About to buy my first ever handgun.

[iant333]

Ok, turning 21 in a week and i'm about to apply for my NYS pistol permit/CCW (Which you need to get a handgun in NYS). To apply I actually have to buy a handgun before I can turn in the paperwork. I've been thinking about a couple different guns.

Main thing I will be using it for is target shooting and something to toss in my backpack since I go hiking and camping alot (Which will be nice because I used to bring one of my AK's and have to leave it in my truck all weekend). I will probably almost never carry it concealed, maybe occasionally but I don't think i'm gonna bother carrying a gun every day.

I've been looking at a Browning Hi-power, I've wanted one since I saw Indiana Jones had one when I was a kid, and they are reasonably priced, most of the good used FN ones are around 600-700 on GB and the Inglis Canadian ones are reasonable too. Plus since we live under the shadow of the NYS AWB I am limited to only what hi-cap mags were made pre 94. Since the gun has been made since the early 1900's there are tons on the market and they are pretty cheap for 13 rounders.

Anyone have any other suggestions though? I almost exclusively buy military surplus or old guns and would like something like that. I'd been looking at the old Colt Official Police .38's too but I kind want an auto first.

 

[Skribs]

For something to take camping/hiking, I'd prefer something with a bit more power, like a .357 revolver. No need to worry about high cap mags, and you can load up .357 hard rounds for 4-legged predators and .38 or .357 JHPs for 2-legged.

This is coming from someone who is planning on getting rid of his only revolver because I don't ever use it at the range or carry it.

 

[jimbo555]

Nothing wrong with a Browning high power! You can look at a used s&w model 59 if you don't want to leave the browning cocked and locked in a backpack.

 

[MichaelK]

In the first two movies at least, Indiana Jones carried a break-open revolver.

I'd second Skribs suggestion of the .357 revolver. Would rather have a magnum revolver if I suddenly walked into a bear out on the trail.

 

[iant333]

He had a .455 Webley but he also had a hi-power:

http://indianajones.wikia.com/wiki/Indy's_pistol


I'd probably just leave without a round chambered, it only takes half a second to rack the slide. I'd never heard of the 59 though, i'll see if I can find a decent price on one.

And I would like a nice .357 but I think i'm gonna wait a bit before I buy one. I'd really like one of the older S&W ones, forgot what model it is, blued with the wood grips.

 

[Dnaltrop]

S&W Model 10 .38 scratches one of those itches very economically, great gun that anyone should have, and also one I've used as a "first" gun.

My Wife most notably... she hated Guns, would try but didn't like .22 rifles and pistols, took years and patience but a Victory model 10 pushed her over the edge into enjoying shooting.

BHP is a good one, but I'm generally in the camp of starting EVERYONE on revolvers to get the basics of DA and SA trigger use.

 

[murf]

the bhp is an excellent choice.

the older 357mag i would recommend is the s&w model 28-2. very well put together and relatively available on the used market. 4" barrel for your purpose.

murf

 

[David E]

For any gun you're going to "toss in a backpack," a .357 revolver is a better choice.

 

[CommanderCrusty]

The High Power is a very nice gun. Personally, I would choose the Armalite AR24 over the High Power, but that's because I've had horrible customer service from Browning.

Have you considered a nice .22 automatic for a first gun? A Ruger 22/45 would provide years of enjoyment and thousands of rounds of affordable shooting fun. Seriously, you can shoot thousands of .22s for the price of hundreds of 9mms.

 

[smalls]

Without a round in the chamber?

So first you have to get it out of your backpack, then rack it? If you're gonna need a gun, you're gonna need it NOW.

If you're uncomfortable with leaving one in the chamberr, bring a sharp stick. It'll be quicker.

 

[snakeman]

I'd start with 357 revolver.

 

[coolluke01]

Go with a 9mm. It's cheeper to shoot and will work fine for small to medium animals. It's not like you are going to tangle with a grizzly or anything. If you are planning on tangling with a grizzly then I would bring a slow friend. Also a 9mm will be enough to slow down your friend and allow you to get away. FMJ's will give you all the penetration you would need for poking holes in mean critters.

I like the Glock for the go anywhere and just work backpack gun. Pre 94 mags should be available I would think, so you could have high cap mags.

 

[SSN Vet]

If you like Hi Powers ... I say get one....

There's no need for debate....

It will do what you need it to do...

 

[iant333]

I'm pretty sure i'm sticking with the Hi-Power, my second purchase will be a blued .357 586 though. Get to go to the store next week and see if they have what I want, prefer not to have to order it online.

I'm not worried about needing to learn the basics as far as the trigger on a revolver, I've been shooting handguns since I was a little kid. Definitely no expert but I got the basics.

 

[David E]

You might want to rethink the state of readiness you keep the BHP in.

 

[iant333]

Is it safe to keep a cocked and locked gun in a backpack? If I have it in a holster it wouldn't bother me but i'm not sure about anywhere else.

 

[Kiln]

I'd say keep a round in the chamber with the hammer down. I wouldn't suggest cocked and locked in a backpack (safety could flick off and allow you to be shot in the back).

 

[David E]

Well, I suppose you need to ask yourself why, exactly, you're wanting to take an unholstered gun tossed in your backpack with you at all.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Condition 1, holstered. Anything else is foolish and borderline ignorant.


Sent from my HTC One X

 

[thecarfarmer]

Well, I suppose you need to ask yourself why, exactly, you're wanting to take an unholstered gun tossed in your backpack with you at all.

Condition 1, holstered. Anything else is foolish and borderline ignorant.

Sent from my HTC One X

X2.

As far as I'm concerned, my defensive caliber handguns are kept condition 1 - in a holster or some other container. The 'social work' pistols I have aren't much good to me empty; non-defensive handguns are kept empty (well, as empty as a gun can be if you're not looking at the chamber...). Not as a safety precaution; just that I don't bother to load 'em up to let 'em sit, since they're not workhorses.

Oh, and a Phoenix P-51 can discharge a round with the safety on... DAMHIK.

-Bill

 

[tarosean]

Condition 1, holstered. Anything else is foolish and borderline ignorant.

Yeah! cause it takes 3 hrs to go from Condition 1 to 2....

/sarcasm

 

[Kiln]

Yeah! cause it takes 3 hrs to go from Condition 1 to 2....

/sarcasm

You'll need the extra seconds if you are in serious danger. Not to mention that your off hand might be disabled or restrained by the guy who you need to shoot. Then there is a possibility that the first round you try and chamber might stovepipe or take a nosedive, causing you to have to clear a jam before even getting a shot off.

 

[David E]

Yeah! cause it takes 3 hrs to go from Condition 1 to 2....

/ignorance

There are multiple reasons not to carry a defensive gun chamber empty.

If one is not comfortable with a round chambered, then one should get a revolver.

 

[jimbo555]

The s&w model 59 or later series has the double column magazine but gives you the da/sa action that can be carried safely with a round in the chamber and the safety on.The long da first shot makes it safe in the backpack and you can find them in the 300 dollar range.

 

[David E]

Jimbo, that's not a bad choice, either.

Introduced in 1971, there are plenty of hicap mags available for it.

I prefer the "3rd Gen" 5900 series for various reasons, but any mag made for a Smith with "59" in the model number will work.