Hand gun advice, please

[1rudeboy]

I plan on more time at the range this summer. I'd prefer to do so with reduced ammunition costs (I'm a large caliber guy). I know nothing of any caliber smaller than .40cal. I assume that something of the .38 types, or a .357mag might be cheaper, yes?

So here's the deal, here are my required specs:

semi-automatic
9mm, .38, 8mm, .32, .357mag (or something I don't know about)
magazine capacity not important
concealed-carry suitability not important (I live in Illinois)

I just want to have some fun burning-through a lot of ammo. Are there some smaller calibers I should consider? I don't want to plink with a .22--I'm not an interior designer.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

http://www.e-gun.net/body.asp?gun=Pistol&pp=1&sort=-3&pop=1

Above URL has a lot of weapons with information on various
types and bullet types with several comments on each type.

[Red in Blue PA]

Was to Walmart a few days back, and the price of 9mm was raised to $23.97 from $20.97, a 14% increase! This comes after an increase from $19.97 to $20.97 last year.

.45 ACP stayed the same price. FWIW.

IMO, the best 9mm is a CZ-75B. Hands down best.

[Red in Blue PA]

You can pick up 1,000 rounds of 45 ACP from Cabelas for a reasonable price depending on the vendor.

Please no Herter's or Wolf ammunition.

[Red in Blue PA]

Nobody would anyone recommend carrying a 1911 in Condition Zero. Especially for someone looking for a new gun. Yet this is preciesly what people advocate when they recommend the Glock.

[Red in Blue PA]

Reload!

[Red in Blue PA]

That’s the worst advice I have ever seen on a gun recommendation thread?

A 44 magnum for shooting fun? Surely you must be joking.

[Shooter 2.5]

Nothing wrong with a .22.

Learn to reload.

[bmwcyle]

XD-40 M 2.3

[caver]

My vote is for the CZ-82. I got one and love it. Cheap ammo too.

[calex59]

Thanks for the update on .38 super. I haven’t really thought about the round or looked for manufacturers of guns chambered for it in a long time and I don’t shoot competitively any more so haven’t kept up. I always liked the .38 super back in the day. As you pointed out though, I know of no one who carries one for self defense.

[green iguana]

CZ-52 if you want firepower (7.62x25). You’ll likely have to go to a gun show to find a pistol though. Ammo is cheap (10 cents/round at places like Sportsman’s Guide), but corrosive, so you’d need to clean the pistol right after shooting.

Just about any .22 long rifle pistol if you don’t care about firepower and just want to shoot a lot cheaply. Ammo is pennies a round in bulk.

[OKSooner]

In time, if there's still time left, you'll learn the value of having at least two good .22's in your safe. One handgun, one rifle. If you just want to go shooting, that's what you want. And as a matter of fact, the .22lr cartridge is more effective than you might think in many situations.

(Not to change the subject, but have you read Clancy's "Debt of Honor"? Man, that's a really good book. Clancy's best, IMO.)

Now, to answer your question: For novice shooters wanting a handgun - revolver, revolver, revolver. Just grab it by the handle and go blam. Ammo is relatively cheap in .38 special, and it's easier to reload than 9mm or .45acp. Even if you later go Rambo and accessorize with combat tupperware, (just kidding you guys) you'll still love your good ol' revolver and you'll appreciate it more with time. Again, assuming that there is time.

JMO.

[OKSooner]

Sorry - I meant to say Clancy's "Without Remorse", not "Debt of Honor".

That sure was a good book. I strongly recommend it. It's Clancy's best work. You'll really enjoy it. :)

[I Buried My Guns]

"...I thought Walther made a semi-automatic in .38(something), but I cannot find it anymore...

I have the Walther P99 in .40 cal, the green one. It's fun, but due to it's light weight kinda "poppy" (inadverdant muzzle rise upon firing).

I put a laser on the rail under the muzzle and it no longer has that problem.

[mamelukesabre]

Well, if you’re going with handloads, there’s one that beats it.

9x25 dillon

Essentially a 10mm necked down to 9mm...or put another way, a 357sig stretch out to 10mm case length.

[jfkcv67bt]

Agreed. My 92FS has had at least a thousand rounds through it and ZERO misfeeds or jams with all kinds of ammo. I find it much better than the Glock-which I have owned-but to each his own.

[Cuttnhorse]

There is nothing wrong or sissy about practicing with .22lr. In fact, Sig Sauer makes a .22 in many of their popular models, and their .22 cal Mosquito is a great gun.

So I don't recommend getting too snooty about the "lowly" .22...in fact, from your obvious knowledge base, it would seem a good place for you to start.

[surfer]

Taurus Magnum Judge...

[Cuttnhorse]

I have been buying factory reloads from a very good suplier out of Montana; .45 ACP, 500 rds for $165, .40S&W; 500rds for $125. Good ammo...goes bang every time.

[Armedanddangerous]

9mm ammo is the easiest found centerfire handgun ammo out there.

Get a glock, or a Springfield Armory XD or the Ruger SR-9.