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

To everyone who asked what use the gun will be holding...

first off, i'm dumb for not mentioning that to begin with. I want to use if for personal protection (i'll get a holster or something), both in the city (school) and when i'm out roaming the woods. Home protections isn't really an issue, but I would like it to be effective should it ever pop up. To be honest, cool factor might have something to do with it. But please don't get the wrong opinion! Nothing else is really coming to mind...is that enough?

And about those FN guns...whats the price on those? I've learned if they don't list the prices online, they are generally really expensive lol
 
HighDesertWalker said:
I bought one of these robust revolvers for both of my sons when they came of age. It's a great first handgun and, as coolhand points out, you can carry it the rest of your life. :thumbup:
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Very cool of you...well if you want to buy me one too, feel free! :D:thumbup:

If it's any consolidation for not being related in any way, we both have Rhodesian Ridgebacks :p
 
bmilla35 said:
Very cool of you...well if you want to buy me one too, feel free! :D:thumbup:

If it's any consolidation for not being related in any way, we both have Rhodesian Ridgebacks :p
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Hey, you remember Dingus! We haven't been hiking much lately because the snow is too deep. Don't think I can provide revolvers to all ridgeback owners though. They're getting pretty popular and I'm not a wealthy man. :D Hope you get the handgun of your dreams and enjoy it for many, many years trekking. :thumbup:
 
Depends on what you want to do with it. If not sure, it's hard to go wrong with a good quality 4" .357 wheel gun. Get one with adjustable sights. It won't raise eyebrows but will handle anything you need to use it for from targets (long range too if you practice) to tactics to tagging Bambi. Multi caliber capability makes em civilized to shoot too. You'll want a .22 also.

Enjoy!
 
bmilla35 said:
To everyone who asked what use the gun will be holding...

first off, i'm dumb for not mentioning that to begin with. I want to use if for personal protection (i'll get a holster or something), both in the city (school) and when i'm out roaming the woods. Home protections isn't really an issue, but I would like it to be effective should it ever pop up. To be honest, cool factor might have something to do with it. But please don't get the wrong opinion! Nothing else is really coming to mind...is that enough?

And about those FN guns...whats the price on those? I've learned if they don't list the prices online, they are generally really expensive lol
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If you're talking the five seven, it's close to a grand with really spendy ammo. Look at the new KelTec 30 round .22 WMR pistol to compare at a MUCH lower price point. Neither one will be quite powerful enough for reliable defense use if you compare em to the other things out there.

Check gunbroker dot com for ballpark prices
 
halromberg said:
If you're talking the five seven, it's close to a grand with really spendy ammo. Look at the new KelTec 30 round .22 WMR pistol to compare at a MUCH lower price point. Neither one will be quite powerful enough for reliable defense use if you compare em to the other things out there.

Check gunbroker dot com for ballpark prices
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He is talking about FNP.
five seven really depends on the kind of ammunition you are feeding it in terms of stopping power. 20 rounds is more then enough, especially with light recoil, the follow up shots should be a breeze. However, not only are you paying a grand for a gun, it doesn't matter what kind of ammo you are using its going to be very expensive.
 
Personally, I'd buy ALL my guns again, but for a gun that costs about the same as a Glock with all the features of a more expensive gun and the fit and finish to match you have yourself a VERY solid deal. I'd buy mine again in a heartbeat!
 
Off to do my own research on FNP, gonna be the next gun I'll be trying out at the range. So far I'm reading nothing but good stuff about it.
 
you have mutually exclusive purposes lumped into one pile. first, decide the job THIS gun is going to do for you, not all the jobs guns COULD do for you.

You need practice, and to grow a set of safe gunhandling habits. You need practice, and to grow a set of gunhandling skills.

These aren't exactly overlapping purposes. Fast is something gun ranges don't much allow. It gets people hurt, hurrying. Which gun is the fastest quickdraw gun? First is highly desireable, in gun fights.

Accuracy has more to do with recoil than anybody admits. The second shot, you're already reacting to adrenalin, stepping on your own muscle memory and training, and it NEEDS to hit something variable (same target again, different target).. and you're just a busy little rascal there for about a half second.

Don't be dragging the barrel back down out of the air to line it up.

Get the longest barreled, lightest recoiling, affordable to practice with (a lot), gun that has adequate power for self defense.

.22LR is a great plinker, but if you're not stopping there, don't start there.

9mm is adequate. .40 is less adequate because it takes a bit more practice to handle the snappy recoil, and they cost a bit more.

.38 special is adequate. .357 is less adequate for the same reasons. Calling it a .357 if you're shooting .38 specials in it, ain't truthful.

Happens you can get a 9mm glock with a .40 barrel I *think* or maybe it's the other way around. Worth considering.

Could be a decent .357 would make a bang up .38 carry piece.

In either case, a longer barrel matters more than anybody admits.

Don't go under a 3" barrel. IF at all possible, and stay close. Don't shoot the most powerful rounds you can, shoot the LEAST powerful round with adequate terminal ballistics.

A glock 9mm with a .40 barrel sometime, or a glock .40 with a 9mm barrel NOW, or a smith & wesson .357 handgun shooting .38s or a .38 shooting .38s. If you use a ruger instead, pay money for a tune up on the action. You'll break even, far as saving money. Just buy a smith, & you're there.

With one exception I can think of, the Ruger Speed Six, pre GP-100, 2 3/4 inch barrel.. is a GEM. It's the only gun Bill got dead solid perfect. And me a smith lover, has to mention it, shameful.

How you carry and how big you are and the attitude of the people WHERE you'll be carrying all deserve consideration before you spend money. The gun that shoots best is bigger than the gun that hides best. I will never advise stealth over effectiveness in action. Be prepared to hide a LARGE carry piece, as best as you can.

Don't have a .22, don't have a 2" barrel, don't have something too big to hide or too little to shoot convincingly..

and the two cartridges under consideration NOW are 9mm and .38 special. LATER you'll do it different. 6 shots are more than 5 shots. It'll be on the test, remember it.
 
To answer your question on why everyone is suggesting Rugers and Glocks:

Well, I suggested them because you are on a college budget, and they are the best guns for the least amount of money. I also recommended 9mm or .357/.38 because they are relatively cheap as far as centerfire ammo goes. Up your budget and I'd start recommending 1911s, Sigs, or S&W revolvers.

Regarding Ruger semiautos, I'm not sure where the poster heard they were inaccurate. The P89 tops out at average, but I started with a P90 (yes, I learned to shoot on a .45, not a.22), and it, and the 5 or 6 other P90s I've shot were extremely accurate. Accurate like cloverleafing (holes touching) on 5 of 7 holes at 25 yards on a regular basis. And I'm really not that good of a shot.
 
Sig 226 .40 S&W

It's the one handgun I would keep out of all 14 handguns that I own.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
Regarding Ruger semiautos, I'm not sure where the poster heard they were inaccurate. The P89 tops out at average, but I started with a P90 (yes, I learned to shoot on a .45, not a.22), and it, and the 5 or 6 other P90s I've shot were extremely accurate. Accurate like cloverleafing (holes touching) on 5 of 7 holes at 25 yards on a regular basis. And I'm really not that good of a shot.
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I may have fired a lemon, or maybe they didn't take care of it properly, it still was far from horrible. I was actually hoping for more, so I asked around and was surprised when people were confirming it. I don't remember which model I was shooting but it was in .40.
 
Spend the money to get a quality gun. Whether it's a 1911, composite semi-auto or revolver. Don't waste your money on Kel-Tec, Hi-Point or other unreliable crap. I personally own Glocks because they were relatively easy on the wallet when I got into handguns. The M&P's are very nice also, as are H&K.

There's a million gun experts and a million opinions. My advice is lots of practice.

Have fun.

SB
 
Perfect suggestion. If you are new to handguns, a .22 revolver is the very best to get. They are great tools to learn/relearn handgun safety. An ols H&R .22 will do you fine and can be had for minimal $$.

Later on, I'd go with a S&W 19 or 66 .357. practice with lower cost .38 specials nad still be able to shoot .357 mags all day. You will NOT be able to wear one out. For an auto, I too would go with the Glock 19. Probably the very best of the 9mm out there. If you want a .45, I'm in love with my Glock 21. High capacity, accurate, and points like a dream.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.
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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Well, now that Glock has entered the conversation more and more I am going to offer you even more advice. LEARN THE BASIC RULES OF FIREARM SAFETY. KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO SHOOT. I can not tell you how many people I see holding guns with their fingers inside the trigger guard. Even if you know it is unloaded and are handling them at a gun store, this is a terrible habit to get in. Always assume every gun is loaded and ready to fire. This is the biggest problem I see with lots of people at shooting ranges and every new person I teach to shoot. Your finger should never, ever, be on the trigger unless you are intentionally pulling it to fire. If you end up with a Glock this is even more important because there are no safeties other than the trigger itself. If you go to holster your gun and you still have your finger in the trigger guard, you are going to shoot yourself in the leg.

Also, learn proper gun nomenclature so that you can better communicate with gun people. MAGAZINES are what feed semi-auto pistols and rifles, not clips. Clips are what fed Garands and similar guns. HI-CAPacity is not real. It is a term made up by non-gun people to make guns sound dangerous during the '94 assault weapons ban. Before that, some guns just held more rounds than others. Same with the term ASSAULT WEAPON. Please someone explain to me how a gun assaults anything. It is another term that should never be used by anyone using firearms. It only promotes anti-gun agendas. Semi-autotomatic rifle is fine for these rifles, or their correct designation: AR-15, AR-10, SR-25, M-1A, Mini-14.....(AR does not stand for assault rifle before anyone says something about that.)

Glocks are fine guns to own but they get overhyped by lots of people. I think the Springfield XD is a step forward in the polymer gun world because they included some extra safeties and are much more ergomonic. I know, I know, learn how to shoot and your finger is the safety...ok, learned how to shoot, I still want an external safety(I carry a 1911 condition 1 for those who want to say I am not familiar with guns and confident with their mechanics.) Glocks have always felt like bricks in my hand and because of the size of their magwells it makes it hard for anyone with normal sized hands to reach the controls of the firearm without changing your shooting grip. The triggers feel terrible without working on them and this makes it a much harder gun to shoot accurately, especially for a beginning shooter. They are the least accurate pistols I own. Still easily minute of paper at 20 yards, but for any kind of accurate pistol shooting the 1911s come out. Just check out the shooting sports and see what pistols are used in competitions. It is true lots of law enforcement carry them, because they have to. All the police that I know who are also shooters carry different pistols when they are off duty and had they been allowed to pick their issue gun would have chosen differently.

Maybe a Berreta 92FS(96FS if you want .40) would be a good first gun? It has the cool factor of being the military side arm following the 1911 and is a well made and ergonomic design. It has an external safety and is Double-Action for the first shot, followed by single action so you will be able to get a feel for both trigger pulls. You can get 15 round magazines for it which is close to the 17 rounds of the G19s.

As with any opinionated post, YMMV and :foot:

Good luck and happy birthday.
 
Another vote for:

Ruger GP100 .357mag

Waiting for my permit to go through and this will be my first handgun - or if I can find a pre lock S&W 686 for a decent price maybe that... Still .357 all the way.

Then you need to get yourself a Marlin 1894 so you can use .357/.38 in that too - great combo! I've had a stainless .357 1894 for a few months now and the thing is just too much fun - even more fun to plink w than my 10/22!

Good luck w your choice and be safe!
 
mitchshrader said:
you have mutually exclusive purposes lumped into one pile. first, decide the job THIS gun is going to do for you, not all the jobs guns COULD do for you.

You need practice, and to grow a set of safe gunhandling habits. You need practice, and to grow a set of gunhandling skills.

These aren't exactly overlapping purposes. Fast is something gun ranges don't much allow. It gets people hurt, hurrying. Which gun is the fastest quickdraw gun? First is highly desireable, in gun fights.

Accuracy has more to do with recoil than anybody admits. The second shot, you're already reacting to adrenalin, stepping on your own muscle memory and training, and it NEEDS to hit something variable (same target again, different target).. and you're just a busy little rascal there for about a half second.

Don't be dragging the barrel back down out of the air to line it up.

Get the longest barreled, lightest recoiling, affordable to practice with (a lot), gun that has adequate power for self defense.

.22LR is a great plinker, but if you're not stopping there, don't start there.

9mm is adequate. .40 is less adequate because it takes a bit more practice to handle the snappy recoil, and they cost a bit more.

.38 special is adequate. .357 is less adequate for the same reasons. Calling it a .357 if you're shooting .38 specials in it, ain't truthful.

Happens you can get a 9mm glock with a .40 barrel I *think* or maybe it's the other way around. Worth considering.

Could be a decent .357 would make a bang up .38 carry piece.

In either case, a longer barrel matters more than anybody admits.

Don't go under a 3" barrel. IF at all possible, and stay close. Don't shoot the most powerful rounds you can, shoot the LEAST powerful round with adequate terminal ballistics.

A glock 9mm with a .40 barrel sometime, or a glock .40 with a 9mm barrel NOW, or a smith & wesson .357 handgun shooting .38s or a .38 shooting .38s. If you use a ruger instead, pay money for a tune up on the action. You'll break even, far as saving money. Just buy a smith, & you're there.

With one exception I can think of, the Ruger Speed Six, pre GP-100, 2 3/4 inch barrel.. is a GEM. It's the only gun Bill got dead solid perfect. And me a smith lover, has to mention it, shameful.

How you carry and how big you are and the attitude of the people WHERE you'll be carrying all deserve consideration before you spend money. The gun that shoots best is bigger than the gun that hides best. I will never advise stealth over effectiveness in action. Be prepared to hide a LARGE carry piece, as best as you can.

Don't have a .22, don't have a 2" barrel, don't have something too big to hide or too little to shoot convincingly..

and the two cartridges under consideration NOW are 9mm and .38 special. LATER you'll do it different. 6 shots are more than 5 shots. It'll be on the test, remember it.
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I'm not completely new to guns...i've shot a .357MAG on several different occassions and a .22 semi auto twice. I think I have a good foundation of gun handling habits. Obviously my handgun skills aren't quite as high as they are with rifles and shotguns.
 
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