Buying a handgun. Any suggestions?

[hardrock]

I am planning on purchasing a new handgun in the next couple of weeks. I want an auto, no revolvers. I would like to keep it around $600. I will mostly be using this for the gun range, but will feel alot safer just having one in the house. This will be my first gun.

Any suggestions? personal experience?

 

[OKIE]

I'm going to bump this for oubeta...he knows his guns. You might try to PM him about it.

 

[big_bad_buff]

i saw a preview for a new military weapon. I think it's called the m-19 or something. it's a rifle that shoots exploding bullets, and you can digitally set the distance the bullet travels before it explodes. suposed to make the ground troops 5 times better or something, saw it on mail call. i think you can get them at wal-mart lol.

 

[naturally anabolic]

Springfield Armory 1911 A1
or
Any of the Glock series... depends on your choice of flavor, weight and caliber.


these are only suggestions, go to a good gunsmith and check them out by hand, you need something thats comfortable for you, plus getting a handgun which is not a revolver for your first gun has been said to be a little tougher to learn on.

 

[DcupSheepNipples]

Go down your street a hundred feet! When you come to an Alley go down it half way! You will meet a guy named "John Doe" He can supply you with a handgun 50% off your asking price of $600! Besides it will be "Clean" for whatever you are "Really" going to use it for!

 

[WODIN]

Get one of these!

 

[naturally anabolic]

H&K MP5?

 

[WODIN]

LOL!!!! yep.

 

[alien amp pharm]

I bought a Glock 19, compact 9mm a few months ago and I love it.

It looks and feels so good. I love shooting my loads.

 

[HANSEL]

Start off where all others end up......Colt 1911 or a 1991A1 and get it tricked out a bit. best...Gun....Ever.

Sigs are also good and affordable. Glocks are ok, but the DAO action is hard to learn to shoot accuratly IMO.

Best all around gun....HK USP series. Single and double action, Polymer frame, looks cool. Id just stay away from the USP COmpact .357sig, I loved it but just could not shoot that thing well for some reason.

 

[HANSEL]

WODIN, hes asking for a Handgun...So maybe an SP89? lol

 

[WODIN]

ROCK ON HANSEL!!!!

I sold all my stuff so I'm going to have to develop some ninja skills.

 

[HANSEL]

hehe. Ninja Skills are the most deadly weapon!
I still want to be able to throw a smoke bomb at me feet and disapeer when I finish my routine in the gym, that would be so cool.

 

[ariolanine]

There are many choices. $600 will get into almost anything. I would go with .45 glock with a ported barrel and night sights. 1911's are great guns but some people are uneasy about having a pistol with the hammer cocked all the time. HK's are also nice but a little pricey and big. Sig Sauers are the same. I say find a range that has rental guns that you can shoot. It really comes down to personal preference because there isn't one clear winner.

 

[Clive Sharp]

Sig, Glock, HK all make nice weapons. I would go with a 40S&W over a 9mm if you can.

Wodin, what kind of weapon is that in your picture? Looks cool!

 

[HANSEL]

There are many choices. $600 will get into almost anything. I would go with .45 glock with a ported barrel and night sights. 1911's are great guns but some people are uneasy about having a pistol with the hammer cocked all the time. HK's are also nice but a little pricey and big. Sig Sauers are the same. I say find a range that has rental guns that you can shoot. It really comes down to personal preference because there isn't one clear winner.

I agree, however, A glock is properly carried with a chambered round....Glocks have to safety. So I feel a Cocked and locked 1911 with the safety on is just as safe as a glock with one up.

 

[ariolanine]

I agree, however, A glock is properly carried with a chambered round....Glocks have to safety. So I feel a Cocked and locked 1911 with the safety on is just as safe as a glock with one up.

No doubt man. I was referring more to the psychological impact a cocked gun has on some people.

 

[FLASHMAN1]

I am planning on purchasing a new handgun in the next couple of weeks. I want an auto, no revolvers. I would like to keep it around $600. I will mostly be using this for the gun range, but will feel alot safer just having one in the house. This will be my first gun.

Any suggestions? personal experience?

If you're looking for a good quality, all around weapon for home protection, you can never go wrong with a Glock... I personally would stick with .40 or .45 cal, as 9mm has less stopping power for home protection. I also reccommend the H&K USP45, or if you're looking for a Colt 1911 style, I reccommend the Para-Ordnance brand name. Sigs are great also, and of course Beretta makes a great .40 also. Try all of those, and see which one feels best in your hand. Also, if you're buying for home protection, make sure you get one with tritium night sights... makes it a lot easier if you're in a dark/shadowy environment like a house at night... Hope this helps...

 

[Y_lifter]

H&K USP 40
Polymer frame around Steel.. Very light yet not Too light
.
.

 

[alien amp pharm]

Re: Re: Buying a handgun. Any suggestions?

....with a Glock... I personally would stick with .40 or .45 cal, as 9mm has less stopping power for home protection.

What? if a person can't stop somebody dead in their tracks with a 9mm, then he deserves to be victimized.

I'll make you a deal. I'll give you my address. Feel free to break in anytime and if I can stop you dead with my 9mm, I win!
If somehow you survive through all the bullet holes, then I'll admit I was wrong and you win.


(.40/.45's are sweet too)

 

[FLASHMAN1]

Re: Re: Re: Buying a handgun. Any suggestions?

What? if a person can't stop somebody dead in their tracks with a 9mm, then he deserves to be victimized.

I'll make you a deal. I'll give you my address. Feel free to break in anytime and if I can stop you dead with my 9mm, I win!
If somehow you survive through all the bullet holes, then I'll admit I was wrong and you win.


(.40/.45's are sweet too)

I certianly don't mean 9mm is useless for home protection.... I'm simply stating that if you're not a crack shot, or if the person is on drugs, you're less likely to stop them with one shot from a 9mm than you are with a .40 or .45. Another reason I prefer .40 or .45, is penetration. Even with hydrashock ammo, a 9mm is more likely to enter and exit clean, (esp from close range), whereas .40's and .45's spread out more and knock the assailant backwards. I just personally prefer .40 or .45 for stopping power. I didn't say the 9 was useless.

Let me say this... In a hostile situation, I HAVE fired my 9mm Beretta, I hit the guy DEAD CENTER MASS and he was still coming... My partner dropped the guy and knocked him back 6 feet with 1 shot from his Para-Ordnance .45... After that, I switched to an H&K usp45 for my duty weapon. I know you certianly CAN make a kill with a 9mm, I'm not stupid... But stopping power is what's most important in home protection, not penetration, that's why the BEST home protection weappon is a shotgun. But if you definitely have your heart set on a pistol, I personally prefer the higher calibers for the better stopping power.

 

[alien amp pharm]

Flashman1

I agree with you.
I also keep some high quality hollow-points in a couple of clips for 'house use' only.
I agree about the shotgun, however I don't get one in fear that I'd also hit my bigscreen tv (j/k )

Whenever I got my gun, I jokingly said to my friends that I was going to run an ad in the newspaper that I had a new bigscreen tv for sale, but not to contact me because I was going to be on vacation for a few weeks. Then I was going to turn all the lights off, park the car behind the garage, and just wait for somebody to break in so I could shoot them. hahaha

 

[Y_lifter]

The main reason people say they want stopping power of a .40 or .45 or .357 over a 9mm is not that the 9mm is not a good round.

During a dark half asleep encounter, you may get only one Hit
or maybe even a shoulder or hip shot no matter how good of a shot you may be.

Shooting in a range vs shooting someone in a firefight are 2 totally different things.

You want the maximum impact for that first one hit you may get.

This is why the Shotgun is the best home protection weapon,
and the .40 or .45 would be a better carry round IMO...

9mm is still a good round for all around benefits of cost, weight and recoil.

 

[manny78]

Walther P99QA .40S&W. Probably the best thing around. I have one of these and believe me, it kicks ass. The Quick Action is basically a short double action so you feel like having a single action. The trigger is only 8 lbs. The gun itself weights only 25 oz. The .40S&W is the best self-defence caliber after the .357 magmum. It's one shot stopping power is over 90% with a good JHP bullet.

ANother option would be the Glock 32 .357 sig. Good for self-defence, it's basically a .40S&W case necked down to accept a 9mm bullet. So faster than a 9mm (1400 fps and over) and greater accuracy. Flat shooting guaranteed. A little less stopping power than a .40 but more accuracy.

Finally, if you have above average hands than the 10mm is for you. A 200gr bullet flying at 1100 fps, that's cool. Too bad the FBI pussies weren't able to handle this gun. A lot better than a .45ACP handgun. So a good Glock 20 for you.

Anyway, any of these 3 options should make you happy. I own a Walther P99 .40, Glock 32 and Glock 20 with a Colt Delta Elite 10mm and love them all.

 

[hardrock]

Any good nationwide retailers(or specific to MN) you can suggest would be helpfull too! Don't wanna pay too much!

 

[gtrcivic]

I have a Glock 19 and Glock 17 both with hi cap magazines. Like the G19 better since it fits in the palm of my hand with no problem. With 17 rd mags, i think it packs enough ammo since i have 2 extra mags.

You can check at your local gun store or cheaper at the gun shows in your area. If not then check out gunsamerica.com or auctionarms.com

Sigs and H&K's are also good manufacterers to consider as well. I chose 9mm cause its ammo is cheap to buy and abundant when i go target practice. As for home protection, you could consider a pump shotgun with 00 buck for those late at nite burglars or breakins. Much easy to point and shoot with a shotgun.

 

[RAIDERSFAN]

Dude, go for an XD series Springfield. I have owned firearms since I was 9 years old, I am 29 now. I curently own over 100 firearms, I have them all, Glock mods 23, 30, 22, 17. Beretta 8045, 92 F, H&K, Para, Kimber.

But as far as you looking for a first gun, The xd is awesome. You can get it in .40, 9mm, .357, I own all 3.
I would recommend the .40 cal, 10 rounds. My buddy is in the FBI and they are all switching over to the XD, as well as the Secret Service, most State Police, and even the Pope's Security. They are shooting the shit out of the Glocks, and are no doubt the best polymer semi auto on the market. An XD should cost you between 5-600$, i got all mine for 515$ each.

I have a concealed carry permit in PA where I live, and I carry the Xd .40.

If you have any ?"s please email me, I am always happy to help anyone with choosing, locating, and finding the right gun.

God Bless America! and help protect our Second Ammendment Right!

 

[RAIDERSFAN]

But then again if you just want home protection, get a Remington 870 Pump Action Shotgunn, Under $300, Put on a pistol butt stock, a 8 round tube and a mag light, and you have got your self one bad mother fucker. You can take on a fucking ARMY invasion of your house with this! Just hold down the rigger and pump the shit out of it! And by the way, you can be blind and you won't miss!

 

[Mad4Iron]

Walther P99QA .40S&W. Probably the best thing around. I have one of these and believe me, it kicks ass. The Quick Action is basically a short double action so you feel like having a single action. The trigger is only 8 lbs. The gun itself weights only 25 oz. The .40S&W is the best self-defence caliber after the .357 magmum. It's one shot stopping power is over 90% with a good JHP bullet.

ANother option would be the Glock 32 .357 sig. Good for self-defence, it's basically a .40S&W case necked down to accept a 9mm bullet. So faster than a 9mm (1400 fps and over) and greater accuracy. Flat shooting guaranteed. A little less stopping power than a .40 but more accuracy.

Finally, if you have above average hands than the 10mm is for you. A 200gr bullet flying at 1100 fps, that's cool. Too bad the FBI pussies weren't able to handle this gun. A lot better than a .45ACP handgun. So a good Glock 20 for you.

Anyway, any of these 3 options should make you happy. I own a Walther P99 .40, Glock 32 and Glock 20 with a Colt Delta Elite 10mm and love them all.

I have the P=88 Walther in 9MM 15 shot and it's a laser in my hands.I shot the Sig Sauer .357 sig and was impressed with it,very accurate.

I would have to add that a .45 or .40 might not be the best choice for a new shooter.You don't want flinches and that bullshit right off the bat.If he's like any of shooters I know,he'll get 9mm then a .45 and so forth.

Manny;I had heard the guns didn't hold up with the 10mm,slides broke all kinds of shit after 500 rds.Never heard the FBI pussied out.

Mad

 

[RAIDERSFAN]

Hey MAnny! The reason the FBI got away from the 10mm is because just like the police dropping the .357, they were crowd killers, They would penetrate their target and hit the next two people standing behind them. For home defense, bottom line is this. You want a knockdown round, meaning a round like a .45. when a .45 hits some one in the shoulder it breaks the down and dislocates the shoulder, other rounds will enter and exit.

Make damn sure if you shoot someone in your house, that the only way they leave is in a body bag, or your ass is going to get sued right out of that house.. A dead burglar can't talk! It is only you word, not his against your. So do youself a favor and get yourself a large caliber firearm. You are looking for stopping power, not 30 yard target practice with a 9mm. At close combat with a firearm, 3 yards is the most critical distance you need to be ready for, at 9 feet a .40 or .45 loaded with Hydroshocks will take down the biggest nastiest SOB alive to day. a 9mm may not, and a .357 will go through the target and exit, so if it was not a fatal shot, guess what? he may pull a gun or a nife or run and you may not get anothe shot at him. hit him in the gut with a .45 Hydroshock and his intestines, spleen, and liver will be wrapped around the slug like spaggheti around a fork!

 

[HULKSTER]

The only weapon I have in my home is a bunch of Ginsu knives that I taped together with a glove to make an imitation Freddy Krueger claw. However, it performs well in making salads and chopping onions. But I would like to see how well it would cut off a cop's nose.

 

[Sinistar]

bro, as a redneck, i know a little.

whatever you do, get something that can go through your door.

fuck hollowpoints. just ask anyone who has died in the early wars about fully jacketed shells.

new england firearms is a damn good gun maker without being blown up [price] with a brand name.

the 1911 frame. ah, do i remember my
first one...

 

[manny78]

Manny;I had heard the guns didn't hold up with the 10mm,slides broke all kinds of shit after 500 rds.Never heard the FBI pussied out.

Mad

The FBI went with the S&W 1076 which is a piece of crap, but most agents couldn't handle the recoil. There's a difference between shooting a Texas 165gr at 1200fps and a 9mm. The recoil is way different.

 

[manny78]

Hey MAnny! The reason the FBI got away from the 10mm is because just like the police dropping the .357, they were crowd killers, They would penetrate their target and hit the next two people standing behind them. For home defense, bottom line is this. You want a knockdown round, meaning a round like a .45. when a .45 hits some one in the shoulder it breaks the down and dislocates the shoulder, other rounds will enter and exit.

The FBI was basically using a slow round, something like a 180gr. The Texas ammo is probably the best for home defence: 200gr at 1100fps. The 135gr at 1450fps would be way too dangerous cause of the risk of over penetration.

The reason why the FBI dropped the 10mm was cause this caliber required a large frame gun (just like a .45ACP) and since S&W was able to pack the same bullet/performance as the FBI "light load", well they went for the .40S&W instead which fits in a 9mm frame handgun.

 

[oubeta]

Start off where all others end up......Colt 1911 or a 1991A1 and get it tricked out a bit. best...Gun....Ever.

1911's are a great gun.

www.gunbroker.com and buy a used one. maybe a kimber

 

[jubei]

No point getting a glock unless your gonna throw it in sand. I would go with a para ordanance p-45. Colt 1911 is always solid. HK is good but pricey. A 9mm is a waste of time. Go with a .45.

 

[oubeta]

.45 for sure.

say you shoot 90% in the kill range (chest, head) at 15yrds
say it's dark -30%
say your half asleep-10%
say your scared -5%
say he is running-5%

so you are shooting 40%
so your chances for a kill shot aren't that good. 9mm or .45,,enough said.

These are just fictional %'s but you see what I'm saying.

 

[AustinTX]

bro, as a redneck, i know a little.

... just ask anyone who has died in the early wars about fully jacketed shells.
...

A little about asking dead people what they think????


Damn, going to have to upgrade my 9mm now

 

[hardrock]

After some reading I've decided I'm going with a .40 or .45. I'm gonna go to the range on Monday with a buddy and shoot em both. Now i just have to pick one. I've got a little time to think about it though. I haven't even applied for my permit to purchase yet. Not that I wouldn't get it, I'm an

 

[SeanHolmz]

What part of MN do you live in? If you live near Robbinsdale, go to Bill's gun range. He has all kinds of guns you can shoot to get a feel for what you like. I myself, just purchased a glock 23 .40S&W. I love it.

 

[hardrock]

What part of MN do you live in? If you live near Robbinsdale, go to Bill's gun range. He has all kinds of guns you can shoot to get a feel for what you like. I myself, just purchased a glock 23 .40S&W. I love it.

Thats where I'm going. I live just a few miles from there(NW subs). My friend had been going there for years, and tells me thats the spot.

You in MN? If so where?

 

[SeanHolmz]

You in MN? If so where?

Not anymore, I grew up in Duluth and lived in Chaska for a little bit as well. I live in SD now but am moving back to Duluth in a year. My bro lives in robbinsdale and Ive went with him to that gun range a few times. It's awesome.

 

[Silent Method]

I'll log back on in a while with my take.


But first - why wouldn't you consider a revolver?

 

[Daeo]

The Ruger P90 .45cal would be my choice for around that price range. Awesome gun...

 

[Lestat]

you can get a replica mp5.. it shoots over 100 bbs per minute.. looks real too..