Having trouble deciding: revolver or semi auto

Jason_W said:

I stopped by a shop today to check out what they had. I’m leaning toward the new model GP-100. I had an older model about 10 years ago and while the old style grips looked nicer, the new rubber grips fill my hand a lot better. I know Ruger is also making an 8 shot Redhawk that loads via moon clips, but that’s getting a little expensive and it looks like it might be a real pig in a 4” or 5.5” barrel.

The 1911 idea has me intrigued. I’m thinking I should pick up a few of those before I commit.

I know the polymer nines have come a long way in terms of reliability since their introtroduction, but I just have a hard time getting excited about plastic. There’s something reassuring about the weight of steel.

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Well, it isn’t as heavy as an all steel 1911, but the Ruger SR1911 9mm Commander size has an aluminum frame with steel slide and barrel. That is one sweet pistol.

Jason_W said:

I stopped by a shop today to check out what they had. I’m leaning toward the new model GP-100. I had an older model about 10 years ago and while the old style grips looked nicer, the new rubber grips fill my hand a lot better. I know Ruger is also making an 8 shot Redhawk that loads via moon clips, but that’s getting a little expensive and it looks like it might be a real pig in a 4” or 5.5” barrel.

The 1911 idea has me intrigued. I’m thinking I should pick up a few of those before I commit.

I know the polymer nines have come a long way in terms of reliability since their introtroduction, but I just have a hard time getting excited about plastic. There’s something reassuring about the weight of steel.

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A GP100 would be a great choice. It's available in 10mm auto also so if you want to sling a bullet up to 230 grains and don't mind moon clips it might be an option.

Since you load also, I should mention 10mm auto is an easy cartridge to load.

And, if you need a lower capacity autoloader in the future, Sig makes the P220 in a 10mm. You'd have ammo compatibility between the two.

Jason_W said:

Yeah, it’s not on the California OK list.

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No Ruger semi-autos are. What is that about?

It seems to me that the intended purpose of the handgun is a bit vague...build fundamentals? Fundamentals of just exactly what? Also there is no indication of budget limits.

But I think the answer is right here in the OPs OP...

Jason_W said:

I like the price of semi autos and while the 9mm isn’t really an exciting round, it is adequate for defense and a cheap way to build fundamentals. If I’m honest, I have an easier time hitting targets with an auto as opposed to a wheel gun. Not sure why that is.

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FL-NC said:

Springfield Armory operator with rail, and attached light. A real joy to shoot, and ready for action 24/7 with both white light and trijicon sights.

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That gun light thingy is cool!

Do you live in an area with venomous snakes? Assuming the S&W Governor is on the
California nanny approved handgun list...

The OP say's 9mm is not adequate for self defense? Sorry, cannot buy that. I have plenty of semi's but have to say that I really have come to enjoy the LCR9mm. I have not desire to shoot 357 out of a small Handgun. The OP is asking what to do, but every thing he say's sounds like he wants a 40.cal Pistol. Well, there are plenty of them out there. Get one. He also needs to get out of California and back into the US.

Jason_W said:

To clarify, the intended purpose is primarily target practice, but I also want something adequate for personal defense in the unlikely event that should become necessary.

By build fundamentals, I mean I want to learn how to hit what I’m shooting at with a handgun. I’ve always been naturally adequate with a long gun, but honestly, I’m a complete turd of a handgun shot. I think it would be a fun project to change that.

My budget is roughly $800 including all fees and taxes.

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My suggestion would be a rimfire pistol such as a Ruger MK4 target or S&W Victory. Then, while you are mastering the fundamentals, save up for another handgun, a centerfire pistol. Revolvers are fun but they are a long term project.

My FiL got a brand-new GP100 a couple of years ago. It's a very nice revolver. I've heard complaints about the trigger, but his is smooth and not at all heavy. Like me, he shoots his revolvers better (probably because we're 53 and 70). Unlike me, he far prefers to shoot his semiautomatic pistols anyway. He says he likes the challenge.

When I go to the range, I normally bring three revolvers and three semiautomatic pistols. On average I shoot the revolvers better, but variety is the spice of life.

If my only handgun were a centerfire semiautomatic pistol limited to ten rounds, and it wasn't for carry, it would certainly be a metal one. The CZ75 and its variations are my favorites. I like the 1911's quite a bit, too. And my Sig P-series is definitely growing on me. 9mm and 40 and 45acp are all effective and fun to shoot. 9mm is cheaper, but if you reload it doesn't really matter. If I were limited to ten-round magazines, 9mm wouldn't have a capacity advantage.

Dibbs said:

Do you live in an area with venomous snakes? Assuming the S&W Governor is on the
California nanny approved handgun list...

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All of the venomous snakes in California live in three regions: Sacramento, San Francisco and LA...

Jason_W said:

It probably has to do with the micro stamping requirement. No manufacturer (understandably) wants to pony up to retool their machines to meet the asinine requirements of a single state.

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But I thought there was grandfathering. No?

Jason_W said:

I stopped by a shop today to check out what they had. I’m leaning toward the new model GP-100. I had an older model about 10 years ago and while the old style grips looked nicer, the new rubber grips fill my hand a lot better. I know Ruger is also making an 8 shot Redhawk that loads via moon clips, but that’s getting a little expensive and it looks like it might be a real pig in a 4” or 5.5” barrel.

The 1911 idea has me intrigued. I’m thinking I should pick up a few of those before I commit.

I know the polymer nines have come a long way in terms of reliability since their introtroduction, but I just have a hard time getting excited about plastic. There’s something reassuring about the weight of steel.

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If you go with a GP100 you can find lightly used ones for $400-500. There are a variety of grips you can get cheap for the GPs if you don't like the older "Letts" wood insert type. If you're looking for a gun to double as a carry gun, I'd rule out the GP100. My GP100s are great range/home defense/woods guns but when it comes to carry the semi is my tool. Sounds like you need to take your time and handle some more guns and decide what gun suits your needs.

Tallball said:

If I were limited to ten-round magazines, 9mm wouldn't have a capacity advantage.

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Ten is still more than eight. Not so much, but some. You could use an extended magazine for .45 ACP also, but the 9 mm would still offer you at least one more round.

Jason_W said:

Actually, I said the 9mm is adequate for self defense, but it’s not interesting. Kind of like ordering pot roast at a restaurant. The price to practice is what’s appealing there.

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What are you suggesting, that your cartridge needs to be esoteric to be worthy? Maybe 10 mm or even 357 Sig? I have never thought of someone buying a first gun and desiring an oddball cartridge. Basics is basics.

rpenmanparker said:

I have never thought of someone buying a first gun and desiring an oddball cartridge.

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Well it's not really his first gun, and since he reloads, 10mm or 357 sig would be excellent choices IMO. But he isn't going that way, so whatever.

Once I started loading it really opened the door to cartridges I thought were too expensive or hard to find. Anyone who loads their own would be wise to consider more than mainstream cartridges.

We all should go back and re-read the posts from Jason (the guy asking for help) carefully before posting. Seeing a lot of adviced that cuts clearly against what the OP is looking for. For something that isn't meant to be used outside the range the question is less about what you shoot better and is practical but what you will shoot more and what brings you more grins.

I shoot revolvers better than I shoot autos, but that's not really fair as I have decades of experience with them and autos are relatively new to me (just a decade).

I've gone through several 9mm's from expensive to cheap, big to little, poly and steel. I don't care for the cartridge. All it has going for it is popularity and cost. Since I do reload the cost issue is not as significant. I guess I'll probably always own a 9mm. But it's way down the list of my favorite cartridges. I'm looking to off-load a few of them and take the 9mm off my regular shooting. The 9mm may do more things well than any other cartridge, but it's never first in any category other than popularity. It's not hard to find something that outperforms it in performance and accuracy. Yeah it's popular and cheap. So is the Toyota Corolla. I don't drive one of those either.

But I understand why many think its ubiquity is an important consideration. It's just not for me.