New Handgun Question

[squirrel sniper]

I'm looking at getting a pistol. I just sold a Glock 23 and I'm looking for something new. I dont have much of a preference on action type. Im looking for a medium to large pistol, since I have rather large hands. It has to be something that I can use with cast lead handloads. As for caliber, I was looking at something in .45, whether thats long colt or ACP, I dont much care. I'd like to keep it below $400-450, especially if its an auto loader, since I'd have to get some mags. Thanks for any info.

 

[Gunfighter123]

Check out the EAA Witness line -- you get a lot of bang for your buck.

They are hi-cap autos and are in your price range --- also do a search about them here.

 

[shootistpd27]

i would suggest the glock 22. the 40 is big enough for your hands and has a high cap mag with it. If you have a friend that is a cop, he can get you a brand new glock 22 for about $400

 

[Thomas Garrett]

Check out the RIA Tactical in .45 ACP.

 

[searcher451]

Go to a range that rents guns and try any number of the offerings they have. Or get with your friends who own a variety of guns and accompany them to the range and shoot everything you can, for as long as you can. Once you narrow it down, shoot 'em some more -- and then shoot 'em some more.

The only person who can logically decide what handgun you should own next is you.

 

[possum]

xd service model

 

[HippieMagic]

Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm usually run around $450

 

[chuckusaret]

Springfield XD .40 cal sub compact

 

[RON in PA]

You want a 45, I'd suggest a Smith and Wesson M&P45. One major advantage is that they have interchangeable backstraps to accommodate different hand sizes.

 

[C-grunt]

Single Action Ruger...

 

[FiveFiveSixFan]

It has to be something that I can use with cast lead handloads. As for caliber, I was looking at something in .45, whether thats long colt or ACP, I dont much care. I'd like to keep it below $400-450, especially if its an auto loader, since I'd have to get some mags.

i would suggest the glock 22. the 40 is big enough for your hands and has a high cap mag with it. If you have a friend that is a cop, he can get you a brand new glock 22 for about $400

If you want to use cast bullets, by the time you bought an aftermarket barrel for the Glock you would probably be over your budget of $450.

 

[jester_s1]

Suggestions on an internet message board are of nearly zero value. $50-60 spent at a rental range is worth three times as much in making sure you get what works for you the first time. Had you done that originally, you might not be taking a loss on a used Glock.
Go someplace that rents or borrow from a buddy if you can, and shoot the guns.

BTW, one poster suggested getting a cop to buy a gun for you. That would be a straw purchase according to federal law and will land you both in prison if you get caught.

 

[heron]

Forget about magazines and get a big honkin' revolver. They're fun.

 

[BCRider]

A lot of your requirements about cost suggests to me that you're after quality range time rather than quantity. The need to accept cast lead reloads plays into this as well.

That suggests a revolver to me. One in .44Magnum or .45LC. Since you're reloading the otherwise high cost of the Magnum rounds isn't an issue. If you're casting your own bullets the costs of .38Spl, .357Mag, .44Mag or .45LC will all be the same, or close enough to the same once the brass has been purchased.

However it is odd to find someone that is not a dedicated semi or revolver sort of guy. ALthough there's some, like me, that enjoy both for the fact that they are both unique.

I'd suggest you go and see if you can find somewhere that you can rent some different types and try a couple of .44 or .45 revolvers to see if they light up a spark that you want to persue. At the same time try a 1911. I'm pretty sure those are cast lead friendly as well.

But by far the biggest issue I see for you is deciding if you're a semi or wheel sort of guy. And if you find you like the wheelgun option then be sure to check out both the shorter and more curved single action grips and the fuller double action grips. They offer two widely different feelings.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're looking for a .45 in a revolver try to find a used S&W M625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt. (I wish I had one!) They run ~$650 new so a good used model will probably be within your set budget. .45 Colt factory ammo is very expensive so if you don't reload you might want to look for a M625 in .45 Auto because the factory ammo is cheaper.