First handgun thoughts?

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Jguy101

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I currently own a 10/22, and plan on buying a centerfire rifle and a handgun in the not-too-distant future to supplement it. I have the rifle figured out - a Yugo M59/66 SKS - but I still haven't made up my mind on what the handgun will be.

Now, some will probably recommend a .22, but I'm not terribly interested in one, since I do have a decent amount of experience with handguns - I just don't own one of my own yet. (A .22 isn't entirely out of the question, though). I'm looking for a 9mm or .38 that would make a decent handgun for a possible long-term survival situation (what with recent economic issues, namely the gas crunch, I may end up needing something with readily available replacement parts in case the s*** really does hit the fan). So, I want something that's reliable, inexpensive, has commonly available accessories (I don't want to pay $50 for a special-order magazine) and at least somewhat concealable.

Lately, I've been looking at the 3" Taurus 85, S&W Sigma, and Stoeger Cougar. I'd like to ask for some opinions on not only these guns, but also other handguns (I'm open to other chamberings in which ammo is at least relatively inexpensive, such as 9x18) that would meet the aforementioned requirements.

Anyone?
 
Glock 17

Glocks all have inexpensive parts which are readily available and user serviceable. Tack the cost of 9mm ammunition on and it makes sense to own a 17/19/26. Did I mention they're really reliable and accurate?


(9x19)
 
Since inexpensive and reliable were mentioned, along with the possible use in a survival/SHTF kit, I'd recommend a S&W revolver in stainless steel, caliber .38 Special or .357 Magnum. There are plenty of these available used for great prices, in any barrel length/frame configuration you might imagine.
 
So, I want something that's reliable, inexpensive, has commonly available accessories
Click to expand...

1911

ammo is at least relatively inexpensive
Click to expand...

And if there really is "a possible long-term survival situation" of an economic nature, you'll want to be handloading as well, which will mitigate ammo cost.
 
So, I want something that's reliable, inexpensive, has commonly available accessories
Click to expand...

My vote is for a Ruger Mk II or III or the .22/45. The things are built like a tank and I really don't think you can wear one out. Ammo is cheap, you can mount a scope if you want. More people have probably been killed by a .22 than anything else so it will do the job if it has too.
Nothing else out there that you can shoot for 12 buck per 550 rounds.

Even if you move on to bigger and better things a .22 is always good to have just for the cheap practice.
 
My first handgun - on loan from an Uncle was a
Hi Standard Dura-matic - blowback semi-auto .22 LR

THe first handgun I paid for - I had eyed a surplus
P-38 for $35 - I saved it up mowing lawns etc. I was
14, I showed it to my Dad and as I eyeballed it The store
owner who I will always be thankful, took my Dad aside
and they came back and the gun dealer showed me a new
in box S&W MOdel 18 .22 Revolver. It was near xmas and
Dad said he'd match my money - so I got it for $78 - 1965.

Good quality revovler served me well on the farm and it was
much higher quality than the odd assortment of .22s my peers
had

for a first handgun I'd recommend a .22 LR of whatever is the
most y'all can afford, - long after the price is forgotten you;ll have
to deal with the quality of the firearm, but pick an
action type you believe you want to have eventually in a
centerfire handgun.

That said - the CZ 75B in 9MM is as econimical in terms
of ammo and the CZ 75B is a solid reliable service pistol, with
silly acuracy and reliable as well as having a Kadet .22 LR
conversion kit available for the money hard to beat.

Randall
.
 
I would always recommend a glock. I have owned three glocks through the years and you can never go wrong with a glock 17. I just picked up a glock 17 at a local retailer for $449.99 brand new with two 17 round mags.
 
If you're LEO, Active or retired military, or just about any sort of first responder Glock has a special deal on almost all of it's handguns. Around 400 + tax for the 9mm's
 
For a Bug Out into the bush, a Semi-AUto centerfire with a .22 LR conv. kit has a dual purpose. 1. centerfire for self defense or a close
target of opportunity if you happened to have a close shot and no long gun
for food. 2. If you did have the long gun, you might want the .22 LR conv. kit to be installed for small game like rabbit, or a bird or or whatever to save those rifle rounds and it's a bit quieter as well as if yah had a trusted companion they could use it for economical learning - a couple of
500 rd bricks of .22 LR go a long way with in-frequent resupply.

Randall
 
Ruger GP100 or S&W model 10 (used) for Revolvers
Springfield XD (semi in 9mm)
Browning Buckmark or Ruger .22

Get a .22, cheaper, lots of fun, best practice

hb
 
First of all, make sure it is a gun you feel comfortable with, is comfortable to hold, aim...ect. Then you need to think about what you are going to use the gun for, home protection, are you going to get you CWW (to carry it), and what caliber do you feel comfortable with a .22 all the way to .45 ACP.

Look at some different guns, pick handle them and see what feels good to you. That would be my advice.

If you can go to a range, where you can rent a few different guns and see what suits your fancy.

I like 9mm and own 6 of them and I also own 5 .22 pistols and 1 .45 ACP.

Good luck and happy shooting with your new gun!
 
Thanks, guys. The handguns that I have the most experience with are Glocks (17, 23, 34 and 36) and the Sigma .40, but striker-fired guns aren't the only ones I've ever used. I am planning on going to a store and checking out different guns, but from my experience I do like both the Glock and the Sigma; it's just that a NIB Glock is a bit out of my price range. I could get one used, but a NIB Sigma may actually be cheaper, and I prefer its ergonomics. I have a relative who's going to give me some of his old reloading equipment, so ammo cost isn't as much of a consideration as it could be, but it's still something that I think about.

A .22 still seems like a good option, seeing as I have about a thousand rounds within ten feet of my computer. Ruger products are nice, but I've heard horror stories about takedown and reassembly, which is a turn-off for me. The Beretta Neos and Browning Buck Mark are looking nice, though, and Taurus makes some .22 revolvers. (I know they have shoddy QC, but those that aren't lemons are highly praised by their owners.) The only thing about them that bugs me is the lack of holsters available.
 
Just another twist on which one to buy.A young fellow I know asked me the other day what first handgun I thought he should purchase for CCW.Old guy that I am ,I suggested a J-frame Smith.He said that he wanted a 9mm pistol that he saw at the local dealer.I told him that if it fit his hands well and the price was right get it.It is an IMI Baby Eagle.We went to the range today and this gun shoots reliably and accurately.I was supprized with the fit and finish and how well it handled.I never would have thought.YMMV.tom.:uhoh:
 
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I hope you don't take offense, but with your current budget
you might get a better .22 LR than you could a centerfire for the
same amount of money. Perhaps it's our fault as we tossed out
our opinions and didn't ask What's the BUdget?
or maybe I am forgetting the details of the first Post.

Given a limited a budget a Ruger SIngle Six is a lot
of Hella strong revolver for the money and accurate - with it's
slow reloading it will teach you to make the shot count..
but as you get proficient, well back in the day, I was able to
fire a complete cylinder full as fast as I could cock and fire
at 10 yards and it was 7/8' group. Perhaps a rare day but
single action guys with experience can work it.

Best of luck to you on your first handgun purchase.

Randall
 
Ruger products are nice, but I've heard horror stories about takedown and reassembly, which is a turn-off for me.
Click to expand...

Don't let that keep you from getting one if that is what fits your bill. They can be quirky to get back together but not impossible. Nowadays I take the grips off and spray the crap out of it with carb cleaner and hit it with a air nozzle. And I only do that after many thousands of rounds when it starts to jam. It doesn't have to be cleaned everytime its used.

Good luck with whatever you choose. Chances are it will just be the first of many.:)
 
ince inexpensive and reliable were mentioned, along with the possible use in a survival/SHTF kit, I'd recommend a S&W revolver in stainless steel, caliber .38 Special or .357 Magnum. There are plenty of these available used for great prices, in any barrel length/frame configuration you might imagine.
Click to expand...

+1 It is what I had first. And, it may be what I have last.
 
Of all of them guns I prefer the S&W Sigma. it really is a nice gun that has never given me a problem.

I have one in 40 caliber and I am like you in the fact that I like the way it is put together.

I say if you like the price, have experince with a sigma and are comfortable shooting it and it is new in the box... That may be the gun for you.
 
Automatic:

Something in 9mm. This is a no-brainer to me, because it is: 1) Still the cheapest ammo, when considering the cost of JHP loads; 2) Decent power; 3) Recoil is managable, easier to learn to shoot; and 4) High quality guns are readily available and relatively inexpensive.

9mm is a relatively easy first cartridge for the handloader as well. Now that even 9mm is worth reloading, you will appreciate all of the free cases you find at your local range. .41 Action Express, not so much.

A .22 is a good idea for learning to shoot and inexpensive practice, but realistically, I wouldn't want my only handgun to be a .22 automatic. Several 9mm models have .22 conversion kits or versions chambered in .22 available, if that is a consideration.

There's nothing that says you can't learn on a .45 or 10mm for that matter, but the ammo and reloading components are so high that I sure don't recommend it.

Revolver:

I am a S&W guy. That said, a Ruger Security Six (.357 Magnum) in stainless may be the ideal first revolver. One problem with shooting both .38 Special and .357 Magnum in the same gun is usually the sights, but the Security has adjustables (rare for a Ruger). These are much stronger than a K frame, but smaller than an L frame. I sold mine to a relative for their first revolver.

.38/.357 is also great for learning how to reload your own cartridges. .38 Special uses very little powder, and the cases last forever.

In another thread, I said I had never owned a German made gun. I forgot about the Jana Bison, a .22LR/.22 Magnum SAA from West Germany that my father gave me as a kid. Whatever you do, do not get a .22LR/.22 Magnum revolver. They sound like a good idea, but they always disappoint. It seems like most of these have a bore diameter of at least .224", and they group like birdshot with .22 LRs as they get older. I'm sure someone will call me crazy, but all of the European made SAAs I have seen do not group well with bulk .22 LR. The Jana didn't group well with anything after it had shot a 1,000 .22 LRs or so. Even more importantly, gateloading gets pretty old with a .22.

That pretty much brings you back to .38/.357, because other revolver cartridges are relatively expensive. .38 Special is comparable to 9mm price-wise (usually a little higher as factory ammo, but cheaper reloading components). .357 Magnum is much cheaper than .41 or .44 Magnum (or even .44 Special, for that matter).
 
Pick something that fits your hand and your budget. Police trade-ins, both revolvers and 9mm autos, can be great bargains: S&W 5906 & 6906 and Glock 17 & 19 (full-sized and compact) and Beretta 92 are commonly available trade-ins. Taurus' PT92 & 99 can be a bargain, built like the original Italian version of the Beretta 92 with a frame-mounted safety lever that you push down like a 1911's. CZ75B or it's Italian clones and derivatives might fit the bill. They, too, have 1911-ish safety levers that allow cocked-and-locked carry as well as "traditional" double-action. Lightly used police S&W revolvers in 357/38 are very versatile and very inexpensive. "Duty guns" are harder to conceal than tiny ones but it's doable and they're much easier to shoot well.

Take the money left over and buy a 22: Beretta 21a, Ruger 22/45 or MkII, Browning Buckmark or S&W 22a. The tiny Beretta is a joy. The Ruger runs forever and is dead easy to clean and reassemble once you learn the trick. The Buckmark and 22a have triggers that break like the proverbial glass rod. A 22 with a sweet trigger can teach even an expert how to be better.

If you think you might end up poaching for survival, consider a 22LR rifle capable of shooting 22 shorts for stealthy harvesting of small game.
 
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