w/4"barrel are both excellent choices. used rugers are cheap and a competent gunsmith can do magic things to the trigger for well under $100.
Sig 229 in .40 is a great choice in an all metal pistol -- but some folks hate the long pull.
XD40 is also very nice -- but it's a medium/fat grip, so if you have small hands you won't like it.
1911 is a classic, but they weigh a ton. (my 1911 weighs more empty than my dad's glock 17 does loaded)
I personally don't like the feel of glocks -- but I've known a lot of LE types who loved them -- it's a personal preference kind of thing.

buy a ruger 22/45 or a browning buckmark w/5" bull barrel. both are excellent .22lr pistols under $300. the .22 is a cheap way to learn trigger control, aim, sighting, etc... for 1/10 the cost of quality centerfire ammo. (500 rounds for $15 at wally world vs $15 for 50 in 9mm or .40)

good luck and enjoy the new addiction!
 
Ankerson said:
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.
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Ank, I learned on a 45:)

22 is like a pellet pistol:D

BUT, if you want to go to the range almost all of the ammo is expensive and hard to find right now (especially if you need TMJ). Even 22 is fricking ridiculous considering.

Anyhow, I would look at a SA GI 1911. Good luck!
 
1066vik said:
test firing different handguns at a range is a great way to spend an afternoon.
ruger GP100 or S&W 686 w/4"barrel are both excellent choices. used rugers are cheap and a competent gunsmith can do magic things to the trigger for well under $100.
Sig 229 in .40 is a great choice in an all metal pistol -- but some folks hate the long pull.
XD40 is also very nice -- but it's a medium/fat grip, so if you have small hands you won't like it.
1911 is a classic, but they weigh a ton. (my 1911 weighs more empty than my dad's glock 17 does loaded)
I personally don't like the feel of glocks -- but I've known a lot of LE types who loved them -- it's a personal preference kind of thing.

buy a ruger 22/45 or a browning buckmark w/5" bull barrel. both are excellent .22lr pistols under $300. the .22 is a cheap way to learn trigger control, aim, sighting, etc... for 1/10 the cost of quality centerfire ammo. (500 rounds for $15 at wally world vs $15 for 50 in 9mm or .40)

good luck and enjoy the new addiction!
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Thanks i'll try my best!

For the record, I don't have small hands. I doubt a larger grip will effect me too much.

How much do the XD's run? I'm guessing used is the only way I could go that route lol
 
XD aren't that expensive, I'd go with glock or rugger over it though.
 
Here is the GI from SA Website:

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Here is the Mil-Spec from SA Website:

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I shot/rented the GI alot at the range when I didn't want to go home after work to pick up a pistol. I liked it a lot and they are in your price range I think.

Not trying to twist ur arm just giving another idea for your list:)
 
richstag said:
Here is the GI from SA Website:



Here is the Mil-Spec from SA Website:



I shot/rented the GI alot at the range when I didn't want to go home after work to pick up a pistol. I liked it a lot and they are in your price range I think.

Not trying to twist ur arm just giving another idea for your list:)
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I understand lol...everything is appreciated like I said. I'm curious as to why Glocks and Rugers are preferred though
 
Because Glocks and Rugers are awesome firearms:thumbup:

I just love 1911's. Like the guys have said, rent a few and see what you like/shoot the best:thumbup:
 
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