Recommendations on a new handgun, please.

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My suggestion is to go to several shops to see what is actually in stock. Most pistols are in short supply right now. The most important thing is to find a pistol that you like AND that fits you AND is comfortable for you to shoot.

Now for some of my own personal experiences. I find that I can shoot a 1911 well (even with my small hands) while I never could get comfortable with the Beretta M9/92. When it comes to Glocks, the Gen. 3 and 4 pistols with finger grooves/bumps do not fit me while the Gen 5 fits my hands just fine. The Sig P938 and Kimber Micro 9mm are another one that does well for me. When it comes to revolvers, I don't care for the short fat grips made for concealment, I prefer grips that are a little thinner front to back that is long enough to get all my fingers on the grip.

Again, the main thing is to find something the fits you. What others like/prefer might not be right for you.
 
Scrod314

These are tough times when it comes to looking for a new handgun with a lot less supply and a lot more demand in the marketplace! I would first see what is out there and try to check out how everything feels in your hand with a strong emphasis on ergonomics, handling, balance, trigger pull, and sight acquisition. I have small hands so there are quite a few guns that aren't a good fit for me (in my case mostly Glocks), but there are others, like the Browning Hi-Power, CZ P01, CZ P07, HK VP9, SIG P229, SIG P365, S&W Shield, and the Ruger SR9c, that work great for me. I also am very fond of 1911s (especially Colts), along with their variations, like the Combat Commander, Commander, Officer's Model ACP, and Gold Cup target models, that I would put them in for consideration as well.
 
Scrod314 said:
Hello...
I have a budget of $1000 and another $300 for ammo. With everything the way it is now, can I get some direction? I want a gun for home defense, not necessarily concealed carry. I also want it to be accurate for target shooting.
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"With everything the way it is now", I recommend saving the money and waiting until later, I did a extensive gun and ammo search yesterday to see where things stand. Guns and ammo are available but at 2x to 3x the price it was in March. Almost every caliber has been effected.

I only see two guns and two types calibers that for now remain not much effected for now, 30-30 and 45-70 so if you want a lever action . Walmart has 30-30 in stock and online prices remain at .75 cents a round like it mostly was before. Mosin 7.62x54r is still $8 for a box of 20 you may still find a deal on a Mosin for under $350 but it will take some searching.

Even .22 lr is gone now or prices sky high. If you really need a handgun right now, then go for it, but times are not right cost wise. If you like a 1911 also for target shooting I say a Springfield range officer with adjustable sights or a Sig 220 or 226 with fixed sights which are generally accurate but not target shooting accurate. In my mind a target handgun should have adjustable sights.
 
Follow up... I did find a Glock 21 Gen 4 and a Springfield 1911 Operator locally. Both new in box. Around $700-$800 each. Locally, only expensive self-defense ammo in .45 ACP. I can put some extra money into ammo, use a little for practice, and wait this out. Did find a private seller locally selling some range .45 ACP ammo at $.56 a round. I'm apprehensive to buy ammo from a private person, as I don't know how old or storage conditions. Anyway, I'm sleeping on it for a week. Thanks for all the input.
 
I'm really more of a revolver guy.

If I could only have one handgun it would be a medium or large framed 38/375 with a 4"/6" barrel.

A nice used Smith or Ruger is easy enough to find.

But that's just me. You semiauto guys would obviously feel different.
 
There's more to it than a lot of postings lead you to believe.

Personal tastes count, too, but since you've left that bare on info I won't go much into it.

First of all, let me say that if you end up not liking a gun, you'll end up not sitting out and not carrying it. So keep that in mind.

Go handle some guns. See how they feel in your hand. Does it feel comfortable in your hand? Grip too big, too small, too short, too narrow?

Does the gun have features you're interested in, like manual safety, magazine capacity, etc.

Does it come in a caliber you want?

Have you shot the gun before? If not, see if you can find a range that rents the gun you're interested in, or a buddy who has one you can try.

DON'T go spending high dollar "just because". There are plenty of options well within your $1,000 budget, with plenty left over.
 
You say you like Glock and you like the .40
Well then you should like the Glock 27! First Glock I ever owned and I’ll never give it up!
 
Yep. They have a Glock 27, too. Glocks and 1911s fit my hands comfortably. I was able to shoot my buddy's Springfield 1911. He has spent quite a bit on a trigger job and some other upgrades. I also am sitting on quite a bit of .40 ammunition. Seems like .40 ammo has been abundant around me for some reason. I may also use the extra cash on reloading equipment. I've never reloaded before. I'm assuming I can take a class on reloading?
 
Scrod314 said:
Yep. They have a Glock 27, too. Glocks and 1911s fit my hands comfortably. I was able to shoot my buddy's Springfield 1911. He has spent quite a bit on a trigger job and some other upgrades. I also am sitting on quite a bit of .40 ammunition. Seems like .40 ammo has been abundant around me for some reason. I may also use the extra cash on reloading equipment. I've never reloaded before. I'm assuming I can take a class on reloading?
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Looks like you have the caliber part worked out. Good for you!

"He has spent quite a bit on a trigger job and some other upgrades." My advice here, with respect to your own pistol (whatever it may be) is not to jump onto the upgrade bandwagon...at least, not right away.

Almost all pistols should be perfectly suitable out of the box without the "need" for upgrades. Indeed, many "upgrades" fall under "want" rather than "need".

Personally, three things come to mind for reasonable upgrades, in the following order:

1. Grips.
2. Sights.
3. Manual safety.

Grips first, because a comfortable grip makes shooting easier/better, and helps in control.

Sights second, because an upgrade to the sights can help visibility, both in daylight and night time use. This may be as simple as high visibility paints or complete replacements.

Manual safety last on my list (where applicable...not all pistols have a manual safety). A manual safety that's easier to operate, or is ambidextrious, would be nice on some models.

Whatever upgrades you do, make sure they do not adversely affect the operation of your pistol.

ALSO...take your new baby out and shoot the bejeebers out of it, using a variety of ammunition. Find what it likes and dislikes. Sometimes a pistol is finicky about some particulars, but most will cycle most ammunition it's chambered for without problems. If you find something your pistol doesn't like...then quit trying to feed it that ammunition. I've seen many people obsess over "my gun keeps giving me problems whenever I shoot (brand/style) ammunition!" It's a machine...if it doesn't like it now, it won't like it if you get all emotional about it either.

Shooting a few hundred rounds through your new pistol will also help you decide what "upgrades" you'd like. You'll know how it feels/handles, you'll know what the sights are like, etc. That'll help you choose wisely.

And finally...let us know what you get and what you think of it!
 
If you like a 1911 and want to maximize bang-for-buck then I would suggest looking at the RIA double stack pistols. You can get a fairly well decked out gun for essentially entry level Colt price, and honestly I can’t see anything favorable about one that says Colt on the side anymore. If you are not set on a 1911 platform then you could look at EAA Witness pistols. They are another high bang-for-buck offering. It’s just a matter of deciding if you want CZ pattern or 1911 pattern.
 
I've had a bunch of handguns, still have quite a few. If I were in the OP's scenario, I'd get a CZ SP-01, a Cajun Gun Works Pro Package (install it myself), and spend the rest of the $1300 on ammo to enjoy the gun with.
 
My suggestion, like many others, is get a Glock. Full sized frame, not a compact. Choose your caliber. Get night sights, extra mags, a weapons light, and a holster (even if it's for the house, you never know).

Then try not to hate how your new Glock feels in your hand, how it points, or how the trigger feels weird. Shoot it. Dry fire it a lot. Learn it. You'll get used to it. Then you won't hate it. It will feel right in your hand when you pick it up.
 
You will get many different and well intention-ed opinions here. However none matter as what is important is what feels good in your hand so you can practice, practice. practice. I would suggest you go to a gun range and rent different weapons until one feels right to you. Good luck.
 
Go to an indoor shooting range that rents guns and shoot a few and see which one you like the best. There is nothing worse than buying a gun you cant shoot. Also remember ammo is very hard to come by. Hand re-loading may be your next hobby. The best and cheapest side arms I own came from friends and relatives. Know anyone who shoots pistol? Go buy them a shot and a beer and start talking.
 
Thomasss said:
Go to an indoor shooting range that rents guns and shoot a few and see which one you like the best. There is nothing worse than buying a gun you cant shoot. Also remember ammo is very hard to come by. Hand re-loading may be your next hobby. The best and cheapest side arms I own came from friends and relatives. Know anyone who shoots pistol? Go buy them a shot and a beer and start talking.
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3 posts above yours, he bought another Glock 21.
 
In terms of utility, value, versatility and reliability, I don't think you can do better than a Glock 19 or M&P 2.0 Compact. I prefer the latter but objectively I consider them equal. There are more fun guns and guns better suited to specific roles, but those two options are really tough to beat for all around handgun use.
 
IdaD said:
In terms of utility, value, versatility and reliability, I don't think you can do better than a Glock 19 or M&P 2.0 Compact. I prefer the latter but objectively I consider them equal. There are more fun guns and guns better suited to specific roles, but those two options are really tough to beat for all around handgun use.
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I couldn't have put it better myself. I'd just have used too many words.
 
Best thing I’ve done is buy a Glock 32 357 sig and then bought 40 s&w and 9mm barrels to put in it so can shoot all 3 rounds. You can buy either the G32 or easier to find G23 and do this.
G32 = 600, 2 barrels = 200, extra mags = 200 (357 sig and 40 can use same if want, 9 need their own), leaves at least 300 for ammo.
 
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See now you bought a G21. Nice choice and still take advantage of glock’s modularity. Get conversion barrels and mags eventually to shoot 10mm and 40 is what I would do. I like having options when ammo harder to find.
 
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