I'm Thinking of Buying a Handgun --- Suggestions???

[mn-bush-man]

I have been a hunter for years, but now that I'm out of the folks' house and have a family of my own, I am serious about acquiring a handgun for my home protection. I don't know a lot about handguns, so I am curious if any of you have any suggestions. I'm on a bit of a budget, so try to keep it in the $300ish range. Thanks!

[Redcloak]

While I reeeeally like my Glock 19, I also recommend that you look into a good pump shotgun. Assuming that this is a stay-at-home weapon, a short-barrel shotgun (like the Mossberg 500) is an excellent weapon. However, if you're also thinking about something that can be transported or concealed, look into Glock pistols. More money but worth it.

[Aric2000]

Nah, save your money, go to a gunshow and see if You can find a CZ-70. This is a czecholslavakian knockoff of the Walther PPK. It will run you around $180 including a shoulder holster, it is .32 caliber, and can stop anyone in thier tracks.

I take mine to the range about once a month and have never had a misfire, and it gives me a shotgroup of around 3 inches at 50 yards. Very nice weapon, and doesn't kick the hell out of you. I carry it everywhere, and believe it or not, it is Lighter then My phoenix arms .22, and that is with a fully loaded clip with one in the chamber.

[Aric2000]

You know, I don't know, I need to find out, never even thought about it. Thanks...

[punster]

Others have suggested handguns, shotguns, or rifles. It is not an easy question to answer, without considering your history of firearms experience, your home situation (including location and surrounding environment).

Handguns:

Little previous experience: get a revolver. My suggestions run towards the Ruger GP100 or SP101 in .357 Mag(use .38 Spl loads for most of your practice). Other good choices include the Taurus revolvers chambered for .357.

More experience: My recommendations run towards 9mm and .40 S&W caliber self-loading pistols. I happen to like the Glock pistol, but others do not. Don't worry much about the choice between 9 mm and .40, because it is more important that you can hit the precise target, than the caliber.

If you would expect intermediate range targets (10 to 20 yards), I would also recommend considering a shotgun. A pump or self-loading shotgun is a good choice. Remington 870 in a pump action shotgun, or 11-87 in a self-loading shotgun. Get the turkey gun (about 21 inch barrel), and have it adapted to use an extension magazine tube.

If you are considering a rifle, and live in a suburban area, get a rifle chambered for .223 Rem. The Ruger Mini-14 is good choice. So is a rifle patterned after the AR-15 (you don't necessarily have to have a pre-ban gun). Those two rifles are the best choice for self-defense, lower potential for over penetration.

[Myrddin]

I took my 3 sons to the range and let each fire my .45. End of curiosity. The oldest and youngest retreated to their video games with a new appreciation for the difference between the video "make believe" and firing a real .45. The middle son signed up for the Marine Corps. Different strokes. #2 son finishes boot camp on Oct 5th.

[Shooter 2.5]

You're thinking about .380 which is American for 9MM Short in European. Again because it's confusing: .380 = 9MM Kurtz [Short in German]. The Walther PPK/S is also chambered for .32.

[SurferDoc]

I own a Colt Sistema. I bought it for around $250 and spent another $150 to have it made into a 'carry piece'. It was fine out of the box before I had the work done.

[MissAmericanPie]

That's great, the best thing we can give our kids is knowledge. They realize so fast that a weapon is beyond their capabilities and my son wouldn't touch one period.

When he was real little about six or seven he already knew what a gun could do, I told him that soon he would be going to sleep overs at his friends houses and if one of his friends came out with his father's gun, to not say a word, just get up leave the room immediately and get the parent.

This did happen and he was scared enough to do just what I told him to, it may have saved his life.

[Shooter 2.5]

I stopped carrying a PPK when I found out I can hide a .45 1911 under a t-shirt. My average draw time is 1.8 seconds.

[tx4guns]

FEG and KBI make some nice, inexpensive (less than $200) .380's that are knock-offs of the PPK. I have one, and they are very accurate and reliable, but you have to find the right ammo for your gun. They are very easy to conceal and will even fit in your pants pocket without being noticed. The .380 is the minimum I'd carry or use for home defense.

[Aric2000]

A lot of people say that, .38 being as small as they would go. .32 is a pretty good round, small enough not to hurt when you fire it(I am a small guy) but big enough to knock just about anyone off thier feet. I use 71 grain for target practice, and 71 grain hollow points for defense.

But, in all honesty, the CZ-70 is stark BLACK, from tip of the barrel to the bottom of it grip. It is a MEAN looking gun. When I take it to the target range, people really want to look at it. It is basically a pretty close copy to the Walther PPK, but it doesn't have the button feature that tells you if there is a bullet in the chamber, and of course, it is BLACK!! I have read some reviews that said that it isn't very accurate, but that's a bunch of hooey!! Like I said before 3" shot group at 50 yards.

And like I said also, I am a small statured guy, so .32 is about as large as I want to go, .38 wouldn't be bad, but that CZ-70 just feels SO GOOD!!!! :)

[ladyneutron]

I suggest Paxton Quigley's book, "armed and female", a great book even for men.You can get the paperback at amazon.com or at www.paxtonquigley.com. She has lots of info on how to decide which handgun might be the best for your own personal situation. There are lots of books out there, and I'm sure lots of people here will have info for you. also, a local gun store should be very happy to help you out! Hope this helps alittle!

[TightSqueeze]

I like a little .22 model called the Peacemaker. I can practice using cheap rounds. When I'm after something with more knock-down power, I just change to the magnum cylinder and use hollow-points. The recoil (and different feel from shooting the cheap rounds) is negligible.

I too own a .22, do you know if there is a hollow-point long rifle round available?

[Flint]

Spend a little more and get a Glock. Engineering perfection.