Need some help...

[Avenger29]

I am new to the world of handguns, but I have gathered some info from this site and reading, however, I still want some opinions...

I am outfitting my parents with CCW pieces- they are finally going take the classes and get the permits. We have to pick out the guns, though

Mom wants a revolver. That is set in stone. I am thinking about something in .357Mag because it can shoot .38 spcl for practice.

For Dad, a Glock in either 10mm or .45. I want to know from those who have the models which do you prefer, or if one has advantages over the other that you see. The only alternative I see is a Ruger .45. Advice?

I picked the brands due to price advantage. We don't want this to cost an arm and a leg. We have a lot of experience with rifles and shotguns, but not much at all with handguns.

 

[psyopspec]

All I can contribute is that I owned a Glock 21 (the 13+1 round .45) for a few months and it was generally a good shooter. Never a malf, night sites made it an HD gun I had confidence in. I only got rid of mine because I found another .45 that fit my hand better. If it feels good to hold, I'd highly recommend one for your dad.

 

[ShelbyV8]

45 ammo is much cheaper than 10mm, and a lot easier to find. Let them pick out what fits their hands.

 

[Cueball]

Look at a small S&W for mom and consider CZ, Taurus and Glock for lower priced 45's for dad

 

[browningguy]

My wife went to a Taurus 650 SS model in .357 a couple of months ago, a lot cheaper and actually had a better trigger than any of the S&W's we tried. It's stoked with 125 gr. +P .38 SPCL Gold Dots. The only semi's she likes to shoot are the Bersa .380 and the Beretta 21.

For dad, well I'm just not a fan of Glocks, and not a fan of the 10mm unless he's going to practice a lot with it. 9mm, 40S&W or .45 ACP or GAP are all ok for self defense, the 10mm may be a tad better but it costs a lot in noise and recoil. Actually I don't personally like any of the Safe Action/DAO/whatever pistols, only because I grew up shooting single action pistols with a proper safety. If a DAO type pistol is really needed I think Springfield offers theirs in .45 GAP also, and with 185 grain loads it really is as good as the ACP.

The CZ line has the well proven model 75's in 9mm and .40 S&W for less than the Glock, as well as the Model 97 in .45 ACP. These can be carried as a traditional double action (hammer down), with the option of carrying cocked and locked. You could also get a Springfield 1911 type for less than or same as the Glock in 45 ACP. Most of the standard model 1911's are extremely reliable, it's when people start farting around with the design to "improve" it that things go bad.

Have Dad try holding a few different types and see what feels best to him, and make sure he trys the triggers on each model. good luck with the shopping.

 

[Avenger29]

Thanks for the advice, if the Taurus 650 fits well and we like it, we will probably get it. If the Glock .45 fits well, then that is what we will take, or possibly the CZ, if we can find one around here. The reason I did not select a 1911 is that while it is a fine weapon, the extra capacity is important, too. I wanted to get Mom a 9mm or .40 semiauto, but she is dead set against an autoloader.

What is .45 GAP? We are definitly going with .45 ACP for dad, just curious.

 

[usp_fan]

Have your Dad try out the new Ruger 345. It is a bargain and carries nearly as well as a 1911 (read that as flat).

The .45 glock is a great pistol, but it is large. Not as easy to conceal as flatter, smaller pistols.

Good luck,

--usp_fan

 

[ReadyontheRight]

The new Ruger 345 or a Taurus 24/7 or Taurus PT145 in .45acp seem like good economical choices. You can probably find an older used Ruger in .45acp even cheaper.

The Glock 21 is a little bigger and thicker but nice and lightweight. Plenty of folks like them. The 10mm G20 might make sense if your father would ever possibly use it for hunting.

How about a Ruger SP101 for Mom?

 

[psyopspec]

What is .45 GAP?

GAP=Glock Auto Pistol

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.45_GAP

Basically it's still .45 caliber, but the casing is necked down making for a .45 pistol that's shorter in the grip from front to back. Copies the .45 ballistically in standard JHP rounds.