Looking for a first handgun

[Harriet Tubgirl]

Originally posted by: dxkj
I live in WI so no Concealed Carry allowed (one of 4 states, grr)

Anyway, I live in a pretty good neighborhood minus gun toting punks and spray painting vandals, and I dont have a Security system/motion detector flood lights, so I was thinking of getting a handgun...

buy a security system and floodlights instead. please.

 

[KK]

I have a ruger P90, it's a decent sturdy gun and inexpensive as well. It's a .45 but they have other models that are 9mm and .40. It'd be alittle bulky if you plan on carrying it, but since you aren't, it'd be good. Check out thehighroad.org and thefiringline.com for more recommendations.

 

[skyking]

Don Vito's advice is the best. There is an indoor range and gun shop near my house that will allow you to do that exact thing. You'll find the right gun in a few tryouts.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: Viper GTS
So do you like the trigger?

Viper GTS

Yeah, but I've been specifically trained with it and used it alot.


Edit: Ours are also modified to 8lbs.

 

[unsped]

as a gun owner, i will say hand guns are a pretty horrible idea. they are extremely dangerous ... to the owner. the very short size means that they change direction very fast, people are much more likely to get accedentally shot than with rifles.

lets say worste case scenario you have a home invasion robbery, most crooks arent stupid, they dont want murder charges and will most likely not hurt you. start brandishing a gun, and youll just end up killing yourself and your family.

i like guns because they are mechanically interesting, and target shooting is fun, if you want a hand gun for that, go ahead but keep it locked and be very careful. none of this under the dresser loaded dirty harry business.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: mesonw
Why do you want to shoot things? Do you feel it's part of your natural heritage?

I grew up shooting BB guns, then bb pistols, then shotguns, then rifles...

I'm a great shot and I enjoy the challenge of marksmanship.... Its similar to darts or horseshoes, or pool.... its a sport


Plus if the king of england comes over and tries to push me around and tax me, I have something to fight back with.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
just refuse to live in fear man...

To be honest, the home self defense thing is more of an excuse to finally get a gun, more than anything.... There is what? A 1 in 1000 chance I would ever really need to use it for home defense....

Im not afraid of those punks, but its prudent planning to have something to fall back on if the need arises.

 

[dxkj]

The reason why I might be leaning towards the glock is the 19 round magazine... versus a 10 round magazine for target shooting.

I know if it came to self defense I would only need a few shots, or the effect of actually having a gun....

 

[skyking]

....or the effect of actually having a gun

That phrase is telling.
Don't even think like that. There is no positive effect of actually having a gun. When somebody sees a gun, it is only when "it is too late for them".
Brandishing it without the intent to use it is a stupid dangerous thing. Better not to have one at all.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

For weapons information, you can ask any random person on the street. We live in Wisconsin. I've only lived here 2 years and now own 3 rifles, and most people I know have at *least* 1 or 2.


<--Oshkosh

 

[Slacker]

Originally posted by: dxkj
The reason why I might be leaning towards the glock is the 19 round magazine... versus a 10 round magazine for target shooting.

I know if it came to self defense I would only need a few shots, or the effect of actually having a gun....

Only 19? take a look at this, I have two.I use them with this

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: DonVito
For your application, 9mm is clearly the way to go IMO. You can get 100-round Winchester range packs at Wal-Mart for $10.99, yet a FMJ 9mm round packs an adequate punch for self-defense.

That's IF you can find someone there to sell it to you. I've NEVER seen a sporting goods case manned by an employee at Walmart. I wanted to pick up a brick of 45ACP once and waited 15 minutes before I eventually gave up and tracked someone down.

For a store that apparently caters to the "redneck" crowd, they don't seem to be in much of a hurry to sell ammunition.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dxkj
I live in WI so no Concealed Carry allowed (one of 4 states, grr)

Anyway, I live in a pretty good neighborhood minus gun toting punks and spray painting vandals, and I dont have a Security system/motion detector flood lights, so I was thinking of getting a handgun...


Well to be honest, I really want one mostly for shooting at the range recreationally and shooting when Im visiting my dad in PA (not at him, targets)


I read a bit online, researched a few guns, and am still stuck between 9mm and .40. I dont want to spend a ton on a handgun, but I dont want to buy a 22 pistol either...

1911 looks nice but too much $$ and probably a bit too powerful

Sig sauer P226 seems like it might work, but Ive also been looking at the Glock 17. I plan on going to the local rent and shoot and try a few of these out, but for anyone who shoots a few different caliber handguns regularly, what is the difference in price for target ammo as far as 9mm .40 and .45 are concerned? Ive done several searches online and seen a varying amount, but would probably do most of my ammo buying locally so first hand experience will be appreciated


Any other suggestions beyond the p22X or the glock? Cheaper is better, but Id prefer something that doesnt stovepipe every other clip while im at the range, and something with at least a littlet stopping power (though HP 9mm close range should suffice)

a 1911 should be one of the cheaper ones around sans mods.

Ammo isn't cheap..

I'd go 9mm if cost is a factor and protection, just a 22mm if cost is all the factor and protection is not.

I will probably go .40 if I do ever own a handgun, capacity and power is at a nice compromise.

Sig vs Glock is like talking about looking at the new mustang GT and the Ferrari 430 as serious possible purchases.

Glock is a great gun, my LE friends carry them, my brother has a Sig (.380), his g/f an HK 357 hammerless purse gun.

Guns are like clothes though, some brands fit you better than others at all price points.

I will say my brother's Sig with modifed grips is probably the nicest feeling gun in my hands. Being a .380 I can fire off one handed and stay very accurate, my only worry would be in a true fire fight (what every gun owner worries about), my hits may keep my assailant still accurate too.

I have been shot through the hand with a .22, the next day my hand was a bit fuxored, but during the problem I was able to pin the guy down and pour something he was extremely allergic too into his body and face. Then watch him contort, and have about a month of seeing him mangled.

What every 'soon to be' gun owner should do is get to a decent firing range and rent a few guns. My wife likes to shoot revolvers, but automatics (shell discharge) scares her.

I outfitted her with a .38 special and she likes that a lot. A .44 magnum she almost dropped after firing it.

Concealed carry is not all what most people think it is either, the reason people don't open carry. When someone knows you have a gun...it's ackward whether you have a permit or not.

I have seen it, a nice hug turning into a push away and a "is that a gun you have?" Then imagine the whole group taking a step back

I know a few bikers that carry when clubbing late night.

 

[dxkj]

What kind of 22 shell was that? Im guessing not hollowpoint?

I think a high powered 9mm hollowpoint would be sufficient for killing someone if I got accurate enough with it at the range,


Im really not picturing ever having to use this on someone, if I thought there was a real and viable chance I would probably get something like a .45

 

[dderidex]

Originally posted by: unsped
as a gun owner, i will say hand guns are a pretty horrible idea. they are extremely dangerous ... to the owner. the very short size means that they change direction very fast, people are much more likely to get accedentally shot than with rifles.

That's always been my thought. Handguns are dangerous BECAUSE they 'change direction very fast'.

Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

Plus, for target shooting, a rifle is a much more satisfying skill to develop over a handgun. MUCH long ranges.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dxkj
What kind of 22 shell was that? Im guessing not hollowpoint?

I think a high powered 9mm hollowpoint would be sufficient for killing someone if I got accurate enough with it at the range,


Im really not picturing ever having to use this on someone, if I thought there was a real and viable chance I would probably get something like a .45

hollowpoint is illegal in most states. (the bullet is hollowpointed, not the shell)..it wasnt' hollowpoint.

A .22 can kill if you are 100% accurate.

Saying you'd get a .45 is a typical response. Now name the situation you'd be in, how you had it with you always, and the rest of the scenario.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: dxkj
What kind of 22 shell was that? Im guessing not hollowpoint?

I think a high powered 9mm hollowpoint would be sufficient for killing someone if I got accurate enough with it at the range,


Im really not picturing ever having to use this on someone, if I thought there was a real and viable chance I would probably get something like a .45

hollowpoint is illegal in most states. (the bullet is hollowpointed, not the shell)..it wasnt' hollowpoint.

A .22 can kill if you are 100% accurate.

Saying you'd get a .45 is a typical response. Now name the situation you'd be in, how you had it with you always, and the rest of the scenario.

yah yah i know... Im talking about getting a 9mm though instead...

Hollowpoint is illegal? Everywhere Ive been people use hollowpoint.. Yes I know the bullet is hollowpointed not the shell, but the way i said that was a little misleading....

I even understand how hollowpoints work... shooting a 270 hollowpoint bullet at a woodchuck shows you the difference

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dderidex
Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

For fighting close knife >>>> handgun >>>>>>> rifle.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: dderidex
Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

Yeah, a home defense rifle...that's a great idea.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: dderidex
Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

Yeah, a home defense rifle...that's a great idea.

You mean you don't have a 30.06 in your nightstand ready for protection?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: skyking

....or the effect of actually having a gun

That phrase is telling.
Don't even think like that. There is no positive effect of actually having a gun. When somebody sees a gun, it is only when "it is too late for them".
Brandishing it without the intent to use it is a stupid dangerous thing. Better not to have one at all.

If Im at home and my wife is in bed with me and I hear someone down stairs, I would have my gun in my hand brandishing it, and be ready to use it, but if I see 2 punk kids downstairs with nothing in their hands I wouldnt shoot them. I would hold them at gun point and tell my wife to call the cops...

 

[xSauronx]

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: dderidex
Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

Yeah, a home defense rifle...that's a great idea.

reminds me of a story i think i saw on fark a few months ago

some military guy with some time off was cutting holes in fast food joints roofs, dropping through, and sticking the places up with....

a sawed off 22LR. almost seems like he was a special forces guy of some sort (ranger, seal, or some such)

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dxkj

Hollowpoint is illegal?

nm I was thinking armor piercing.

HP is legal mostly *unless* you are military or LE, which stinks.

 

[bradruth]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: bradruth

Originally posted by: dderidex
Someone breaking into your house and in your bedroom RIGHT THEN can fight over a handgun, get it turned around, and have you shoot yourself pretty easily.

Try that with a rifle!

Yeah, a home defense rifle...that's a great idea.

You mean you don't have a 30.06 in your nightstand ready for protection?

I really should. The Glock .40 and Star .45 just aren't cutting it.

 

[Squisher]

I can recommend Kahr Arms as another brand worth looking at.

http://www.kahr.com/front.html