Commander slide on an Officer frame, packed with .45ACP goodness.
Posted on 06/19/2016 9:44:45 PM PDT by Silly
Hi, all, very excited I joined NRA with their EasyPayLife plan on Friday. Now I'm want to move forward.
As I select a handgun, I do plan to try different models at gun ranges and talk with close friends who shoot. I know in time I will find something that I really connect with.
And before I purchase, I will have lots of solid training and hopefully some sort of certification(s) under my belt (suggest a few if you think of them).
Meanwhile, I would appreciate suggestions. I want a model that is classic, easy to care for, good power, and doesn't cost a fortune. It is a one-time purchase, so I won't buy the cheapest thing out there, but I have to watch my money. I will be putting away money each month to build up my firearm savings account so when I'm ready to buy I can do so. And I'd like a model that doesn't require high-priced ammo.
(FYI, I will likely not be able to keep the firearm in my apartment (still checking laws), as I live in Manhattan. So I will find a safe place for the gun outside the city limits to store it (Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey) where I can travel to easily and quickly to train. Just thought I should throw that piece of info in there.)
Mostly now, I'd like suggestions on models and why they should be considered. I'll Google them and really appreciate your help.
Desert Eagle L5 .357 caliber, NYS compliant.
Its not a gun, it’s a hand howitzer!
Glock G19 9mm handgun. It’s arguably the best model in the Glock lineup.
You will never find the perfect handgun for you on the first try. Start with one that has so much going for it you’ll not regret owning it, even if it doesn’t quite satisfy all your wants in the long run.
The G19 has a great fit for the broadest range of hands, enough grip, great capacity, compatibility of components with other Glocks in the 9mm lineup. Low recoil and with quality hollow points it has all the stopping power of a .40 with more firepower and managability. Will accept the Commie 10 and the free-States 15, 17, and 33 round magazines. Every accessory known to God available for it, but I strongly recommend outside of good night sights you keep it bone stock. Cheap, easy to find, spare parts and ammo. Decent concealability and weight for carry. Easy to break down to clean and maintain. Bakes cookies (not really)
You will always want something else as you own and shoot handguns and nearly all of them are a compromise in capacity for weight savings and more concealability, but the G19 will earn its keep as a great all-arounder.
It’s very VERY difficult, though. VERY rare. Usually requires monetary ‘greasing’ or very good political contacts.
Other counties are a little easier, but it still takes a lot of time (up to 6 months).
1. Find a local gun store with a range with an NRA certified trainer on-staff or who is contracted to the facility.
2. Take the safety/training class. If the store is good, you can rent several models of revolvers and semi-autos.
3. Take you time to learn which handgun works for you. The secondary market is full of unsold handguns belonging to people who didn’t know what they wanted.
Training (software) is far more important than tools (hardware). Get training, even if it's the local NRA guy.
The only bigger 'gear queers' than musicians are gun people. Unfortunately, I know this because I am both. Have a big box of mouthpieces, and a big box of holsters.
As for tools, I'll give you another quote:
All handguns should be Glock 9mm, or J-Frames. - Andy Stanford
I’m not saying its easy. I think Sean Hannity carries a concealed weapon into his Manhattan office. It’s like all Democrat strongholds; only the perps have the weapons.
John Browning designed the greatest handgun ever built, the Colt 1911. Of course nowadays there are many versions from different makers, I have a Remington R1. The single stack magazine allows for a comfortable grip and the gun is accurate and points better than any other handgun I’ve tried.
I’m actually a Sig (Sig Sauer) guy myself, but, given the specifications you cited, I’d recommend a Glock. Glocks are relatively inexpensive - especially when compared to a Sig 220, 226, 1911, etc., they’re easy to disassemble and maintain, accurate, dependable and durable. The model/caliber will depend on how you intend to use it, i.e., target practice, pocket gun, concealed carry (in a holster of some type), home defense, plinking, target practice, etc.
Although I own a number of Sigs and just to give you an idea, my gun of choice is a Sig P220 SAS Compact. It’s a .45 ACP caliber, relatively compact for a .45 (which is a pretty powerful round), very accurate and dependable. For a pocket gun, I carry either a P238 (.380) or P938 (9mm), both of which I consider subcompact guns.
My wife wanted a purse gun, so I got her a Glock 42, which is a .380 caliber gun, very compact, easy to disassemble and clean and feeds every type of ammo I’ve put into it. Although I won’t use a laser sight myself, I put a Crimson Trace laser on it and I’m teaching her not to fixate on the red dot.
A one-time purchase? That’s where you’re wrong! Welcome to the addiction, my friend...
Commander slide on an Officer frame, packed with .45ACP goodness.
My top 3 are: Glock, Sig Sauer and FN.
Choose any one of those and you will have a superb handgun.
For the money, a nice used revolver in good condition is a good place to start IMO. The .38 special is a common, ubiquitous caliber that works.
I suggest starting at a reputable gun shop and mention the terms "J-Frame" or "K-Frame", these are both families of revolvers made by Smith and Wesson.
Kinda like buying a car, don't let anyone twist your arm, and buy after you've done some shopping, preferably with an experienced person as you mentioned.
When you go shooting, use eye and ear protection. Save your empties in a dry place NOT in a sealed container.
Oh yeah one last, gratuitous point that I learned the hard way: As YOU get more experienced and start taking people shooting with you, NEVER take a known jerk shooting with you. Let him fend for himself, even if he is someone's BIL. Only take people who can be trusted.
Today I went to my local police station to get a fire arms application. Let’s see how it goes.
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again - that first handgun should be a .22
Ruger makes a great one.
You ask a valid question. However, the english doesn’t add up and seems to contrite. I don’t know, it’s just my gut. My gut got me through 3 tours. I trust it. I trust it because I think that’s how God talks to me heh.
Maybe it’s my ol soldier attitude. I’m suspicious of a lot.
If you can find one I suggest a Czech CZ 52. The Tokarev is good but the CZ 52 is superior. For a while you could pick them up here in the US for $150- $190 with holster & extra mag in unfired condition. The only caveat is the firing pin was made of cast steel which usually broke if dry fired excessively. Lots of companies offer after market machined firing pins for a few dollars.
BTW don't let corrosive ammo scare you off. It's only a problem for people who don't clean their firearms for weeks after shooting. Hot soapy water quickly removes the corrosive salts.
I have several boxes of corrosive 8MM Mauser from the 1930s, made in Germany. Every one still goes bang, never had a misfire yet.Corrosive primers stay good for a very very long time.
Shoot a lot of different ones before you decide. If you have not shot much, get into a class and practice.
My first carry gun was a S&W MP 9mm. Great gun. But I soon replaced it with a S&W model 66 .357 magnum revolver, just loved the trigger action so much more and loved shooting the gun. Then I found my 1911, and now I carry a .45 S&W E series 1911. Best shooting gun I have ever had the pleasure to use. The key is, what works in one persons hand, may not fit anothers. So try out lots of them.
.45’s make big holes. :D
It’s just a thread. Seriously, what are you suspicious of? What is this person going to do? Report a Miss Marmelstein and a Mr. Lazamataz to Firearms and Alcohol? Mr. Silly is going to have a tough time explaining his name.
striker fire + novices=disaster.
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