ATTN: Gun Aficionados

[Infin1ty]

I would suggest going with the 9mm for your first. Though you have been shooting with buddys before, you mentioned that you wife has not. The 9mm will be much easier for even both of your to learn how to shoot better on.

Another thing you should also consider is that for home protection, the best thing you could get is a shootgun. I know you said you want a handgun, but nothing is better for home protection then a shootgun. They are the only true point and shoot weapons that you can own. I would look to invest in one soon after your and your wife learn to shoot, or even as your first gun.

[Phidelt076]

Here's my :

I personally own a .40cal beretta (96fs model). I went with the .40 for both home defense and personal defense at the hunting lease. I wanted something with enough power to both drop anyone coming through my window or any wild hog I may encounter at the lease.

For the beretta 96fs, it is identical to it's 9mm cousin with the exception of the slide, barrel, and magazine. For an additional $150 or so I could purchase a conversion kit that allows me to switch between .40 and 9mm in a matter of seconds. The kit includes the slide, barrel, magazine, and everything you need to make the conversion except for rounds.

This way you get the bast of both worlds. I almost pulled the trigger on this kit to have a 9mm for target practice but decided the .40 is just too much fun to shoot at the range.

[Infin1ty]

Heres a couple of models to look into as far as hand guns go.

Heckler & Koch 45

http://www.hk-usa.com/hk45_general.html

Heckler & Koch USP

http://www.hk-usa.com/usp_general.html

This one is good because its comes in a 9mm, .40, and a .45. They also make a compact model, in case you ever want get your concealed weapons permit.

Beretta also makes very nice a reliable pistols.

the 92-Two and the 92/96 are the only ones that they have on the website, but if you search you can find a ton of nice ones.

http://www.berettausa.com/product/pr...stols_main.htm

[Silhanek]

Get both a 9mm and 45.

It's hard to beat a Glock, but another brand to look at is Taurus. I have a PT145 that holds 10+1 capacity. It's a great gun.

[vintagejc]

There is a lot of good info here. I'll just tell you my first gun purchase and how it's met our needs as a family.

My wife wanted to learn how to shoot. She made a committment to practice, which she's done quite a bit and is a darn good shot. We go over gun function and "drills" to operating her gun in a split second.

Anyway, with that said, we chose the Springfield XD .40 in the 5" barrell (for some extra accuracy since carry wasn't a priority). She can man handle this gun and has become quite a great shot. It kicks way less than any other .40 or 9mm that I've shot. After her first trigger pull, she said "that's nothin". The gun has never failed, easy to load, no misfeeds and is amazingly accurate.

Guns are like cigars and everyone will have thier own opinion. Unlike cigars, guns are very expensive so you won't get the opportunity to shoot as many before you "pull the trigger" on your purchase. Go to the range, rent guns in differnet calibers and different styles, agree to something, establish a price point and shop around. It's amazing how far off a price gun stores will come when you hold a gun for 10 minutes and then say it's too much.

[Infin1ty]

Another good source to check out it www.handgunreview.com

They are basically the equivalent of Top25Cigar, but for hand guns.

[neoflex]

Thanks everyone for your feedback and the links for research. I have a feeling this is going to be another expensive venture in my life but a man needs hobbies. Let's hope it does not interfere with my cigar purchases though!
Replicant to answer your questions.

Budget?

Looking to stay between $500-$1000 to start. Who knows where this will go after the first purchase, but initial starting price point is in that range.

Conservative design or cutting edge?

Doesn't really matter. I like to look at a sexy gun like the next guy but at this stage in the game I want something that is more functional over "Hey look at my pretty gun." From what I have learned from friends, Gocks are pretty tough and reliable but IMHO are not the prettiest looking guns. Overall, I am just looking for something that is fun to shoot, reliable and functional. A pretty firearm can come later.


Home defense or Punching holes in paper?

Both. I am looking to start a new hobby so I want something that is fun to shoot but I want it in the house for the "Just in case" factor. I have thought about a 12 gauge for home defense which who knows I may get one after my initial purchase but I just can't imagine a 12 gauge being as fun to shoot as a hand gun. Who knows I could be wrong. You guys tell me but for now I think I want my first purchase to be a handgun.




Carry or not?

For now Not but who knows for sure until I jump into this hobby. I was born and raised and resided in NY until recently so being able to carry has been a foreign idea so it never really crossed my mind. Now being a NC resident it is more of a reality so I guess on this front only time will tell.

More than one user needing to be proficient on the same weapon?

Yes and No. I do want to teach my wife the fundamentals of firing and operating/owning a firearm so I guess I should lean more to yes. I want her to be able to use it for again the "Just in case" factor. Especially if I'm not home or out of town. I do have a lot of confidence in her being able to use either caliber since she looks like your typical innocent woman but she is very self willed and confident when it comes to physical things.

Thanks again for all your feedback. I knew I can count on the jungle to help me with this.
-John

[Junior]

I forgot one thing. When I first showed my wife how to shoot a gun (she comes from and anti-gun family). The first one I put in her hand was a 9mm. She shot it one time sat it back on the table, and left the room. I went and borrowed a 22 from the range, and she loved it from there on. 22's are great for learning the basics, and a good plinker to have around. You can pick up a good one for less than $300 that will still leave money in the budget for another one.

[Scud]

Just a thought, but I'll never post a pic or talk about what I have in my home. Not that I distrust anyone on here, but...

Again, just a thought

[WyoBob]

Lots of good advice and ideas so far so I might as well add mine.

For a first handgun, I would recommend a 4 inch barrel (minimum) revolver in .357 caliber. I think for beginners, a revolver is a "safer" gun to start with. With the .357, you can shoot .38 Specials which are a softer shooting round. I'd sure get an all steel revolver. For a practice, home gun, you could go to a 5 or 6 inch barrel and the increased weight will reduce recoil and the increased sight radius generally improves accuracy.

You and your wife should handle and dry fire whatever you're considering to make sure you can reach and operate the trigger comfortably. Hopefully, you can go to a range and try whatever you're interested in and the range might have someone (competent) who can help you.

There are several advantages to revolvers. They are very easy to check if they're loaded or not (wife might have trouble operating the slide on a semi auto). They have a long and heavier trigger (in double action) than many semi-autos. They are not dependant on a certain bullet style or powder loading for proper function. (A semi-auto must produce a certain amount of power to cycle the slide and some autos will not reliably feed some styles of bullets.) Most revolvers have after market grips you can install to "fine tune" the revolver to your hand. You can shoot very reduced loads (if you get into reloading or can buy some reduced loads. i.e. "Cowboy" loads) which makes a .357 shoot almost like a .22.

I'm partial to Ruger revovlers as I think they represent a very good value. Smith & Wesson makes good revolvers, as well, but the new ones come with a "lock" that I'm not that excited about. I'd go with stainless and adjustable sights.
http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAFami...ction&famlst=8

You can shoot 38s, 38 +P and .357 in .357 revolvers. For defensive rounds, there are quite a few choices in good performing bullets.

For semi-autos, I like the M&P full size 9mm. There are good self defense loadings for 9, 40 and 45 but the 9mm is the cheapest ammo for lots of practice (I've shot a lot of Winchester White Box that can be purchased at most WalMarts.) The M&P has a selection of backstrap inserts so you can tailor the grip to your needs. The MP would be a good, second gun after you "learn" with the revolver. (They make this gun in 40 and 45, as well.)

Time to get on some forums, as well. The High Road and The Firing Line would be a good start.

Good luck. Handgun shooting is a lot of fun. It takes skill and practice but that's part of the fun.

WyoBob

[White97Jimmy]

I think one of the very other important things to look at is price of ammo. Ammo prices have increased almost 50% in the last 5 years. For home defense, this may not mean much because you are not going to be buying self defense ammo all the time. However, for punching holes, you will definitely feel the cost of ammo. Just basing your decision on ammo alone, for target, I would choose 9mm over anything. $19 for 100 rounds at Wally World for Winchester white box. I bought a box of 45 Winchester white box yesterday and it cost me $29.00 for 100 rounds. That adds up pretty quickly for target practice. (If you're going strictly for target, I use my 22LR...550 rounds for $10)

For instance, ZYA LTR, Sancho, Mark THS and I went shooting yesterday. In just about 1.5hrs, we went through over $250 in ammo, not including the cans that ZYA LTR brought that he reloads. We weren't even shooting the entire time. We probably spent about 30-45 min doing instructionals for Mark and Sancho to teach them the basics of semi-autos. If it were just ZYA and I at the range, we could have easily went through the same amount of ammo in about 45 min.

On the other hand, you're looking at buying a gun from the wrong POV. You should look at the different manufacturers before the caliber. 9mm in Sigs shoot different than 9mm in Glocks. 45 in Glock shoots different than 45 in Sig....and so on. Mark THS found that out very quickly at the range yesterday.

ZYA LTR and I have always been very partial to Sigs. But for us to say "go get a Sig, you'll love it" is unrealistic, because it may not feel good in your hand. The best thing to do is to go to a range and try out different makes and calibers before buying. ~$700 is quite an investment and if you just buy one without shooting, you never know if you'll end up liking it or not until its too late.


Sig, Glock, Springfield, H&K, Beretta.....asking people for advice is like asking people if you should buy Chevy, Ford or Dodge. You're gonna get a different answer from everyone.

[bigswol2]

Neo... brother just save up some dollars and wait till the Raleigh Herf. I have an excellent shop up here with prices you wouldn't believe. Once you decide on what caliber and get your permits give me a call. I'll give my guy a call and see what he has in stock. I'm sure he can save you a few dollars. I have both a 9mm and a 45. For stopping and pure "Knock down" power I'd go with a 45. The 9mm is may be the choice for a concealable gun with higher capacity. If you want the best of both worlds I suggest the Para Ordinance Warthog. It's a 10+1 45 that is very concealable. Just my 2 cents.

Originally Posted by neoflex

If you are anti gun like some in the "Gun Pics" thread please hit the back button.




I have been wanting to get into the gun hobby for some time now and have always had an interest since I would go to the range with buddies in the past and now owning our first home I would also like something in the house for protection just in case to boot. So with all this said I am looking to finally make my first purchase after the holidays. I'll admit that I am not to savvy when it comes to firearms but it's never too late for another hobby now is it? Looking to start the hobby off with a handgun, so let me ask all the CS gun Aficionados this one question. 9mm or 45ACP? What are the pros and cons to each and why do you suggest one over the other? Now keep in mind that I am sure like all my other hobbies past and present that I will dive right in and next thing you know I will be going overboard but my first purchase will still need to be dual purpose for all intents and purposes. Surprisingly I was even able to get my wife on board to go to the range to learn how to shoot. Go figure, I guess I am finally starting to rub off on her. So what do you guys suggest? Besides the 9mm vs 45ACP discussion, what make and models do you suggest? Just looking for input to see where I should start as far as researching what to purchase. Thanks in advance!

[floydpink]

Some good suggestions here.

Personally, I keep a Taurus 357 magnum with blue glasers as well as a mossberg double pistol grip shotgun for home protection.

I am not big on semi-automatics as I imagine if the time ever comes to me using a gun, I will be nervous enough without a possble jamming clip.

I don't care if Glock makes it, a revolver is as reliable as it comes.

A shotgun is as accurate as it gets if they are in the house, although you will be scraping guts, patching drywall, and painting the whole next day, which would suck.

[Darrell]

Something to think about.

"Few sounds are as frightening to an assailant, as that of the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber of a mossberg pump". ~Anonymous

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Darrell

Something to think about.

"Few sounds are as frightening to an assailant, as that of the sound of a shell being jacked into the chamber of a mossberg pump". ~Anonymous

Especially if it's coming from around a dark corner.

I am going for my concealed weapon permit as soon as the Christmas madness is over.