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!

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

You don't have to be rich to own a 1911. Kimbers are okay but when you're broke they exact quite a toll on a man's wallet. Check out the 1927 modelo Colt Systema. These guns were made in Argentina under the supervision of Colt machinists on Colt machines. They were used by the military and police for years. Now that the Argentines have retired them, they've been inspected and refinished. They don't have much collector value (and never will), but they represent probably the best value in the world of 1911s right now.

You can order a "grade one" for three hundred bucks here The lesser grades are a little cheaper.

Why get a 700 dollar Kimber when you can pick up a Colt for three bills? Especially in this economy.
Callahan

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

Here's a pic of a Systema Colt.

Click on pic to enlarge

[ozzymandus]

If it's your first handgun, I'd recommend a .357 Magnum revolver with a 4 or 6-inch barrel. You can use .38 Special ammo, which is cheap and easier to shoot than the .357, and you can choose from dozens of loads. Go with a quality name brand. I'd say S&W, now that they've changed hands. A used Model 19 would be an excellent choice.

[tx4guns]

Yep, RICH, that's it. I have a $650 handgun, so I'm just rolling in the cash. Glad to see you judge people by 1 possesion that they own. Guess those people that wear gold necklaces are just LOADED!!!! I hope you were joking.

[steamroller]

Wuth what you want to spend,I'd consider a used Ruger Speed Six-it is rugged to a fault,accurate,fires a .357 magnum,and as I can swear to,it makes a highly effective bludgeon when less-than-lethal force is needed.One feature I really like is the cylinder latch which is a pushbutton-a much more natural motion under stress than push forward(S&W)or back(Colt).

[imperator2]

I would recommend a cheap but useable 12 g sawed off shutgun. You'll probably never use a pistol, and a shotgun sends a much better message to an intruder, and is more reliable. A pistol is useful if you need to carry it around.

[FlyVet]

Colt Systema...interesting. Do you own one, and is it reliable? I'm not planning on buying in the near future, already have a few suitable handguns for defense. I'd like to have something in the venerable .45 ACP some day though. I've heard the Kimber is about the tops these days as far as quality/accuracy/price ratio.

[tx4guns]

bump. I was going to mention the Sistema, but I couldn't remember the place to get them. They are definitely a great buy. Parts will be available forever too. Maybe I'll trade the Kimber in for one ;) NOT!!!!

[lavaroise]

If you're new and want quick self confidence in handling your gun, get a revolver, the reliability and simplicity is unsurpassed, combined with adequate firepower. I would advise no less than 38 in caliber. 9 mm is a bit too small. A great and accurate revolver for first shooters is the 5 shot 44 magnum with a 4 inch barrel. I wish that had been the first gun I had bought, although the 8 shot Taurus 357 Titanium is interesting too. However, if you want some concealability then either get 38 Titanium from Taurus (so lightweight and small you can wear it hidden comfortably) or a steel frame 5 shot Ruger 357 SP101. I know Taurus has a 357 in Titanium but its frame is larger.

Semi autos can be more expensive and you never know if they will jam unless you know your semi auto very well and you have tested/modified it for it to work well. It's more difficult to build confidence in your semi autos. The only reliable cheap, powerful and great semi auto is the CZ 52. The Tcheck 52 is about $200 and has special necked high velocity bullets that are a marvel. The accuracy varies though on this baby, but it is the best buy you can get in semi autos in terms of ruged reliability and price.

If you are into the 1911, a gun that many proclaim as being the best overall, get a Kimber for out of the box accuracy. It does have a S&W frame though. The Springfield Armory are not bad either. But they're all $500+ guns. I also like Magnum Research's 45 pro or even the CZ 72.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Go up to the 440 dollar range and get the Taurus Millenium in .45 (PT145). I had my hands on it the other day and won't rest until it is in my hands permanently.

I'm going to part with another pistol or two to pay for it.

[tx4guns]

My buddy has one, and they are identical to the old Govt 1911's used in WWII. Colt actually sold the machines and tooling to Sistema, so it's made by actual Colt hardware. They are pretty accurate, and they have a little more play in the action, so they're more reliable than modern tight target pistols. For instance, you really have to keep the Kimbers and STI's really clean for them to be reliable, but the Sistema could be dropped in the mud and still work like a charm.

[gc4nra]

Get rid of the Maglite and get a Surefire 6z combatlight. About 8" long x !.5" dia. two 3volt lithium batteries and twice as bright as a 3 D cell Maglite. Also with a little practice it can be held in hte weak hand while holding a pistol, turns on with slight pressure on the endcap.

[Nuke'm Glowing]

That's a nice shootin iron. Let me know if you get it how you like it, I might part with one of my rifles for one of those..

[ExSoldier]

Speaking as an NRA certified firearms instructor and a former US Army Officer I cannot stress enough the importance of training by a certified instructor. Then you have to practice like you're going to do it for real...as in TACTICAL training. So I would suggest the first organization you join AFTER you join the NRA is going to be the International Defensive Pistol Association or IDPA. These folks train for street confrontations and the courses of fire are very realistic; forcing you to take cover and retain control of all your magazines on the reloads...because unlike the "gamesmanship" of other shooting organizations where it's ok to run from point to point and drop your mags on the ground...in the REAL world; that will cost you your life.

Now, please answer a few questions: Do you want just a home defense gun? If so you can't beat a 12 ga shotgun. PERIOD. If you're going to secure a lawful concealed weapons permit and carry it on your person, it depends on your body type and the size of your hands as to how comfortable you're going to be with the various available firearms. Also important, especially for a novice is going to be your weather. If it's hot and muggy like it is where I am in South Florida; do you really want to have to wear a photographer's vest everywhere you go? Or a sport jacket? You could opt for the belly bag, but that's an incredibly slow draw and especially under life and death stress, could prove fatal for you.

As a general rule, the .22 makes a great weapon to use for an assassination by a pro hitter. The MOSSAD uses them to eliminate terrorists and other unsavory enemies. But they shoot them thru the EYE, twice! The rule of thumb is to buy the largest caliber you can shoot accurately and safely and comfortably. A .22 magnum may approach the same velocity as a .38sp, but lacking a similar cross sectional density of the actual projectile, it has none of the so called "stopping power" of the larger round. And as has been mentioned here, the .38 ain't such great shakes either. Just remember: Accuracy, power and speed is what wins hostile confrontations. That and a good tactical mindset. What does all this mean? TRAINING AND PRACTICE!!!

When I teach a class, I usually let the student use a variety of guns that I own of various types and calibers. Invariably, ONE of them will leap out as THE ONE...just like King Arthur and Excaliber! So it shall be with you and for that reason so as to avoid inappropriate influence, I don't recommend specific makes of guns.

[Vigilanteman]

What you say is correct until you start talking about close range (the 20-30 yards). Anyone which wants accuracy and long-range fire power is far better off with a rifle. Pistol barrels are too short for any degree of accuracy beyond 30 yards.

The effectiveness of a rifle, however, becomes limited when in a panic, close range situation.

But a well aimed .22 magnum hollow point between the eyes at close range is far more lethal than a sloppy shot with a .45 which grazes a shoulder.

The gent asked for advice on handguns, so I'm assuming he wants a short-range weapon.

[FlyVet]

Thanks for the tips, link saved.....

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

I've heard the Kimber is about the tops these days as far as quality/accuracy/price ratio.

Kimber is, as I said, okay. But they get TOTALLY carried away with their useage of MIM (metal injection molded) parts. They even use a MIM extractor! I don't trust MIM crap so I'm currently trading my Custom CDP in on a new Series 80 Colt Government Model. Colt is really turning out some excellent guns here lately. They've got a new CEO, a retired Marine Officer. A real hardass. He told the Ordnance Department to "bugger off" (in so many words) when FN won the M16A2 contract. He said that it just baffled him how the former management was producing those guns at a loss and that HE would not be continuing those antics.

Anyhoo, he's getting things straightened back out. I just bought a M1911A1 Reproduction and it is an excellent gun. High quality like the old glory days at Harford.

And no, I don't own a Systema....YET. I'm planning on going the extra thirty bucks and getting a "hand selected" one VERY soon though. We have a thirty day wait between handguns in Virginia. A stupid law.

Seriously, I would recommend looking into a Systema soon. Once they sell out you have to wait on the next importation. That could be a while...I hear it was a long wait last time.

Regards,
Callahan

[Cold Heat]

Good idea... the mag is a little heavy and hard to hold...

[gc4nra]

Take a look at them HERE

[Inspector Harry Callahan]

Bad link. Try this one