Looking to Buy First "Real" Handgun

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hillestadj

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Hey guys, hoping you can help me out.

I am finally looking at getting my first "real" handgun, and by that I mean centerfire. I have had a Browning Buckmark and an old .22 revolver for years and enjoy shooting them. However, lately I have been hung up on getting a centerfire handgun just to have for some fun time at the range, no concealed carrying or handgun hunting in my future.

Just a little back ground, the two .22's I own have mostly been used as high volume plinkers and I have enjoyed what I feel is a pretty good level of accuracy with the Buckmark, but I wouldnt consider myself a "seasoned" handgun shooter. I would like that to change and I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.

I am willing to spend about $1000 +/- for the gun itself. I have been looking at both semi auto pistols and DA revolvers and have a narrowed down a list, somewhat anyway.

So far I have looked at and like (in no particular order):
1. Sig Sauer P226 Elite
2. Browning Hi-Power
3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center

I like the idea of shooting cheap 9mm ammo or having a .357 mag which I can also run fairly cheap .38 special ammo through.

I guess what I would like to hear are your opinions on whether to go with pistol or revolver, caliber that wouldnt break the bank to shoot a couple hundred rounds a month, opinions on the guns I've listed, or any other suggestions for a gun you guys think might fit the bill.

Thanks in advance,

JH
 
$1000 ish tickles my personal "if the wife doesnt find the new Gun Money Stash"

FN Five-Seven ^^

Semi's. A .40 sig should be easily convertable to .357 with just a barrel, or 9mm with the conversion barrel and new clips. (multitasker!)

Like your revolver choices too.
 
I think you will be satisfied with the performance and reliability of almost any Smith & Wesson revolver. If your willing to pay for it, I'd say do some research on some Colt revolvers. The Snake models (King Cobra, Anaconda, etc) are highly collectable, and are the Cadillac of revolvers, in my opinion.
 
One of the last 2 choices. A 'real gun' speaks 'big bore revolver' to me.

Might want to look at the big rugers like the gp 100 and redhawk if u like the lines of the L frame smiths.
 
Can't give an opinion on all your choices, but I can say that if you hold a 686, you'll feel that you are holding a "real" handgun. The ergonomics are just right. Shoots .357 comfortably and accurately. Built to last a lifetime. Aesthetically, it's unsurpassed.
 
if you hold a 686, you'll feel that you are holding a "real" handgun
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Exactly!

By using the range of ammo available for a .357 Magnum you can vary the bang, kick and flame.

We go to the range a couple times a month mostly to shoot our .22LR's but we always tale at least 1 686 with us.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // #4

I looked at one used for $900 recently, extremely nice set up, smooth trigger, 8 shots of .357/.38. ////

Revolver perfection, S&W 627 PC is very high on my list.

In comparison to your list to be fair I already have:

CZ75B .40s&w
CZ2075RAMI .40s&w
S&W 586 6" .357/.38

So the 627 is farthest from what I already have being an 8 shot revolver.

If you wish to hunt with the handgun too most likely canidate IMHO is the S&W 686 with a 6" or longer barrel.
 
I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.
Click to expand...


From info provided IMHO, here are your best choices......

3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center
Click to expand...
 
686 Smith and wesson , preferably with a 6 inch barrel. The only thing that feels better than fondling this revolver are nice firm......, you get my drift.
 
I have had my 686 for over 25 years. I shot it with the irons until my eye sight started getting a little fuzzy. Put a Millet red dot and BSquare mounts on it and am still banging away with it. A 686 or Model-19 will give you a lifetime of fun and enjoyment.
 
I just bought a 627 PC a few weeks ago. Excellent revolver. Insanely accurate. Sweet trigger pull. SA trigger is very light, but DA is so silky smooth that I almost never fire it in SA.

It is very well balanced and points easily. The gold dot sight is very nice because the gold sort of shimmers and makes the front sight stand out quite well.

It has very light recoil in .38 because of its weight. Even .357 doesn't recoil very bad, certainly no worse than a 1911 .45.

My only criticism is that the stock wood grips are a bit small. But it comes with an extra set of hogue rubber grips that are much better. I took the stock wood grips off and shoot it with the rubber grips.
 
Thanks for the replies so far gentlemen.

Seems like the most suggested is the 686 and just an S&W in general.

Any reason for choosing a revolver over the semi auto other than the caliber it comes in and the fact that its a S&W?

Also, I wouldnt say that I have been getting sticker shock while looking as I have always paid for quality and never regretted it, however, it seems to me some of the prices on handguns I've seen are a little out of touch with reality or maybe the manufacturers think a bit too highly of what they are putting out. Again, most of my past gun purchases have been rifles and shotguns so I may be missing something.
 
No gun is a joke
and .22 are a great way to learn pistol shooting

But I would suggest any of the popular 9mm as they are economical to shoot, and readily available in about every flavor you could hope for, INCLUDING revolvers.

Adding
I grew up on semis, revolvers are suggested by their fans for simplicity
BUT
I find the auto simple because it is what I learned to shoot and know how to operate, I've shot a revolver a few times, and its funny watching my try to load one, it really is preference.
Don't expect a single handgun to do it all, rather find a full size pistol that you can shoot well (feels good to you, its all in the ergos) and learn, then consider what you will be using the pistol for and find one you like for that, as for caliber, that too is a person preference for what you want to do with the gun.

So
Basically go gun shopping and don't listen to the BS from behind the counter, do your research and find something you like.
 
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Any reason for choosing a revolver over the semi auto other than the caliber it comes in and the fact that its a S&W?
Click to expand...

Again from the info and choices given.

I expect to enjoy a fair amount of accuracy from this new handgun. My background is mostly shooting centerfire rifles from the bench and I am heavy into trap shooting and also hunting.

So far I have looked at and like (in no particular order):
1. Sig Sauer P226 Elite
2. Browning Hi-Power
3. S&W 686
4. S&W 627 Performance Center
Click to expand...

I shoot my handguns frequently at the range and I reload. I find my revolvers to me more accurate than my autos and find I prefer to load cylinders and pluck empties than to load magazines and chase brass. If you're a hunter you may some day to wish to hunt with your handgun. Magnum revolvers are still the best tool for this.



BTW....hillestadj, where in Wisconsin are you at?
 
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I love both revolvers and autoloaders. I suggested a revolver, but only because it was the one gun on the list I was familiar with.

In autoloaders, how about taking a look at a Stoeger Cougar 9mm. Very inexpensive (about $400), extremely reliable (over 1500 rounds so far, and not a single misfire/ftf/stovepipe). Very, very comfortable in the hand.
 
buck460XVR said:
Again from the info and choices given.



I shoot my handguns frequently at the range and I reload. I find my revolvers to me more accurate than my autos and find I prefer to load cylinders and pluck empties than to load magazines and chase brass. If you're a hunter you may some day to wish to hunt with your handgun. Magnum revolvers are still the best tool for this.



BTW....hillestadj, where in Wisconsin are you at?
Click to expand...
Near Eau Claire, are you a fellow Wisconsinite?
 
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