Having trouble deciding: revolver or semi auto

[bullseye308]

Ruger GP-100 4” would be a great choice, as would any 9mm 1911. Both are cheap and easy to reload for, and a 9mm 1911 is so fun and easy to shoot, you won’t believe it till you try it. With the Ruger you have 38, and 357. The 357 case can be loaded from mild to wild, depending on what you need it to do.

 

[IdaD]

I stopped by a shop today to check out what they had. I’m leaning toward the new model GP-100. I had an older model about 10 years ago and while the old style grips looked nicer, the new rubber grips fill my hand a lot better. I know Ruger is also making an 8 shot Redhawk that loads via moon clips, but that’s getting a little expensive and it looks like it might be a real pig in a 4” or 5.5” barrel.

The 1911 idea has me intrigued. I’m thinking I should pick up a few of those before I commit.

I know the polymer nines have come a long way in terms of reliability since their introtroduction, but I just have a hard time getting excited about plastic. There’s something reassuring about the weight of steel.

It depends on your intended purpose. You mention reliability on polymer nines - the good ones (Glock, M&P and the like) are far more reliable than any 1911. As a tool, be it self defense or practicing handgun fundamentals, I don't think you can beat a a good polymer 9mm. They're dead reliable, the ammo is cheap, they shoot accurately, and with quality defensive ammo they're as effective as any of your common self defense handgun rounds. That having been said, their capacity advantage is nullified because of where you live. They're also pretty utilitarian which might not be what you're looking for - nobody is going to accuse a Glock or M&P of being nice to look at. But as tools they're great.

A 1911 gives you the steel build you seem to be looking for. I couldn't get one in anything but 45 which isn't quite as cheap as 9mm to shoot, but it's not too much more expensive. They are undeniably cool handguns.

Revolvers would have a couple of advantages. I do agree that they're a little more under the radar which might be important where you live. It also would open up more powerful calibers which might be useful if you spend time in the outdoors. If you're not interested in the option of bumping up into more powerful rounds, given where you live and your stated priorities, I think I'd be looking pretty hard at 1911 in 45 ACP.

 

[WheelGunMan]

With everything you stated so far....sounds like you're leaning towards a revolver. Here's something that gives you the steel you seek. Available in a 9MM so it'll be economical to shoot. Well within your budget. Ruger SP101 9MM

 

[WrongHanded]

I've owned 5 GP100s in the last decade or so. I still have 4, so I obviously like them. But they can require a little work to get the most out of the trigger (depending on the gun). The last one I bought was a real struggle, but is now the smoothest I've known.

I avoided 1911s for a long time. I finally shot one earlier this year and then bought one the same day. That Sig STX is now my favorite semi-auto.

Both great choices, IMO.

 

[MrBorland]

there’s just something right about how a revolver feels in the hand. Also, I am in California and our likely next governor is even more anti gun than the last. Revolvers are lower down the ban list than autos

To clarify, the intended purpose is primarily target practice, but I also want something adequate for personal defense in the unlikely event that should become necessary.

By build fundamentals, I mean I want to learn how to hit what I’m shooting at with a handgun. I’ve always been naturally adequate with a long gun, but honestly, I’m a complete turd of a handgun shot. I think it would be a fun project to change that.

My budget is roughly $800 including all fees and taxes

Putting these two together, I'd say you wouldn't be unhappy with a 4" 6-shot service-sized .357mag revolver with adjustable sights. It doesn't get much more versatile than that. A great range gun, it can be carried when need be. It's very versatile in the ammo it'll shoot - It can shoot low-power target rounds or hotter .357mag - and handloading for it is pretty straightforward. The adjustable sights make for a nice sight picture for target work to work on your fundamentals*. You can shoot it single- or double-action, and in 6-shot, there are good speedloader options available, and you can shoot it in most matches if you even get the itch. Most have numerous aftermarket grips available, and most are easily worked on if the action could use some work. And, finally, IMO, learn to shoot it well (in SA and DA, please), and the transition to semi-autos is generally quite easy. The reverse doesn't always hold, from what I've seen.


* I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the obvious - developing solid fundamentals is a terrific goal (one that I heartily endorse), but it's more about your commitment to developing solid fundamentals than it is about the gear. It's true the 9mm round isn't commonly thought of as a target round, and in a polymer gun, even less so, but your commitment towards getting better is what really leads to getting better. 'Course, a nice trigger, good sights and good wadcutter ammo are big helps...

 

[Livin_Cincy]

The Revolver advantage is you don't loose brass and you shoot slower do to reloading time.
You can hardly beat a 148 grain SWC for shooting paper or Zombies on a 25 yard range.

I purchased a 5" GP-100. For me it feels better in the hand than a 4" or a 6".
I replaced the factory hammer spring with a Wolf spring.
Dry firing married the internals and it is very smooth and light trigger.

The 44 Special GP is looking really good. I would prefer a 45 LC version should they produce one.

 

[high country]

There is a lot of great advice here, and I second those who are recommending the .357 and 9mm 1911. Those are two of the top three in my small collection (the third being a buckmark .22). For smiles per dollar at the range, it would be hard to compete with one of those two. They reload for about the same per round.

I had a GP100 for a long time, but got rid of it once I found the SP101 with a 4" barrel. It has great sights, and fits in hand perfectly for me. It wouldn't be my first choice for ccw because of the length, but the frame is small enough that it would work. For me at least, there was no way I would be able to conceal the GP100 under anything short of a heavy coat.

It would be hard to go wrong with either of those for a nice shooting handgun that is inexpensive to feed and could be pressed into a multitude of uses if needed.

 

[thomas15]

I've gone through several 9mm's from expensive to cheap, big to little, poly and steel. I don't care for the cartridge.

OK it's settled. 9mm is off of the table.

 

[rpenmanparker]

The Revolver advantage is you don't loose brass and you shoot slower do to reloading time.
You can hardly beat a 148 grain SWC for shooting paper or Zombies on a 25 yard range.

I purchased a 5" GP-100. For me it feels better in the hand than a 4" or a 6".
I replaced the factory hammer spring with a Wolf spring.
Dry firing married the internals and it is very smooth and light trigger.

The 44 Special GP is looking really good. I would prefer a 45 LC version should they produce one.

Wut? You pay for range time. Why would you want to shoot slow? And I will say it again. Most shooters don’t reload. The fate of the brass is a non-issue.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Putting these two together, I'd say you wouldn't be unhappy with a 4" 6-shot service-sized .357mag revolver with adjustable sights. It doesn't get much more versatile than that. A great range gun, it can be carried when need be. It's very versatile in the ammo it'll shoot - It can shoot low-power target rounds or hotter .357mag - and handloading for it is pretty straightforward. The adjustable sights make for a nice sight picture for target work to work on your fundamentals*. You can shoot it single- or double-action, and in 6-shot, there are good speedloader options available, and you can shoot it in most matches if you even get the itch. Most have numerous aftermarket grips available, and most are easily worked on if the action could use some work. And, finally, IMO, learn to shoot it well (in SA and DA, please), and the transition to semi-autos is generally quite easy. The reverse doesn't always hold, from what I've seen.


* I'd be remiss if I didn't point out the obvious - developing solid fundamentals is a terrific goal (one that I heartily endorse), but it's more about your commitment to developing solid fundamentals than it is about the gear. It's true the 9mm round isn't commonly thought of as a target round, and in a polymer gun, even less so, but your commitment towards getting better is what really leads to getting better. 'Course, a nice trigger, good sights and good wadcutter ammo are big helps...

What exactly is a target round? And how does that not include 9mm? It is what I mostly shoot at targets.

 

[George P]

Wut? You pay for range time. Why would you want to shoot slow? And I will say it again. Most shooters don’t reload. The fate of the brass is a non-issue.

Most shooters who shoot 38/357 reload because that ammo is stupid expensive compared to similar cartridges. I can reload plastic snake shot, wadcutters, LSWC, copper bullets, all sorts of combinations not regularly offered.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Most shooters who shoot 38/357 reload because that ammo is stupid expensive compared to similar cartridges. I can reload plastic snake shot, wadcutters, LSWC, copper bullets, all sorts of combinations not regularly offered.

No doubt regarding how much you can save. But still, most folks don’t do it. It is like driving down your nice suburban street and coming to the conclusion that everyone on Earth drives a Beamer or a Benz. But it ain’t so. The company you keep on this forum is not representative of the shooting public at large.

 

[MrBorland]

What exactly is a target round?

By common usage, it’s a round, load and/or bullet commonly used in formal target competition. AFAIK, the 9mm round isn’t typically one of those commonly seen on the firing line. That doesn’t mean it (or a gun so chambered) is incapable of reasonably good accuracy, though.

And how does that not include 9mm? It is what I mostly shoot at targets.

Well, then, by all means keep doing what you’re doing. Are you shooting formal target matches, btw? And if so, are you happy with your scores?

 

[Boarhunter]

Perhaps now is the time to consider moving out of California and to a state like my home, Alabama, where guns are not limited and not considered evil.

BOARHUNTER

 

[gwpercle]

There's a lot of versatility in a K framed size revolver in 357 magnum . Ammo can be purchased from mild target loads to big game hunting loads and everything in between .
If I could have but one, it would be a S&W model 19 (blue finish) or my preference the model 66 (stainless)
with a three or four inch barrel...that would be just the ticket !

This comes from over 50 years of handgun experience...semi-auto's are not nearly as versatile in the ammo it will function with. Plus you don't have magazines to deal with.
Gary

 

[.308 Norma]

This comes from over 50 years of handgun experience...semi-auto's are not nearly as versatile in the ammo it will function with.

+1 Over 50 years handgun experience here too, and I can build 44 Magnum loads to snip the head off a fool hen at 20 feet, or loads to tip over a 45lb steel ram at 200 meters.
That said, my favorite CCW is a 9mm semi-auto. I like it, but it's not nearly "as versatile in the ammo it will function with" as any of my revolvers, nor is it as fun to load for.

 

[walnut1704]

No doubt regarding how much you can save. But still, most folks don’t do it. It is like driving down your nice suburban street and coming to the conclusion that everyone on Earth drives a Beamer or a Benz. But it ain’t so. The company you keep on this forum is not representative of the shooting public at large.

Most gun owners don't reload. Most shooters do. I don't know anybody who shoots thousands of rounds a year that doesn't reload unless someone else is paying for their ammo. The barrier to entry just isn't very high.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Most gun owners don't reload. Most shooters do. I don't know anybody who shoots thousands of rounds a year that doesn't reload unless someone else is paying for their ammo. The barrier to entry just isn't very high.

You know one now. More than one. Every shooter I know buys off the shelf on their own nickel. I shoot 5,000 rounds each of .22LR and 9 mm. I don’t reload. Remember what I said about the Beamers and Benzes.

 

[walnut1704]

You know one now. More than one. Every shooter I know buys off the shelf on their own nickel. I shoot 5,000 rounds each of .22LR and 9 mm. I don’t reload. Remember what I said about the Beamers and Benzes.

Well in that case I think it's your neighborhood with the Beamers and the Benzes......

Do all y'all stick to .22lr and 9mm?

 

[Tallball]

I shoot every popular caliber other than 10mm. A family member reloads for both of us. I do shoot a lot of 22's. My second most common caliber is 38 special.

 

[Bo]

Here ya go, 6" S&W 586 38/357 revolver. easy to shoot, dead nuts accurate and just down right purdy!
The long barrel and weight of the gun makes it easy to shoot 357 mags all day.

 

[stonebuster]

Bo, that's one fine 586 you have there. I'd be afraid to let it touch a brick. I like my GP100 .357s and they never let me down but blued Smiths have a much nicer finish, sleek and purdy to say the least. It's like my 2500 Chevy work truck vs. the "playboy" pick ups with all the bells and whistles. They both get the job done but I won't have a heart attack if I scratch my work truck or my GP.

 

[John Joseph]

If hand loading is in your future (as it will be for most CA hand gunners) I'd look at larger calibers.
They are more gratifying and very accurate.

The problem with buying a handgun in CA is that used(off roster) handguns very rarely come up for sale. This limits what's available.
Also, new semi automatics won't be added to the roster unless the mandated "micro stamping" technology exists. It is unclear(to me) if Olympic style target pistols fall under this requirement but then we're talking .22lrs which limit the "defensive" role.
There is also the 10 round magazine limitation to consider. "Service" size pistols generally accommodate magazines that hold more than 10 rounds.

I'd look for a .45 1911, probably target grade, that will function with a 8 round magazine. With one up the pipe you're looking at 9 rounds which is a good compromise.
For a revolver, either DA or SA , a .44 Spl/mag., .45 Colt or .357/.38 could offer a lot of bang for your buck. The .44 Spl. is extraordinarily accurate and certainly no slouch when it come to defensive role.
OTOH, if you want to go the full stealth route, you could mail order a black power cap and ball reproduction.

Plenty of paths to follow.

 

[huntsman]

My first choice for a fun gun would be Ruger Blackhawk, I like to make big holes so .45 convertible.

As for a safe bet in Commieland, slingshot ought to do.

 

[rpenmanparker]

Let’s do a poll.