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OT: Handguns

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AlanDawg

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Sep 17, 2012
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I have never owned a handgun before but I have shot several different one from friends. I can't remember all the types I have shot so figured I would as for some advice.

Looking for just a solid reliable handgun. It doesn't have to be able to kill an elephant in one shot. Just want something to be able to shoot when I need it to shoot.
Hoping there is a pretty common handgun that falls into my price range. I don't want to have to spend a fortune on this gun. Anywhere from low to medium in the price range 500~600 dollars at the most.

What would y'all suggest?

What about ammo? Is it readily avaliable and is it cheap?
 
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SkullCandy.sixpack

Redshirt
Nov 19, 2012
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Sorry, A-Dog --no such thing as cheap and readily available ammo in any caliber, at least for now. Is this something you will carry, or keep in a drawer? Glocks are reliable and are (just barely) in your price range. However, they have no real functional safety, and even policemen have had accidents when carrying them with a round chambered (and Plaxico Burress). Not really a good starter pistol. Revolvers are very reliable, but are limited in ammo capacity, and also lack a true safety. Semi autos vary from no safety to 2-3, and have price ranges all over the place. Consider going to a range and renting a weapon to see which one "feels" best. If only allowed to have one handgun, which would be used for defensive purposes, and if your not a crack shot (i.e., headshots are cake) I wouldn't get anything less than a 40 cal (or .357 in a revolver).
 
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RobbieRandolph

Redshirt
Apr 17, 2008
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If you're not carrying it, Glock it up.

Unbelievably reliable and the new Gen 4's run 599.

Also, for target ammo, check out www.gunbot.net I get .40SW target rounds for about $0.36/per
 
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starkvegasdawg

Redshirt
Dec 1, 2011
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I have a beretta 40 cal and love it. It has a total capacity of 11 rounds and I have never had it jam. Recoil is not bad at all. Had a cop relate a story that the guys on his force all started going to 40's because the 9mm did not have the knockdown they wanted when facing someone jacked up on illegal substances. The 45 had the knockdown but they didn't like the recoil and low magazine capacity. The 40 had the knockdown they wanted with the recoil and capacity of the 9.
 
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jacksonreb

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
458
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one suggestion i would offer, even iif you are not planning to carry it, weight is a consideration. i have a smithfield armory .45 that i love but its heavy for my wife and on my hip. a 380 or IMO better yet a .40 is a bit lighter but here's the kicker...consider a size that carries about an 8 shot mag. my 14 capacity 45 mag weighs a ton and frankly by about 4-5 shots its all going to be over anyway. somebody's hit or somebody's run away. those long drawn out multi mag gun battles on tv are just that. so IMO you've got a lot of options at the price you want that are fine but don't buy the biggest badest. consider the "handling"
 
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jacksonreb

Redshirt
Aug 22, 2012
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i agree about the 9mm. does not do the job

and a .40 with a hollowpoint will knock most anybody down
 
Uncle Ruckus

Uncle Ruckus

All-American
Apr 1, 2011
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Springfields. They don't have the traditional 'safety' that you are looking for but most semi autos don't. Their safety is a vertical 'strap' on the back grip of the pistol that will not fire unless your hand is around it and pressing it in. It's a great safety mechanism and some excellent handguns.
 
MittRomney

MittRomney

Redshirt
Nov 6, 2012
229
9
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Get a .357 mag revolver.

AlanDawg said:
I have never owned a handgun before but I have shot several different one from friends. I can't remember all the types I have shot so figured I would as for some advice.

Looking for just a solid reliable handgun. It doesn't have to be able to kill an elephant in one shot. Just want something to be able to shoot when I need it to shoot.
Hoping there is a pretty common handgun that falls into my price range. I don't want to have to spend a fortune on this gun. Anywhere from low to medium in the price range 500~600 dollars at the most.

What would y'all suggest?

What about ammo? Is it readily avaliable and is it cheap?
Click to expand...

Will shoot every time. Not many moving parts to hang up. Basic design has been around forever (150 yrs+?). You can shoot .38 through it if you want less kick, or if there ever is an occasion to shoot an elephant, or blow a meth head in half, well, you'll be ready.

I have a semi auto Walther 9mm, and I like it. My dad told me i was crazy to buy it. He doesn't like the semi autos because of the perceived lack of reliability relative to revolvers. His stance is when he pulls the trigger on his S&W 357 its going to shoot, every time.

My grandad had a .38 S&W that sat in a drawer for probably 25-30 years without being shot or cleaned. Was covered with dust/spider webs/light rust. Took it out loaded it and shot several rounds through it no problem.

Biggest draw back is the capacity. Only 5-6 rounds on larger caliber revolvers.
 
maroonmadman

maroonmadman

Senior
Nov 7, 2010
2,530
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SIG-Sauer P250. I bought one 3 yrs. ago for $399, complete with hard plastic padded case, and gun lock. It is a modular pistol that allows you to change calibers while using the same frame. I have the .45 cal. version. 10 rounds. It also comes in 9mm and .40 cal. versions. I got mine at a gun show from Mississippi Auto Arms in Oxford. They're ole miss folks but know their guns and easy to deal with. I checked their web site and they are out of stock of this model at this time but it's still listed at under $400.

Unless you're a gun collector or such pick one caliber and stick with it. Makes buying ammo easier and if you have to grab a box in a hurry you'll grab the right stuff.
 
ShrubDog

ShrubDog

Redshirt
Apr 13, 2008
5,307
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38
S&W M&P 40 is a great gun. Also a Sig Sauer SP2022 40 is a good gun and in your price range. The Secret Service carries Sigs P229 .357 cause they are reliable.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
8,735
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If I could have only one gun, the Governor or the Taurus judge would be my choice. They shoot 45LC or 410 shotgun shells. There is a wide array of personal defense loads as well as regular shot shells for snakes, rats and such. If the 45LC was good enough for John Wayne, its good enough for me. Everybody mentions the 40 cal and it is a good caliber but it is the most expensive to shoot of the big 3, 9mm, 40, and 45acp. With your budget, I would consider a 22 auto and a similarly equipped 9,40,45. The 22 for practice and the centerfire for carry/protection.
 
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stinkfoot

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2012
327
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Glock 17. The Beretta is a single action/double action trigger w/ safety....

and that sucks for trigger pull and quick use. I would go w/ the Glock 17 since 9mm is very cheap. I find it funny that cops and so many people think the 9mm isn't stout enough. Apparently coked up zombies are attacking people w/ machetes. I guess virtually every single army in the world is full of crap since they think the 9mm is just fine. Glocks are easy to clean and the work all the time. Smith and Wesson used model 66 (stainless) or 19 (blued) could be an option for you too if you like revolvers. Just don't shoot hot .357 mag loads (just regular .357 mag). Should be able to get a nice one for around $450. My favorite Smith is the 686 (stainless) or 586 (blued) but those will run you $550 used (don't buy new Smith's w/ the internal lock).
 
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Son_of_34

Junior
Sep 30, 2012
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Slight high jack but is there a shooting range in the tupelo, Starkville, Columbus area that isn't private?
 
SwampDawg

SwampDawg

Sophomore
Feb 24, 2008
2,193
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If your wife might ever have occasion to use it, .38 special in a revolver would be about the configuration you would want (unless she is an experienced handgun shooter.) If you are the only one in your family that would be using it I would try a .45 Springfield and see if you can handle it comfortably. If not, drop to a .40 and then to a 9 mil. Stick to a revolver if your wife will be shooting or willing to spend lots of time getting used to a semiauto. Otherwise the capacity of a semi would be the way for you to go.
 
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stinkfoot

Redshirt
Aug 23, 2012
327
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The time to flick off the safety is not consequential but remembering...

MStateFan22 said:
I would disagree. You're talking about a fraction of a second with flicking off safety and one long trigger pull.
Click to expand...

to do so rather than uneventfully squeezing the trigger in a high pressure situation is what is important.
 
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rdnkkicker

Redshirt
Mar 3, 2008
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You need to follow the other poster's advice and go to a range that'll allow you to try several out or just see what your friends have and if they'll let you shoot. Whatever feels the best is what you need to get. Reliability is pretty equivelant across the board in a given price range as far as semi-autos are concerned. Do not just go and buy a Glock they are a love em or hate em weapon.
 
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SkullCandy.sixpack

Redshirt
Nov 19, 2012
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Though it is true that the military uses 9mm, that is never your primary weapon, so the lower caliber is not as relevant. SEALs were using the HK 45, though some now favor the Sig 226 in 9mm. Again--never as a primary weapon. SEALs use the 9mm because it can be readily silenced, and they would only use it at very close range for a headshot. The FBI completely dumped the 9mm in favor of the 10mm which is basically a .40 cal. There is a .357 auto, but it is NOT the same as the revolver .357 magnum, and is actually a .40 auto necked down to .357. If you buy a .40, the barrels can usually swapped out for a .357, though you should check for each weapon. Not to knock Glocks--I have them, but if you plan to carry them locked and loaded --never, ever tuck it into your waist band or carry it in a pocket or you are begging for a negligent discharge. It MUST be carried in a full on holster that covers the trigger guard. Of course, you can carry it without chambering a round, too.

I occasionally carry a 9mm concealed, because they can be as small as a compact .380 but have far more knockdown that the .380-- especially with Glazer rounds. For a "one and only gun"--sorry, but I would not get the 9mm. The FBI dumped the 9mm after the famous Miami shootout in which the FBI got in a shootout with 2 assailants. The FBI fired dozens of rounds at the bad guys and hit them several times--good center mass shots, but the two bad guys wouldn't go down until each was shoot numerous times. All but 1 FBI agent was killed or wounded... and they outnumbered the crooks 4-1... And FBI agents can shoot. They dumped the 9 after that, and never looked back. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FBI_Miami_shootout
 
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Oxford Andrew

All-Conference
Aug 22, 2012
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Springfield XD's also have a trigger safety similar to the Glock. I have an XD .45 that both my wife and I enjoy shooting. Great gun, just felt better to us than the Glock for some reason.
 
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fader2103

Redshirt
Aug 25, 2012
152
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I carry the glock 23. On and off duty. Flocks are very reliable. Sigs are good but a lot of accidents with them due to the de-cock feature. Ever since I was raised, I've learned 3 safeties for guns. 1. Don't point a gun at anything you don't plan to shoot. 2. Don't put your finger on the trigger until your ready to shoot. 3. Most important. Don't miss. You always have to know what's behind your target. But in all honesty. The type of gun is what feels comfortable you. Myself I'm a glock man and won't own another type semi auto handgun. I also have one smith and Wesson .38 that I like. The rest are rifles and shotguns.
 
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Master Blaster

Redshirt
Mar 16, 2013
38
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If you don't have any experience with a handgun you probably don't need a 45.

In all honesty, you probably don't need a 40, either. I would recommend a 9mm. If you're like me and left-handed, I would go with a Smith and Wesson M&P. It's an ambidextrous handgun, meaning that the safety can be deactivated on both sides of the pistol (It's a tactical safety, you use your thumb). It also has a switchable magazine release, which means it can be moved to either side of the weapon. Plus, the M&P 9 can hold 18 rounds.

That's just my $.02.
 
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mgbdawg

Redshirt
Sep 13, 2012
33
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0
Ruger GP-100

Shoots 357 magnum but also shoots 38 special. Firing the 38 Special is almost no kick and no problem for females. Firing the 357 magnum is a big step up in power. Very reliable, which is the case with revolvers over pistols. Check out the stainless with 4 inch barrel. I recently paid less than $600. Another Ruger with high reviews is the smaller 357 magnum SP-101.
 
Dawgbite

Dawgbite

All-American
Nov 1, 2011
8,735
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RobbieRandolph said:
If you're gonna get a revolver for the house get a Governor.
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RobbieRandolph said:
Fun gun to shoot, too.
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This may go on my wish list. I've got a good wife, she just goes in the gun store and asks what does he have on lay away that I can pay out for birthday/ Christmas! Just purchased a Sig 938 and love it. It is my current summer carry gun. Never buy a Diamondback, trust me!
 
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RougeDawg

Redshirt
Jul 12, 2010
1,474
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Have a Glock 30 (.45 Cal) and it fits in my pocket easily...

RobbieRandolph said:
Unbelievably reliable and the new Gen 4's run 599.

Also, for target ammo, check out www.gunbot.net I get .40SW target rounds for about $0.36/per
Click to expand...

Living in New Orleans, I wanted a big punch with ease of concealment. Have a permit and looked at numerous brands, models and decided on this one. Yes its a little larger than some of the other SubCompacts, but there wasnt enough of a difference to change my mind. A 10 round clip of hollow points should be all I need on me or if intruder comes in, until I can make my way to AR and AK in the next room.
 
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SkullCandy.sixpack

Redshirt
Nov 19, 2012
1,157
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Sig 938 is kick ***! 9mm size of a .380. Looks like a 1911 frame from the set of "Honey, I Shrunk the Guns." My friends college kid who had never shot before was consistently putting them in a plate at 25 feet with 15 minutes practice. I got the extended clip because it gives you and extra round and a place to put your pinky on the grip.
 
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