looking to buy a handgun... suggestions?

[fjorner]

i'm interested in buying a handgun... i've never owned one before. not interested in anything fancy or expensive. unfamiliar with the market.

suggestions?

 

[MrBond]

What for? Personal protection (Springfield compact 1911)? Just some time at the range? (Springfield fullsize 1911). Affordable plinker for the range (Ruger Mark III)

Edit:

Springfield Armory's website (they have a 1911 for everyone)

 

[fjorner]

personal, yes. compact, yes. cheap, yes. let me edit that: inexpensive, not cheap. there is some implication of bad quality with cheap.

also, recommendations on where to buy? there's an army surplus store in town, your walmarts, but also your basic gun stores that also offer training.

 

[justint]

Originally posted by: fjorner
personal, yes. compact, yes. cheap, yes.

If you want personal protection I wouldn't go with anything under a 9mm or a .40. The question is, are you really going to be carrying this thing around with you? What experience with handguns do you have ? Have you taken an NRA approved basic pistol course?? Do you intend to get a concealed carry permit?

The CZ series pistols are just about the best values in high quality handguns. The CZ-75 BD can be found for $319 online at j&G sales + shipping and transfer to your local FFL dealer. CZ also makes a compact lightweight model the P-01 and a PCR-Compact. Search for cz usa on Google and you will find thier web page.


It would be helpful if you could give us a price range.

 

[MrBond]

Originally posted by: fjorner
personal, yes. compact, yes. cheap, yes.

Look at this one then:

Compact

Or this one

Ultra Compact

Of finally:

Micro-compact

If it's a CCW gun (applying for a concealed carry permit), pick the one based on what you can conceal easily (I can easily conceal a fullsize 1911 under a jacket, but I'm 6'4" 210lbs) and can handle the recoil. Also a good one to consider is the Springfield Champion, as they have a full size frame and a shorter barrel.

I'm a big fan of the .45 caliber round. Some people carry 9mm and learn to double tap (two quick shots in rapid succession), but I prefer the larger caliber and one shot.

SA guns are usually affordable, just shop around. A lot of 1911's can be very pricey. My father bought a sprinfield champion for ~$450 brand new, his buddy bought the similar sized Kimber for ~$900. His buddy likes the springfield better

 

[mcveigh]

goto a local gun range that will rent guns, that way you can try them first.

I'd reccomend runger or glock, for value. probably a 9mm or 40 fo recoil vs. power.


<- I carry a Kimber .45

 

[justint]

Originally posted by: MrBond

Originally posted by: fjorner
personal, yes. compact, yes. cheap, yes.

Look at this one then:

Compact

Or this one

Ultra Compact

Of finally:

Micro-compact

If it's a CCW gun (applying for a concealed carry permit), pick the one based on what you can conceal easily (I can easily conceal a fullsize 1911 under a jacket, but I'm 6'4" 210lbs) and can handle the recoil. Also a good one to consider is the Springfield Champion, as they have a full size frame and a shorter barrel.

IMHO opinion any 1911 type frame is #1 not a good choice for a beginner #2 not the best carry or tactical gun due to cocked and lock issues. Additionally .45 ammo is much more expensive than 9mm or .40. As a beginner he is going to have to put thousands of rounds through the weapon to feel comfortable and .45 will break his budget if he is looking for cheap.


NOT TO RIP ON THE 1911 or anything, but thier are much better/safer options for beginners.

 

[PricklyPete]

I have been happy with my Glock for many years now (I have had it almost 10 years). One thing to note, there is no explicit safety. If I were to buy another handgun, I would probably go after a Sig. They are insanely accurate. Also, the H&K USP's are pretty sweet. Get a Berretta 96 if you want somethign "fancy"

 

[justint]

Some other suggestions for 9mm quality guns:

Sig P228 or P229 ~$700
CZ 75BD ~$350-400
Glock 17 or 19 ~600
Ruger P90 ~350
Beretta 92 ~675


Whatever you buy, go to a range and try it out first. Can you easily work the controls? How does the grip feel? Size, weight, recoil?

 

[JDub02]

Also check into revolvers. Very dependable, usually cheaper and easy to use. Smith & Wesson makes a great revolver. 357 magnum packs quite a punch.

 

[justint]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Also check into revolvers. Very dependable, usually cheaper and easy to use. Smith & Wesson makes a great revolver. 357 magnum packs quite a punch.

Revolvers are excellent for beginners, operation is much simpler than a semi-auto, cleaning is easy, much less chance of shooting yourself with a double action revolver. Smith and Wesson .357 are excellent dependable guns.

 

[fonzinator]

Go for a Walther PPK.

 

[MrBond]

IMHO opinion any 1911 type frame is #1 not a good choice for a beginner #2 not the best carry or tactical gun due to cocked and lock issues. Additionally .45 ammo is much more expensive than 9mm or .40. As a beginner he is going to have to put thousands of rounds through the weapon to feel comfortable and .45 will break his budget if he is looking for cheap.

Hey, my first handgun was a 1911. Haven't shot myself in the leg carrying it around. That's more then some LEO's can say about their glocks . I've heard of a few guys actually carrying a 1911 with the chamber empty and chambering a round as they draw the pistol (as the Israli military does I believe?), but if I'm going on a hike, I'll carry mine cocked and locked and never had a problem.

I was thinking about reccomending one of those new SA XD's in .40 (for the ammo cost issues you mentioned), but I haven't fired one personally and have heard so little about them I'm hesitant to reccomend one just yet. I'm thinking about picking one up, I just need to talk to my gun dealer and see what one is going to run me.

.45 isn't cheap, but I've got a progressive reloader at my disposal, so it's not all that bad.

Edit: Oh yeah, and revolvers. My dad and his buddy both bought one of those Smith and Wesson 357magnum pocket cannons. Apparently they're a mean little bastard . I guess the first time my dad's buddy shot his with factory ammo, his index finger was bloody from the trigger guard cutting it on recoil. I prefer an autoloader, but a revolver is a good choice too.

 

[Broncho]

45 ammo isn't necessarily more expensive. If he really wanted to he could reload his brass. If he didn't want to go that way then Speer has some 45 rounds with an aluminum casing instead of brass, here. They aren't suited for reloading but are fine for firing. I've been thinking about getting some to use with my 1911. As far as carrying one, I like the stopping power of a 45 but it is big and heavy. I don't know if I would want to carry one on a day to day basis. As it is the way I dress there is no practical way to carry a concealed handgun so I haven't pursued that, yet.

 

[StageLeft]

Get that new smith and wesson that can take down a rushing tank.

 

[mcveigh]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
Get that new smith and wesson that can take down a rushing tank.

here it is

 

[justint]

Originally posted by: MrBond

IMHO opinion any 1911 type frame is #1 not a good choice for a beginner #2 not the best carry or tactical gun due to cocked and lock issues. Additionally .45 ammo is much more expensive than 9mm or .40. As a beginner he is going to have to put thousands of rounds through the weapon to feel comfortable and .45 will break his budget if he is looking for cheap.

Hey, my first handgun was a 1911. Haven't shot myself in the leg carrying it around. That's more then some LEO's can say about their glocks . I've heard of a few guys actually carrying a 1911 with the chamber empty and chambering a round as they draw the pistol (as the Israli military does I believe?), but if I'm going on a hike, I'll carry mine cocked and locked and never had a problem.

I was thinking about reccomending one of those new SA XD's in .40 (for the ammo cost issues you mentioned), but I haven't fired one personally and have heard so little about them I'm hesitant to reccomend one just yet. I'm thinking about picking one up, I just need to talk to my gun dealer and see what one is going to run me.

.45 isn't cheap, but I've got a progressive reloader at my disposal, so it's not all that bad.

The IDF does teach condition 3 carry last time I checked, but thier situation is a lot different from that of a civillian carrying CCW. Pistol use is not a priority in the IDF or any military, if you are pulling a pistol you are screwed anyway. You may need that other hand that you were going to use to rack the slide to do something else in a personal defense situation. I can rack a handgun and clear jams with one hand almost as fast as with 2, but can a beginner?? If you are carrying a gun, have it ready to fire. A double action first shot, preferably on a weapon without a manual safety so you don't have to do a safety sweep on draw is ideal, especially for a beginner. I know that a LOT of people learned on the 1911 safely, but thier are better options out there today especially in a tactical situation.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

i'm surprised no one has posted a awp or d. eagle from cs lol.....usually someone does..

 

[Konigin]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Also check into revolvers. Very dependable, usually cheaper and easy to use. Smith & Wesson makes a great revolver. 357 magnum packs quite a punch.

Here are my picks:

Favorite revolver = Colt .357
Favorite Auto = Beretta .40