Choosing the right Gun for Me

[WolverineNation]

Hello All,

I'm new here, and I mostly made an account just to get help with this question. I'm a longtime sportsman/firearm enthusiast, and at 22 years old, I've decided to look into getting myself a handgun. I'll admit that despite a lifetime of being around guns, I've taken very little effort to learn much about the variety of options. So I've come to you all in hope of find the right one for me. Here are the criteria I'm looking for.

1. It's important for me to feel a connection with my firearms. So I want something that's made in America.
2. Realistically, the primary usage of the gun will be plinking, but I'd like to be able to use it for hunting/as a side arm. Maybe something that could take a Coyote, nothing bigger.
3. I don't know how realistic it is, but at some point I'd like to get a CPL (from Michigan). So smaller is better, or maybe something with exchangeable barrel sizes.
4. Price. I'm a lowly graduate student with no money. Any over $500 is out of the question. I'd like to shoot for $350, but I could maybe go as high as $500 if it was worth it.

Thanks all!

 

[jawn]

A used Smith & Wesson 5906 more or less fits the description you're giving. 9mm is about as cheap as centerfire gets. It is a full-size, steel beast of a handgun though.

If you like wheel guns, maybe a used Ruger SP101 might fit into your budget, and you could have .357 magnum when you might need it for four-legged friends, and .38 special for plinking. It's definitely heavier than most snubs, but it is small enough for carry.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Sounds like you need a .357 with a 3" or 4" barrel. Your price range will easily get you a new Ruger SP101 or GP100. You could pick up a nice used one and save close to 100 bucks if you shop around.

 

[Dnaltrop]

New, the .357's mentioned are excellent choices.

I have a fondness for my SW Model 10 Navy... from 1940. .38 spl is a wonderful plinking gun and the Model 10's have triggers you have to feel to believe . Typically used police ones will run you $200-300

If you indeed are going into the field, revolvers almost never jam, and if you take up the mantle of reloading for yourself, you can devise your own combination rounds with cardstock over the powder, birdshot, and capped with a soft lead ball.

You get a single slug in the center of a good spray of shot, more than ample for rabid coyote, raccoons (the 'coons here will tree you given the chance) and the shot will handle the Odd rattler that you can't avoid. (they usually just want you to go away)

Ruger Blackhawks, and vaquero in .357-.45 colt are generally fairly affordable, if you are the sort who can practice, and feel comfortable defending yourself with a single action revolver.

The Redhawks do nicely if you just "need" that Double Action pull.

Super Blackhawks make excellent, sturdy hunting revolvers, .357/38, .41 magnum, .44 mag. or my own preference when I pick mine up. .45 colt. Reloading is nearly mandatory if you want to really enjoy your big bore revolvers with any frequency.

There are plenty of folks who are perfectly content with their Semi-autos in the field too, It's all preference from there on.

Welcome to THR!

 

[mgmorden]

I was in your shoes a few years back (at about the same age) - grew up hunting, but my dad wasn't much of a target shooter and I hence had zero exposure to handguns.

I'm going to recommend the same gun I went with: a Ruger P95. It's American made, it's only about $300, you'll get the nice and shiny brand new feeling with all the paper work that you'll care about now (but likely won't so much as you acquire more guns ), and the gun is rock solid.

There are a few limitations on the design (ie, ergonomics), but overall, they're built like tanks. Also, 9mm is cheap enough that you can shoot a lot, but powerful enough to get done defensive tasks (or taking out the coyote that you mention - just don't expect to hunt deer with it or anything ).

I've had mine 8 years now. I now have a dozen handguns but still have the P95 and I still shoot it very frequently.

The Ruger SR9 ain't a bad choice either, but it's closer to $400-425.

 

[WolverineNation]

Thanks for the info so far. This board is pretty helpful now that I've looked around. I've shot some Rugers before and I really like those makes. I don't know how I feel about revolvers, I'd have to evaluate reliability over weight and shape.
I've never shot a .22 caliber pistol before. Is that something I should look into?

 

[olafhardtB]

I always reccomend a 22 to start with. US made auto try phoenix, Walther, Ruger. US wheelguns-Charter, Ruger, maybey a used S&W. I have owned every one except the Charter. I found that I really prefer S&W J frames I moved up to 38 and 357 without problem. Ewery hog and dog I ever shot with a 22 changed thier mind about what they were doing. You may hear a lot of caterwauling about "confidence", I remember how flimsy my M14 felt in Vietnam. Confidence can get you killed, but donot worry it will vanish when TSHIF. That said a 22 is better than a sharp stick.

 

[Isaac-1]

If you removed that made in the U.S. requirement I would suggest something like a Springfield Armory XD-9 compact or sub-compact with a grip extension magazine, that way you can have a smaller magazine for concealed carry, and a full size grip area and larger magazine when you don't. There are several other companies that offer these semi-convertible grip extension magazines for their compact polymer frame semi autos. 9mm is going to be about as cheap as you get in a center fire cartridge, yet still offer reasonable stopping power for self defense when loaded right.

 

[wlewisiii]

There are a lot of very good S&W Model 10 & Model 64s with 4" barrels out there. Many are recent turn ins from armored car and security companies. I got mine for $230. Plink with 158 gr. LRN & use FBI 158 gr. LSWCHP +P for defense.

 

[BCRider]

Just a note but few of the guns mentioned so far would be any good for hunting unless you turn a corner and come face to snout with a critter. Basically you won't find one handgun to do ALL of what you listed in your first post. You're going to want to narrow things down a bit and focus on some and ignore others for a while until you can get another gun which covers off those areas.

Generally hand gun hunting is best done with longer barrels of 6 or more inches and often with a long eye relief hand gun scope mounted to the gun. Not the sort of package you can easily pack around in a hip holster.

So you may want to narrow down your expectations and goals a little towards either a sporting/competition gun that can also be used for defense or go fully to a longer barrel hunting gun.

For competition and defense the shorter barrel guns mentioned so far are all great options. For hunting a popular gun is a long barrel single action revolver that shoots .357 or .44Mag. An example of such a gun is the Ruger Blackhawk or Super Blackhawk. But such a gun isn't all that good for the other goals you mentioned.

 

[CZ223]

BC is right

It is nearly impossible to think of one gun that would fill all your requirements. About the closest that I could come would be a used S&W 686or Ruger GP100 with a 6" barrel. It easily fills the rolls of both hunting and plinking, but is a little large for concealed carry. On the other hand, it is a great choice for home defence, in my opinion. I would stay away from anything shorter than a 4" barreled gun, since they are harder to shoot well and may be frustrating in the hands of a beginner. If hunting and self defence aren't a big consideration at this time I would suggest a Ruger Mark II/III.

 

[oneounceload]

With your budget, a used 64 from J&G, coupled with a nice .22 - Ruger MKII or III, Browning or similar are made in the US and will allow plinking with the .22 (cheapest practice), plus you'll have a centerfire for serious work

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've never shot a .22 caliber pistol before. Is that something I should look into?

For plinking and to learn trigger control there is nothing as good as a .22 LR pistol/revolver. You can shoot one all day long for very little money and they are fun to shoot.

I know a .22 won't fill the need for a back up sidearm while hunting but that could come later. Actually, if you hit the used gun market you could buy a rimfire and centerfire handgun and still stay within your self-imposed budget.

 

[Shadow 7D]

Go rent some guns
.22 is never a bad caliber, some guns will be a bad choice for you, but that is true of all guns, some will work with you, some won't.

9mm, .38 is pretty standard entry to center fire.
once again, go fondle some guns, rent before you buy if you can.

 

[harvester]

Try not to look at the purchase as forever. You will probably get other guns later. A 22 semi automatic or 38/357 revolver are great places to start.

 

[waidmann]

Ditto Harvester. The .357 will allow you the greatest flexibility in off-the-shelf ammo, all .38 Special and .357 covers a lot of ground. A number of decent used wheelguns are out there.

A .22 of some quality e.g. Ruger Standard (used) and a lot of practice with a lot of inexpensive ammo is a great way to start.

Going along with 1 oz., some judicious shopping might get you both in the $500 zone. I'd recommend the .22 first.

 

[tomrkba]

It's a tool, not a magic sword stuck in a rock somewhere. If you want to bond with your gun, I find semi-custom 1911's from Les Baer and Ed Brown very cuddly.

A used Glock is the way to go given your budget. You should be able to find a used Glock 19, 26, 23 or 27 for a very reasonable price ($350-425). These are fine sidearms that can be used for carry, killing coyotes and gun games.

Some folks have recommended revolvers. There are advantages and disadvantages to them. The primary problem is the difficulty in achieving proficiency. You'll need lots of practice. Correct dry fire technique is essential. I recommend learning to reload and using lead bullets (of correct hardness for the velocity). The advantage of the revolver is lower overall cost: gun, ammo, a few cheap speedloaders and a holster.

I recommend you look at a few books too. Mas Ayoob has the book of concealed carry...that would be a good start. Also look at the book of combat handgunnery.