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In the US it depends on your state and county whether or not you'd be likely to get "permission" to own a full auto. Where I live it would be no problem.

The catch is since 1986 new imports or production for "civilians" has been banned by the US government so the number of pieces in the market is fixed - and they are terribly expensive. Someday perhaps, our constitutional right to bear arms will be returned to it's intended meaning, applying to personal defense and military type weapons alike. We are presently making gains in that regard. The federal courts will soon (we expect) fully codify the right to personal defense weapons, then well start working on the rest.

Though I’m not sure the one on the pictured Cruiser is as substantial as they come.

See that thing on the front. Its used for door breaching.

Sure is.

It’s all we carry at our company and they work just fine, and yes, they are somewhat heavy.

I wont buy HKs because theyre too expensive and the management there is historically antagonistic to civilian gun carriers.

An HK USP with several mags costs about $900 while a Military and Police 45 auto with an external safety and 3-5 mags can be had for around $650 and sometimes much less.

And I like striker fired guns more than hammer fired autos.

Id have to have a stock for mine.

See that thing on the front. Its used for door breaching.

Load the scattergun with a frangible rifled slug, shoot it into the hinge, and it opens the door...like magic.

the ONLY downside is the cost of extra mags.

Forty cal P99 mags are plentiful and can be had used from CDNN for $25.

On the other hand, 9mm mags for this gun are hard to come by and when they are, the cost is at least $42-$50 per.

The P-99 was a lot of fun to shoot. I am tempted to buy another one of those. I think my wife would really like it as well. I am looking at an H&K P30, but I think the P-99 may be a better value.

HiPoint???

Surely you jest.

The man wants a good beginner's weapon, not a boxy boat anchor.

just for example: single shot! perfectly legal here (penetrates a humwee...)

but then again every assault rife clone or even the original versions (full auto needs a special permssion you won´t get) are no problem. you want to buy an m4, ar 15, steyr aug no problem just enshure that you don´t have a criminal record. if not they are “sporting” weapons under law.

well there have been the good old times ;-) (they changed the law 2 days after i have been 18 years old ;-) where every (not full auto) rifle was free for every one of 18 years old... now only shotguns (not the semi autos) and bold action rifles are free to everyone of 18 years old. pump guns are illeagal for every one because some people started a killing spree with pump guns. there for some politicians forbid it to get a cheap vote from the local idiots who have been shocked because of the weapons and press reports.a semi auto shotgun is still legal (now 21)because they didn´t use it ;-) so are shotguns without “the classic pump action” as long as you don´t have to “pump” no problem.take the semi auto, take the shotgun with the “winchester” (still free for every one of 18 years old) principle no problem because you know this weapons are no danger because they have not been used for some mass killing during that time. We now have this stupid 2 handguns only and 10 rifles maximum law here. for the pistols you have to be 21 anyway (but this has allways been the way here). the main problem is they extendet it for all semi auto rifles too. btw. JHP pistol ammunition is illegal, (of course HP and SP is perfectly legal ;-).finally this is europe (strange laws made by idiots)

My P-99 is the most ergonomic handgun.

Neither my Glock 19, nor my P-99 has ever experienced any malfunction whatsoever.

I found the Glock 19 fun to shoot, but the Walther P99 fit my hand much better. I have small hands, and the thickness of the grip on the Glocks never quite fit my hand. My impressions of both were they were very reliable.

The one that stays beside me for home defense and CC though is the H&K P7M8. It is heavy, which is really noticeable while carrying, but I have 100% faith in its design and safety and I have never had a problem with it since I bought it. It's more of a radical departure from typical semi-automatics though. I mention it since I don't recall seeing it up-thread.

Bottom line, get something that fits and that you feel comfortable with. By fit I don't just mean it feels good in the hand and you can reach the trigger. You should also make sure that you can reach and use all controls, if any. Practice, practice, practice. I used to have a Walther PPK/S which fit my hand really well but would bite me on the webbing of my hand (between thumb and index finger) whenever the action would cycle. That wasn't fun to shoot.

If you have a local range where you can rent pistols to try, I would recommend that. Even better if you have a friend with a few pistols or a local club which has introduction nights.

Keep an open mind. There are many variations of semi-automatics, revolvers, shotguns out there. While the basics are the same, many of their control levers and functional components are placed differently. It may be a revolver fits your needs better, it could be a shotgun. Best to take the time to find the one that fits well.

...now illegal here...

That IS strange. Is it because of their appearance, or just what is the reasoning? Shotguns are mostly off the gun control radar here but there has been noise made about certain types of semiautomatics.

We can actually buy some 14" barrel pump guns with a relatively low NFA tax but I'm not convinced I'd need or use one enough to justify registering a piece in my name. In the state where I live there is no registration or licensing for anything but NFA weapons (full autos and things like short barrel shotguns) and I'm happy so far to stick with unregistered firearms.

This is only imo, but a nice .38 snub nose revolver or a 9mm would be great for ‘in home’ protection. You can graduate to rifles once familiar with the pistol. Go to the range to practice.....a shotgun is also a great model if you want to be sure to hit an intruder without really having to take ‘aim’. Get a higher gauge shot gun, so the ‘kick’ is less. Like I said this is my opinion only.

FYI:

Cooper favored the Colt M1911 and its variants. There are several conditions of readiness in which such a weapon can be carried. Cooper promulgated most of the following terms:

Condition Four: Chamber empty, no magazine, hammer down.
Condition Three: Chamber empty, full magazine in place, hammer down.
Condition Two: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer down.
Condition One: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer cocked, safety on.
Condition Zero: A round chambered, full magazine in place, hammer cocked, safety off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Cooper_(Marine)

Condition Zero means one in the chamber and safety off.

Nobody would ever recommend or carry a 1911 like this, yet Glocks have no Condition 1 (Chambered with safety on).....as such, Glocks can only be carried in Condition Zero.

For a war zone this is fine.....for the local mall? Not for me.

JMHO

That is a good idea, but I would hope that a 12 gauge is the go to weapon.

Agreed. Hate to advocate banditry, but a shotgun will get you a handgun.

He might wanna get one while the gettin’s good.” That is a good idea, but I would hope that a 12 gauge is the go to weapon.