[csice]

Well, I go back to school in about a week, so I would really like some suggestions before I go back, it is something we can actually do together. My dad is looking to buy a new pistol and I thought I owed it to him to do some good research before he goes and buys the first thing recommended or that looks good.

Well, there are a couple calibers he is looking at, primarily either 9mm or a 40, but if there is a particular 45 that is exceptional, then he would consider it. And lastly, he would like it to be preferably in a stainless, silver finish. Basically, can you guys just give me some recommendations, maybe make a top 3 list for each and give me an idea of which are best and why I should go with one over another as far as each gun or the caliber itself?

By the way, if it was me buying anything, I would either want a 50 desert eagle or a 44 Taurus raging bull. However, I don't plan on having such expendable income any time soon, but anyhow, thanks a lot.

[21H40]

That's like saying your looking for a car .... with 4 or 6 cylinders ... which one should you get?

Are you looking for a carry piece, target/plinking, competition or hunting? Is this an all day carry piece, or something more for home/office.wherever else?
Stainless limits it some, but are you o.k. with polymer frame and stainless slide?
Oh, and what price range? 300-500, 500-700, 1k-3k ... or are you lookin' for the REALLY fancy shooters in the 5-10,000 range?:eek:


I know that there are at least 5 different pistols for each category, even if you exclude milsurps and odd imports. It can be overwhelming at first, but it's really kinda nice to have so many viable options.

[divemedic]

I would recommend shooting several different pistols, whether borrowed or rented, and buy the one that he is most accurate with. Many people go with what is cool, or what is biggest without regard for what you can hit with.

A .50AE does you no good if you cannot hit anything with it. Each person is going to have a particular weapon that he or she is most comfortable shooting. My son prefers a Sig 220 in .45ACP. My favorite shooter is a Sig 229 in .357Sig. The Mrs? She likes her Glock 27.

[Happiness Is A Warm Gun]

Need more details.

1) What is the purpose of the handgun?
Is it only for putting holes in paper at the range? Will it be a range gun and home defense gun? If the gun will be ONLY for target pratice then I would STRONGLY suggest a .22 like Ruger Mark III. These a cheap fun guns. 22 ammo is very cheap (about $6 per 100 vs $20 per 100 for 9mm). It is a good weapon for learning funadamentals, some "quality time", learning proper usage, little bit of competition without breaking the bank.

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAFamily?type=Pistol&subtype=Rimfire%20Autoloading&famlst=55&variation=Bull%20Barrel

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/images/Products/262L.jpg

2) How much experience do you and your father have with firearms?

3)How do you/your father feel about polymer pistols? Is it an automatic no (it is for some people)? You mentioned "stainless steel" as 21H40 says what about polymer frame w/ stainless slide.

Something like:
http://san1.atlanta.gbhinc.com/GB/107513000/107513689/pix249012109.jpg

4) how much are you looking to spend. Exact $$ isn't important more then range. Say <$400, $400-$700, $700-$1000, $1000+, or money doesn't matter.

[csice]

As far as I know he is using it for self defense/shooting for fun. He says he wants one that he can conceal although there is no way he actually will I know it comes down to preference, but I know some guns have superior reputations. For example, for the 9mm, I have been hearing good things about the browning hi power, the Baretta 92fs and the Taurus PT92. I don't remember what all he owns, though I do know he has a .357. I suppose he would consider one that is not all stainless, but I think he really wants one that is at least mostly silver. The price range is around 400-800 I suppose. Somewhere around 500-650 is most likely, but in that general range.

[csice]

His knowledge is high enough to deal with either a 9 or 40. I know he wants to stick to either of those most likely and probably mostly silver.

[ShowMeState1977]

Springfield XD9 or 40 subcompact in bitone.

[Marcus84]

Once he holds a Hi Power I'm sure he'll know the answer.

[bragood]

See below.

[bragood]

How about a Springfield 1911
Loaded stainless? Thats what I would get.

[Majic]

How about going to look at what's available and coming back with a list of those he likes?

[Norinco982lover]

CZ-75 in the stainless finish. Comes in 9mm or .40

[BlindJustice]

Stainless isn't a finish, it's a type of Steel

S&W Revovlers in the 6nn model range are almost
all "Satin" finished i.e. smooth stainless steel.
The 625 5" Bbl. model I have is the bead blasted "matte"
finish Stainless steel. S&W 1911s in stainless steel
also have the "matte" finish.

Being a bit more specific from the O.P. would help.

FYI - CZ 75B variants in Stainless steel aren't produced
in great numbers so they might be hard to find. Do BHPs come
in Stainless Steel models?

R-

[Claude Clay]

Sig p239 in 40 and order a 9mm bbl. da/sa with decocker.
dont know what you want but this is about as close to all-around as you can get.
stainless BHP....perhaps the Renaissance

[csice]

Well, first of all, I said price is around 400-800, but probly in the middle somewhere. And secondly it is for him so it is not his first, so that is not an issue, so I definitely think he wants to stick to either a 9 a 40 or a 45 as ammo is a factor. So far I have done some research, I seem to know more about 9s though. I am kind of looking at the CZ 75 Stainless and the Taurus PT92 although I don't know about availability. I also have a better grasp for some of the better manufacturers such as sig. Again, he also wants the silver, stainless look, don't think the finish really matters, so that should narrow it down quite a bit. I would love more suggestions with the cal and silver limitations, just look at some of your favorite/best guns that happen to be both and help me out some more. Thanks again everyone. Maybe someday I will be coming back asking for recommendations for myself. So far I like the Taurus 1911 although it is expensive and as I said I am a college student with little to protect heh. I will take your suggestion about trying at a gun range, but some general idea/direction would be nice.