I want to buy a pistol but don't know much about them. I've shot different 9mm models, but nothing else. Any suggestions on a good shooting pistol?
OT: Suggestions on buying a pistol.
- Thread starter SyonaraStanz
- Start date
I appreciate the suggestion, but I should have been more specific. I'm looking for something in the area of protection, as well as target shooting.
Much information is needed. How much are you willing to spend? What are you going to use it for? Target, carry, self defense? Most people prefer 9mm b/c of price, low recoil, and capacity. Because of that, during panics, ammo is hard to get though. I own a glock 19, smith and wesson M&P, and HK P30. I've owned others and the only one that I hated was a Springfield XD (sorry xd owners). That gun has too many parts that can break and it is top heavy as hell.
My goal is to get my concealed weapons permit (but I may procrastinate that from happening). I primarily want it for self defense. My friend just got a S&W 9mm with a 17 round clip. I like the larger clip; I also shot it, and it was pretty smooth, I guess, but I have limited experience with pistols. My dad has a Beretta 9mm, that I haven't shot in years, but I remember it having a lot of recoil. I haven't thought about price much because I don't know what to expect, so I was gonna see what suggestions I got here first.
The three most common "plastic" pistols that are bought by the masses are glock, smith m&p, and springfield xd. You can get them for around $550 new. Nothing wrong with buying used if it is in good condition. You can pay more for pistols like sig sauer or hk or a 1911, but honestly, I wouldn't go that route. If you think you might conceal carry it, look at a glock 19. It is considered to be the "perfect" carry pistol because it is smaller than a full size pistol and slightly larger than most compacts. Glocks are ugly and common as hell and the only special thing about them is they are the most reliable gun made. Not important if you are target shooting, but is the most necessary feature if someone is trying to kill you. Some don't like the grip angle, but I like it because that funny grip angle helps you manage the muzzle rise and you can get faster follow up shots.
Everybody wants to go auto. For ultimate, hassle free protection and fun on the practice range get the Ruger GP100 357. You can shoot 38s out of it for less recoil when plinking and leave the 357s for security. For home security get 357 bird shot. It covers a lot of target space and will stop anything in it's tracks. Also, it is a beautiful firearm and with a set of pachmayr grips will fit your hand perfectly.
The Springfield XDM 3.8 40 cal is a nice gun for conceal carry. Comes with an extended clip and some other goodies. I've been searching for one, but they are scarce online and in stores. Folks that do have them are gouging.
http://www.tactical-life.com/online/guns-and-weapons/springfield-armory-xdm-40/
I had an xd 40 and it was an awful gun. The 40 round is not quite as rounded as a 9mm and it would not feed worth **** in the xd. Read the above for other undesirable features.
I sencond this!!! I also have the Glock 26 and SW Bodyguard 380. Each for their own reasons but the GP100 is an awesome gun. Not crazy abolut the "safe action" of the Glock myself. I personaly want an actual safety. But thats just me.
If you can find a Model 27 S&W in .357 mag get it,It is the best handgun ever made, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It will never jam and will take all of the abuse you can give it,tougher than a 2 dollar steak.
Get a S&W M&P or a comparable Glock .40...
I have a Springfield Armory XD-9 9mm and wished I had gotten a .40 instead. The XD-9 gets the job done, but I prefer more knockdown of a .40. A 9mm behaves more like a rifle since it is a smaller bullet (more distance, more pass-through, less knockdown), and remember you are responsible of the gun and every bullet that comes out of it.
The Smith & Wesson M&P or Glock .40 will be my next purchase and my primary carry weapon.
Don't fool around with these little .25, .32, and .380 autos. They are practically unsafe to use and the bullets can barely be counted on to pierce skin.
I have a Springfield Armory XD-9 9mm and wished I had gotten a .40 instead. The XD-9 gets the job done, but I prefer more knockdown of a .40. A 9mm behaves more like a rifle since it is a smaller bullet (more distance, more pass-through, less knockdown), and remember you are responsible of the gun and every bullet that comes out of it.
The Smith & Wesson M&P or Glock .40 will be my next purchase and my primary carry weapon.
Don't fool around with these little .25, .32, and .380 autos. They are practically unsafe to use and the bullets can barely be counted on to pierce skin.
Last edited:
Didn't like the pmr one bit. $300 gun people are selling for around a grand. Plus there's about a 6 month waiting period.
If you're wanting to conceal you're not going to enjoy carrying something with a high capacity mag. I carry a m&p shield in 9mm. 8 rounds and it is great. Sig 938 is another really good carry weapon but it is single action.
I bought a Walther PPQ .40 a month ago. It is the best gun I have ever owned. They are very rare because they sell out as soon as a store gets them. Paid $599 at an online store out of Utah for it because it can't be found anywhere in Mississippi. They have to ship it to a store here ( I used Hasselhoff's) for them to do the paperwork. Then they turned it over to me for a nominal fee of $35.
Last edited:
When I started looking, Bud's had them for about $590. I decided to purchase a few days later and it was out of stock.
Recently picked up three pistols.
Walther P99
Glock 23
Beretta Nano
The Nano is as fine a pocket gun as I've ever fired.
Walther P99
Glock 23
Beretta Nano
The Nano is as fine a pocket gun as I've ever fired.
You can't shoot 38's out of a .357 only 38 specials if you shoot a 38 out of a 357 you are asking for trouble
If a person who isn't a "gun-person" (nothing wrong with that) is seeking a home defense/ firing range firearm, get a .38 special or .357 magnum revolver. Sumbitch is foolproof to use, will work every time you pull the trigger, and I GUARANTEE it will make a bad guy stop doing whatever they are doing.
With a semi-auto pistol, in a crisis situation a lot of novices will mis-handle the firearm (ie, release the magazine or something), and they do jam/mis-fire/mis-feed - ESPECIALLY if they aren't properly cleaned and cared for.
All this and a dollar will get you a McDouble.
With a semi-auto pistol, in a crisis situation a lot of novices will mis-handle the firearm (ie, release the magazine or something), and they do jam/mis-fire/mis-feed - ESPECIALLY if they aren't properly cleaned and cared for.
All this and a dollar will get you a McDouble.
I'd prefer to have an M1A1, but my condo association won't allow me to park a tank on the premises. Not that I could afford to buy it, fuel and maintenance, anyway.
Sig Sauer for a 9mm. Colt 1911 for a .45
For self protection and home defense, nothing beats a tactical shotgun and double ought buck.
Last edited: