Posted on 12/20/2012 10:28:29 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz
I am looking to purchase a handgun. Need advice.
Look them up on YouTube and see what owners and reviewers are saying about them.
You mentioned $329 being in your price range. You might consider buying used and open up your choices.
The .40 is a high pressure round. Very snappy shooting for the uninitiated. I’d seriously recommend a 9mm. You may be able to find a used Glock 17 or 19 in that price range that may be well shot and look worn out. Don’t let that bother you. A few dollars in springs and it will be as good as new. Any Glock armorer will bring it up to speed for you, probably right in front of you.
Springfield XDs are nice too. There are a lot of used in the market as people like to move up to their XDm line.
S&W M&Ps used may be an option for you too. But if you need brand new, you can get a Ruger LCP .380 for that price. Not as usefull as a full sized handgun, but so handy that you’ll never leave it at home. I carry mine in my shirt pockets.
I’ve owned a Taurus 1911 and had a good experience with it, but I have a friend who had such a bad time with his Millenium and their customer service never being able to resolve his problems that he won’t consider their products anymore.
For home defense I really suggest a shotgun. Also, get a laser sight on your handgun. You need to be able to hit the target, and the laser ups the odds.
Dude, that’s just wrong.
You might be my wife so get a stainless wheel gun. Hers is a Taurus 85 ultralite .38+P, 5 shot 2". 5 pulls, 5 booms.
If you NEED 15 + 1 and a bunch of extra mags you either need to spend more time on the range or stay out of that part of town.
I have a S&W Sigma 40 Love it..fits in back waistband nice but not my primary carry piece. thats a ruger 357 LCR but the sigma lives in my nightsatnd. used it for my ccw accurate and comes with 2ea 13 rd clips
All I have is a used PT92
It works great.
And who can argue with that?
I bought a S&W Signa in .40 cal a couple of years back. Recently bought a Bersa Compact Pro in 9mm. If you’re just now getting your first handgun, I’d suggest the 9 rather than the .40. I have much better accuracy with mine.
I bought a S&W Signa in .40 cal a couple of years back. Recently bought a Bersa Compact Pro in 9mm. If you’re just now getting your first handgun, I’d suggest the 9 rather than the .40. I have much better accuracy with mine.
9mm vs. .40 doesn't make much of a difference (45 mils, to be exact.) As others pointed out, training is essential, and a 9mm, with its lower cost, offers more training per buck. Round-wise, 9mm FMJ goes through a thick steel sheet that I have as a backstop for .22LR. One should care more about the shot placement rather than about a few extra joules that you get with .40 - especially if you miss altogether.
And as others already pointed out, one handgun (or one rifle) is just to get started. You cannot compare a .22LR target pistol (like Ruger Mark III) to a combat pistol to a concealment pistol. They are all good for different things.
I would generally advise against buying the cheap stuff. Better to save a bit more money and get a quality product. I am personally not in favor of Glocks just because they lack the manual safety, and my personal needs are entirely target shooting and hunting, so far. Those needs do not require fast response, but I appreciate another little bit of safety, even though one shouldn't trust it (or anything.) But this same feature - lack of manual safety - would make them excellent combat pistols, with one less lever to be set wrong when seconds matter. Firearms are a good investment - perhaps better than gold.
FWIW, and as a serious comment ...
You don’t need much range time with a Judge with .410 loads, or handgun/pistol ‘bullets’. But you need a lot of ‘handling the firearm’ time . IMHO ...
Why? The Judge with those loads is useful and appropriate to MAYBE 25 feet. The Judge is a good firearm for the true self-defense scenario of “I am under attack, personally and up close”. In other words, your intended targets, when rightfully engaged, would be so close that you ‘can’t miss’ ... if you practice just a little. No need to push that target out to 50 feet or the end of the range, unless you are just curious.
I think if you get a zombie target(s) and practice two-shot groups, center mass, you’ll be good. Get a feel for what it’s like to fire twice. Use a paper plate and draw roughly 12” circles on the zombie target and practice getting two shots within the circles.
I recommend also you buy ‘snap caps’ (fake aluminum rounds) and get a lot of practice holding, producing/drawing, aiming, squeezing the trigger, and such. Get a GOOD feel for the trigger. Get to where you can (QUICKLY) aim well enough at a 10-15 foot away target —that you can acquire and hit it without trying to squint down the short barrel and aim.
MY opinion is that the Judge is a fine weapon for true OH MY GOD self defense scenarios, but ya gotta practice getting it out of wherever you keep it and putting a good sight picture on your target.
I have enough time with my .45 that I am confident I can hit what I intend to hit, 10-15 feet (or less) in front of me without ‘aiming’. I encourage you to do the same with your Judge.
Other opinions on FR WILL vary. ;-)
2nd that... Sig guy here. I also like the CZ, especially the 82/83...
I agree. And there is a reason that the Marine Corps is switching from the 9mm to the .45cal.
Definitely the Sig Sauer P229 in .357 Sig or .40, or the 220 in .45. Glocks and some Colt revolvers is .38 special are a no-brainer as well. There are so many choices actually. Your budget seems a bit low, so I would consider trying to double it and look at the higher quality self defense sidearms. You are definitely in the right place for pistol advice. Happy hunting.
Good advice about the 15+ rounds.
That’s not self-defense, that’s a gun fight.
All depends on what you are preparing for/ what risk/threat you might expect to encounter.
full disclosure: I carry my Sig P220 with one in the chamber and 7 in the mag, plus an 8 round mag on my belt. Doubt I’ll EVER need it, but it’s what I want.
I have purchased Sig’s for all male family members, and ALL were used; all German made. NONE were over $450 with two mags. NEVER had to do ANY work on any of them, except usual care and cleaning.
Sure they have some wear and tear, but Sig’s just endure.
My firearms will never win a pistol competition, but they’ll likely never fail when employed for their purpose.
ONLY issue has been with non-Sig mags seem to see some stove-pipe jams. Never Sig mags.
Which academy?
Price Range?
Caliber choice and why?
Gun size and why?
Purpose?
Experience?
With that, I think I can offer you a more informed opinion. I will be picking up a Springfield XDs for my everyday carry and may pick up a Ruger LC, Sig P239 or Kimber Solo for a pocket carry. I'm also looking at a Glock or Springfield fuller body.
The Taurus, for me, has worked well and I have not had a single FTF or any other issues. I bought it last May and have put around 1500 rounds through it. Easy to operate, easy to clean, a good started gun.
I agree. My P97DAO is an excellent weapon.
.40 is a good caliber for self-defense. .45 is better. .357 is the best (of the common, inexpensive handgun rounds) but you appear to have precluded getting a revolver. Some will recommend giant killers like the Taurus Judge. If you need that much firepower you should consider a long gun instead of a pistol. I have contended elsewhere that unless you are planning to carry concealed the best self-defense weapon is a battle rifle. The deterrant value, penetration and stopping power are unbeatable.
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