Purchasing a handgun / I HAVE A QUESTION IN OP

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pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Originally posted by: Pegun
Originally posted by: Mr Pickles
Please do not get a gun.
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Please Stop being ignorant. This is the wrong crowd to preach your ignorance to.

As for what kind of pistol, do your research to find a semi-auto which has a 22 conversion kit available for it. The Sig Sauers mostly have them and I think the Springfield Armory XD's do as well. It's a great way to get a feel for the gun your shooting but do it with the _much_ cheaper .22 caliber ammo.
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You can get .22 conversion kits for most 1911s. I know CZ makes one for soem of it's models, theres one for Glocks (not sure which models), and Sig makes one (again not sure for which models).

Can't really think of any others off the top of my head right now.
 
AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
I have a Glock 19 (9mm, compact frame) and I really like it. I'd suggest not getting anything that's too small because small guns do not absorb as much recoil; thus, they're less accurate. Compact (not sub-compact) pistols are probably the smallest you want to go for a first gun. Smaller calibers like 9mm also tend to have less recoil than the big ones, though of course there will always be debates over the various merits of small calibers (less recoil, higher capacity) vs. large ones (stopping power). I'd say to find a shooting range where you can rent weapons and see how things work. I'd definitely try a Glock (17 or 19, unless you want to try a different caliber) and a Beretta if you can. Other than that, try whatever else seems interesting. Maybe try out a very small pistol just to compare accuracy.

If you go revolver I don't know as much (I have never fired a revolver) but as far as I can tell, the best way to go is to get one in either .38 Special or .357 Magnum. A .357 revolver can fire .38 Special as well, so it's the most versatile. But there are also good .38 Special-only revolvers out there. Like I said, I'm not experienced with revolvers but I've always heard that their biggest advantage is their simplicity. If you get a misfire, just pull the trigger again and the barrel will rotate and fire off the next round, with no need to clear a jam. Reloading is slow compared to a semi-auto, but only if you have loaded magazines at the ready. If you don't, then a revolver is faster and more convenient to load.
 
D

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
Yeah, with the revolver you only get however many shots are in the cylinder before you have a relatively long reloading period. Someone once told me that the number of shots you have is enough until it isn't enough. Seems like a stupid statement, but I choose a semi-auto for home protection just incase (god forbid) I ever need it. I keep the gun with 2 mags of hollow points under the bed. One is in the mag well and the other is next to the gun in the safe.

And don't listen to the trolls. If you are smart with your weapon and follow the four rules, you'll never have a problem.

http://www.thehighroad.us/library/rules.html
 
D

Descartes

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
13,968
2
0
I've been looking to pick up a gun as well, primarily because I am often traveling for business and want the wife to have a last-resort option.

Based on this thread, it sounds like a Glock is a reasonable first gun option. I think I'll also take up the advice and head to the range and rent a few different guns.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
I'd say a used Sig, maybe P229. I have a P226 in 40 s&w and a P220 and both are amazing firearms. Glock is definitely another great choice. Maybe a 19 for carry. I own one of those too.
 
JasonSix78

JasonSix78

Platinum Member
Mar 5, 2005
2,020
1
0
Originally posted by: TallBill
I'd say a used Sig, maybe P229. I have a P226 in 40 s&w and a P220 and both are amazing firearms. Glock is definitely another great choice. Maybe a 19 for carry. I own one of those too.
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I was considering a P229 for my first pistol but they were way more than what I wanted to spend at the time. Settled on the XD instead. How much are used Sigs going for now?
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Originally posted by: JasonSix78
Originally posted by: TallBill
I'd say a used Sig, maybe P229. I have a P226 in 40 s&w and a P220 and both are amazing firearms. Glock is definitely another great choice. Maybe a 19 for carry. I own one of those too.
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I was considering a P229 for my first pistol but they were way more than what I wanted to spend at the time. Settled on the XD instead. How much are used Sigs going for now?
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I got both of mine in 99% condition for $500 on gunbroker. (plus $25 for transfer fee, plus maybe $25 for shipping)
 
P

PrinceofWands

Lifer
May 16, 2000
13,522
0
0
My personal choice for a concealed weapon would be a Taurus Millennium Pro PT140 (or 145 if you prefer .45). Single finest handgun I've ever owned or used.

If you're looking for full size, then I'd go a much different route.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,588
986
126
So, you've never owned a handgun and you're getting a .44 Magnum as your first? Wow...talk about a bad choice.

Well, there's one thing for sure, it will put your wife off shooting.

Hey Dirty Harry, I'd honestly recommend something less punishing as a first handgun.
 
IEC

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,605
6,093
136
A ruger .22 might be a better choice...

Just saying...
 
Specop 007

Specop 007

Diamond Member
Jan 31, 2005
9,454
0
0
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: JPB
See OP for gun choice.
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Heh, terrible choice for a gun nub. And terrible choice for a ccl.
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Agreed. On both accounts.

Did you bother to actually read any of the posts in this thread?? How you plan on concealing that Mr. Harry?
 
X

xSauronx

Lifer
Jul 14, 2000
19,582
4
81
Originally posted by: Spartan Niner
A ruger .22 might be a better choice...

Just saying...
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cheap to shoot and plenty of fun. good choice for anyone looking to get started unless they specifically want something for self-defense

i havent taken mine out in a while, too cold to bother now :-/
 
AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Way to ignore everyone's advice and get one of the worst possible guns for a beginning handgun operator. You will develop one hell of a twitch with that thing. I have a hard time being on the same range as someone firing a .44 Magnum - couple months ago there was someone several lanes down with one and I found it difficult to hit anything because it was so loud I was involuntarily twitching whenever he fired it, and I could feel the compressions in my chest every time.

I'd seriously consider trading it in for a .357/.38 revolver and sticking to .38 for a little while, if it's not too late. If all you care about are a big bang and bragging rights, go ahead and stick with the .44.
 
TallBill

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Way to ignore everyone's advice and get one of the worst possible guns for a beginning handgun operator. You will develop one hell of a twitch with that thing. I have a hard time being on the same range as someone firing a .44 Magnum - couple months ago there was someone several lanes down with one and I found it difficult to hit anything because it was so loud I was involuntarily twitching whenever he fired it, and I could feel the compressions in my chest every time.

I'd seriously consider trading it in for a .357/.38 revolver and sticking to .38 for a little while, if it's not too late. If all you care about are a big bang and bragging rights, go ahead and stick with the .44.
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Assuming that was an indoor range? I hate indoor ranges for the noise factor.
 
Fern

Fern

Elite Member
Sep 30, 2003
26,907
174
106
Originally posted by: JPB
Who here can recommend a decent handgun ?
-snip-
Well, that hand cannon won't be much use as a concealed weapon :)

You might check with the firing range, the ones I use have various guns you can rent and/or try out. Might be a good idea to check out a few calibers etc out before choosing.

I don't know if money is a factor for you, but .44 magnum ammo is pretty expensive. For this reason I favor .357 mags (I have two Colts), you can shoot cheaper .38 spc rounds for fun.

I also like .22 for shoting fun. Ammo is almost free it's so cheap.

And yeah, I doubt your wife is gonna like that .44 mag, too heavy, too loud, too much recoil.

Anyway, enjoy whatever you decide to get.

Fern
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AstroManLuca

AstroManLuca

Lifer
Jun 24, 2004
15,628
5
81
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
Way to ignore everyone's advice and get one of the worst possible guns for a beginning handgun operator. You will develop one hell of a twitch with that thing. I have a hard time being on the same range as someone firing a .44 Magnum - couple months ago there was someone several lanes down with one and I found it difficult to hit anything because it was so loud I was involuntarily twitching whenever he fired it, and I could feel the compressions in my chest every time.

I'd seriously consider trading it in for a .357/.38 revolver and sticking to .38 for a little while, if it's not too late. If all you care about are a big bang and bragging rights, go ahead and stick with the .44.
Click to expand...

Assuming that was an indoor range? I hate indoor ranges for the noise factor.
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Yes, it was indoors. There aren't many ranges near me. Far as I can tell, there's only one within a reasonable distance. Since I'm in Minnesota, it's closed about half the year.
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
Originally posted by: Descartes
I've been looking to pick up a gun as well, primarily because I am often traveling for business and want the wife to have a last-resort option.

Based on this thread, it sounds like a Glock is a reasonable first gun option. I think I'll also take up the advice and head to the range and rent a few different guns.
Click to expand...

if its for the wife, take her along too. if she's gonna be the one using it, she's gotta be comfortable with it. it will be useless if she never touches it.
 
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