Suggestions for an old friend

[Giterboosted]

Hello all, I have a friend of mine that's recently acquired his ccw, and is looking for something befitting of his needs as he cam only really afford one pistol. He's not new to all guns, he has a few 22's, just no major calibers. His basic prerequisites are that he wants something affordable (2-350$) that's manageable, that he can occasionally go hiking with. I suggested a medium frame .357 as he can use that for hiking but carry 38 daily if he's more comfortable with that, but he prefers an auto, I'm just not really sure which direction to go with it, I told him to fid something affordable that he likes and feels good in his hand, don't go for the hype of the rest of the world.

It's always nice to be able to offer at least a little knowledge to someone new to the game so to speak, instead o all the pawn shop Talk you get nowadays, I appreciate all the assistance guys and gals, have a grea day!

 

[jpruitt]

In that price range, probably the only decent guns you'll find are from Taurus, the millenium series or something like the newer 709. Maybe an older Ruger (P series), but those are a little larger and may not be as fun to carry.

Kel-Tec pistols are also in that price range (cheaper than the two brands above actually), but from all I've heard their reliability is somewhat more questionable (although there are plenty of guys on here who have 'em and love 'em)

 

[chhodge69]

My first carry gun was a Kel-tec PF-9 - I wont say I love it but it was a good choice. It has a stiff double action trigger which is good for safety and simplicity but difficult to learn to shoot. It's very light, slim, cheap, conceals well, easy to disassemble and clean, and fits in a number of cheap generic holsters.

It's a good "first" carry gun but it is NOT a joy to shoot - if your buddy will judge his purchase by his level of fun at the firing line rather than his level of comfort throughout the day, pick something else.

 

[gunsablazin]

If he's willing to go $400.00 a Glock 19 in 9mm would suit him fine. For less than that it's hard to find a auto that I would want to bet my life on. The XDs are good, as well as the M&Ps. Smith and Taurus make good revolvers that can be had for $300-350, but you say he wants an auto. The old Ruger P89 is pretty ugly, but they are reliable, from what I've heard, I have not used one personally, they are in his price range.

 

[Giterboosted]

Yea I've been very happy with all my tauruses over the years, an we were discussing them yesterday, I also considered the ruger as well, I'd hate to stick him with something he wont like, bit of course I refuse to "talk him into" anything, simply assisting with am informed decision

 

[Kendal Black]

Used S&W service revolvers that aren't real good looking are often good values. If he's going to carry it concealed, it doesn't need to be handsome. .38's often sell for less than .357's, in this category.

If it's gotta be an autoloader, though, a Makarov might suit him, or maybe a Tokarev.

 

[Giterboosted]

Ya know, there's a cz82 local now that you mention it, I'll run orgy him but I'm not sure how he feels about nit being able to buy ammo at walmart

 

[bobnailer]

I understand the price constraints but if he's going to take it hiking he should consider a caliber that can help defend him from bipeds and quadrupeds (re: lions, tigers, bears). I'd suggest the Ruger LCR in .357 but if he's set on an autoloader, like I've said before on this board, .45 acp is the way to go. He should do a lot of shopping, I'm sure he can find one to his liking in the price range he has, used.

Bob

 

[jimk0512]

A new Bersa Thunder 380 or Firestorm 380 is in that price range. Both are made by Bersa in Argentina. I don't own one, but I've held a one at the LGS and it fit my hands. Folks that own them say they like them.

 

[tiro6]

for hiking, i too would definitely suggest a revolver so he can load snakeshot in it - check J&G sales for S&W model 64 for about 300 but if hes set on an autoloader, in that price range, check the S&W SD models (about 350), good guns for the money. A bit big for ccw, but with the right holster and belt, definitely concealable. For something smaller, I'd check the new DB9 (about 350).

 

[Mike1234567]

How about a Kel-Tec P-11? It's not much larger than the PF-9 and uses S&W Model 59 double-stack mags. He can keep the 10 round mag in the grip and carry one or two 15 round spares. Mec-Gar mags are very affordable and K-T makes a nice grip extension that fits the mags perfectly. The extensions also make shooting very comfortable. If he wants to use shot shells for snakes I suggest looking for a compact .45 ACP that will cycle them... some do. I wouldn't trust shot shells any smaller than .45 and a Taurus Judge is out of his price range.

 

[FROGO207]

A used 45 or 9MM would be a good choice IMHO but the search would be on for a good deal. For me that would be most of the fun. I would haunt the local gunshops for a while and try out how they feel in his hand, mag release, etc. Then when the ta-da pistol is found commence the hunt.

 

[Skidawg]

I would keep it simple. Perhaps a 4" S & W chambered for .357. He could load it with .38's and have a reliable gun for his limited experence. Stress to him the importance of practice and research. Understand the gun, practice with the ammo and carry with confidence.

 

[Dnaltrop]

CZ-82 in 9x18 mak is a hoot to shoot, durable as hell and safe carry, $200-300 for middling to quite nice ones.

The Bersa Thunder is a similar weapon, .380 a bit more expensive but both rounds have plenty of kick for coyote, rabid raccon or the 2 legged threat.

Broken Record mode- SW Model 10 .38!!! SW Model 10 .38!!! SW Model 10 .38!!! ahem sorry about that... Lots of em around, $200-300 for a used police issue one, it was the revolver I grew up on. GREAT trigger, aims like an index finger. more than enough for a starter. (honestly lots of great older frame .38's, everyone has their favorites)

I'm one of those with mixed reactions on Taurus, I've known one perfect (but rusted) .357 snubby revolver, one shaky range 1911 that hated it's dinner and kept misfeeding, and one 9-shot tracker revolver that shipped with timing that locked the cylinder in DA mode, was sent for service, came back exactly as before, then was sent back after a conversation with the local Taurus rep, and to my knowledge has functioned flawlessly since. ( Need to borrow the old man's plinker and torture it to have a better opinion on it)

If you can save for a few more months, M&P (my ccw)/ XDm/ Glock all have those who praise and those who detract, but all will generally work reliably. just find the comfortable one.

cz-75 9mm's are used by armed forces and police across the globe. Metal is good. I have my one polymer M&P and don't have the urge for more beyond exotic fun (calico)

 

[bobnailer]

Not to beat a dead horse but I'd like to relate a short story/example of why .380 is not a good defensive caliber. The .380 is also called a 9mm Short, the .380 does not have the stopping power of a 9mm or .45acp. To make a long story short, I participated at a shooting range setup where primary targets were bowling pins and I had to dodge behind barriers to take shots at these pins. If you've ever held a real bowling pin, they're pretty heavy, but not as heavy as a grown man. Everyone participating that day had 45's, I was the only one with my Beretta 84f in .380 caliber. When a 45 hit a pin, it went flying, when a bowling pin was hit by my .380, it would weeble and wobble but would not fall down. It took, on average, two or three hits to finally knock a bowling pin down. Now if I hit a pin at the very tippy top, ya, it would fall over, but "center mass" on the pin and the .380 just didn't have the kinetic energy to knock it over. Now, imagine a 180 pound man, possibly on crack/meth, powering towards you and you pop him with a .380, in that high pressure situation, you had better hit him multiple times but chances are sheer momentum would allow him to complete his attack. This is why I carry .45acp. No, a 45 will not knock a man down (ie one shot knockdown power) but it would slow an attacker down tremendously; the foot pounds of kinetic energy imparted by a .45acp round is far greater than that of the .380 round. To further bolster my position, a good friend of mine, who worked for law enforcement, assured me that most pistol/revolver related attacks occurred within 3 to 7 feet. What damage do you think a .380 compared to a .45 would do within 3 to 7 feet? But hey, that's just me. I don't think anything short of a 454 casull could stop a bear and as far as snakes go, I'd suggest you watch your step because you would have to have a shot shell chambered to deal with a snake but if it was a bear you came upon, that shot shell would just p*ss a bear off. Now I'm rambling.

Good luck on your selection.

Bob

 

[Giterboosted]

I agree bob, the hiking aspect leads me to a .357 because of the versatility but I just don't know if I can convince him, I think a little range time will help him feel better about wheelguns

 

[Remllez]

I suggest a Ruger P-90 in caliber 45...if you look you may just snag one used for around 300-325. Fun at the range accurate reliable and great for woods walking. The recoil isn't bad at all and you can load them up or down as needed.

I owned and shot one for 10 years or so and nary a hiccup, the frames are alloy so they don't weigh a whole lot for a .45 caliber. If the .45 is too much then look for a P-95, cheaper to shoot but still reliable and accurate.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'll highly recommend the Ruger P series. I picked up a P97 recently and it's a keeper. The P94 is still in production and is probably one of the best values on the market right now (IMO & all that).