First Handgun: Two Very Different Choices (9mm v 357)

[Will_Power]

1-30 UPDATE: As this thread has progressed, it's been pointed out to me that 9mm is simply a non-option for varmints of the four legged variety. Therefore, please consider this a debate between 357 and 45acp (presently considering a CZ 97 or other DA/SA steel frames).

In the next few weeks I'll likely be making my first handgun purchase. I've been looking into this the past few months and thought I had settled down on a 9mm semiauto, specifically a CZ75 SP01. However, I find myself wavering a bit on that decision and looking again at the ]Ruger GP100 3in.

I'm a big guy with big mitts, so I find that even mid-sized handguns don't fit me very well (e.g. Ruger SP01 and to a somewhat lesser degree, Sig P229). So, I'm sticking with these two full size guns for use as a home defense and a backpacking gun (I'm in Oregon so black bears and cougars are possible, grizzlies and moose are not, and the wrong sorts of folks up to no good out in the sticks are my most likely problem). Concealed carry is not really a consideration at this point.

The sticking points between the two boils down to the following:

CZ75 SP01, 9mm: much larger capacity, cheaper ammo, fits my hand like a dream, and accurate / shot placement.

Ruger GP100 3in, .357: ease of use, ruggedness, more capable against errant bears / mt. lions, and arguably easier to use as a CCW.

Guys, I'm positively stuck here.

A little help, please?

 

[gpr]

my vote...start with a wheelgun....my first hand gun was a smith 13...also a 357.... i still keep it under the bed...gary

 

[easyg]

CZ75 SP01, 9mm: much larger capacity, cheaper ammo, fits my hand like a dream, and accurate / shot placement.

Ruger GP100 3in, .357: ease of use, ruggedness, more capable against errant bears / mt. lions, and arguably easier to use as a CCW.

Actually, I would argue that the CZ is just as easy to use and much more rugged than the Ruger.
Ruger makes some tough guns, but revolvers by their very nature are not as rugged as autoloaders.

 

[Will_Power]

@easyg: Really? For whatever reason, I had assumed that given the fewer parts involved, that revolvers would be more durable than the autos. Well that gives me something to think about, alright..

 

[jon86]

Nobody can make this decision for you. Either one would probably serve you very well. Which one do you shoot better? I'd much rather the 3 inch GP100 myself. I began CC with a revolver. Malfunctions with bottom feeders aren't difficult to clear, but the fact that a revolver will always go bang just gives me the warm fuzzies.

 

[easyg]

Check out this link....

http://www.theprepared.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=90

A Glock 21 is put to the test....they run over it, they shoot it with a .22 pistol, they bury it, they cause it to rust, they drag it behind a car, they even throw it out of a plane.

It's just crazy....but I don't think that any revolver would survive such abuse.

 

[Glock Doctor]

Somehow bears and mountain lions don't go together with a 9mm anything; and a 357 Magnum is only a marginal performer on small bears. My vote would have to be for the Ruger; but, a GP100 with a 4 inch barrel.

http://www.ruger.com/products/gp100/models.html

 

[357_]

Actually, I would argue that the CZ is just as easy to use and much more rugged than the Ruger.
Ruger makes some tough guns, but revolvers by their very nature are not as rugged as autoloaders.

I just fell out of my chair laughing. There is no way he is serious ... at least I hope.

 

[easyg]

I just fell out of my chair laughing. There is no way he is serious ... at least I hope.

It's true.
One drop on to pavement or a hard surface can screw up the lock-up of a revolver's cylinder.
As can flicking the cylinder closed like you see in the movies.

Double-action revolvers aren't as tough as you might think, which is one of the reasons the military turned to autoloaders long before the police and general public did.

 

[Gato Montés]

Since it's your first, you will get a lot more utility out of the revolver then the auto. 38 capabilities as well as ease of use with shot loads (if snakes are an issue where you backpack). Inevitably you will buy more guns for more specific purposes, but the wheelgun will give you all you need for right now. I will add that I also would opt for the four inch over the three, again because it's your first.

If you plan on skydiving with it, get a Glock, otherwise a revolver is rugged enough.

 

[gwnorth]

I have a CZ P-01 but have never shot an SP-01 - still, they are great pistols, IMO.

I also have a pair of GP100's (blued 6" and stainless 4", plus a 4" and 3" pair of Service Sixes), and they too are wonderful firearms. And yes, I'd put either of my GP-100's up against any autoloader in a "who can take the most abuse" sort of test.

While the 3" would make a better CCW, it would not be my first choice for a woods gun. I'd want 4"-6" for that, preferably (there is a Davidson's exclusive 5" available too). I often actually take my 6" hiking with me, in a nice El Paso belt&holster rig.

 

[David E]

revolvers by their very nature are not as rugged as autoloaders.

Autos do tolerate ABUSE better than revolvers....but unless you're planning on abusing the snot out of it, like dragging it behind a car, then either will serve you fine.

For a revolver, I'd suggest a 4" barrel. For an auto, for a guy with "big mitts," then I'd suggest a Glock 21

 

[HM2PAC]

Have you thought of changing your caliber preferences?

For bear and lion you may want to consider wheelguns in .41Mag, .44Mag, or .45 Colt or auto loaders in 10mm or .45ACP.

 

[LKB3rd]

I have big hands too, and I'd get whatever feels better in your hand. I'd also go for a 4 or even 6 inch barrel on a non-conceal carry revolver.

 

[Jim PHL]

I won't give a specific opinion about your choices other than you can't really go wrong with either. Consider this, though, the GP100 with 3" barrel is an excellent choice for an all-around, general purpose revolver. For the rest of your life, as long as you have any interest at all in owning a revolver, it will be a great one to have. The CZ is a great choice for a 9mm, but your taste in autos, may change, and at that point it may or may not be the ideal for you.

If you're like the rest of us you'll end up with both, anyway.

 

[Will_Power]

@David E - Glocks and other polymer frames are out of consideration for me.

@HM2PAC - The larger calibers are intriguing, don't get me wrong, but the cost seems to be on the prohibitive. On the semiauto front, the Sigs are out of my price range, and the CZ knockoffs' questionable quality reputation makes me hesitant to pick one up (although the Witness in 10mm has definitely piqued my curiosity).

The CZ 97 B/BD seems like a possibility, though, although I'm unfamiliar with them. If they fit the same as the CZ 75, they might become another option, although the ammo cost is still a bit of a bugger...

 

[HM2PAC]

Well, the CZ or the Ruger are both fine firearms, I'm sure either will fit the bill for personal protection.

If bears and lions are a real concern, you really ought to consider a larger caliber. Yes, it may be more expensive, but 9mm won't cut it and .357RM is marginal.

 

[hunt]

i have avg to large hands
i have a gp100 .357 mag 6"brl fits great with hogue grips
as well i have a .45acp p-90 service auto
for a first handgun a dbl action revolver would in my opinion be a nice all
around for home/trail/hunting use 357 a little small for the bear issues
i like the p90 for a shooter for the range and if i were in bear country
most likely would use that as my trail gun
so i guess my point would be that
both would be a good first weapon
to me the 9mm (which i have as well) would be at the bottom of the list for
what you've described as usage

 

[65nut]

i like my smith and wesson 686 357 mag. but, it is not my first choice if shtf. it would be my glock 21.

 

[KingMedicine]

I think people should start with a Auto, and move into a revolver. My logic? there is none. I think as a first gun, cleaning and maintaning a auto is a bit more, and its a bit more finicky if it decides not to work. Revolvers are more elegant to me, they are more reliable (imho) when fine tuned.

As i said before. there is no logic but opinion. But, its how my gun experence progessed.

 

[CDR_Glock]

In the next few weeks I'll likely be making my first handgun purchase. I've been looking into this the past few months and thought I had settled down on a 9mm semiauto, specifically a CZ75 SP01. However, I find myself wavering a bit on that decision and looking again at the Ruger GP100 3in.

I'm a big guy with big mitts, so I find that even mid-sized handguns don't fit me very well (e.g. Ruger SP01 and to a somewhat lesser degree, Sig P229). So, I'm sticking with these two full size guns for use as a home defense and a backpacking gun. Concealed carry is not really a consideration at this point.

The sticking points between the two boils down to the following:

CZ75 SP01, 9mm: much larger capacity, cheaper ammo, fits my hand like a dream, and accurate / shot placement.

Ruger GP100 3in, .357: ease of use, ruggedness, more capable against errant bears / mt. lions, and arguably easier to use as a CCW.

Guys, I'm positively stuck here.

A little help, please?

For my friends who are first time gunowners, I recommend the GP100. It is the compromise between capacity (6), caliber, and reliability. It is an outstanding gun for self defense in the 357 caliber.

Nothing against the other choice. For a larger gun, the H&K and Sig Sauer has larger trigger guards. I would recommend a 45 ACP if you're comparing revolvers with a similar caliber. The stopping power is higher with a 357, though.

I have shot an SP101 which is a great gun in a snub nosed 357. Durable and is just a tank! I changed the 15# trigger pull to 10# and it was a dream to shoot.

The GP100 I favor in 4".

Don't knock DaGlock! It is the most reliable gun I have ever shot. Right out of the box!

 

[papa_bear]

If your choice is between these 2 guns go with the CZ. I love revolvers but modern 9mm +P is almost equivalent to .357 mag. check ballisticsbytheinch.com. 124gr 9mm +p out of a 4-5" barrel is about 1226fps the 357mag out of a 3" barrel is about 1260fps. you will get a whole lot more bullets in the CZ plus a loger sight radius. not to mention the muzzle blast that comes out of a 3" .357 I promise you will not want to shoot more than once with out ear plugs

 

[Will_Power]

Alright, doing some reading tonight has made me realize that - as a lot of you have stated - the 9mm isn't going to cut it against any ornery bears or cougs I may have the misfortune to come across (or in case of the cougar, getting jumped by).

Guess I'll just have to sacrifice the cheap and plentiful benefits of 9mm. I think one of my local shops has a CZ97 in stock - gonna go check it out tomorrow and report back.

So my question at this point seems like it should be 45acp v 357mag.

Not going to give the 10mm much though based on scarcity, and the 44mags remain out of the race on account of being too big for lugging around the backcountry. No grizzlies or moose to be worrying about in my part of the country (Oregon and the southern half of Washington).

 

[Brass Rain]

If you're not considering using the revolver as a concealed carry gun, it might be better to go with the 4" barrel. I've been able to try out a GP-100 a few times. The single-action trigger is very light and crisp, and the double-action is smooth if a little heavy. I have a thing for revolvers, so I would go that route, but it may be different for you. 9mm is cheaper, but .38 Special isn't particularly expensive, and the versatility for heavy .357 rounds could be useful.

 

[HM2PAC]

.45ACP will definitely open up some better choices for you.

I know you don't like the idea of a polymer frame, but there are a lot of really nice pistols that use them. They will save you weight, especially if you are wearing the thing for extended periods of time.

I used to carry a Para Ordnance P14/45. Big double stack steel framed 1911 with 15 rds of .45ACP.....very heavy. I traded that in on an HK USP45....very noticeable difference.

I still love my 1911's, but when in the field, the USP or the G20 is what I have on me. Both have more capacity and are lighter than the 1911's. I bought the G20 specifically for bears. We do a lot of berry picking and hiking in the summer. Activities that increase the probability of a bear encounter.

A good choice for a steel framed .45 would include the 1911, or the Sig220. I'm not familiar with the Ruger auto-loaders, but they are built like tanks and have a faithful following as well.

Brainstorming here.......

A good option for you could be a sturdy solid 1911 with a conversion for .460Rowland. You could carry with regular .45ACP and when in bear/lion country, switch out to the .460. You would have to have some of the pricy hard to get ammo, but you wouldn't have to have cases of the stuff.

Check it out: http://460rowland.com/about/