The Remington 870 of handguns?

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Dehughes, if you are a musician as I am, you will know that you can go to a music store and handle an entire rack of guitars of the same exact model and only one will speak to you. It will simply say, "I'm the one." If you buy it you will play it better than any other guitar you have. You will communicate with it in a way that you can't with any other guitar.

It is, IMO, very similar with a handgun. Find a gun that feels so good in your hand that you can't put it down. If you do put it down, you simply can't resist picking it back up and fondling it. It is talking to you. If you buy this gun you will shoot it better than any other gun. Even a Tele has it's faults and limitations. But if it talks to you, you can overlook these faults and make sweet music with it. You can look at pickups like calibers. You like single coils or humbuckers? Find a caliber you like and then find the gun that shoots it. A handgun is such a personal choice these days. Make no mistake, they are all capable of being fine weapons. 1911's, BHPs, Glocks, revolvers, XD's and on and on and on. Find the one that speaks to you.

IMO, there is no Telecaster of handguns.
 
I'm partial to the CZ 75B, which arguably has as deep a history as any modern pistol aside from the 1911, it just gathered most of it on the wrong side of the iron curtain. Glock is a good pick if it fits you, shoot it and tell us how you feel. Are you not partial to Caliber? I think that is the first decision. If you like 9mm get a CZ, BHP or Beretta 92, all of them have extremely positive reviews and the aforementioned history. If you like .40 all of those guns come that way. If you are a fan of .45, I honestly think the only choice is 1911, or maybe a Sig P220. Of course you can get a Tupperware gun in any of those calibers. (Glock, XD, M&P).

That is just my two cents, and there are TONS of great guns I didn't mention, but based on person personal experience and research that is what I've found. All of those guns can be found new or used in the sub $600 range if you look around. I hear that if you want a no frills 1911 new for under $600 The Springfield entry-level models aren't bad choices (I believe they are called the GI and the Mil-Spec).

Just Shoot the guns you can and figure it out from what you prefer.
 
Great advice...thanks so much. I totally get what you mean, nitetrain98. For me, the Telecaster is the guitar that just "did it" for me. I own a Tele (which I "re-built") and an SG, and that's all I need for electrics. I'm looking to get the same deal with firearms.....don't need an arsenal.

I'm open to semi-auto and revolvers....even though semi-auto breaks with the 870 analogy, it keeps with the others mentioned (FAL, Ruger 10/22, etc...), and the main point is the same.

It seems I need to spend some time at a range testing out different ones, as well as more time in stores handling the various models...
 
almost purchased a CZ 452 rifle this week as I don't have a .22 yet, but thought a pistol might be the smarter choice to get first.
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Then get both. Either a Ruger Single Six, or a Ruger standard auto (MK whatever). You'll have so much fun shooting either you'll wonder how you got along without them all this time.

Either one will last you forever.
 
dehughes said:
The 1911 seems cool, but maybe too much $$$ for the fancy models. Is there a "basic", non-pretty yet equally as functional and well built 1911? I don't need pretty so much as I need "never regretted buying it".
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Again,
RIA.
They're built pretty closely to the original design and work.
They also have jazzed-up versions for a little more dough, but they aren't going to break the bank. They also aren't going to be fitted to the level of a Nighthawk or Brown.
http://www.advancedtactical.com/
 
I would compare the Dan Wesson revolver to the Remington 870-you can change the barrels to fit your purposes-2.5 or 4" for CCW, 6"-8" for target shooting. The Remington, a slug or short barrel for home defense, longer barrels for trap, skeet or hunting.
I am a Steel and Walnut man myself, also a dedicated bargain hunter, hence I always look at the used guns first.
You did not mention how much training or experience you have or how much you will be shooting. In new guns I recommend a CZ-75 WITH their Kadet unit, that way you can practice with 22LRs, when you transition to centerfire
the controls and feel of the handgun are all familiar. An M1911 with a conversion unit is another option.
 
Another vote for a classic.

S&W K-Frame Model 10.

I have one that's 35 years old (or so). No bluing left, but very clean, mechanically better than new, and a trigger softer than room temp butter.

I love my 1911 and my Sigs, but accuracy wise this one wins hands down.
 
Nice. Thanks. This will be "the pistol" of the house, so it will cover any and all situations. I figure this would be easier for my wife to use in my absence than my Remington 870, and more portable as well. So, I'm looking for, well, "the pistol", whatever form that may take. :) I don't intend to look into getting a carry permit, so this gun won't be on my person.

As for me, I'm relatively new to guns, but really do enjoy shooting and learning and getting skilled with them. I plan on going to ranges or out into the country and taking time to get used to all the firearms I own, so the make/model/type/etc. is irrelevant so long as it meets my criteria and I've then taken the time to get comfortable with it. We have a few good ranges in town that aren't too expensive, and my friend and I enjoy heading out of town and going up into the forest for target practice, so I'll have lots of opportunities to get acclimated to whatever pistol I end up with.

On a side note, I really did enjoy shooting my friend's .45 Ruger. Super easy for me to shoot and be relatively accurate with (after 15 rounds or so...). I liked that better than his .380, and better than my cousin's Glock 17.
 
A do-all handgun huh? I have a safe full and I still "need" more! If I could only keep one it would be a 1911, a Colt 45 to be more specific. If you liked that Ruger wait till you try the Colt.

A new American made Colt 80 series can still be found for under $750 otd. I know because I bought another this week on gunbroker. Nothin fancy, but as time goes by you can add whatever you want to it to make it yours, or just leave it stock which is great too. Sure the new polymer guns are great, cheap, easy to clean, and hold more rounds - I have many of those too, but they lack character. And when someone asks you what kind of handgun you have you can smile and say, A COLT 45 SIR!!

Now if you just want a run of the pack gun that works and requires little to no maintenace get an XD, or spend a bit more and get a CZ, or a bit more than that and get a Sig or H&K(which are my preference for black guns). I would stick with a 9mm, .40, or .45 for your use though.
 
I'd have to say the 1911, Hi-Power and S&W Model 19/66 K-frame are neck and neck for me. So I bought them all. As you probably have with your favorite guitars!
 
If you are inclined toward a 9mm, I would suggest a Glock 17 over the Springfield XD. Now, if .45 is more to your liking, the XD, hands down. Glocks in .45 ACP are nice, but the Springfield fits better.
 
If you're expecting the wife to use it and if she's not all that much of a regular shooter then the handling of a revolver is far less difficult to remember. Just grab and then pull and it'll go BANG. But a semi forces the operator to know a little more about it and what to do depending on what condition it is kept in during guard duty. For example in the heat of a situation would she (or you for that matter) remember to thumb the safety down as part of the gripping of the gun? If it's kept without a round in the chamber will she be practised enough to remember to rack the slide? Some match type 1911's come with a rather sensitive touch trigger. Will she get enough range and handling time to make it ingrained that the finger does not pass into the guard until a target is seen and confirmed?

A lot of this all applies to the revolver as well of course. But there's less to remember with a revolver and when shooting it in double action there's a few more milliseconds for her or you to change your mind if either of you suddenly realizes that the shadow is a lost neighbour instead of a home invader.

Either option obviously makes a great defense gun but I feel that any of the semis requires a little more of the operator in terms of use and regular practice not only for the shooting but also for the handling before the shooting of it. When under the effect of adrenaline in a real situation a lot of the finer motor skills and judgement goes down teh flusher if the use of these tools is not fully and frequently ingrained to where it's automatic.
 
A "do it all" handgun that will serve as your main HD handgun. You have many options in both revolvers and semi autos that are quality made within your mid $500.00 range.

Autos
GLOCK variants
XD variants
Beretta 92
Springfield GI 1911
Ruger P series pistols
CZ 75B

Revolvers
Ruger GP 100 (a 4" bbl .357 is THE ultimate utility gun IMHO)
Ruger Sp101
SW 620 or 686 ( NIB is a good deal higher than your stated price range, look for used)
SW 66 or 10 are good, but are no longer in production. (parts should be easy to locate though)

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.
 
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i've had my springfield xd 45 never fail me. it eats anything, lifetime warranty, easy to breakdown. for under $600 you can't beat it.
 
Very cool. Great info. Thanks all.

I do get the desire to buy more than one type/make/model of handgun, but for now, $$$ dictates I make one wise purchase as opposed to two or three. :)

I also get the semi-auto vs. revolver deal...makes sense. I suppose I'm gravitating more towards a semi-auto pistol for subconscious reasons mostly, but I should give a good S&W revolver or two a chance before I make the final decision.

Same with CZ... I've compared the Springfield to the Glock in terms of comfort in the hand, and the XD won hands-down. As for 1911 and CZ vs. XD...I've yet to do that, and will ASAP. I intend to hit up the Clackamas range in the coming days (just had a baby a few hours ago...so I'm not in a place to do it just yet....) and see what they have to compare. I really like the Glock philosophy of design, and want to prefer it over the XD, but it just doesn't feel as good in my hands as the XD.

As for caliber...I dunno. I REALLY liked how that .45 ACP felt, and I shot really well with it at about 10 yards or so (at least, I THINK I shot well with it...), and the recoil and feel of that round was just fine with me. Very comfortable. I'll have to give other calibers a good run in the same type (Glock, XD, etc...) at the range before I settle on one in particular, though...
 
Well... heck and a half, congrats on the new baby! ! ! ! Boy or girl?

Your idea of getting out and trying a few is by far the best idea you've had in the whole thread other than wanting the guns that are the backbone of handgunning. And do remember to talk over the home defense situation with the wife and base your first gun on her attitude towards the whole scene. If she's keen on shooting then she'll be keen on learning whatever she needs to know. If she's OK but not highly motivated then do consider what I wrote above about keeping it simple for her sake just in case she needs to use it when you're not there.

My first handgun was a CZ 9mm. I'm supremely happy with it and based the purchase on my findings from having shot a couple of Glocks, S&W M&P9, Beretta 92FS, Baby Eagle, Steyr, STI Trojan in 9mm and a couple of Sigs. I was pretty much ready to buy a Baby Eagle but then I got to try a buddy's CZ Shadow. That one totally grabbed my heart big time. For me it was the best of the lot by a clear margin. But obviously this is a highly personal issue for fit and function as the legions of folks that own the other guns I mentioned points out. So the idea of trying a bunch is the way to go.

Oddly enough I thought revolvers were ungainly looking things that would be grossly front heavy... Then I shot a box through a S&W Model 19 and had a firearms epiphany. I've now got 3 S&W wheelguns and love them. I can actually shoot any of these three more tightly than I can shoot my Shadow, my 1911 or any other of my center fire semi auto handguns. Only my semi .22's match my prowess with my revolvers thanks to the all but non existent recoil. So by all means do not be pejudiced one way or the other until you try a few of each. You may just find your own firearms epiphany.... :D
 
My ideas...

There are several handguns that I might consider the 870 of handguns.

1. Ruger GP100. Crazy durable, crazy reliable, will shoot anything within SAAMI pressure specs and beg for more. It has a modular design, it is the very definition of overbuilt. If you can overlook the sometimes rough finish, these guns are absolutely incredible.

2. Ruger SP101. Same as above, but in a compact format. Every bit as good as the GP100.

3. Glock 17

4. Glock 19

I don't even own any glocks, but when I read your thread, I thought Glock all the way for the autoloader equivalent of the 870.
 
Quote:
If you are inclined toward a 9mm, I would suggest a Glock 17 over the Springfield XD

Why's that?
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Personal preference. Glocks are idiot proof. The XD is a superb weapon but, given the choice, I'd rather have the Glock in 9mm (I like its simplicity, no grip safety.) I prefer the XD in .45 because of the narrower grip compared to the Glock in .45 (granted, it is a very minor difference.) The grip angle on both work very well for me...in all reality, you won't go wrong with either.
 
Congratulations on the new baby! (Now to serious matters.) :rolleyes:

As much as I like 45ACP, the most comfortable and accurate semi-auto, centerfire, I've handled is the CZ 75B. I got it for my wife with her small hands but it works for me as well. Several thousand rounds later, I'm still waiting for the first jam.

For a revolver, any S&W K frame will do the job but I keep a beat up 1970s vintage Model 10, 4" bull barrel by the bed side. Plenty of history behind it and, unless you need to deal with body armor, a 38 special will do the job for a house gun. Less history but very sweet is a 4" Ruger GP100 loaded with 38 specials. Very versatile and if it's not indestructible it will do until the real thing comes along.

Again, congratulations to you and your wife.

Jeff
 
Basically, I'm looking for this in a pistol: Something that is a classic, proven design, crazy reliable, still in current production, easily repaired/maintained and has parts easily sourced for it, in a common caliber, and is easy/comfortable to shoot.
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Even though you say you're more of a semiauto guy, what you've described is the classic Smith & Wesson Model 10/Model 64 k-frame revolver. They're very good handling and amazingly easy to shoot accurately. For more than half a century they were THE duty sidearm of nearly every law enforcement agency in the country, with good reason. Give one a try before you dismiss the revolver option. Excellent used examples are available for $350, and sometimes less. For many people, these classic revolvers are "just right" in so many ways.

If you're set on a semiauto, the 1911 is at the top of the heap in classics. No design approaches it in terms of proven long-term performance. It's like holding a handful of history going back to Alvin York in the WWI trenches. Colt, Springlfield, and S&W all make good ones, although they're well beyond $500.
 
Right on. Thanks. Great info as always.

So, S&W Model 10 and 64 K Frame, and Ruger GP-100 revolvers are on the check list, then, and I'll have to give Glocks a good run at the range to really be sure if they're in or out. I think NW Armory has a good stock of both types I could check out (in the store...not on the range) for how they fit in my hands.

Oh, and it's a girl. She'd doing quite well for her first day out in the world.
 
XDs are great till the grip safety gets caught halfway and locks the gin up tight.

I say what you are looking for is a Glock or 1911.
 
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