I can't choose :(

[Prometheus1987]

Hello, my name is James.

I want a handgun for target practice, home defense, and personal carry in a total shtf scenario. I want my gun to...
1 - Use a commonly available caliber
2 - be a full size model
3 - have a minimum of failures
4 - Be easy to repair in the event a gunsmith is out of the question.

I don't want to spend any more than $800.00, and my target was around the $600 - $700 range.

My favorites are -
1 - Beretta M96a1 (Have fired and loved the 92fs, but I am a little afraid of the expected service life of this pistol)

2 - Remington 1911 R1 (have fired the Springfield GI & liked it, but this has the same classic look with white dot sights. Is this one as reliable?)

3 - MRI Baby Eagle or Baby Eagle 2 (like the look, it is slimmer than the others I listed, I've read good reviews, am a little uncertain of how it would feel in my hand)

Others I was willing to consider are:

1 - PX4 Storm in 40 (This is my state police's standard firearm, It is slimmer than the 96, I have fired its 9mm brother and while I'm not crazy about it, I would get it over the 96 if it was more reliable/had a longer service life)
2 - Ruger SR 1911 or Taurus 1911 (Dual Tone) - If the Remington R1 was not protect your life reliable, I'd go for one of these.

3 - Ruger GP101 stainless 6"- (Okay it's a revolver, but I've fired them at my local range, and they always go bang, and they fit my budget)

 

[Carne Frio]

Glock
Many caliber choices
Light weight
Super reliable
Relatively inexpensive
All parts are user replaceable with minimal tools

 

[HOOfan_1]

Revolvers are not easy to fix, getting the timing right can be tricky.

1911, Glock or Berretta 92/96 will be the ones easiest to find parts for.

I'd look at a CZ 75 or 85 instead of a Baby Eagle/Jericho as well.

 

[Prometheus1987]

Looking at Springfield's page, I wouldn't be against the Springfield 1911 Milspec. It has most of the features I like in the Remington 1911 R1.

I have handled Glocks, and I don't like them. I would rather have an XD if I HAD to have a striker-fire auto. But I'm oldschool... I like Hammer-fire pistols.

In terms of reliability, which of the specific guns listed would you feel the most comfortable with keeping in a handgun-safe by your bed? (With the addition of the Springfield 1911 Milspec)

 

[mdThanatos]

If you liked the Springfield GI there is always the Mil-Spec, 3 dot sights, lowered and flared ejection port, better warranty than the R1.

I love my 4" GP100, have had 4 Ruger revolvers, not an issue with any of them.

PX4 in .40 was an easy .40 for me to shoot.

In terms of repair I am reading that with 1911s you will have to do some fitting to almost all the parts if you have to change or replace them.

In terms of service life and the planned use, Target, HD and Carry, all of your choices should out last you. The only one I will steer clear from is the Taurus. I have seen too many of their products have issues out of the box, including my own personal experience. Most will bash on their customer service but I cannot do that. I have had to send in a product for warranty work 4 times in a 6 month period, each time they picked up shipping both ways and by the time I received the letter stating they had received my pistol and how long they expected repairs to take I had already received my pistol back with repairs completed. So for me their service has been great, just the product hasn't stood up to my standards.

 

[Snowbandit]

You're afraid of the expected service life on the Beretta? Hopefully you would be lucky enough to live long enough and be rich enough to afford the ammo to wear one out. If that's the one you like, buy with confidence and plan to pass it on to your kids.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I went with the ruger. The 1911 is the only one you have listed that I can comfortably carry, and you mentioned carry.

Another suggestion:

Glock 19

1 - Use a commonly available caliber

• Check
• I can afford to do quite a bit of 9mm plinking

2 - be a full size model

• Reallllly close to full size and accepts larger mags from the 17 so you can have plenty of ammo (handy at the range if you buy 9-10 so you spend less time loading mags)
• Small enough to carry IWB concealed

3 - have a minimum of failures

• Check

4 - Be easy to repair in the event a gunsmith is out of the question.

• Parts are cheap and it can be completely disassembled with a small punch (I've used a bic ben)
• I'm really not sure why you would ever need a gunsmith or even a glock armorer to replace anything on there

I have handled Glocks, and I don't like them. I would rather have an XD if I HAD to have a striker-fire auto. But I'm oldschool... I like Hammer-fire pistols.

Me too! But after I ran a glock for 3-400 rounds, I fell in love. Still love my 1911's and the beretta 92/96. I owned an XDM 40 for awhile, but I still preferred the glock when I was running it. The xdm was a bit too large for me to carry and I prefer the size of the 19/23 over the xd sc.

 

[ElrodCod]

Poll fail....no Glock.

 

[JoeMal]

First vote for a Glock 17 (not offered for whatever reason), then the Beretta

 

[98C5]

I'm an auto guy, but in your case I would suggest the Ruger GP101.

 

[Steve H]

Not on the list but my choice Springfield XD 45

 

[BBDartCA]

I'm no expert but the steel Baby Eagle II in 40 cal is a great gun. The subcompact is awesome.

But if reliability and simplicity is your concern get a 4" 357 like the GP101.

 

[zeb777]

Beretta M96, has great reliability

 

[Exeter]

Any of them are good choices.

For a shft scenario, my first choice would a 357 revolver, though. Two reasons, ability to use any 357 or 38 special load, so you'd have the most options for ammo, and second, no separate magazine that could get damaged or lost.

 

[Wishoot]

While you're sacrificing capacity and ease of repair, the GP100 would be my choice of those listed above. What you gain in the GP100 is the ability to shoot a smokin' hot SD round in .357 mag, and the ability to shoot somewhat less expensive .38 spl.

Frankly none of those would be my true first choice. I'd lean toward a CZ75B where ammo is plentiful and relatively cheap, great variety of SD ammo, it's a fairly easy gun to take apart and capacity is excellent.

 

[viper7342]

Another Option, since you mention that you like a gun with an external hammer, is the Sig SP2022, it is available in both 9mm and 40 S&W and before I purchased one, I got all the feedback on it I possibly could from those that owned them and everyone that replied had nothing but good things to say about them.

ETA: you can pick up one of these from Jet Guns http://www.jetguns.com in 9mm with night sights for $437.00 with shipping included.

 

[Axel Larson]

The Baby Eagle is kinda cool as well, and I believe it comes in 9mm so that would be a good one to go for.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Out of that list?....A GP100, except with a 4" barrel.

 

[john5036]

I'm going to throw in my vote that you should reconsider the Glock and Springfield polymer guns.

I chose my Beretta 92FS (it's so easy to fall in love with it, I know) over a Glock during my first go around. I didn't like how the Glock handled either at the time, but as I got to know the M9 and became familiar with the slide safety, the DA pull, I sorta grew tired of that routine... I tried the Glock out again and now the 19 is my primary carry weapon. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my Beretta and I would go to it in a heartbeat for HD, but that Glock is my concealed carry weapon and it's ready all the time.

Both Glocks and Springers come in mid-size iterations that has all the feel and capacity of full-size, but are much kinder to concealed carry.

 

[minutemen1776]

Of your options, I like the M96 best. Like others have said, though, a Glock is a good option for your parameters. Since you're "old school," you might also consider a 3rd-generation S&W auto. The GP-100 is also not bad, but I'd opt for the 4-inch version, just to improve its handling and portability.

 

[19-3Ben]

1 - Beretta M96a1

If you don't mind DAO trigger, this is a pretty smokin deal.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I recommend to go with the gun that best fits your hand, just look at the guns that meet the basics you want and pick that way. For a 1911 I would recommend something other than a GI model for a first handgun(I'm guessing). The Ruger 1911 seems like it would be a good alternative.

Glock

You fanboys just can't wait to shove a pistol that someone says they don't like down their throats. He said he doesn't like them, back off, its not the perfect pistol.

 

[priler]

wow,i can't understand why,even after a full explanation,some members insist on offering choices the OP didn't ask for. this seems to be common on all the gun forums. i'm not going to do the same. sure,my first choice,including caliber,is not on that list but it's not for me.

because you included carry,which may mean "bugging out" fully loaded with lots of other needs,the best choice here for me would be the px4. it meets every one of your criteria but for any of them you would need extra parts and an understanding of full disassembly down to an armorer level if you really want to stick to your criteria. you also have a choice in type of trigger in the px4.

i tend to look at true shtf situations as you being totally without any way to even order parts,much less receive any kind of help. this means a second and even third of exactly the same model,if you stay put,and/or multiple parts even if you never need them. you'll need tons of other "stuff" too in a true shtf so if your seriously planning on this,don't just think of guns and ammo.

 

[_N4Z_]

I had an INOX Beretta96 sometime ago. That piece was smooth like butter on glass, and it looked really nice. Somewhat large in the hand, but not enough to detract from my liking it. It was accurate enough, and easy to maintain, good punch with the .40S&W.

After 1000 rounds the jam count was around 7 or 8. These were failures to feed. Contemplated a dremel to the ramp, but ended up trading it for a 6inch SS GP100 in .357mag. I had tried a friends 4inch model and was very impressed how much more accurate I was with it over the Beretta.

Anyway, many years later I still am happy about the decision. No jams so far, and I passed that 1000 round count a very long time ago now. Started reloading after the move, which allows tailored ammo for that same GP. Picked up a SP101, a Cimarron Model P, and a Marlin 1894c along the way. Really like that .357 magnum round too.

 

[Prometheus1987]

I don't mind people voicing their ideas that aren't on my list, as long as they also give me their opinion on which gun fom my list they would pick as well. Most importantly, I want to know why you would pick which one over annother. My only handgun experience is from renting m92s & the springfeild g.I. from my local range.
I picked 40 caliber, because it seemed a good medium between the fun and cheap 9mm, and the expensive, but trusty 45acp. And it will be easier to aquire in a crisis because it is a standard law enforcement round.
I would like to know more on the px4. I ask gun shops and all they tell me is that it is a good gun. They don't say it's better or worse than the 96. They just say that they are both good choices.
I stopped in my local shop to feel a couple guns to compare size, weight, and store owner's oppinion, and he pointed out the sig p226. I liked the feel, and the trigger pull. Any thoughts on that?