Recommendations for young person's one handgun for the next three years.

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CZ RAMI in 9mm!

Small, about the size of a .380 Bersa.
Same switch-ology as a 1911.
Lightweight alloy frame.
Reliable right out of the box.
Well within the budget.
 
I'd consider CZs, but only if I can find one considerably cheaper than a Model 39 or a M66. Not a huge fan of the Steyr/M&P look, although I understand they are great machines. I like the fact that 9mm is plentiful and cheap to shoot.

Currently at 6"0, 200 lbs, would I be able to conceal a 4" K frame nicely? To make it even more comfortable, I suppose I could carry it in a Miami Classic shoulder holster during the fall/winter season, underneath a jacket or coat.

Can anyone recommend any IWB holsters in particular for a Smith Model 39 or 4" K frame wheelgun?
 
I've been burned by Taurus before, however they do have a lifetime warranty

http://www.thegunsource.com/item/9761_Taurus_Hand_Guns_Pistols__Firearms_66_Medium.aspx

See if you can find it locally (sometimes if you ask about transfer fees then you can ask if he price-matches or 'what would your price on the following item be?')
and get the dealer to agree to mail it back for service for you for free if it ever develops problems.

Or gunbroker, auctionarms and the like, get an older one that someone else has used a bit, generally those are totally problem free.

The one taurus that DIDN'T burn me was a model 66 bought used, 6 inch barrel, half lug, not full lug. I have since set 3 friends up with nearly the same exact gun found on auction sights.

it is just new tauruses that seem to be having problems with quality control, when they were basically just copying smith and wessons, they were doing good work. I supposed sometime in the last 5 years they hired some consultant who went to the factory and eliminated all sorts of 'excess waste time' and now those guys just crank out revolvers like wild, but quality has gone down the tubes

like this one!
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=8556884
 
Not to sound like I've been drinking too much Kool-Aid, but I would suggest a Glock 17 or 19 or a Walther P-99 (if you can find one, awesome pistols).

The 17 can be concealed, the 19 is most definitely easier. But I shoot my 17 well, have had it since I was 18, broken it once and it just keeps going. So I keep it and carry it.

Really of all the guns on your list, none are bad. If you find a nice, clean 4" Highway Patrolman, buy it. It'll be worth more later, even after you've used it a little. It will not be fun to CCW, but for everything else, well, a big N-frame revolver is just a nice piece of shooting hardware.

w-w, who also has a 6" 629 .44 Magnum and a soft-spot from N-frame Smiths.
 
Like others you have several good choices of your own and several good choices from other folks here. Of the revolvers I would stick with a K-frame size with a 3" or 4" barrel. The N-frame (model 28) is quite heavy for carry. I carried on for about 1 1/2 years before I got a 686 for uniformed security duty. The 13, 19, 65, and 66 are the S&W choices I would check out. The Ruger revovlers in 357 are also good especially if you can find a good Security Six. Of the semi-autos I would chose the Browning High Power or a Beretta 92.
 
Don't know how you came up with your short list, but I'd go with this one:

Browning Hi-power 9mm
Click to expand...

Yes, a USP is out of your range, if buying new. Don't forget, you can get ANY number of BHP (FNH-HP) and BHP clones in both 9mm and .40, in both SAO and DA/SA, and from various makers at various prices - Arcus, FEG, etc.

I will also recommend stepping outside your list and getting a CZ75 or CZ75 compact, or the P01 (9mm) or P06 (.40), or just go for broke and get the CZ 75 SP01 - you'll still come in under $600 - before tax, anyway.

Revolvers are awesome but for home defense, I don't want/need a cylinder gap blast - I'll be miserable enough cleaning up the aftermath if I ever have to use the gun in defense, without having to add tinnitus to my list of woes.
 
the H&K's, sadly to say, will break the bank, if new, USED you might find one out there for less than $6 bones but even then the still run high. Mine was $809 NEW full-size but came with three mags and I paid a total of $820 and the store owner gave me two boxes of blazer brass ammo (50rds a box).

As much as I love H&K weapons I will be fair to you and admit it, they are freakin expensive.

I think I saw someone on this website selling an H&K USPc in .40cal and I think that he wanted minimal on it, but don't quote me. I will check the autoloader forum to find it.

the least I will do is search some websites that well firearms and try to help find you a CCW that won't break you. HOPEFULLY!!!
 
Whatever feels the best in your hands during a side by side comparison of all guns in your price range and selection critieria at the gunstore(s) you visit. Test driving them at the range would be money well spent on some ammo and targets to find out.

Call around for models of interest the runaround overhead. Make sure it fits your roles, particularly CCW, which is small form factor design.

The most comfortable handgun will probably shoot best for you, all things being equal. Revolvers do have a more natural feel that autos seem to lack in my opinion. Which of your list is your favorite and why? Family memory, brand loyalty, functional superiority, etc. Consider those issues too.

I'm really happy with my smith autos that are in that price range, and my Taurus Milpro. All guns have eaten ammo like a teenage boy does food in a growth spurt. I don't own any revolvers yet, but I've handled of few while shopping.
 
thanks USMCDK, but since I'm only 18, I don't think I'm allowed to buy guns online because that involves an FFL, making the transaction illegal under federal law...

right?
 
I like the fact that you are considering a Revolver.

I feel that really learning to shoot good is best accomplished with a wheelie and that the skills learned transition over to autoloading pistols very easily. You said you didn't think you would need a 3" Revolver as a CCW but I beg to differ.

I have my choice between 3", 4" and 5" Revolvers for carry and I most often select the 3". The old adage, "Carries like a 2" and shoots like a 4"" is very true. One gun that I haven't seen mentioned is the 3" Ruger GP100. That would be my pick for a medium frame gun and you will have some pocket change left over for ammo.

I would consider an L-Frame gun such as the 686 before I considered the K-Frame if you plan to do much shooting. The L-Frame was designed to handle the force/power of the .357 Magnum round but the K-Frames were made to handle the 38 Special. The K-Frames are great to carry, but don't hold up to shooting a lot if you shoot "full house" magnum loads.

IMHO you can never go wrong with a good revolver. I most frequently carry either a 1911 or a revolver off duty and would carry the revolver on duty if they let me.

BikerRN
 
am I right though that if I buy a gun through a website such as Gunbroker, that it no longer becomes a private sale because it has to be shipped to an FFL, making the transaction illegal for an 18 year old?
 
M&P 9mm 4" or CZp01 compact or CZ-PCR compact are all solid choices. Also EAA Witness series, but I've heard they are clones of CZ and some have issues sometimes, but hell even Kimbers and USP's have issues sometimes, or more then sometimes.

Of course the obligatory Glock or XD are fine weapons as well, and you won't go wrong with either. Also the FNP series of pistols.

With the CZ's you can get the .22lr upper and practice for nickels and dimes

As for why all of these guys in 9mm? I feel that with modern HP ammo, there is no qualitative difference between 9mm vs .40 vs .45, coupled with the lower cost of 9mm and the greater capacity that 9mm weapons offer make them a very attractive choice. Personally I don't care if the .45 rates 3% higher on 1-shot stop percentages, I'll take 20% more ammo over a 3-4% higher chance they'll decide to bugger out after the first shot.
 
Yes you are right, you will need to be 21 because they need to ship to an FFL.

I've been through it, having started buying handguns at 18 like you want to do. I'm only 21 now, and I've just bought my first two guns through an FFL since February.
 
I'll also advise giving the CZ 75B a good look, it's all steel,
similiar in grip to the Hi-Power. It has DA for the first shot
but can also be carried cocked & locked. THe 39 cannot be
carried cocked and locked - engaging the safety I velieve
decocks the hammer and you're back to DA for the next shot.

The revolvers have the cylinder bulge which can be something
to deal with in CCW. The CZ 75B has the slide inside the frame
and is slimmer than the Hi-Power. WIth it's DA first shot for home
defense, it can be ready to go At Rest and you don't have to worry
about thumbing the hammer back. THe 9mm will be more
economical so you can get more shooting experience at this point
As someone else mentioned when you have the money get the
Kadet .22 COnversion kit, - slide barrel spring and mag. The CZ 75B
is within your budget with room for a couple of spare mags, and some
room for a first holster appropriate for CCW.

My$ .02 - I have 5 S&Ws and next handgun will be a CZ75B fwiw
 
Hey Dodging whats happening? Johnmerry Typing Probably best all around choice would be the 28-2 with a four inch barrel. Good target gun, excellent ccw, very good small and medium game gun and afair deer and bear gun, that is if you put the rounds where the need to go. It is also a very inexpensive sidearms to purchase
 
Another vote for the CZ. Go for the CZ-P01 - light alloy frame, great size and it is damn accurate. Most people that hold this gun for the first time can't believe the ergonomics of it- feels like it was custom made just for you.

For full size go for the SP-01. 18 round mag and the same ergonomics as the P-01- this gun is scary accurate! I like it in the tactical because I prefer decocker version, but to each his own. Good Luck!
 
When you add concealed carry you need to think thin and short grip. the revolvers cylinder become the challenge for CCW, they can dig in to the side and they add thickness, having said that they are reliabe.

personally I like the 9mm, it's a decent round and cheaper than anything else. So I'd go with a semi for CCW. In your situation I'd seriously consider two more guns:

1. Kahr CW9. I believe you can get it for the price you're talking. I have several kahrs and they've all been perfect. It's strong suite will be for CCW. thin, no controls, a very very smooth double action trigger

2. Ruger SP101 3" revolver; .38/.357. Smaller, compact, can still carry reasonabley well, especially OWB. Wouls cost more to shoot and the .357 kicks pretty good in this gun despite the weight.

3. S&W M&P's in 9mm; not too expensive and they seem to have a good reputation.

tough trying to pick one gun to do it all and yes, you should at least handle a glock but I'd get one in 9mm.

9mm is simply a good round for a do it all on a budget round. Really think about how thin the gun is and how long the grip is. You'll get a LOT of recommendations for larger guns but these two dimensions make all the difference in the world when it comes to effective concealed carry.

Thats why my present EDC is a Kahr MK9. It disappears in an IWB holster, but provides enough grip and weight in a weapon to make it fun to shoot all day at the range and the all steel Kahrs are some of the most reliable guns on the planet. It would be my first recommendation for you but I'm not sure if you can get if for $600. Should be able to so check it out.

The CZ's are great weapons but quite a bid thicker and larger.
 
Roger the suggestion on the Speed/Security six.
They're solid and about the size of a K-frame.

But I really haven't ever taken to revolvers that much. For some reason, I've just always shot automatics better. Right now 9mm is cheaper than .38 Spl in my area, it's hard to find a decent used S&W or Ruger .38 for less than $300, they only hold 6 rounds as compared to 15 or more in a semi-auto, and a good semi-auto doesn't cost that much more. In the case of the S&W M&P you're getting a brand new semi-auto with extra mags for about the same cost as a revolver. Unless you're a "revolver guy", I'd find it hard to justify buying one over a semi-auto.

Another option - watch for police trade in's.
Sometimes you see pretty decent used S&W's, Berettas, Glock, and other big names pretty inexpensively.

The Kahrs are great for carry but I don't find my P-9 much fun to shoot.
Since you're looking for range use I'd go with a mid sized or full sized gun in 9mm. They're still comparatively inexpensive to shoot ($10 per box of FMJ) and 124 grain +P Federal HST's are $20 a box for 50.
If you must get a Kahr, I'd suggest a steel framed one and not a sub-compact.

I'm currently thinking about trying to trade my P-9 for a K-9 just so I can have more of a "shooter" and less of a "carrier".
 
thanks for the replies so far, but alot of you guys are recommending guns that's prime appeal is CCW, which isnt primarily why I'm buying the gun, but rather a plus. Still, your recommendations are appreciated.

The only affordable guns that I'm drawn too so far will be primarily for heavy target shooting and home defense, and probably carried in a shoulder holster for the fall/winter season. For the other two seasons, I will probably take some of the suggestions here such as a CZ compact or a Kahr.

At my next local gun show, I will probably be looking to buy one of the following:

Smith and Wesson Model 27/28 4"
Smith and Wesson Model 19/66 4"
Smith and Wesson Model 39 (9mm)
Smith and Wesson Model 13 3"
Ruger Security Six 4" (not a smith, but a K-frame sized gun that can handle full magnums)

I'd sort of like my first handgun to be a classy Smith and Wesson. I'd like to shoot a fair amount of .357, perhaps 100-150 rounds a month, so I'm not sure if that would rule out the smaller-framed K frame.

Also, if anyone in the Houston area is willing to help me out or needs the money, I'd be happy to buy one of the above guns from you.
 
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I would get a Sig Sauer p226 or p228 for a handgun you can get one for $500-$700 but to me they are a duty worthy handgun that I would get for ccw and range.I would get it in 9mm and one in .40 S&W.
I wish I could buy one but I need to save up for a month or so then I will look into getting one.

Revolver wise
Get a S&W 36 for back-up ccw
and for range and main duty get a S&W model 10 or M&P version which is a classic 38 special.
If you want a .357 magnum get a S&W 66 or 19.
And if you want a .44 magnum get a Model 29 or 629.
 
Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 (9m/m)

Well, I might be the only person on this forum to recommend a true classic
from your list; but it is a damn good one~! ;) Predecessor to the "Wonder
Nines" of the '80s, its my favorite 9m/m sidearm. They are gett'in scarce
and mostly found in the hands of collector's~! :( ;) :D
 
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