Lookin' for a handgun, any advice?

[billhud]

Originally Posted by rrplasencia

go with taurus for handguns they make a good resonably priced gun...

I recommend a used S&W over a new Taurus.

[rwhit37]

Originally Posted by elderboy02

We didn't mention it b/c it is a PIECE OF CRAP! Read here: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot41.htm

While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, which this link is. I would like to point out that he did not use the most superior rounds on the market. And he also tampered with the shell on the 410 by cutting it down.

Originally Posted by Rob

I guess they don't have shotgun barrel length restrictions where you are?

It's classified as a revolver.



My best advice Mark, is to go out and shoot. Find a gun YOU are comfortable with because you are going to be the one shooting it heaven forbid a situation comes up where you have to use it.

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by billhud

I recommend a used S&W over a new Taurus.

+1. Taurus' are pieces of junk. I had a revolver that had a timing problem. I paid $60 to send it back to their horrible customer service and they did not fix the problem even though it says they did. It just collects dust now. I am not going to pay to send it back again and have it not get fixed.

[GrtndpwrflOZ]

I can see this thread showing up on Law & Order

[pcozad1]

If this is your first gun I would recomend a revolver over a semi auto simply for safety reasons not to mention ease of opperation. I started each one of my kids off with a single shot twenty two rifle. then a single shot 20 guage shot gun, when It came time for pistols it was always a revolver first. You can get a nice tauras or an older s&w to start with. Then if its something you are takiong an intrest in you can move to a semi automatic. Take care. Pat

[Funnymantrip]

I don't know of many people who go out and shoot/practice who only stick with one gun. Now I have relatives who have a glock for Home Defense that has not been shot in years. For them it's fantastic. If you are getting the gun and plan to go shoot, then I am sorry to say what you decide to get first will be just that.. Your first.. you will get around to the rest with time.

My recomendations echo a lot of what is here especially if you are not going to carry. Price range of $300 or so, revolver will be the best choice. Try to get a .357, you can have some big boy HD rounds and still get to shoot nice easy 38s at the range that will be of no recoil problems for anyone. Since you are not going to be carrying, might not waste any time or $ getting a lightweight/airweight/titanium revolver... Get the steel and be happy with it. The weight will help the recoil.

If you are looking for Autos, now I don't think I would trust anything in that price range new. If used, a police trade in if you have them up there might be in the ballpark. You can get the Commie Makarov, ammo is pretty plentiful and they are quite reliablie, but I don't think I have ever heard someone say this is a great first auto.

I love the 1911s, that is all I thought I would ever own. I did pick up a glock 33 recently and it gets carried it's fair share. For a gun that has no soul, its pretty good. You cannot go wrong with any of those Glock/XD/SW MP. I had a Sig, fantastic gun, never a problem at all with it, other than I could not shoot it very well. Everyone else could, not a gun problem, so I sold it and got another 1911 which I can shoot very well.

As for the 40/45 debate, my wife does not mind the recoil in a 45. The 40 she thought was snappier, did not like that as much.. Now the 357sig she LOVES... go figure.

[DSturg369]

I sold my Glock Mod 23 - 2nd Gen, and regretted it for the longest time.

Now I have the below pictured Taurus MILLENNIUM PRO 140 - .40 S&W in blue and love it. IMO, a better pick over the Glock, and I NEVER thought I'd say that about any handgun.

It's all about what you want a handgun for, and what you want to pay for one.

[uncballzer]

Originally Posted by Funnymantrip

As for the 40/45 debate, my wife does not mind the recoil in a 45. The 40 she thought was snappier, did not like that as much.. Now the 357sig she LOVES... go figure.

I've got both the glock 45 and 40. For me, the 40 has more recoil than the 45. From what I understand, the 40 is a higher velocity round, whereas the 45 isn't, it's just a bigger round.

[parris001]

My current every day carry piece is a Sig P239 in .357 Sig. This round had been out for about 10 years now, but for those who don't know, it's a 9mm necked down into a 40S&W cartridge. Look at it like a 9mm on steroids. The necked cartridge makes it feed better in an auto, and the gun is a very smooth shooter. 7 rounds in the magazine plus one in the pipe, not a high capacity piece but enough to get the job done......

[DonnieW]

Originally Posted by Mark C

I've decided to pick up my first handgun before it gets any harder (legally). I want something that'll work for home defense, but won't cost an arm and a leg to shoot regularly. The local gunshop recommended a S&W 9mm for $400, though I didn't get the exact model number. I'd be happier if the price were closer to $300, but I may budge if there really is nothing of value in that range.

I know there are plenty of gun nuts here, what else should I be looking at?

Just curious, why a handgun? Is it dual-purpose so that you can carry it too? I ask because here in gun-f*cked Canada, rifles/shotguns are the obvious choice due to handgun regulations as well as the cost of handguns versus rifles. Our family defense is a shotgun, simple and has great coverage.

[Mark C]

Well I pulled the trigger (pun intended ) on a used Sig today. Found a P6 online for $325 shipped w/ 2 mags. Everything I've read says these are excellent guns, awesome value, very reliable, despite being 20 yrs old. They also seem to sell quickly enough that I ought to be able to recover my cost if I end up unhappy with it.



Now I just gotta wait a few weeks for the transfer to go through, for the state police to check me out, etc.

If anybody else is interested, budsgunshop.com said they have 5 or 6 of 'em in stock. Every other place seems to be backordered.

[elderboy02]

Originally Posted by Mark C

Well I pulled the trigger (pun intended ) on a used Sig today. Found a P6 online for $325 shipped w/ 2 mags. Everything I've read says these are excellent guns, awesome value, very reliable, despite being 20 yrs old. They also seem to sell quickly enough that I ought to be able to recover my cost if I end up unhappy with it.



Now I just gotta wait a few weeks for the transfer to go through, for the state police to check me out, etc.

If anybody else is interested, budsgunshop.com said they have 5 or 6 of 'em in stock. Every other place seems to be backordered.

That is a nice gun. Congrats! Did you get it from AIM Surplus? If so, that is a great company to deal with.

[BigAl_SC]

Originally Posted by anderson0196

Even better for home defense would be a tatical shotgun IMO....You can get a Rem 870 with an 18" barrel and a pistol grip for about $400. Much larger margin of error with this in your hands in the middle of the night.

Go with a mossberg Defender. Load with 16 bird shot. If you've got family in another room, dry wall isn't going to stop a 9mm, 40cal, or a 45. My S&W M&P will get me to the closet to get the Defender........