Trying to decide on my first handgun: Step 1, Caliber?

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dxkj21

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Recently I've decided I would like a hangun for home defense, but my main reason for getting one would be target shooting/practicing. Can anyone give me a price difference on 100 rounds of 9mm vs 100 rounds of .40 .45, etc? Just target ammo.

I want the gun to be enjoyable for target practice, and not cost a ton if I want to put a few thousand rounds through it. I'm assuming if I get a 9mm 10-20 round capable handgun, and have high grain hollowpoints, effectiveness for stoping home intruders wont be an issue... but I really dont know...

This handgun will be the only one I get for the next 2-3 years Ideally (I have other things that need paid off, but decided to make this first gun a priority)

I appreciate any input.... I plan on going to the range and shooting a Glock 17, P22X, and anything else that catches my attention (or that I have time to).
 
I would not make it my first choice for defense, but your primary use is for target/practice, so it would be a best initial choice for those intended usages. My minimum primary weapon for defense is a .38, for home defense a 20 or 12 gauge shotgun will beat any handgun.
SatCong
 
Yeah but the shotguns are harder to have right next to the bed.
 
Ruger Service or Security Six 357 magnum. These can bought for less then $300 in great condition and you can use 38spl ammo.
 
Depending on the amount of practice time you are able and willing to put in, I suggest either a 9mm pistol or .357/.38 revolver. As far as 9mm's go, there are many many choices out there that are high quality firearms. If you decide to go that way find one that really feels good in your hand and that "calls" to you. 9mm ammo is relatively inexpensive compared to other pistol calibers and the recoil is easily manageable. In revolvers, I would get one chambered for .357 and then you will be able to shoot .38's as well. IMHO, there are two brands that I stick to and they are S&W and Ruger. A Ruger GP100 in either the 3" or 4" barrel would fit the bill. S&W has numerous options but I would suggest looking at a used but like new 4" model 66 or 686. You are looking at a price range of $300 to $400 for these revolvers.
 
Look at a Taurus 24/7 in 9mm. NRA Handgun of the Year 2005. Shoots great, very comfortable, 4" barrel makes decent target gun, 9mm ammo about $6/50, 100% reliability (mine, anyway), one box of HPs turns it into a good home defense weapon, 17+1, can be found for less than $400.
 
Good idea to look at ammo costs first in selecting a firearm.

Cheapest-- .22LR--$10/550 rounds
Next Cheapest--9mm and .38spl $6ish/50 rounds
Third Cheapest--.380, .357Mag, .45ACP $14ish/50 rounds
Expensive--All else

Your combo application would push me toward 9mm and .38spl. Decent pricing on ammo, reasonable pricing on platform, available in ball, HP, and SD rounds, and lots of leather options possible
 
Winchester White Box ammo at Walmart (which is a good cheap practice round) is what I'm refering to here:
9MM - $11/100rnds
45ACP - $20/100rnds

When it comes to defensive ammo there is usually only a difference of $2-3 per 50.

Cost of ammo is the reason I bought my G17. I had a 45 and loved to shoot it but that $40 every range trip was killing me.

I actually liked the Glock so much I quit carrying the 45. So yes it is a good gun for home defense. Use standard pressure 147gr Gold Dots or 124gr +P Gold Dots. They will work great for home defense.

Actually if you do a search on here and glocktalk.com you can find links to places that sell Gold Dots in 50rnd boxes for the same price you would pay for 20rnd boxes everywhere else.

I recommend the G17 or the G19. The G19 will be a little better for concealed carry if that is a possibility and will still be a great range toy. But I never have trouble concealing my G17.

If I to pick one gun it would be hard but I would stick with the G17. Or maybe a G19 if I had one.

If you can't find a good price locally www.topglock.com usually has good prices on Glocks. Or if you want a police trade in you can normally get them real cheap from CDNN. Or you can watch the classifieds here at thehighroad and www.glocktalk.com for someone selling their glock for $400.
 
Or you can always consider getting a Makarov.

You can get a Bulgarian Makarov between $150 - 175 Don't let the price fool you these are great guns. The only reason they are so cheap is because of the differences in our economies.

It fires 9X18MAK which is just a little hotter than 380. Ammo is about $100 per 1000rnds. www.aimsurplus.com and www.midwayusa.com are good places to order ammo.

It is an awesome gun for home defense. And they are just as reliable as Glocks. I have two.

You should be able to locate one of these at a local gunshop or at a gunshow. I think www.southernohiogun.com has some.

You can have the gun and 3000rnds for the price of a new Glock. Can't beat that.

If you do decide to buy one just beware that places like walmart normally don't carry this ammo. But you should be able to find it at most gun stores.
 
Thnking a bit different

I understand your requirements. Might I make a suggestion that training is more important than caliber choice at this time. I would urge you to take an NRA basic handgun class. They will teach you about the different styles of handguns, The safety rules and you normally will be able to shoot numerous different types of handguns to get an idea of what will work for you.

Good thinking about purchasing ammo. The single most important accessory to the handgun other then training is ammo. When my son was given his first handgun he was also given 1000 rounds of ammo to train with the pistol. He had already had the NRA basic pistol and had trained with dad.
 
my main reason for getting one would be target shooting/practicing
Click to expand...

Go with the .22. First of all, it's much easier to learn to shoot with a .22 than with a gun designed for defense use.

Second, do the math on ammo costs:

Cheapest-- .22LR--$10/550 rounds
Next Cheapest--9mm and .38spl $6ish/50 rounds
Third Cheapest--.380, .357Mag, .45ACP $14ish/50 rounds
Click to expand...

This works out to:

.22 LR -- $10 for 550 rounds
9mm and .38 Special -- $66 for 550 rounds

.380, .357 and 45 ACP -- $154 for 550 rounds

Third, consider how you will use the gun if you have to use it defensively. It will almost certainly be a home invasion (rare) and if you have a plan and have rehearsed it, the odds are in your favor, even with a .22 -- especially if you can shoot it well.

If you planned to carry this gun concealed, I'd give other advice. But under the terms you set, the .22 LR is the hands-down best choice.

If you plan to get a concealed handgun license later, buy another gun -- by the time you've fired up 2,000 rounds of .22 LR, you'll have saved enough to buy that second gun, and become a good shot, to boot.
 
Yep to what imas said. Walmart Win White Box is the cheapest widely available ammo. Of course, it's walmart :scrutiny:

I'm an autoloader kinda guy so I can't recommend any revlovers, but look at the Glocks (17 & 19), XD9, and CZ75. There's a couple different grip angles there, plus plastic vs. steel. I shot the Taurus 24/7 a couple weeks ago and it was neat, but I think it's a new gun so there isn't as much long term data available yet.
 
Thanks for the advice guys.... Im thinking of getting a 22 and a 9mm now... I took my wife to the range and she can shoot the 9mm (g34, USP, etc) But a 22 would be better for her. Plus that way I would have an option to use less expensive ammo (the ammo cost difference is just crazy)
 
I love my 22. If you look around you can normally find a real cheap Ruger MkII. Of course there are tons of old 22 revolvers floating around out there you can get for $100 or less.
 
Bottom line, invest in shooting courses, from a qualified NRA trained and affiliated organization and instructor. This will provide you with the appropriate level of familiararity and safety awareness with the weapon you are looking for. When you graduate your shooting course, you will have confidence, first in yourself, and then in your weapon. Shooting courses will also provide you with the kinesthetic skillsets, such as proper stance, breathing, trigger control, sight picture, etc. which could help you to transition from a small caliber pistol if you would choose to do so. Your trained biomechanical motor-skills will allow transition from the .22LR, used for target practice and plinking, to a major caliber, such as 45 ACP, for Home Defense and CCW to be a fairly simple ordeal.

For the target practice and plinking, go with either a Ruger MK II or III, or a Ruger 22/45. Both pistols are well made, very rugged and reliable, and affordable. The grip-angle and grip-feel of the Ruger 22/45 is similiar to the 1911.

.22 ammo has very little recoil, which should help you develop tighter shot groupings. Its also very affordable when compared to the major caliber semi-auto loads such as 9x19 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, etc.

Bottom line, invest in shooting lessons, find something you can afford and shoot well, buy as much quality ammo as you can, and have fun. The more you shoot, the better you get.
 
The best bang for the money is to get a 9mm pistol with a 22LR adapter kit. 9mm for self defense/competition, 22LR for range practice.
CZ-75, Beretta 92, Taurus PT-92, all come in 9mm versions and offer FACTORY 22LR kits.
 
Thank you caseless, that was something I did not know..... interesting.
 
Wall-Mart 100 round value packs, are priced as followed (here In CA at least)

9mm 11.34
.40 15.97
38sp 16.76
45 is 19.88


The .22LR rounds are $8.96 for 550 federal


If you want a defence round, then 9mm should be the minimum. However for your first handgun most will say go with a .22lr.

If you want the best of Both worlds. Purchase a firearm in 9mm that has a drop in conversion to .22lr.

One that comes to mind that is low cost, high quality is the CZ75B. They have what they call a Kadet Kit, that will "drop in" It comes with slide/barrel and 2 magazines. About $400 for the CZ75B and $75 -100 for the Kadet kit.
 
My half baked opinion

If I were in your shoes, I'd get a decent defensive round since that's one of your stated purposes. Think .380 as a minimum. As much as I PERSONALLY (emphasis to say just my likes and dislikes, no hard data) don't like the 9mm it may be a good choice for you as it's reasonably powered and your wife can use it, too. Second consideration is the conversion kits. They are available for many pistols from Cenier, Marvel, and I'm sure several other companies if you ask somebody who knows more than I do. Third point would be your choice of platform. Are you looking at only autoloaders or are you open to revolvers? Have you shot both? I'm a semiauto fella, but not everybody likes them.

In short, it sounds like your budget is about like mine. Money can't be wasted or something goes unpaid. Re-read all the advice others have already given and keep asking questions and kicking around ideas until you feel comfortable with a decision.
 
I think I am set on a large mag semi auto for my first handgun. I just like being able to have more shots before needing to reload, even just for target practice.

I think my downfall in the future will be revolvers though :) I've loved them since I was a kid. If I ever got the chance to hold the S&W 500 in my hands for a few minutes, I think I might have to go without eating/drinking for a few months :(
 
IMO 9mm is the way to go especially since the over ten round mag ban has went away. Practice ammo is cheap enough for you to get proficient with your pistol and there are now decent performance rounds for carry and home defense. I like XD's, CZ's, and Sigs.
 
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