Should have my permit in 1-2 months so now I need to figure out what gun I should get. I am not trying to spend a fortune, but I don't want junk either. It will just be for going to the range & home protection should that need ever arise.
School me on hand guns
- Thread starter Magic_Man
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There are many threads on this topic here on THR. You might want to search for them
Do yourself a favor and get to a range where you can rent different guns or shoot those of others. And, do some research to see if you want a striker-fired or traditional firing pin gun. Decide if your needs require a manual safety or no safety. Read about and decide on a caliber. 9mm? .45? .357? .40? There are many and as many opinions on which is best. Do a little study so you understand the different options out there. There are many. You need to decide what is best for you.
Like BIGDADDY, I and others have preferences, but the last thing you want to do is simply buy what someone else suggests without your first holding, firing, evaluating some handguns. Someone will say Glock 19. Someone else will say Sig 226, another tells you to get a Smith, a Colt, a CZ and so on.
Woudja get a car, sight unseen, if someone simply said, get a...
Do yourself a favor and get to a range where you can rent different guns or shoot those of others. And, do some research to see if you want a striker-fired or traditional firing pin gun. Decide if your needs require a manual safety or no safety. Read about and decide on a caliber. 9mm? .45? .357? .40? There are many and as many opinions on which is best. Do a little study so you understand the different options out there. There are many. You need to decide what is best for you.
Like BIGDADDY, I and others have preferences, but the last thing you want to do is simply buy what someone else suggests without your first holding, firing, evaluating some handguns. Someone will say Glock 19. Someone else will say Sig 226, another tells you to get a Smith, a Colt, a CZ and so on.
Woudja get a car, sight unseen, if someone simply said, get a...
sa xd line
glock 19, or 17
h&k usp's,
s&w m&p's
that is by no means a totall list of the options but it is a great place to start.
i second the reccomendation to feel, fondle, and rent as many different ones as you can.
what ever yo udecide let us know.
btw welcome to THR
glock 19, or 17
h&k usp's,
s&w m&p's
that is by no means a totall list of the options but it is a great place to start.
i second the reccomendation to feel, fondle, and rent as many different ones as you can.
what ever yo udecide let us know.
btw welcome to THR
Let's narrow the question down a bit.
How much do you have to spend?
Does New Joisey have an approved gun list?
+1 play with as many as you can.
MY personal choice would be a 1911, but that's me.
Get what feels right to you.
MY personal choice would be a 1911, but that's me.
Get what feels right to you.
As others have said if you can try different handguns to see what you like. For a one gun recommendation I'd say a 4" 357 Mag S&W, Ruger, or Taurus (Colts are pricy). If you learn to shoot a DA revolver well everything else is easy.
i see no reason why you would, the range you are going to is in the state that you bought the gun right, which i don't even think that would matter. if it does that is a horrible rule and a horrible state and you need to get out asap!
Go to the range, take a pistol firearms class and get the "lay of the land". I tend to go for compacts (H&K USPc and Sig 225). You can also look at rifles if you so desire. It just depends.
ON a lighter note... you NEED a Desert Eagle .50... you know you want one in gold....
-bix
ON a lighter note... you NEED a Desert Eagle .50... you know you want one in gold....
-bix
In new guns, the compact-frame (Models 19,23,32) Glocks, S&W M&P and "Value Line" autos and CZ75s are all fine guns without spending a fortune.
In used guns, "CPO" SIGs and S&W "Third Generation" autos.
In used guns, "CPO" SIGs and S&W "Third Generation" autos.
You PROBABLY don't need a separate permit to transport your gun if you have a permit to carry it. In my state, you don't need any permit to carry a weapon in your vehicle. Not even a carry license. But please remember to respect your range rules. My local gunshop/indoor range does not want people entering the shop with their carry weapons loaded or carried open or concealed. When you bring your gun in, they like it to be unloaded in a case. Once they know you pretty well, they sometimes bend the rules, but with the wide variety of people and personalities who come in, they see this rule as a way to prevent somebody from inadvertently mishandling a loaded firearm in the shop. They say not to load until you are on the firing line.
Tom Servo
Member
Handle lots of guns. Only you'll know what feels best in your hand.
It needs to be a gun you like, or you won't be as inclined to practice with it.
Your first gun will not likely be your last, so don't think it needs to be a $3000 Les Baer special.
Stick with any of the major manufacturers, and reliability shouldn't be a worry.
Stick with a caliber that's relatively common and easy to find ammo for.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. We all started somewhere!
It needs to be a gun you like, or you won't be as inclined to practice with it.
Your first gun will not likely be your last, so don't think it needs to be a $3000 Les Baer special.
Stick with any of the major manufacturers, and reliability shouldn't be a worry.
Stick with a caliber that's relatively common and easy to find ammo for.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. We all started somewhere!
jhansman
Member
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,113
You're not going to find out what you should buy here. Go find a range that rents guns and try three or four pistols and revolvers. Put a variety of ammo through each. Yeah, it will take time and some $$, but in the end you will know you bought the right gun for you.
Doesn't NJ outlaw hollow point ammo?
If so I would consider a .45 ACP - reason being if you had to use a FMJ round for self defense, .45 would be a good choice. It's also a fairly mild recoiling caliber, and can be quite accurate for target fun.
One more vote for renting and trying, or even better yet, taking a class. Any opportunity to shoot a variety of different guns will make you a lot better informed when you look to buy your own.
The usual pattern people follow for a first handgun is:
1) buy a gun
2) shoot it a lot without instruction, and develop a bad habit or two
3) realize it might be helpful to get professional instruction
4) practice with good technique per instructor
5) try a bunch of different guns because the first one turned out not to be what you wanted
6) go buy a different gun
7) repeat steps 5 and 6 until nearly broke
8) buy a .22 handgun, practice with it, and really become a proficient shooter
Smarter, quicker, and cheaper would be:
1) get professional instruction
2) try a bunch of different guns, and especially look for something that has a .22 conversion kit
3) buy a gun in a defensive caliber along with a .22 conversion kit for that gun
4) practice 75% .22's and 25% defense caliber, become a good shooter in 4 steps instead of 8, saving a lot of money in the process
If so I would consider a .45 ACP - reason being if you had to use a FMJ round for self defense, .45 would be a good choice. It's also a fairly mild recoiling caliber, and can be quite accurate for target fun.
One more vote for renting and trying, or even better yet, taking a class. Any opportunity to shoot a variety of different guns will make you a lot better informed when you look to buy your own.
The usual pattern people follow for a first handgun is:
1) buy a gun
2) shoot it a lot without instruction, and develop a bad habit or two
3) realize it might be helpful to get professional instruction
4) practice with good technique per instructor
5) try a bunch of different guns because the first one turned out not to be what you wanted
6) go buy a different gun
7) repeat steps 5 and 6 until nearly broke
8) buy a .22 handgun, practice with it, and really become a proficient shooter
Smarter, quicker, and cheaper would be:
1) get professional instruction
2) try a bunch of different guns, and especially look for something that has a .22 conversion kit
3) buy a gun in a defensive caliber along with a .22 conversion kit for that gun
4) practice 75% .22's and 25% defense caliber, become a good shooter in 4 steps instead of 8, saving a lot of money in the process
There is no a ban on HP ammo. You can legally purchase, transport, store, hunt with, and target shoot (provided the range is fine with it) hp ammo in NJ. I believe there are extra penalties involved if you get caught with HP ammo while not doing one of the approved activities with it. Not definitely sure on that last part, but here's the NJSP link if you're interested.
http://njsp.org/about/fire_hollow.html
http://njsp.org/about/fire_hollow.html
There are alot of handguns out there. If there were a "best" handgun thats what we'd all have. Shoot a bunch of handguns and buy the one that works the best for you.
Well Magic Man let us know what you decide and maybe you will be the wise individual that has finely answered that question for all of us because after all these years I'm still looking for that same weapon that fits my rule of the 3C's, Cost, Caliber and Concealment. Good Luck.
I forgot to ask when I did the paperwork for my permit, does anyone know the transport laws for NJ? Do I have to get another permit to transport my fun from home to the range?
http://njsp.org/about/firearms.html
This link will answer all your questions and is an authoritive source.
Basically to and from the range locked up and unloaded. Contrary to popular myth the law does allow stops "shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances." I spent 31 years in Law Enforcement (26 years in NJ) and I have never heard of anyone arrested because they stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way home from the range. You can't ride around with your gun in the trunk but have to articulate why deviations were reasonable.
Be sure you have your Firearms ID Card with you.
Sent you a PM.
http://njsp.org/about/firearms.html
This link will answer all your questions and is an authoritive source.
Basically to and from the range locked up and unloaded. Contrary to popular myth the law does allow stops "shall include only such deviations as are reasonably necessary under the circumstances." I spent 31 years in Law Enforcement (26 years in NJ) and I have never heard of anyone arrested because they stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way home from the range. You can't ride around with your gun in the trunk but have to articulate why deviations were reasonable.
Be sure you have your Firearms ID Card with you.
Sent you a PM.
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