Posted on 09/08/2013 2:59:43 PM PDT by sauropod
Hello all,
I need some advice on purchasing a handgun. I live in the People’s Republic of MD and the new gun control laws are about to take effect (Oct 1st).
I am in the market for a .45. I was looking at cheaper than dirt at several models and would appreciate any hints you can give regarding a purchase.
Have you dealt with buying guns from cheaper than dirt? Do you have a better source/way to do this?
What is the proper procedure for completing this purchase from an on-line retailer?
I would also like recommendations for handguns in the $500 class. Will consider going to $700 if there is a really good reason to do so.
This purchase is for home defense.
OTH, if this is your first weapon, why go for a BIG GUNZ? Bigger is not always better, especially in home defense.
Revolvers are cheaper, safer, easier for a novice to use,(unless you KNOW how to clear a ‘stove pipe’ you should avoid autos for your first weapon. Just MHO) HIGHLY effective, and sometimes fly under the radar of gun grabbers.
A really nice Taurus .357 in either 4” or 6” barrel, will let you practice cheap (.38 special rounds) and also let you penetrate deep (.357 mags or even .38 +P) rounds.
Please be honest with yourself, if you are not a person who will go to the range religiously to learn the peculiarities of temperament of a semi auto piece, look into a good revolver.
Notwithstanding the howitzer crowd here, they really are safe and effective and fall nicely into your price budget.
The best advice I've seen on this thread so far.
Every one has opinions, likes, dislikes and so forth.
You need to own what is comfortable to you, no one else!
Pay for an hour or two of instruction on shooting, aiming, stance, and being taught familiarity with the weapon, disassembly, cleaning etc., then practice, practice, practice.
Owning a gun is only half the battle, the other is the CONFIDENCE you have in handling it.
Safe, works every time. Easy to field strip and clean. Recovering the brass to reload doesn't require a scouting trip and it will put a big hole in anything you hit.
Long see no time USC...
Yup. My .45 CZ is a Dan Wesson VBOB. :)
There is one near Wheeling, WVA and I get out that way quite often...
Thanks!
I used to have a Glock 30 in 45ACP. It shot accurately and I never had a malfunction. I just did not like the safety being on the bang switch! I prefer a traditional 1911 type of safety system. Traded the Glock in on a Para Ordnance 12-45 LDA. It has 3.5 inch barrel, 12-round magazines and light double action. If I had it to do over again I would probably go with single action, but for a carry gun it is pretty accurate. Like others have said, go to a range and rent lots of different models to see what you like. You don’t have much time! The Springfield XD models have a great reputation, but I have never owned one.
Thanks Marcella.
I'm very much an HnK bigot, all but one of my handguns is HnK.
HnK's are more expensive than most, IMO you get what you pay for. Love mine. Having said that, the new Beretta PX4 Storm is a darn fine .45 and at a much more reasonable price point than the HnK's.
If you're looking for something "cheaper" ... the Glock 21 Gen4 is a nice pistol also. I was looking at one earlier this year, rented and put about 200 rounds through one before I opted against it. Wife on the other hand loved it and shot very well with it.
Thanks! Maybe I need to look at a .45 revolver then.
Excellent advice. That's how we ended up with the only Glock in my house, the Wife's Glock 21 Gen4.
Thanks! I know I don’t have much time. I’ve been thinking abt this purchase for a couple of months. Time to move out.
I agree, Buds gun shop has great prices and a very good reputation.
My preference is old school. The genius John Moses Browning designed the perfect 45 acp fifty years before I was born.
http://www.shopguntalk.com/GunTalk-Presents-Fighting-with-the-1911-with-Tiger-McKee-1911DVD.htm
Worth repeating ping!
And CZ 97B .45 ACP... :-))
Between my wife and I we’ve had great luck with S&W: their 9mms, .45s, and a small 5 shot revolver. No jams, no issues, even with cheap Tul-Ammo. Also have a Glock and it has worked flawlessly. Only gotcha there is some cheap KCI mags I got for it do not like Tul-Ammo. Too much friction, binds up the follower. An AR-15 and a 12GA Mossberg pump have also earned our respect. Only firearm we have that we don’t like is a little Ruger .380 LCP. Sure, it’s small and you can take it anywhere. But it has a stiff slide that just refuses to break-in. The recoil is “snappy” and in some ways worse than the .38 and the bigger 9mms. It has also suffered fail-to-feed problems with several different kinds of ammo, about once every 50-60 rounds. That happens with two family members. I suspect they simply aren’t holding it securely enough and are limp-wristing it. But it doesn’t fill me with confidence. Hence wife now has a revolver.
Sorry, I posted my reply while you were posting yours.
In Philly, my dress code always included a revolver. I knew the weapon well and felt very comfortable with it. (For defense, that is probably the most important thing, howitzer crowd notwithstanding.)
I have a number of autos. They are good weapons. And in the hands of experienced people who practice regularly, are most effective.
Average guys like me who work for a living and can’t afford the “best” and write an IOU for range time, the revolver has been the answer to a lot of problems.
Just my opinion. I’m sure I’ll get ripped by the “know it alls.”
Glock 30 SF
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