new handgun choices

[somoss]

hi. i just had my first handgn safety class and would really like to get a handgun. i am interested in target practice and home defense. i have read the advice on this forum and i think i have narrowed it down to revolvers but i am still not sure. I would like to spend $500 or less. any recommendations? revolver? semi? caliber? brand? I am right handed and have only shot 3 guns at the class. a p22, a ruger 22 semi- handgun, and a 357 ruger revolver. i like all 3. how do i choose?

 

[P95loser]

if the gun is for home defense, you should take into consideration several different factors... revolvers are easy to use, just pick em up and pull the trigger... however they are very slow and cumbersome to reload, especially in low light situations. Semi-auto's have higher capacity and reload easier. If you have a spouse not comfortable with handguns, a semi-auto's complicities might scare them out of using it. My first handgun was a s&w 2" snubnose revolver... good for carry, easy for home defense. I then moved up to a semi-auto... more accurate for me, less kick, and 46 rounds instead of 5

 

[ulflyer]

Somoss, you're gonna get all kinds of good advice and it comes down to what you feel most comfortable with. If you have a range that rents, go try diff kinds. For pleasure target shooting, and home defense, I'd suggest trying to find a used S&W Model 15, called a Combat Masterpiece. It has an excellent trigger, and provides adequate home defense. Shouldn't cost more than $250 unless its like new in the box.

 

[jehu]

Start with a solid foundation = Glock.

 

[Gary G23]

For a first gun I would get a 9mm semi-auto. A CZ or XD-9 would fit in your price range.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Revolvers: .38/.357

S&W K or L frame ~$450-$600
Ruger SP101 or GP-100~$500
Taurus ~$400
Colt ~$500-$650

Auto's:9mm, .40, 10mm, .45
Ruger P85, P90, P94 ~$450
CZ-75 ~$500
IMI Baby Eagle ~$450
EAA Witness ~ $350-$400
Springfield GI, Mil-Spec $450, $550
Glock 17, 20, 21, 22 ~$500-$550
Beretta 92 FS ~$550-$600
S&W 5906, 4006 ~$450 (used), >$700 new
Sig (any), $400-$1200

Of the guns I have listed, the best bang for the Buck will come from the Rugers, the Witness' and the Baby Eagles. Glocks are rock-solid, reliable guns, but are not for everyone. I had a G22 (very breifly), but I personally prefer metal guns that have hammers and safeties. Like the others said, there are ups and downs to either style (pistol/revolver), but whatever you're most comfortable with is what you should get. Also, watch the used market. I got a Ruger Security-six stainless 4" for $250 awhile back (the Security-six was the predecessor to the GP-100). I also got a S&W 4006 for $300. Deals are out there if you're patient.

 

[CARRY'IN]

Let's see, you like a revolver, like cutting holes in paper, and it goes without saying you will defend your castle. With that information to go on I would say get a cheap shotgun for "home defense" and a .22 something with a 6'' something barrel for the range. It will cost way less than a .357- People never factor in ammo; you will spend several times the price of the gun on ammo in a given period of time. The hundred dollars or so you save converted into bricks of .22 ammo let you shoot ALOT while a fancy magnum will just sit there. For "home defense" nothing beats a shotgun with a pistol grip. Think of it as a big handgun. And if you want to put holes in paper all day then a .22 revolver is the ultimate. This combo will cost far less in the long run and be more satisfying in my opinion. I have a ruger .22 auto and it is great but it kind of sucks taking it apart to clean. A revolver is much easier; almost zero maintenance. I would get a single six if I had it to do over again. Other guns are more sexy but that gets old real quick. You will spend far more time practicing with the .22 than the guy with the 379 ubermag. Chances are you will be a way better shot than him.

 

[Preacherman]

Somoss, welcome to THR. You'll find lots of good advice - and lots of opinionated gun-owners! - here to help you.

My first suggestion to you would be to broaden your experience with handguns before making any decision about what you want to buy. You've shot two .22 semi-auto's and one revolver, which is a good start: but the list of possible guns posted by others above will show you just how much there is out there. I'd suggest finding a range that rents several different models, or talking to friends who own different guns, and shooting at least half-a-dozen pistols and the same number of revolvers. Get an idea of what fits your hand well, what you can shoot well, and so on.

Having done this, you'll have an idea of what suits you. You can then start saving to buy it, and pricing it in gunshops and on used sales sites like our For Sale forums on THR.

For a first handgun, there are several schools of thought. Many suggest (and I agree) that a .22 handgun is an excellent first choice, as ammo is so cheap that you can fire off thousands of rounds and get plenty of practice. On the other hand, if you might need to use this gun for defensive purposes, a .22 isn't very good in the "stopping power" department. A .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver (the latter can also fire .38 Specials for practice) is a much better proposition here, as is a semi-auto pistol in caliber 9mm. Luger or greater. If you want a gun for defensive purposes, but also want to practice a lot, it's hard to beat a 9mm. Luger pistol (the Luger refers to the caliber, not the pistol manufacturer, BTW), as the ammo is cheaper than almost anything else for practice (typically around $5 per 50 rounds for practice ammo), but you can also get high-quality hollowpoint ammo for defensive use.

Hope this helps.

 

[Dr. J Frame]

i am interested in target practice and home defense.

Defense first,
play second.

Whether pistol or revolver, a defensive centerfire would be my first choice.
A plinking rimfire can always be purchased in the future.

Personal protection should take priority.

Although I use a compact Glock 26 for carry and competition, I just purchased the neighbor woman--a new shooter--a 3" Ruger SP101 in .357 mag. I also bought the same model for my father. It was his first handgun, too. Locally they sell for $379 new.

Compact, reliable, and accurate.

There are lots of good choices out there.

 

[Medusa]

Definitely CZ75 in this prize range, it's full capacity 16+1 is more than enough when dispatching BGs

Yeah, you can always count on full auto AR when defending home, although, but the hit from the 40mm GL in my case would result in very extensive repairs

 

[CAnnoneer]

+1 Preacherman

I have a 9mm Ruger KP89 exactly because of the combination of:

1) reliability
2) quality American brand
3) low price
4) cheap ammo
5) full-size military caliber
6) relatively low recoil
7) decent barrel (4.5")
8) ergonomics

While individual features may favor other platforms, you just cannot beat that combo as a whole!

 

[mattman the gun fan]

looks like a good deal DR J. i dont care for revolvers that much except the high caliber ones.Semi automatics have always been easier when i went shooting alot with my aunt.

 

[CARRY'IN]

9mm is pretty cheap. There are a few good C&R choices out there to. Hmmm. Anybody recommend something like a star or helwan? Then take the other 300+ dollars and sample some ammo, then invest in several thousand rounds.
I am a Makarov nut myself, but you can go to Makarov.com to find out about that. But you wanted a revolver, right?

 

[somoss]

lots of info and all of it well meaning

i have read all of your advice and it all sounds logical. the vast majority have been leaning towards a 22, 357, or 9mm revolver to start. since i have a mossberg 500 shotgun i like the advice given regarding it (best weapon for home defense is a shotgun, think of it as a big handgun).
so my first handgun will be for target practice mainly.
i tried a glock 9mm, kinder 45acp, ruger 358 and 38.
all but the ruger 357/38 were too much for me. did not feel comfortable. the ruger 22/45 felt awesome. i think they built the one in my hand just for me. the 357 was not unpleasant, but it had my adrenaline going.
are these reaction to shooting guns normal? are the first reactions the ones to go by for selecting a new gun?

 

[modifiedbrowning]

You've shot the P22 and you said you like it, so my advice would be to get the big brother, the P99 in 9mm. CDNN has some good prices on certain models of the P99 right now.

 

[CARRY'IN]

I have a 22/45 and there is no doubt it is a sweet shooter. Kind of a pain to take apart though. You can get away with just swabbing the barrel out only so long and then you have to take it down. If you ever thought about small game hunting a single six with a magnum cylinder will kill bunnies and other things. I was the angel of death to the rabbit universe just shooting regular .22's with the 22/45 (till I moved to the city). .22 mag has got some juice and is quite satisfying to shoot if you want a big bang without all the recoil of a larger gun. Be patient, shop around and try and shoot different guns. Shot a Makarov yet? Mine is pretty accurate. You might find some of the other fixed barrel blowback autos surprisingly accurate. How about one of those .32 zastava's (southern ohio guns)? But alot of the small autos (sorry to say mostly american made) are junk.

 

[CAnnoneer]

somoss,

First welcome to THR

New shooters are surprised at the strength of recoil, the brightness of the muzzle flash, and especially the loudness of the sound of real guns. As you shoot more, you will get more accustomed to all three aspects. The flash and sound blast will startle you less and the recoil will be easier to deal with as your grip technique improves. Now a .45 or even a 9mm may seem too kicky, but that will pass with practice.

The Ruger .22 pistols are excellent and a lot of fun to shoot, but I doubt their educational value. The problem is they are relatively light and have virtually no recoil, so I do not think they prepare one well for the bigger calibers. It is easy to get good with them fast, but their defensive value is quite low. In essence, they are like tricycles before motorcycles - may be good to practice steering, but in the long run superfluous.

So, if you have more money to spend, go for both a .22 pistol (I recommend Ruger MkII or III with long barrel) and another in a serious caliber (I recommend a quality full-size reliable 9mm, e.g. Glock 17, Ruger P89, Beretta 92FS). If you don't have that much to spend, I recommend skipping the .22 and going for the serious caliber only. But, before you purchase any gun, I recommend you do the following:

Ammo for .22 is very cheap and you can just rent a .22 at the range and shoot a lot to pick up the very basics fast. Once you feel comfortable with the .22, rent a dozen guns in the serious calibers and try them out. Figure out if you prefer revolvers or autoloaders, then consider how much you can afford to spend on practice ammo. If ammo expense is a concern, you may want to go for 357 revolvers to shoot 38sp, or go for 9mm autoloaders. Once you set the platform type and caliber, this quickly narrows down your choices. Put in the price range as a limitation and that will narrow them down further. Next, educate yourself about the platforms that you heard good things about and liked in your hand at the range. Narrow down to maybe three platforms and ask about them at THR. Finally, check the local laws about what you are allowed to purchase in your state, city, etc. (e.g. here in PRC, they don't allow import of Walther PPK and others ). At the end of this process, the choice will be obvious and you will feel content and secure in your decision.

Good luck!

 

[MachIVshooter]

New shooters are surprised at the strength of recoil, the brightness of the muzzle flash, and especially the loudness of the sound of real guns. As you shoot more, you will get more accustomed to all three aspects. The flash and sound blast will startle you less and the recoil will be easier to deal with as your grip technique improves. Now a .45 or even a 9mm may seem too kicky, but that will pass with practice.

Pretty much nailed it. When my wife first met me, she was only comfortable with a .22. We slowly worked up to .380, 9mm and .40. Now, she loves shooting .45 and 10mm in 1911's and I even got her to fire some hot .45 Colt (.44 mag level) out of my Super Red Hawk .454. She hasn't stepped up to the Desert Eagle .50 yet, but it's coming. Of course, people have their limits, and it is unwise to push beyond them (the wife will never shoot full-house .454 or hot .50 AE). Some folks (like me) are recoil junkies, others prefer a gun that barely moves. Your own body will decide it's comfort range.

 

[somoss]

22 tricycles to harleys

afte shooting some 22 semi handgun i think i understand what you meant about it not really being a very helpful stepping stone to higher caliber gun. i owned a 38t (co2 pellet gun) and it had about the same power and kick as the 22 but i dont think that got me ready to handle a38.
i think i would like to try a 38 or 9mm. i keep hearing aobut c&r trpe 38's and 9mm. like makarov and star. what do you think of those as target/defense guns. or just fun guns to have?

 

[355sigfan]

For "home defense" nothing beats a shotgun with a pistol grip.
END QUOTE

LOL thats funny. Pistol grip shotguns are about as useless as a firearm can be. They are almost impossible to hit with. Now if you meant a pistol grip stock thats another story and thats fine. But a pistol grip by itself is useless except in the movies. Contrary to popular belief shotguns do not kill everything in the general area they are aimed at. They throw fist sized patters at room distances. You still have to shoot them like you would a rifle. You can't just point in the general direction and hope for the best.

As for the original question. I prefer semi autos for self defense against people. I prefer revolvers as woods guns in bear country. I also prefer revolvers in the pocket gun class (Jframe vs 380 autos). But a revolver can serve you well.

For autos I recommend you look long and hard at a Glock 19 or 17. A 9mm is easy to shoot and cheap as well. Plus with the right ammo they are very effective. If you don't like Glocks take a look at Sigs and Beretta's and the HK USP P 2000 series. I like 1911's myself but they are not for new shooters.

For revolvers consider a 3 inch 357 mag Ruger Gp100 or a Smith 686 with a 3 or 4 inch barrell. I also like the N frames in 45 acp and 45 colt (625) but they are a bit harder to carry.
Pat

 

[Majic]

Defense first,
play second.

First and foremost is LEARN. This is where a .22lr handgun is worth it's weight in gold. As a teaching tool it has no equal.

 

[Black Majik]

CAnnoneer gave some good advice.

Since this will be both a range gun and a home defense gun, with in mind low recoil, I'd suggest something full size. A full size pistol or revolver would fit your bill nicely. The nice things about .357 revolvers is, of course, the capability of using .38 spl and .357 magnum. Thus, you can use .38's for the range to practice, or move you up to .357 magnums. And you can use .357 magnums for home defense. Either way, there are so many loads for the .357/.38 revolver that you're bound to find something that will suit you.

For a full size .357 look at the S&W 686 4" or the Ruger GP100 4". The 5" is also a great gun, but sometimes a little more difficult to find. It all depends on what you're looking for. The 686 and GP100 would be considered the medium - large revolver ( L Frame). For the full size .357 would be the Model 27 or 28 from smith and wesson. The N Frame. This would most likely have to be found used, but their triggers are usually SWEET! Spend some time in the revolver forums and learn about S&W revolvers. Truly something amazing. For something smaller than the 686 and GP100, but still suitable for home defense, look at the S&W K frames, the Model 66. Its a little lighter than the 686.

As a rule of thumb, the heavier the pistol/revolver, the more it will soak up recoil.

I, personally prefer pistols or autoloaders. My suggestion would be a 9mm full size pistol. There are so many different pistols out there that the best thing to do is to stop by your local gunshop and look around. Ask questions, look at what interests you, and whatever you do, don't let the gun dealer try to influence you into a gun. Find out for yourself what you like, not being pressured by anyone else. Of course, you can ask for his/her opinion... but only you know what feels good and points well.

Reliablity is key. Stick with well known manufacturers. For around $500, you can pick up a Glock 17 or 19, Springfield Armory XD-9, CZ 75, CZ PO1, Beretta 92FS, Certified pre owned Sig Sauer P226 (my favorite). Polymer frames usually recoil more in my opinion, so stick with aluminum or steel framed pistols.

Look at the CZ-75, I think thats a good place to start. Good luck

 

[147 Grain]

Recommend starting off with a 9mm caliber.