What kind of handgun to get?

[Bensiff]

"The lazy many works twice as hard." ~Anon.

Everything in your post was covered in this thread, multiple times.

Even my pimp gun? Come in that's funny.

 

[Bensiff]

I've shot a compact .357 hammerless... if you do indeed plan on carrying it concealed you had best practice with whatever your going to load when you carry because that thing is JUMPY. There's just not enough gun there to back up a punch like that. People show up with those all the time in the CCW program, and end up having to buy a semiauto when they can't pass the shooting portion. I wouldn't personally recommend one to anybody for any reason just my .02

You can load with .38 special and shoot just fine unless you have bad fundamentals. Go with the lightest grain .357 rounds and it's easier to handle. But yeah these are gut guns not something to rely on at the 25 yard line.

 

[Bensiff]

I went last night and had a look. Nothing really jumps out, and now I'm seriously thinking that a .22 might be what I really want. I have next to zero need for defense, and .22 will be a fair amount cheaper to shoot than anything else and I'll likely want to shoot more often.

The difference in size between 9mm and .22 is much more than I thought. I don't see a 9mm being very concealable, at least the models they had.

They recommended a low cost gun made in Las Vegas I think. I don't know. I had one apart and the machining left a little to be desired.

And they don't offer to try them out beforehand...

I'll look around. I know there's a few other gun shops within driving distance that will have some guns. I should probably just turn in my application to the club and see how interested I am in shooting before buying another gun.

They did have a nice target .22 for about $225. I think it was a Ruger or SW.

Ruger mk III is a great .22. You can only get a 9 so small, Kimber Solo might be worth the look if you can afford. I haven't shot it so I can't speak from experience though.

 

[TxBrew]

I went last night and had a look. Nothing really jumps out, and now I'm seriously thinking that a .22 might be what I really want. I have next to zero need for defense, and .22 will be a fair amount cheaper to shoot than anything else and I'll likely want to shoot more often.

The difference in size between 9mm and .22 is much more than I thought. I don't see a 9mm being very concealable, at least the models they had.

They recommended a low cost gun made in Las Vegas I think. I don't know. I had one apart and the machining left a little to be desired.

And they don't offer to try them out beforehand...

I'll look around. I know there's a few other gun shops within driving distance that will have some guns. I should probably just turn in my application to the club and see how interested I am in shooting before buying another gun.

They did have a nice target .22 for about $225. I think it was a Ruger or SW.

Mark 3?

I have a Mark 1, it's a little odd in it's look, I like it though and it is a Ruger.

Kimber makes a 1911 in .22 I've read good things about, if you liked the feel of the 1911.

 

[mcwilcr]

I went last night and had a look. Nothing really jumps out, and now I'm seriously thinking that a .22 might be what I really want. I have next to zero need for defense, and .22 will be a fair amount cheaper to shoot than anything else and I'll likely want to shoot more often.

The difference in size between 9mm and .22 is much more than I thought. I don't see a 9mm being very concealable, at least the models they had.

They recommended a low cost gun made in Las Vegas I think. I don't know. I had one apart and the machining left a little to be desired.

And they don't offer to try them out beforehand...

I'll look around. I know there's a few other gun shops within driving distance that will have some guns. I should probably just turn in my application to the club and see how interested I am in shooting before buying another gun.

They did have a nice target .22 for about $225. I think it was a Ruger or SW.

I have both an older Ruger Mk II and a S&W 22A. They are two of my favorite guns to just go out and shoot. Shooting wise, I absolutely love the 22A but it almost takes Jedi knowledge of the force to take it down without parts flying across the room. The Ruger Mk II doesn't feel as nice in my hand but it is a better made gun all around. S&W may have changed their design since the one I own to correct some of the known issues like the take down self destruction I mentioned but I do not know.

 

[Bensiff]

Mark 3?

I have a Mark 1, it's a little odd in it's look, I like it though and it is a Ruger.

Kimber makes a 1911 in .22 I've read good things about, if you liked the feel of the 1911.

If you are talking about the .22 conversion kit all I can say about it is four letter words that I'm not supposed to use here. What a piece of crap.

 

[bottlebomber]

Ruger P22 is excellent. Not sure on the cost.

 

[Homercidal]

Mark 3?

I have a Mark 1, it's a little odd in it's look, I like it though and it is a Ruger.

Kimber makes a 1911 in .22 I've read good things about, if you liked the feel of the 1911.

I'd have to go back and look to remember. If it's a Ruger, then it's the Competition model. I don't remember it having a rounded barrel, but maybe.

 

[Cimerian]

Why has no one mentioned the Beretta 9mm? The navy switched from the colt 45 to the beretta 9 about oh 10ish years ago. Wow what a difference I instantly fell in love. My next test I went from marksman to expert just from the gun. Not exactly a compact gun but it sits nice in the hand, pops off round after round with no stovepipes, reloads in a breeze, and light enough to shoot offhand accuratly. I wouldn't use it as a concealed weapon but for range or home use I would put it very high up there. And aren't they cheaper than the glocks? been years since I actually bought a gun.

 

[Jklinden]

The m9 sucks you would have better luck throwing it because the thing is such a useless brick get a 1911

 

[ndsgr]

The m9 sucks you would have better luck throwing it because the thing is such a useless brick get a 1911

When we qual with them, part of the drill is to dissassemble it, hold the slide with two fingers and strike it gently with the barrel. If it rings, it's good to go. If it goes "clink", it's junk. There are always a few that go clink around the room. I used to shoot regularly at a local gun range. I have only heard the cease fire siren twice and both were from 92FS's (M9ish) having the slide break in half and go down range. Purely coincidental I'm sure, but it's steered me in the direction of something else. It does fire nicely in my experience, but I would question the reliability based solely on personal experience. I owned a Taurus 92FS once that was complete junk. I can't judge Beretta based on that POS though.

My current CC is a P229. It's a little large for that purpose, but under a sweatshirt it's fine. The owner of my old local range wouldn't recommend anything unless he deemed it worthy (he was kind of an arrogant prick come to think about it...). Whenever one of the "quality" brands would come out with a new model, he would "test" it before recommending it. The test was a little unscientific, but he would throw it across the parking lot, stomp on it and kick it around in the dirt. Then he would blow out the barrel, load up and shoot 200rnds through it. A "tested" P229 is what he wears on his side to this day. He has had plenty of popular models fail his test - sluggish/malfunctioning actions, a few misfires and lots of jams.

 

[headbanger]

FWIW, I own a ton of handguns and this is the one I have the most fun with by far. It's an absolute joy to shoot, I can put six rounds on target with it in under 3 seconds...

 

[headbanger]

In action...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=K2NJTht1QYc

 

[AnthonyC]

After 8 pages I don't see anyone mention trigger action. Many striker fired "plastic" pistols are double action resulting in a long heavy trigger pull. That's fine if you practice with it, but if you are used to shooting revolvers in single action mode then it will be tough to get used to. I prefer a single action trigger, but I suggest to the OP to try both. I like Taurus pistols for the money and their SA/DA triggers in their PRO series are pretty nice.

 

[Homercidal]

I think I'll have to go to a real range to decide. I liked the feel of some guns in my hand, and others not so much. But to shoot is something else too.

I think there are several other gun shops nearby and I know there are some sporting goods stores too, that may be associated with a range.

 

[Airplanedoc]

You don't necessarily have to go to a gun store to test fire a gun. If you have any friends that have various hand guns just arrange a day to go to the range with them. I find many times when I am at the range if I strike up a conversation with another shooter we end up swapping for a few rounds if one or the other has something new/different/or interesting. I have had the opportunity to shoot numerous different guns this way.

 

[CoalCracker]

I have a Walther P22 in the 3.5 inch barrel. Love the gun. Just needs HV ammo. Comes in a 4.5 inch barrel as well which I would recommend for plinking. I can conceal mine in pocket. Spent 300 for it 2 years ago.

 

[TxBrew]

I think I'll have to go to a real range to decide. I liked the feel of some guns in my hand, and others not so much. But to shoot is something else too.

I think there are several other gun shops nearby and I know there are some sporting goods stores too, that may be associated with a range.

I would recommend a safety course and any other shooter courses that might be offered.

Like all things hobby, the more information you have the more you will enjoy it.

 

[hungrymonkey]

HK P2000 SK 40. There is no equal to an HK.

I have an HK usp 45. I am more accurate with my G19. The HK feels looser.

 

[Airplanedoc]

I have an HK usp 45.

One thing about the HK the size of the grip due to the doublestack is on the large side. So it helps to have bigger hands to grip one properly. Not a problem for me but it is for some.

 

[vfinch]

There's just something really cool about a 1911. All the the newer versions have some really good mods right out of the gate. My buddy just picked up a Taurus all stainless that we'll be taking to the range soon.
That being said, a Glock 17 or a nice Sig is always a good choice.

 

[edmanster]

i really love my bersa .380!!! for the price its a great piece... my next to get when i can afford would be the springfield XD .40....

 

[bottlebomber]

I would love to get a .380 sub compact, but am a little leery about the ammo situation. I don't know how everyone else did with this, but a few years ago .380 was practically unobtainable in california. Kinda sucks to own a gun you can't find ammo for...

 

[hungrymonkey]

I would be wary to suggest any of the pocket 380's for someones first larger handgun. The keltecs and Ruger have a pretty substantial bite to the recoil.

For a non concealed range toy/home defense. I would suggest a full size in 9mm or larger. Avoiding anything compact or sub compact.

If I had to turn a newish shooter onto a handgun, I would suggest one of the following. Ruger P89 (or P series for that matter), they are bigger, heavy, and very easy to shoot.
Or a Glock mid or full sized (G19 or G17). They are a little snappier, but very easy shooters.
The XD series are easy shooters, although the higher bore axis makes for a bit more muzzle jump. They are on the cheaper side, and the dual safeties appeal to me.

 

[Lost]

If you're really digging the 9mm cartridge, take a look at a CZ-75 - classic Browning style with a few modern improvements. You can get a used one very inexpensively, especially if you're willing to accept some cosmetic flaws.

If I could only own one handgun, it'd be a 1911. Bulk .45 ammo for plinking isn't that expensive.

This.

I've yet to find a plastic gun that is comfortable in my hands. Glock, for all its reliability has got to be the worst. Like shooting with a 2x4. And no manual safety either.. Why you would put a safety on the trigger itself is beyond me.

Buy a gun that fits your hand well and points naturally. 9mm is a perfectly good round and cheap enough to fire often so that you can be accurate which is what really matters.

Edit: I really do love my cz75 spo1, I believe it is my favorite range gun. But you can't go wrong with a 1911 or a sig, those are nice too but $$$

 

[Face Eater]

I'd get a 9mm. My most recent gun I had purchased a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm and I love it. Usually about 10-12 bux for 50 rounds of 115 grain ammo. The only issue I had with the gun was a loose front sight which Smith & Wesson sent me a prepaid label and fixed it for free.

 

[Yuri_Rage]

I would be wary to suggest any of the pocket 380's for someones first larger handgun. The keltecs and Ruger have a pretty substantial bite to the recoil.

My thoughts exactly. The Taurus TCP is unreliable and painful to shoot. The S&W Bodyguard 380 is much nicer but still not much fun at the range - 50 rounds is a bit of a chore, really. The ammo is cheaper and easier to find right now, but that matters little. A pocket gun just isn't meant for plinking.

 

[Hoodweisen]

URL="http://slickguns.com/product/romanian-ttc-tokarev-pistols-c-r-eligible-20999-or-19999-3-or"]http://slickguns.com/product/romanian-ttc-tokarev-pistols-c-r-eligible-20999-or-19999-3-or[/URLIf you want a gun thats fun, cheap and deadly accurate(i can shoot cans at 100yards) get a Romanian TTC Tokarev they are army surplus you can pick them up all day long for 200 hundred they shoot 7.62x25 i got mine with 1000 rounds for 250 bucks now everybody i knows owns one.

 

[Pumbaa]

i would honestly recommend going to a range that has lots of guns available to shoot. The best answer to this question is to find the gun that fits best in your hand. You may be able to answer that at a gun store, but just holding them isn't the same.

+1

 

[Airplanedoc]

URL="http://slickguns.com/product/romanian-ttc-tokarev-pistols-c-r-eligible-20999-or-19999-3-or"]http://slickguns.com/product/romanian-ttc-tokarev-pistols-c-r-eligible-20999-or-19999-3-or[/URLIf you want a gun thats fun, cheap and deadly accurate(i can shoot cans at 100yards) get a Romanian TTC Tokarev they are army surplus you can pick them up all day long for 200 hundred they shoot 7.62x25 i got mine with 1000 rounds for 250 bucks now everybody i knows owns one.

Personally I would stick with something that shoots ammo that is readily available. I can buy 9mm at most any place that sells ammo. 7.62X25 you are going to have to order


They are fun to shoot and pretty accurate. but if it was going to be my first bigger gun, or only one, the ammo availability would be a high priority for me