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!

[ar10]

Glock 17 or a CZ 75 both available in 9mm.

[freedomlover]

I agree that you're starting with low firepower but still I'd rather get some lead in the gut first. I can't help but think it will freeze the perp for a second or two if nothing else to see how bad the wound is.

Maybe if the perp isn't looking and you have a clean ... no I'm still going for the gut. Hell I got an air rifle pellet (?.177?) pellet in the side once and it froze me into a ball for 10-15 seconds. That f*cking hurt!!

[surfer]

Man you find the best stuff...you should start your own search service...I am simply amazed at all the stuff you find!

[ALASKA]

Heckler&Koch USP in .45 cal. Get Semi-Jacketed Hollow-points, or wadcutters. (personal pref... Stoppage, or max pain.) The USP is designed to take pumishment as a (side) bonus, considering it was originally made for military/police use.

I concur, the compact is extremely concealable and comforatable especially with a BladeTec holster (on my hip as I type).

[Gone_Postal]

What is your opinion of the trigger?

Very long pull. but it is a defence weapon, hard to have an "accident"

[jalisco555]

Great thread. Bump for later reading.

[Shooter 2.5]

Since you hunt, I would suggest that you don't buy a gun for a while. Ask your hunting buddies to help you out and let you shoot some guns for a while so you get used to one.

To a person who has never fired any gun before, I would suggest a .22 rifle, then a .22 handgun.

To a person who has shot for a while I would suggest a .38 revolver and if a rural person has to check out some out buildings, a 12 gauge shotgun.

To a person who has shot a handgun for a couple of years, I would suggest a Major Caliber revolver or pistol.

To a person who wants to draw and shoot targets form a concealed rig on a regular routine, I would suggest a .45 1911 because of the price of spare parts and magazines. The trigger is also on of the best on the planet.

To anyone bringing up the idea of Blackpowder firearms, please leave the 19th century out of this because the maintance problems of the powder. AK-47's and battle rifles only work if you're in a rural environment.

[elbucko]

As a longtime member of the NRA and an ex-soldier, I can't second ExSoldier's admonition to GET SOME TRAINING enough. I recently sat on a jury where a mother of 2 and grandmother of 2 was convicted of assault with a firearm, a felony, with a minimum of 6 mos. in jail. She brought a loaded firearm into a domestic dispute where the firearm was unwarranted. As you can guess, someone was shot (not fataly) and Granny went to jail. The popular maxim that it is better to be judged by 12 than carried by six must carry the caveat that 6 of those 12 are going to be EXTREMELY IGNORANT about firearms, or hate you for having one. "You have got to be carefully taught". The best Rule No. 1 from my late father, about all firearms was to treat them as if they were loaded, period. There are no exceptios. Even if you knew it was "empty", it was still loaded and to be treated as loaded. The only time a firearm was unloaded, was when it was apart. No exceptions. Safe shooting.

[freedomlover]

bttt

[Darksheare]

I'd actually forgotten that a Bladetech holster would fit it.. *Larf!*
As much as I like the pistol, I am one of those guys that has small hands, so that excludes me from personally using one. Double stackers have a unique tendency to twist in my hands. I'd probably be better off using the 9mm version. (Slightly thinner profile. But not that much slimmer)
If money were no object-and I could hold it, I'd grab myself an IMI Desert Eagle in .50 action express AND in .45 automag.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I can handle long on a trigger pull, but if it is crunchy then that stinks. I'm more comfortable carrying with one in the chute and a long trigger pull because I have two little kids and frequently carry them in my arms.

Even with a holster that covers the trigger I always worry about a little shoe getting caught in the trigger gaurd and shooting myself in the right ass cheek.

[PatrioticAmerican]

#124 - I have one also. Love it! It shoots so fine and handles extremely well. I carry a Beretta 96SF (40 cal) as a primary.

[2nd_Amendment_Defender]

I like the .45 automatic cartridge myself because of the cartridges stopping power and I also like having a semi automatic pistol because they hold more rounds (7 + 1) and I can have quick reloads.

I would recommend a Sig Sauer P220 American model ($600). People may complain about the price of a gun, but is your life worth a garbage gun that may not function? Heckler and Koch USP .45 is nice too ($700), and the Glock 21 ($550) is also a good choice.

But, if your a simpler guy you may want to go with a 7 shot .357 magnum revolver. Get lower power loads with the .357 magnum rounds too to prevent your rounds flying right through an enemy and killing innocent bystanders. Go to the range atleast once a month to shoot and practice trigger control (with an empty gun) and drawing everyday. Practice with your firearm until you become unconsciously competent. You revert to your training in high stress situations.