handgun purchase

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sigurros81

Platinum Member
Nov 30, 2010
2,371
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Hi guys, I'm interested in purchasing a handgun so I thought I'd ask for the opinions on this forum to see if I can get some good recommendations. I'm doing some research of my own but I'd love to hear what you guys' thoughts are. I dont want to spend anymore than $600, and I don't want anything that would cost me an arm and a leg for bullets, I'm probably going to lean towards 9mm bullets or .40. What are some reliable brands? Thanks in advance.
 
shortylickens

shortylickens

No Lifer
Jul 15, 2003
80,287
17,082
136
What state do you live in?
What will this gun be used for?

If you dont even know the name brands I recommend you get some classes before purchasing. After the training try to find a range that rents guns. Get comfortable before you make the investment.
 
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sigurros81

Platinum Member
Nov 30, 2010
2,371
0
0
shortylickens said:
What state do you live in?
What will this gun be used for?

If you dont even know the name brands I recommend you get some classes before purchasing. After the training try to find a range that rents guns. Get comfortable before you make the investment.
Click to expand...

I live in Texas, I am looking to protect myself from all the minorities and to show off to girls...kidding :) I'd like to keep it in the house for protection but also take it to the range on the weekends. Classes are a consideration, but I'd rather not spend anymore money on that. Also I don't consider it an investment if I keep my budget around 500-600, would just like something dependable or the best for the price range.
 
corwin

corwin

Diamond Member
Jan 13, 2006
8,644
9
81
sigurros81 said:
I live in Texas, I am looking to protect myself from all the minorities and to show off to girls...kidding I'd like to keep it in the house for protection but also take it to the range on the weekends. Classes are a consideration, but I'd rather not spend anymore money on that. Also I don't consider it an investment if I keep my budget around 500-600, would just like something dependable or the best for the price range.
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If you want the most reasonable ammo costs stick with 9mm, anything else is close to 50% more per box...if you're anywhere near a range that rents guns go and try several to see what feels best, everyone is different, unless you're in some really small town there should be somewhere close
 
clamum

clamum

Lifer
Feb 13, 2003
26,256
406
126
Glock 17/19
Springfield XD/XDm
FNH FNP/FNX
S&W M&P

I'd suggest getting a 9mm over a .40 cal but it's up to you I suppose. I do recommend going to a gun shop and handling each one of these guns, and asking any questions you may have about the guns there.
 
AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
My advice: don't bother. I bought a gun a few years ago for much the same reasons. I had just gotten a new job, I had a fair bit of extra money, and I thought I'd like having a gun for protection and target shooting.

I ended up taking it to the range maybe four or five times. Obviously I never needed to use it for self defense; if you think about it, the chances of you being targeted in a crime are small, and the chances that you're actually at home within reach of the gun when someone attempts to commit a crime are even smaller. That's not to say I think guns are worthless for defensive purposes; I still do believe they are an "equalizer" and I don't really buy into the whole "you're 40x more likely to be shot by your own gun than blah blah blah" crap. It's just it's very, very unlikely. There are a lot of things you can do to make your life safer to a greater degree. I mean, look at how many people die in car accidents vs. getting murdered by burglars.

Oh yeah, and then I got married and my wife has an irrational fear of guns, as many people from non-gun owning families do. When we got pregnant she said she wouldn't want me to keep the gun in the house once the baby is born. She didn't force me to get rid of it; she would have been okay with me getting a lockbox or something, but I didn't care enough to want to spend even more money to hold onto the thing.

I agree in principle with owning a gun but in the end it just wasn't worth the time, money, or effort. I was actually just glad to recoup some of my money. If I want to go shooting again, I'll rent a gun from a shooting range.

Also consider getting something cheaper and more fun like a rifle. I shot a Mosin-Nagant in a field once and it was a blast. You can get them for under $100, the ammo is cheap, and outdoor shooting is way better than indoor. Plus you own a piece of history.
 
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SViper

SViper

Senior member
Feb 17, 2005
828
0
76
I picked up a Khar CW40, but that is the weapon I am getting my CHL license in Texas for. Khar makes reliable weapons for not a bad price. I picked up mine from a local dealer for $400.
 
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Vic Vega

Diamond Member
Sep 24, 2010
4,535
4
0
AstroManLuca said:
My advice: don't bother. I bought a gun a few years ago for much the same reasons. I had just gotten a new job, I had a fair bit of extra money, and I thought I'd like having a gun for protection and target shooting.

I ended up taking it to the range maybe four or five times. Obviously I never needed to use it for self defense; if you think about it, the chances of you being targeted in a crime are small, and the chances that you're actually at home within reach of the gun when someone attempts to commit a crime are even smaller. That's not to say I think guns are worthless for defensive purposes; I still do believe they are an "equalizer" and I don't really buy into the whole "you're 40x more likely to be shot by your own gun than blah blah blah" crap. It's just it's very, very unlikely. There are a lot of things you can do to make your life safer to a greater degree. I mean, look at how many people die in car accidents vs. getting murdered by burglars.

Oh yeah, and then I got married and my wife has an irrational fear of guns, as many people from non-gun owning families do. When we got pregnant she said she wouldn't want me to keep the gun in the house once the baby is born. She didn't force me to get rid of it; she would have been okay with me getting a lockbox or something, but I didn't care enough to want to spend even more money to hold onto the thing.

I agree in principle with owning a gun but in the end it just wasn't worth the time, money, or effort. I was actually just glad to recoup some of my money. If I want to go shooting again, I'll rent a gun from a shooting range.

Also consider getting something cheaper and more fun like a rifle. I shot a Mosin-Nagant in a field once and it was a blast. You can get them for under $100, the ammo is cheap, and outdoor shooting is way better than indoor. Plus you own a piece of history.
Click to expand...

The chances of my house burning down are also slim, but I still have a fire extinguisher.

The chances of getting a flat are slim, but I still have a spare tire.

The chances of a major injury in my home are slim but I still keep a trauma kit in the house.
 
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BladeVenom

Lifer
Jun 2, 2005
13,365
16
0
I say get a .22 first. You can get a lot of practice thanks to its cheap ammo. Ruger is the most popular.
 
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sigurros81

Platinum Member
Nov 30, 2010
2,371
0
0
AstroManLuca said:
My advice: don't bother. I bought a gun a few years ago for much the same reasons. I had just gotten a new job, I had a fair bit of extra money, and I thought I'd like having a gun for protection and target shooting.

I ended up taking it to the range maybe four or five times. Obviously I never needed to use it for self defense; if you think about it, the chances of you being targeted in a crime are small, and the chances that you're actually at home within reach of the gun when someone attempts to commit a crime are even smaller. That's not to say I think guns are worthless for defensive purposes; I still do believe they are an "equalizer" and I don't really buy into the whole "you're 40x more likely to be shot by your own gun than blah blah blah" crap. It's just it's very, very unlikely. There are a lot of things you can do to make your life safer to a greater degree. I mean, look at how many people die in car accidents vs. getting murdered by burglars.

Oh yeah, and then I got married and my wife has an irrational fear of guns, as many people from non-gun owning families do. When we got pregnant she said she wouldn't want me to keep the gun in the house once the baby is born. She didn't force me to get rid of it; she would have been okay with me getting a lockbox or something, but I didn't care enough to want to spend even more money to hold onto the thing.

I agree in principle with owning a gun but in the end it just wasn't worth the time, money, or effort. I was actually just glad to recoup some of my money. If I want to go shooting again, I'll rent a gun from a shooting range.

Also consider getting something cheaper and more fun like a rifle. I shot a Mosin-Nagant in a field once and it was a blast. You can get them for under $100, the ammo is cheap, and outdoor shooting is way better than indoor. Plus you own a piece of history.
Click to expand...

Your points are definitely valid and I've considered them for a while. The chance of me using a handgun to defend myself is next to zero, and I'd like for it to stay that way for as long as I live. As to your other points, that's part of the reason why I do not want to spend a lot of money on a handgun because just in case of the unforseen future of me having to get rid of it for whatever reason, like my future wife not willing to give me anymore blow jobs until I get rid of the gun :)
 
HumblePie

HumblePie

Lifer
Oct 30, 2000
14,665
440
126
BladeVenom said:
I say get a .22 first. You can get a lot of practice thanks to its cheap ammo. Ruger is the most popular.
Click to expand...

I second this. And typically the recoil isn't bad either. Lets you get enough practice in to build up the muscles needed to shoot straight with the big boys.
 
AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
sigurros81 said:
Your points are definitely valid and I've considered them for a while. The chance of me using a handgun to defend myself is next to zero, and I'd like for it to stay that way for as long as I live. As to your other points, that's part of the reason why I do not want to spend a lot of money on a handgun because just in case of the unforseen future of me having to get rid of it for whatever reason, like my future wife not willing to give me anymore blow jobs until I get rid of the gun :)
Click to expand...

That's why I say you should consider something cheaper like a rifle or shotgun. Quality shotguns can be bought NEW for around $300, and like I said, older bolt-action rifles are under $100. They'll still be plenty intimidating to anyone who dares enter your abode. You'll have to go to an outdoor shooting range but that shouldn't be a problem in Texas. And your sunk cost will be way lower, so if you do need to get rid of it later, you're not out much.
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,340
136
AstroManLuca said:
That's why I say you should consider something cheaper like a rifle or shotgun. Quality shotguns can be bought NEW for around $300, and like I said, older bolt-action rifles are under $100. They'll still be plenty intimidating to anyone who dares enter your abode. You'll have to go to an outdoor shooting range but that shouldn't be a problem in Texas. And your sunk cost will be way lower, so if you do need to get rid of it later, you're not out much.
Click to expand...
Not to mention that you can use the Mosin like a club. 2 4 1
 
highland145

highland145

Lifer
Oct 12, 2009
43,973
6,340
136
AstroManLuca said:
Some also have built-in bayonets (the one I fired had one).
Click to expand...
Same here.

Thanks to schneiderguy.
2001.jpg
 
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sigurros81

Platinum Member
Nov 30, 2010
2,371
0
0
HumblePie said:
I second this. And typically the recoil isn't bad either. Lets you get enough practice in to build up the muscles needed to shoot straight with the big boys.
Click to expand...


I don't want to sound like a gun nut because I'm not, but I've shot a .22 before and it just feels like shooting a BB gun, not very fun at all. While a 9mm is not that much more power, I want to be sure my zombies are dead without having to unload an entire clip on them.
 
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