I need some advice

[orthodr24]

Hey there everyone, this is my first posting...I'm brand new to the world of handgun owners, I haven't bought my first yet and that is what I need some advice on. I'm torn between two and wondered what input you may have on them. The choices are:
1) http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=6647&return=Y
or
2) http://www.px4storm.com/

I've done a little research and narrowed it down to the two of these. I know a lot of you may say if you're going to get a .45 you have to get a 1911...they just don't appeal to me though. I like the info on the PX4 but I know a lot of people are diehard .45. I will mainly be using it for home/self defense. I appreciate any advice. Thanks a lot.

 

[NMshooter]

I once owned a Ruger P-90, and I have shot a friend's Beretta Cougar in .45, and I really can't say that one is noticably superior to the other.

Have you at least handled an example of each pistol to find out how it fits in your hand?

That is one of the best indicators of whether or not a particular pistol is for you.

I would highly recommend shooting both before buying if you have the opportunity.

My personal favorite for a double action .45 is the SIG P-220.

 

[mmike87]

The Storm is a neat looking gun ... but am I correctly reading that it has Glow In The Dark sights? What do you do, put a light in your gun safe 24x7 so they are "charged" when the SHTF???

Otherwise, it's an interesting looking gun.

 

[Baba Louie]

1st of all, welcome to THR and the world of handguns orthodr24

2nd, I've looked around online and can find info and availibility for the Ruger but have zero luck on the Beretta. Beretta's are typically fine products, pricey, but fine... question is, do you wanna be one of the original testing purchasers, etc. and help find any bugs or kinks that need to be worked out? Just asking. Hard to tell you anything about it if one isn't yet available
http://www.berettaforum.net/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi

Rugers are also fine products. The 345 is quite new, but available. Initial purchasers are undergoing bug/kink workout. I can't find any published reviews on one of them yet as well, but did find out a bit from the Ruger Forums. Well received.
http://www.rugerforum.com/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/rugerforum/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro

Having said all that (and nothing at all really) since you are new to the world of handguns, the standard line to Newbies typically goes something like this...

A. .22 lr "something or other" for cheap practice and initial control of sights, safety procedures, flinch control, etc.

B. 4" barrelled Revolvers are usually a better initial centerfire handgun purchase due to simplicity of operation, etc.

C. Take an NRA sponsored class on handgun shooting and/or self defense, yada yada

Good luck. Let us know whatcha get and how it works for ya.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Welcome to THR,
I agree with Babba Louie, get some training under your belt. That said, I have a friend who owns the "Old school" Ruger P90. Although that gun feels like a 2 x 4 to me, my friend uses his to great effect. Additionally, it will shoot every type of ammo he has ever tried. Including some iffy handloads that jammed every other .45 at the range! I never cared for polymer framed handguns because they are too light for me, and usually I find that they lack the sort of traction that one gets with checkered panels or rubber stocks. The new Ruger that you like looks like they took all of my main complaints about the P90 and fixed them. As for the Beretta, I am a huge fan of the company. The 92 FS remains one of my favorite military handguns. However, I have never encountered the storm pistol other than the carbine, which dissapointed me with it's giant front sight ears which made it nearly impossible to see your target! I would suggest you follow Babba's advise, then take each pistol one at a time. Close your eyes and raise the gun to eye level and open your eyes. If the sights are spot on then the grip angle suits you "naturally". If not, you might have to condition yourself to make the gun work for you. I have found the grip angle of a 1911 to be spot on whereas the full size Glocks have me pointing low. I'm not saying that this is the final answer, just something to consider. It's kind of like trying on a shirt before you buy it, you want to make sure it fits.

 

[rockstar.esq]

One more thing... I just read that the Ruger has a magazine disconnect. This prevents the gun from being fired should the magazine be removed. Personally, I passionately hate this feature on a firearm designed for personal defence. If you were in a position where a reload became neccesary, you couldn't fire the chambered round before re inserting the magazine. I would rather have that option open as many inopportune things happen when we are under duress and if you bumped the mag release at the wrong time, you are left with a blunt object in your hands. Please take my opinion as just that, there are many police agency's that used S&W semiautos with this feature. Their logic was that if the officer should be overun and a struggle ensued. The officer had the ability to push the mag release and reduce the probability of the crimimal using the gun on the officer.

 

[TimboKhan]

Agreeing with my friend.

Howdy,

Like Rockstar.esq, I also hate mag releases, although I have had to force myself to come to the understanding that if i want a new auto, thats how its gonna have be. I honestly don't know much about the 345, but I know quite a bit about the P90. You can find them used for a very reasonable price (I have seen them as low as 250.00 in pawn shops, but the average seems to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300.00). I have been exceptionally pleased with this gun. It has its issues, one of which being that its a fairly large gun, so if you have small paws, it may not be the best choice. Second, the stock grips blow. I bought a set of hogue molded grips for it (15 bucks or so), and the difference is amazing. I am able to shoot just about anything through it, although I typically shoot either wold or CCI Blazer, as I have had exceptionally good luck with both in terms of reliability, in addition to both being fairly cheap too shoot. If your deadset on an auto, I might recommend a Taurus 24/7. I personally plan to buy one in 9mm, and new they are about 350.00. However, you might want to consider a revolver. Yes, you will have less capacity, but I think for a new shooter they are a better option. Easier to use, more accurate (generally), a wider variety of caliber choices and so on. The other thing is you can leave one cylinder empty, and train for flinch. Yes, you can do this with an Auto using snap caps, but its kind of a P in the A. Whatever you get though, my best advice for you is to go out and actually shoot it as much as you can. Marksmanship and competence come from shooting, and the more you shoot, the better both will be. Additionally, you can transfer these lessons easily over to any other guns you happen to buy in the future!
Timbo

 

[foghornl]

I have a KP-90 Ruger, my first .45ACP handgun. Like it a lot, only thing I added is the Hogue grips with finger grooves. The pic is copied from Hogue's website..since I don't have my KP-90 handy for a pic. Eats any ammo I have fed it, EXCEPT for the really bad American Ammo from Miami, FL. Cases are headstamped A-MERC. DO NOT BUY THIS ROTTEN EXCUSE FOR AMMO.

A-Merc is in a red & blue striped box. Federal "American Eagle" in the mostly red box with a graphic of a Bald Eagle on the box is good stuff.

 

[USGuns]

P345

I'd recommend the Ruger P345. The last time I was in the local gun shop, the guy behind the counter said they're now his top selling .45. Nice ergonomics, decent price, reliable, durable, US-made, etc. I have a P95 and it ALWAYS goes bang when you pull the trigger - a desirable attribute, especially for a home-defense firearm.
Good luck.

Some reading for you:
http://www.americanhandgunner.com/FTR01.html
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger-P345.htm

 

[Working Man]

A gun can be a life long purchase so throwing a little extra money towards
one that has superior longevity as well as can take a wide range of rounds
makes sense. I would advise a HK USP 45. It comes standard with a 10 rnd
clip and (since the ban fell through) can accommodate a 12 rnd clip as well.
I paid around 750 for my SS.

Rugers are good guns but their semis seem a little loose in comparison.
Berettas are much tighter.

 

[hightech]

Training First

I would recommend taking a basic pistol class first learning the difference between a revolver and pistol. Second at the class you can try different types and calibers to better make a judgment. I always recommend a person just starting out with a hand gun start with a revolver. You may wish to invest in a good .22 cal pistol to improve the shooting skills while you are making a decision.