.17 HMR
First off, hello everyone. I'm Mason, I'm new here, and upon looking around for a forum that was not seething with flamers and gradeschool talking spammers, this place looks halfway comfortable.
I'd have to say that I myself have a .17 Savage rifle. I enjoy it for critter hunting, if you will. Rockchucks, Foxes, even Coyotes are easily dropped with it. My own opinion is that it is underestimated, however it is what it is. I originally got it to stave off a racoon problem we had been having...But enough of that...
Now, I have a couple handgun questions for ya:
1) I was strongly looking at getting a .45 1911 from Springfield Armory. 5.01" barrel length. I have a thousand friends, as we all do, who are compelled to tell me I am better off getting a 9mm. I've checked out the XD .40 as well and am leaning that way somewhat. It would kind of be an all around pistol, not one I would necessarily carry on my person so much as have for target shooting as well as perhaps home defense. What is your favorite pick for a handgun in that regard? I've tried shooting glocks as well as the Beretta 9mm (that was a few years ago) and though I liked the feel of the Berettta, anything with polymer handles were not to my liking.
2) Upon further searching, I'm coming up with a wide variety in prices for the same kind of pistol (.45 auto). Most of this of course differs with Brand name. I'm seeing anywhere from $550.00 to 2,300.00 depending. Springfield has the U.S. "G.I." model at around 550 but then several of their others (believe the other one I liked was called black-stainless) are around $1,000.
Anyways, thanks for your time. I'm just wanting some opinions on those things before I purchase. I'm anxious to get out and get some shooting in with a new handgun.
-Mason