Which handgun to get?

[Jonesy]

For my 21st b-day I'm considering buying a handgun for a present to myself. Will be used for conceal and carry, target shooting/plinking, and self protection while in the woods (read snakes).

I don't really know much about guns and don't know what I want/need. Throw out some suggestions, opinions, links, etc.... Trying to stay at $500 or less if possible.

Thanks for any and all input.

[Chicksdigme423]

get a revolver, like... old westerns:cool:

[250exRgood2]

get a .45 smith and wesen i got one small accurate powerful it got a bit of a kick but fun to shoot

[ak_stick]

well, I'd probably go with a 1911 in 45. But thats a little out of your price range, or a Glock 17,19 (9mm) or 20,21 (10mm 45) for just shooting or protection.

for concealed carry I carry my 19, but 9mm isnt usefull for much other than people and dogs. Hunting I carry either a 10mm,45 or a 44 mag. But alaska is a littler different than where your at.

A new glock is in the 500 range, though I think 650 is a little more reasonable, then you've got more options, i.e. 1911's, Sigs, Berrettas semi autos are expensive....

Or go with a newer revolver in 357 Mag, you can get a semi small one, shoot 38 spcl for practice/fun and use mag loads for protection and carry. For those, 500 is reasonable, and there are lots of good makers, Ruger, S&W, Colt....

[cletusEX]

You can't go wrong with any of the full or mid size Glocks. Simple, accurate, and dependable. Personal I'd stick with the .40, 10mm, or .45 calibers if personal protection is in mind (that is just opinion caliber choice is a very debate topic to say the least:p )

[Atkins]

Smith & Wesson Polymer .40cal

[ak_stick]

if your suggesting that S&W sigma, I'd highly advise staying away from it. Several PD's ditched it after that had some serious failures with it. And its pretty notorious for jamming.

that, and I just dont like the 40 short and weak (S&W) But hey, thats just me

[quads14589]

if u were my dad and he got alot of handguns go with a .45 with a .22 converson on it

[DeerNuts]

Ruger Redhawk double action-- .44 mag. Can't be beat in the accuracy department with a nice red dot scope.
It does kick a bit... and oh yeah, 500 won't cut it for this beauty unless it's used.. and who would buy a used gun?

[Ralph]

golden PP7, everyone knows they are the best.

[Jonesy]

So far everyone I talk to says that I should look into the glocks. I want something that is semi auto, relatively light, easy to maintain, and fairly cheap to shoot.

My buddy has a glock 20 I believe in .40 caliber that I'm going to shoot this weekend to see if I like the feel of the gun.

Thanks for the input and keep it coming.

Jonesy

[Quadfather]

One of these. Top is a Gock 17C (9mm). This is my alltime favorite gun. It fits in my hand perfectly. 2nd is a Glock 23 (.40 cal). It's kinda small for my hands. Bottom is a Kimber BPII 10 (.45 cal). The Kimber is hard to beat, but they're pricey.

[Iliketogofast]

Heckler and Koch USP 45. Best handgun ever made. If you're manly and have big hands this is definately the one for you.

[MOFO]

Personally I love my Glock! Simple and VERY reliable. I have a Glock 23 (.40). Good all around size. Not too small, but small enough to carry.

[Birddog5150]

I would suggest a glock 17 or 19.Cheap to shoot, low recoil,19 is easy to conceal(my carry gun)very durable finish,they digest any ammo..Springfield XD models are a good gun for the money.You can get a package deal (gun,2 mags,holster and ammo) for around $500.00..Also high magazine capacity on both..

The 1911 you could go with a Springfield GI model..They are around$400.00 for the green version..They are easy to mod and ammo is cheap..The way it fits your hand is an important consideration for any gun you choose..Go shoot all the diggerent guns you can before buying..

[nosliw]

i absolutely love my S&W 5-loader .38 shorty barrell.

[prepracing]

DESERT EAGLE........ OH yeah you said around $500, probably would go with a Glock

[Plante400]

You want a colt 45 ALL the way unless you can afford a desert eagle .50 cal

[Plante400]

45:

[Plante400]

and the desert eagle .50 cal :devil:

[Tommy 17]

springfield armory XD in a .40 cal... thats what i have and love it!

day i turn 21 i'm gonna get it in a .45 so it'll actually drop a person... .40s and 9mms just poke holes in them!

[jonc623]

i work part time for a police dept and we carry glock mod 22 in .40 cal they have good stoping power depends on what bullet you use for penitration hollow points perform the best for stopping power but you can buy cheap solid nose to just shoot around with just my opinion i have several handguns i just got a new walther p22 semi i like real well it is .22 cal but shoots nice and real cheap to shoot

[MOFO]

Originally posted by Tommy 17
springfield armory XD in a .40 cal... thats what i have and love it!

day i turn 21 i'm gonna get it in a .45 so it'll actually drop a person... .40s and 9mms just poke holes in them!


If you can't drop someone with a .40, you need to spend MORE time at the shooting range.

[DeerNuts]

^^^Haha. Right on.

Even a 9mm will fork someone up, long as the range isn't over 10 ft.-- otherwise you miss. I love to shoot my 9mil but the accuracy isn't very accurate.

[antman]

There are alot of good guns out there so you should really go try some and find the one you like best because everyone likes different things.

My favorite make is H&K. They make one hell of a gun. When i turn 21 i am getting the H&K MK23. Its basically the big brother to the USP Tactical. Same gun that the US Special OPS and CT forces use. It's .45 cal with a threaded barell... It is one sweet gun.

http://www.streetpro.com/usp/images/mk23-2.jpg

[coolex]

id stick to the .45 they are protective and reliable and pretty accurate and you could drop someone with a 9mm if u had the skills but if you want complete accuracy like if u were going into computitions for shooting id go with a .22 and some .45 will do just fine

[250exer]

If you have concealed carry in mind, you don't want too large a gun.

Since you sound relatively new to shooting handguns, you need something you can afford to shoot a fair amout.

I would recommend a 9MM auto or a 38/357 revolver.

I have a ruger P95 I shoot in IDPA competition some. It's good enough to beat guys with SIGs and other more expensive guns. It not real large and has a polymer frame, so it's realtively light for a full size gun. Believe you can also get in 40 S&W. Nice thing is you can buy for about $350. With a $500 budget, you'll have enough money left over for a few extra clips and a nice holster.

I'm not stuck on this gun. It's just a moderately priced first gun that is reliable, durable, weather proof, and cheap to feed.

If you want a gun with more stopping power, Ruger has a new 45 auto that looks nice and has got good reviews. It'll just cost more for ammo. If you don't shoot a lot, that shouldn't be a consideration.

A Smith & Wesson 38/357 revolver is hard to beat as an all around gun. I just bought a 686 and it was about $550 as I recall, but what a sweet gun. It's little on the heavy side for carry, but S&W has tons of different models. I have a model 60 J Frame (5 shooter) for carry.

I got involved in IDPA (International Defensive Pistol Association) and IPSC (International Practical Shooting Council) handgun matches a couple years ago and have just had a gas. It gets old shooting tin cans after a while.

[red2004 TRX450R]

ruger p89 one of the best and safest guns for the money!! or any of the other p series.

Springfield loaded 1911 .45ACP or a springfield XD in 9mm 40s&W 45ACP. dont get the 45gap!!!

just get a good quality gun no junk!!

ruger , smith and wesson, springfield, glock, h&K, bretta, browning. sig

stay away from cheep guns unless you want it for plinking and jamming - high point, jennings, EAA, kel-tec, torus.

[trx250r86]

I have a S&W .45 tactical and love it! probably have over 800 rounds through it and never had any problems with it jamming or anything..

[antman]

Originally posted by red2004 TRX450R
stay away from cheep guns unless you want it for plinking and jamming - high point, jennings, EAA, kel-tec, torus.
true that

[Cole Trane]

glock 19, end of story. best gun i've ever shot, bottom line.

[harescrambles]

Originally posted by antman
There are alot of good guns out there so you should really go try some and find the one you like best because everyone likes different things.

My favorite make is H&K. They make one hell of a gun. When i turn 21 i am getting the H&K MK23. Its basically the big brother to the USP Tactical. Same gun that the US Special OPS and CT forces use. It's .45 cal with a threaded barell... It is one sweet gun.

http://www.streetpro.com/usp/images/mk23-2.jpg

:D Very nice and My personal choice, did you know it will camber under water? for the most silent kills:devil:

[cletusEX]

I'd stay away from the smaller sub-compact handguns. They might conceal very well but the smaller frame and sight distance make them harder to shoot. Remember a concealed weapon is supposed to be comforting not comfortable.;)

[outlaw450r]

Any GLOCK pistol would be a good choice. I've got 3 of them and I love them. GLOCKS are the best pistol out of the box money can buy. Plus my GLOCK 21 hold 14 rounds, you're not going to find personal protection better than that.

[antman]

Originally posted by harescrambles
:D Very nice and My personal choice, did you know it will camber under water? for the most silent kills:devil:
i shure did. i love this gun... it is the only draw back is how big and heavy it is but thats why it is so accurate.

[LTZ400rider]

[i]Originally posted by DeerNuts and who would buy a used gun? [/B]

who doesnt? if u take care of your gun it will last longer than you

[Jonesy]

Thanks for all the input. After looking around at reviews and talking to a few people I am really looking hard at a Glock. Which caliber would you all suggest? and anything I should look for if I do go to buy a used gun (thinking price here).

Thanks again.
Jonesy

[DirtDevilBT]

Originally posted by Ralph
golden PP7, everyone knows they are the best.

Hahaha, I got it.

[Tommy 17]

Originally posted by MOFO
If you can't drop someone with a .40, you need to spend MORE time at the shooting range.

it got a state cop killed in ebensburgh about 2 years ago... they shot a guy over 10 times with their .40 cal and it didn't even phase him...

[antman]

Originally posted by DirtDevilBT
Hahaha, I got it.
lmao... yap i remember the good old days of 007 GlodenEye on the N64.

[Dannys440]

Tommy 17 about that cop getting killed, in my oppnion on this is the police forces are being traing to shoot to wound, I am telling you if it was me and a man was charging me forget the shoot to wound, shoot to kill,no matter what calibur the weapon is.

S&W .357 nice gun. I know a bunch of people around here carry Glocks,unless you look at my family, my uncle carries a 357, my aunt cares a 38,and my grandmother carries a 32.
Around here I can go out now and get a 44 mag for 150 dollars used, but forget that it's a stubby.

A good gun that has been around for 95 years is the 45 ACP/Colt 45.

[ak_stick]

Originally posted by Tommy 17
it got a state cop killed in ebensburgh about 2 years ago... they shot a guy over 10 times with their .40 cal and it didn't even phase him...


Nervous cops, and guys on drugs is a bad combo. and I think the guy still died in the end....

That said, I'm not a fan of the .40. if 9mm is too small, get a 10mm or a 45 and call it a day.

for people, 9mm, 40, 10mm, and 45 are all great. If you can handle the recoil and find it, a 10mm is pretty much the most flexible of the four. It has more power at 100 yds than 45 at the muzzle. And you can use it for hunting. I took a 6' 400+ lb Alaskan black bear with one round.

My best advice would be pick one you can shoot comfortably, a good hit with a 22 is more deadly than a miss with a .50.

[antman]

I am not to familiar with 10mm but i do know that H&K makes the MP5 in 10mm.
http://www.hkpro.com/image/mp5-10.jpg
the 10mm mp5 has the strait magizine as aposed to the 9mm with the a curved magazine
http://www.hkpro.com/image/mp510close2.jpg


and a cool vid...
http://www.hkpro.com/video/MP5-10%20&%20MP5-40.mov

[ak_stick]

the MP-10 was adopted by the FBI, and still used today....

The 10mm itself was designed for the military/police, as it provides quite a bit more punch than the 9mm. One military agency I know of adopted it (Airforce ASOC). Other than that, it enjoyed quite a launch with the FBI, several cop units, and state troopers adopting it. However, at the time, FBI females had problems with the recoil of the 10mm, so the FBI asked for a lighter load, and after they got it, the 40 S&W was designed around the those peramiters. Being that the 40 is shorter than the 10mm, and thus could be chambered in smaller guns, it grew to replace the 10mm.

Now only the FBI with the MP-10, and some S&W auto loaders, and a few select state trooper units issue the 10mm, and some cops in areas where they can choose or supply thier own duty weapons use it. Out of the MP, I think I'd rather have that than my M-16/M4 for house to house.

[MOFO]

Originally posted by Tommy 17
it got a state cop killed in ebensburgh about 2 years ago... they shot a guy over 10 times with their .40 cal and it didn't even phase him...


I'd like to see his placement of shots...