First gun direction

[spelsh]

Great form! I have been reading the forum and archives for several weeks. Great way to kill some time at the office.

I am going to purchase a new gun in the next 2-3 weeks but could use some direction on where to begin my search. The following are my general criteria and thoughts. This will be a general plinker, used for home defense and in the spring to shoot USPSA. I do not carry and conceal (yet), I intend to shoot a great deal more before I take on the responsibility of carrying. Single action makes me more comfortable, after I get more accurate I will begin shooting double action. Below is a summary:


Inexpensive (Not cheap) sub $500
SA only
Single stack or a thin design (smaller hand)
4+ inch barrel


Thank you so much for your thoughts and input.

 

[Phenom]

What about one of Springfield's Champion models?

 

[ugaarguy]

Inexpensive (Not cheap) sub $500
SA only
Single stack or a thin design (smaller hand)
4+ inch barrel

Based on those requirements;
Used FN/Browning Hi-Power, CZ-75, Springfield Armory GI or Mil-Spec 1911. My small-ish hands like the 1911 and the BHP (Browning Hi-Power). I'd go with the Hi-Power in 9mm to start because it'll be cheaper to shoot. While it's a doublestack, the BHP is still quite slim in the grip.

Above all else, go handle a bunch of guns and see what fits your hand. Here's more info on gun fit http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/TryOnGun.htm

Welcome to THR and please let us know what else we can do to help you as you start into the world of handgunning.

 

[spelsh]

what make a gun HP?

 

[Bazooka Joe71]

+1 on everything ugaarguy said...if you are wanting a single stack .45 for sub-500, then definately look into the SA GI 1911(very nice gun for the money) and the mil-spec as well. Both are good quality shooters, and pretty accurate right out of the box.

If you are wanting to save $ on ammo though, take a good look at a CZ 75 in any of the flavors, I prefer the full size barrel, so the 75B and SP01 are good choices(I could be wrong, but i think those are the only two with the 4.72 in barrel). I just bought my first CZ a couple of weeks ago (CZ 75SP01) and could not be happier. They are fantastic pistols.

As for the browning HP, well do a search on here and I highly doubt you find anything bad written about them...They are a bit pricey though, but if you are lucky, you can find one used in your price range.

 

[daysleeprx]

Hi-Power is the name of the gun.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Hi-Power is the name of the gun.

Originally called the "P35 Gran Puissance" in Belgium, the name was anglicized to "Hi-Power" or "High Power".

Here's an article on it: http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg17-e.htm

Pretty slim for a pistol that holds 13+ rounds, and is SA-only.

The CZ is, in a roundabout way, the latter-day BHP. It's SA/DA, but can be carried "cocked-and-locked" in most models.

CZ 75B (the current variant of the Czech military pistol) runs as low as $350 brand-new in Texas. All steel, well-made, very sweet. Don't let the low price fool you, they're easily on par w/ Glock and up.

CZ info: http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg51-e.htm

For the BHP, you can occasionally find FN-marked HPs for the top end of your budget, but I often see FM (Fabrique Militar of Argentina) BHP clones for as low as $350. There are also assorted Bulgarian BHP clones (Arcus, FEG), but I don't know so much about those.

Do note that 9mm ammo costs half what 45ACP ammo does; that makes a big difference in your practice budget...

You can find tons of info about any of the above by using the THR Search Engine.

-MV

 

[Phenom]

I haven't heard anything bad about the Charles Daly Hi-Power clone. It's well within your range price too

 

[sig228]

Reference Guide

Here's a great reference guide to many types:

http://www.gundirectory.com/body.asp?gun=Pistol&pp=1&sort=-3&pop=1

 

[Shrike360]

Don't let the low price fool you, they're easily on par w/ Glock and up.

They are even compared to Sigs and HKs at times, too.

 

[RNB65]

Looks like J.M. Browning is the answer. Either a used/clone Hi-Power 9mm or an SA GI or Mil Spec 45ACP. The HP would probably be better for small hands.

 

[spelsh]

okay, so HP is a strong recomendation. That is where I will begin my search. I have shot a springfield, but not a Charles Daly, so I will need to locate a store/range that has one. I thank everyones thoughts and inputs, please keep the suggestions coming!!!