The MK23 is the .45 version of the USP. I shot about 10 rounds through one. Liked it alot. Only issue was the size of the grip. Its pretty thick.

Ah, the classic "What is the best gun and ammo" thread.

#1. Get what fits your hand and aims naturally.
#2. I have several different pistols, from .32 to .45. ANY is better than none. I prefer .45. Get what you feel comfortable firing, and can hit something. Do not get super duper killer ammo. Use the same load the local police use, or just get gold dots. Hitting the target is the most important way to not have to worry about bullets going through the walls.

Me? 1911's fit my hand well, and I like the .45 ACP round. I carry Gold Dots.

Bingo. A pump action works best. The sound alone will stop all but the most hardened criminals.

If they keep coming after you rack a shell in the chamber then feel free to send them away.

I'm looking to get another pistol here in the next few days also, and am looking at the Glock .40 and SW .40, but have a question. I also have a Ruger .357, and I see Glock makes a .357 also, is the ammo the same? Would make it much easier to buy one kind of ammo!

Hmm.....maybe I should just get some flash bangs and a ball bat to batter the blinded bugger. :D

.357 semi-auto is different ammo than .357 revolver as I remember it.

Glock makes some nice guns, Wife loves hers. But we both reach for revolvers before anything else. more reliable, better shooting aspects. If you require more than three shots you are in serious trouble!!!! Of course, many here disagree with me which is their right. From my experience I do not like the S&W semi-autos, but that is just me. I prefer the Browning, Colt, and Glock. I know people who love the Springfield Arms, and I've been tempted by a SIG.

I'd strongly suggest shooting some revolvers and try them out!!!

Shoot the .45, .40, and 9mm. For me, the report of the .40 hurts my ears making it unpleasant to shoot. .45 is more expensive than the 9mm to shoot but it has rather good knock down. I like the .45LC revolver...

Also, get a .22, they are cheap fun!!! Also, a good shot will be able to take down their target with the .22.

Have you thought about revolvers. I have nothing but revolver pistols. They don't jamb, hold six and shoot straight. We have 44s, 357's and 38's. All great guns. A 44 is a great gun.
You can't go wrong with a short barrel, pistol grip shotgun as well. So it only has a 4" pattern at 15 yards, a handgun only has 1/2".
Get both.

Glocks are functionally excellent handguns. Very reliable, accurate enough, couldn't be simpler to operate. Used ones are easily found and not too expensive.

If you do buy a used one, and have any reliability problems, replacing the recoil and magazine springs will likely resolve it. Mine finally needed that, after 20 years.

If you want some light tinkering, there are lots of aftermarket bits that drop in - recoil springs, guide rods, barrels, trigger bars, night sights, lasers, etc etc - easy customization. Google "Custom Glock Racing".

Ultimately handguns need to fit your hand, so some people shoot a Glock better, others shoot a S&W better, etc. Try them all at your local rental range.

Ohhh, I needs schoolin! Revolver vs semi-automatic, pros & cons, I know nada.

The only thing I know is nothing says "pistol" to me like a revolver does, based strictly on its looks, which I like - like I like steam locomotives better than diesel locomotives.

But I'm wanting stopping power, whatever it looks like.

I gotta say, I have a lot of reading to do and don't expect you guys to school me. I maybe shouldn't have posted my question at this early dumbass stage :confused:.

Thanks for all the info you guys have volunteered. I'll understand if y'all wanna just let my dumbass thread die now SmileWavy.

Like others have said, go to a range and test drive a few. For me a 44 revolver is the best gun. I have been shooting 44s for 25 years. Great guns.

And you can say" Do ya feel lucky punk, well do ya"

Here are two of my SIG's. The P220 fits like a glove and I shoot it better than anything else. I'm so sentimentally attached to it now that I don't like to take it out of the house anymore.

<img src="http://www.fototime.com/64A0867563246AF/standard.jpg" border=0 alt="Hosting provided by FotoTime">

Do you really own a .44 mag.? I do and it's nothing like what you see on tv. In fact, if you were to fire one indoors in a defensive situation, you'd probably not only burst your eardrums and fall to the floor, you'd cut your target in half and have the bullet go into the next house. .44's have their place, but home defense is not it.

A sidearm is a very personal thing. What is "best" for me may not work at all for you. It's already been mentioned, but it bears repeating - go to a local range that rents guns and spend some time shooting a variety of them. Most areas will have such a range, even if you have to drive a bit to get there.

You should start with a variety of .22's, just to get the old, long dormant juices flowing again. Get used to shooting before going on to larger caliber defensive weapons. I've seen it happen a number of times where some one in your position starts right in on the big boomers. The first few you try will be so discombobulating and entirely unnatural to you that you will probably strike them from your list, even though they may have wound up at the top of you list had they been tried after you gained some experience. So go slow. Have fun. Burn up some ammo and start to form some impressions. Then go back through and try them all again. You'll find something you like.

Of corse I do, I have had it since I was a teenager. Ruger super blackhawk, beautiful gun.
I only use hollow points and we have plaster walls. With that barrel, and my experience, I am not going to miss anyways.

I have shot it inside my house before, twice. Neither time has hurt my eardrums. You are over-reacting.

Note to DARISC, you don't want a .44 mag. for your first gun and certainly not for home defense. Trust me. When you shoot one you'll understand.

Or DARISC, just go to your local police gun buy-back and try to score something cheap before it's turned in. You might score a gem and it would only run you $100;).

Sounds like great advice to me.

Thanks guys.

.22 had me interested for about 10 minutes. I then moved to the big boys. I think below is one of the best 'out of the box' handgun:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1214971576.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1214971616.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1214971648.jpg

Sig Uber Allles!

210, 228 and 226 in particular.

See what did i tell ya. Go shoot one and you will understand.