Advice/help

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alex13

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Mar 15, 2007
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Location
Gilbert, AZ
I have recently been looking into purchasing a gun but am not sure what make/model I should get. I will be using it for outdoor target shooting, indoor target shooting as well as personal protection. I will be putting a lot of rounds through it so I will need it to be very durable. And am also looking for accuracy. I currently have $200 dollars and will getting more soon. Which gives me time to do some more research as well as the correct papers. So in all of your opinions what would be the best all around gun for me?

And I was also wondering if any of you could point me in the right direction in regards to books that will be helpful in the area of basic handgun care and such.
 
You'll likley get as many different answers as there are people who frequent this site, so let me go first.

A good 9mm pistol should suit you fine, and there are lots of good ones on the market, the trick is finding the one you like!

Some, with an eye on price, to consider are: Glock's 19 and 34, Ruger's P95, Taurus' PT24/7 Pro.

Good luck, and welcome aboard.
 
I'm going to second the Glock 19.

Easy to use, easy to maintain, cheap (well not .22 cheap) to feed (sorry I mean ammunition is relatively cheap), and effective defensive loads are available.

But like 9x19 said its got to fit you.


Pax's site is a great resource. www.corneredcat.com well worth the time spent reading it.

Also don't be afraid of going with a used Glock. So long as it wasn't mistreated it should last you a long time.
 
I recomend you go to a gun range and recieve some instruction.
If you do not know where to go contact the NRA and they can direct you.

Try out many different types of firearms. On some ranges you can rent guns, on others you can look at who knows what they are doing and ask if you can buy them some ammo if they will show you... let you try their gun.

I recomend a .22 as a first gun.

Other optiions is finding out you like a particular type, and buying a .22 conversion for it.

Glocks
Hi Powers
CZ's
and 1911's
all have .22 conversions.

Baring that, if I HAD to recomend a gun to a beginner, it would be a SS .357 revolver.
(You can shoot .38 specials in it untill you are used to it.)
 
I'll jump on the 9mm bandwagon:D

CZ75B 9mm or Glock 19, 17 :) The CZ may be the best gun for the money, but go to a gun store and find one that feels good to ya! Have fun pickin:D
 
And I was also wondering if any of you could point me in the right direction in regards to books that will be helpful in the area of basic handgun care and such.
Click to expand...

Welcome aboard. My first semi-auto is a Glock model 35 in .40S&W caliber. After trying out different guns, I settled for the Glock for comfort, balance and accuracy. Everyone differs.

A book I'm currently reading that's been very helpful covering the fundamentals is this: The Gun Digest Book of Combat Handgunnery
by Massad F. Ayoob
http://www.amazon.com/Gun-Digest-Book-Combat-Handgunnery/dp/0873494857/ref=pd_sim_b_5/102-0059762-9456913
Some don't like Ayoob, but he adds some good insight.

But keep reading the helpful information on THR. Good luck.
 
I'd have to along with the idea of a .22 as your very first gun, as was probably the case with most of us. Low recoil, cheap to shoot and accurate. A Browning or Ruger auto can be had for between $250 and $300.
Work on your marksmanship and safe gun handleing first. When you tire of the .22 sell it for what you paid for it and step up to a centerfire.
Good luck!
 
Sounds like you need yourself a CZ 75b!

http://www.czusa.com/product_detail.php?id=29

You'll be hard pressed to find anything bad about these. Accuracy? Most do sub 2" @ 25 yards, and they're dead reliable. usually retail around $450 these days. You can always get the .22lr Kadet for it as well if you want a .22.


Wayne
 
alex13 this is obviously your first handgun and unless you have extensive experience with semi autos already the best gun to get is a solid revolver in 357 magnum .

IT IS the best all around gun for everyone . It can use hot magnum loads for defense or hunting medium size game if needed or you can use light 38's for plinking and target practice or for a beginning shooter .

The 38 special is one of the most accurate calibers and has set many records in this capacity , no safety to play with as it has a fairly long Double action pull that with practice can be mastered .

Get one with a 4 inch barrel and with correct clothing it can even serve as a CCW piece in mild weather with a light jacket on .

If you're on a tight budget buy a Taurus , I have a model 669 in stainless with a 4 inch barrel and love the thing , picked it up used last year for a mear $280 used on Gunbroker . GB has a couple new in the box ones there now one has a ported barrel to help keep muzzle rise at a minimum for $325 and another that is up for bid you just have to win the auction as it has an unknown reserve price as of now .

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=67868061

They also have a nice 7 shot model 66 that you can get in Blue or stainless , blued ones are as cheap as the low $300 range with stainless as high as $400 or so .

Auto loaders are fine weapons but they are for those that have a bit more experience with handguns , when you're ready to step up to those take a long look at a 1911 45 ACP and forget the GLOCK those things are as ugly as sin and have no character a 1911 is a thing of beauty by comparison that you will be proud to own .
 
Don't forget about the XD.:)

Whoops, I forgot.......Welcome to THR.
 
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It just depends on what your willing to spend. I'd suggest getting a 9mm(anything) plus a few hundred rounds of ammo.
 
Thanks all for the input it is greatly appreciated. But I may add this will not be my first gun. I own a .22 cal rifle and I also go shooting and hunting on a semi regular basis. I was also on my High school Army J ROTC shooting team so am quite familiar with range rules and safety. But this would however be my first handgun. Again thank you all for your input I will continue reading around the forums and am most likely going to order a book or two. Any body else?
 
I would also advise the 4" .357 revolver. revolvers are just simpler for most individuals to learn to shoot well. It will be durable, simple to operate, and effective at the range and for defense. Plus, .38 Special and .357 ammo is pretty cheap, about the same as 9mm.

I have always had just such a handgun. First it was a Colt Python (on loan while my BIL was in Scotland). He almost had to pry it out of my cold dead fingers when he came back to the US and asked for it back. :) Then I had a Ruger GP100 3" that was very nice. Gave it to my youngest daughter when she moved out. Then I bought a sweet S&W K-frame Model 67 .38 special 4". I enjoy it and it is the easiest one with which to get new shooters introduced.

Given all that, when I gave my new son-in-law his first handgun it was my G19 9mm. The Glock is about the simplest semi-auto to operate, very durable, accurate, and extremely reliable. He shot it very well at the range. Besides, he lives outside LA and my daughter is living with him! I want him armed to the teeth to protect her. I gave her the S&W 642, and they also got one of the Rem 870.

Bottom line I think the 4" .357 is a great way to start and always have on hand. However, if you decide on a pistol (and I would if I lived in a urban or high crime area) then the Glock 19, CZ75, or similar would be fine as well. But someday you will yearn or that 4" .357 anyway. :D
 
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