Thinking about a handgun
 

So I've wanted to get a gun for awhile and I think I'm finally going to do so. What is the best gun (or guns to try and see which one feels right) that fits this basic criteria?

-relatively inexpensive
-cost of ammo is reasonable
-easy to shoot (I have very little experience)
-potential to use for home defense
-my wife will also want to be comfortable using it in an emergency situation

The first thing I am doing is signing up for a gun safety course at a local range for both myself and my wife. Once we are comfortable, then I will go ahead with the purchase.

Smith and Wesson .38 revolver would not be a bad choice.

I'm not a gun guy, but my wife is. (Colorado girl from the mountains.) She has a Taurus(sp) for the house and loves it.

If you'll end up treating your gun like you treat your lawnmower get a Glock. Classes and a trip to the range every now and then will be the best money spent in the long run.

Among the most common and reasonably priced ammo is 9mm.

I agree! .22 LR is a great choice for learning, but for a first centerfire its tough to beat a 9mm. Glock, S&W M&P, Springfield XD. All good reliable 9s for reasonable money. Save the expensive pistol money for ammo, range time and then training. After you are proficient, decide if you want to spend the money for a higher end firearm.

+1

Easily your best choice of caliber when you want defensive capability + good price point.

A big decision point will be polymer framed vs. metal framed guns. I suggest going to a range that rents guns, and try out a Glock 17 (polymer) and a Sig Sauer 226 (metal) back to back. Oceans of great choices out there. If you are looking to save $, Rugers are my choice for lower price point.

You did not indicate that you plan on carrying the gun, so a full frame or 'compact' would be your best bet for enjoyable range time.

If you and your wife have never had a gun in the home before, then you need to talk about safety issues. Positive target identification is critical. And get a safe of some kind. Even if it's just a simple lock box with a key, make sure that there is no possibility of child finding the gun exposed.

Glock.

Yep, other than .22LR, everything else will be more expensive than 9mm. If buying new, you'll want to spend at least $500 to get a "quality" pistol. Other than that, everything else is personal preference. Different manufacturers will fit your hand differently and have different controls and features. The first pistol that I bought I traded for something else after two years when I actually understood what I liked and disliked.

Glock, Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Colt, Sig Sauer, Walther, Beretta, Browning, and FN make quality pistols (though most have a dud or two). Newer Tauruses and CZs are great bargains for awesome quality, but some older ones I'd avoid. I'm not a big fan of Kel-Tec (for handguns) or Hi-Point.

My 2¢.

Check out the Ruger 9e.

Ruger® 9E® Centerfire Pistol Models

I use Hornady Critical Duty in 9mm for personal defense. It gets nearly .40 penetration against barrier and heavy clothing, but cheap practice ammo and lighter 9mm recoil. You've gotten some reasonable solid advice so far.

First handgun.......S&W 686

Glock 17 or 19

Inexpensive ($359 used, $499 new)
Very reliable
Cheap ammo ($10/50 at Walmart or a sporting goods store)
Easy to use
Easy to maintain
Low recoil
Inexpensive locally available parts

Look at a Glock 19. The grip is a bit shorter than the 17 and I've seen a lot of women, and men with small hands, that end up trying to use a ridiculous grip to take up all available space.
It still gives you enough barrel for good accuracy and 15rd magazines.

You might also consider a Taurus Judge, shoots 45 long & 4/10 Shotgun shells, will stop most people and won't go through your neighbors wall. Like the Glock, not terribly
expensive and a reliable utility weapon.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349018.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349030.jpg
Now, if you like shooting a piece of art, I love this beast:D and like our cars, lots of cool accessories to be had.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349352.jpg
Or if you choose utility, a Glock 23.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349390.jpg
What ever you get, make sure to get some training and spend time shooting (wife too) as like driving fast on the track, seat/grip time is the best investment to make you safer & better.
I love this beast.. But that will set you back (if you include the billet speedload set up) close to 4 regular Glocks.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349499.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446349533.jpg

If you are into Porsches, don't buy the Glock. They are like a Hyundai, very good, reliable, but hard to fall in love with :D

Get a nice 1911 in .45. Look at second hand too. Go for quality, and if you change your mind about gun ownership you will get you money back. Smith and Wessons are a good and Colts are great.

Choose something to be passionate about :) and put a lot of rounds down range.

HK P30SK in LEM is my carry of choice.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446350817.jpg

Look into a S&W M&P Shield 9, a good composite gun. And well priced. I have it in the 40, but more than you want.

The HK is really nice, the S&W is half the price and every bit as nice. The S&W also has a closed or hidden trigger so it won't get caught in something. BUT, I'm a novice on these issues.

Buying a Handgun
 

I suggest you join the NRA. They have great educational materials and resources. Last I checked it was $25 per person per year. Their website has many tests and info about the various handguns & long guns.

Revolvers are very dependable and can be counted to go bang every time the trigger is pulled. Semi-automatics have their own advantages such as more rounds in the gun and a slimmer frame usually. Some people carry/keep revolvers for protection because they can be counted on to go Bang every time while the semi-auto's, even though being super reliable, there's always that one in a million jam. Which invariably happens at the worst possible moment.

Welcome to the community. I hope you 2 can make days at the range a regular thing.

LarryT
74 911

.357 wheel gun. Very simple, accurate, and shoots cheap .38 at the range.

I've never regretted buying quality, ever, and still have the ones I purchased as a teen. My first was a Smith .357, then a Colt .45 semi, then a Colt diamondback .22, then a Smith .44 mag, then.....

You get the idea, and have been warned ;)

I'm old school though...

I'm very happy with my M&P9.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446360901.jpg

First off just that you are asking here is a good start it means you have an open mind which I believe is critical for purchasing a gun. Second you need to find a local pistol range. It may be intimidating the first couple of times you and your wife go there but each time try to rent at least two different pistols. You will reach a point where the intimidation is mostly gone and NOW you two can hone in on what type of pistol you BOTH want. Basically your going to choose between a revolver and a semi-automatic. Beyond that you are now into what brand, what caliber, what accessories etc. it opens up an endless avenue of money that can be spent. I may be different than others but I started with a semi auto and slowly moved to revolvers. I like the simplicity of a revolver, when you pull the trigger it goes bang. Really nothing to jamb and no fumbling with a safety. That can be good or bad. Safety in the home regardless if there are children or not is paramount.........it's part of being a responsible gun owner ! Regardless of what you end up with you need to practice......practice......practice......until you can basically shoot it in your sleep. Why ? Hopefully you will NEVER need it for home protection but if you do the odds are it will be in the night. So you and the wife are sound asleep and then you hear a window or door being smashed/broken. So you are barely awake and your mind is racing on what to do. One of you grabs a phone to call 911 the other grabs the gun. You have no idea where the perp is or if there are more than one. In that situation you do NOT want to be wondering how to operate the weapon.
Enough of the drama go out and find a good weapon, fire it often and enjoy. It can be a regular Sat./Sunday event for you and the wife to go to the range for an hour or two. If you go semi auto I'd recommend 9MM if you go revolver then .357 because you can shoot cheaper .38 through a .357 . Good luck and be safe.

^^^^ awesome advice....

I would just add if you can go to local gun shows if they are held in your area. You will see tons of everything on display, can talk with very knowledgeable people and may be able to find a bargain. I find that ammo at gun shows tends to be a little cheaper than at local stores. And don't rule out buying used it is another way to save some coin.

Totally agree if the criteria is fun to shoot at the range, easy to operate (wife), usable for home defense, and affordable to shoot. My revolvers are the most enjoyable thing I own to shoot, and .38 Special ammo is very affordable. You can switch to .357 Magnum for home defense purposes. The 686+ is seven round capacity, as much as many compact semi-automatics. Finally, much like a Porsche, a good revolver is timeless. They have a heft and quality feel that the polymer semi-autos just can't match.

BUT, my answer may not be yours. The absolute best advice is to take the training class, then head to the range with your wife and shoot as many options as possible. Be open, engage the guys at the range to get their feedback, and have fun. What you and your wife enjoy may surprise you.

Here is my advice. It is worth exactly what you've paid for it, so take it for what it's worth.

You should buy two handguns. One for home defense one for cheap practice. 9mm and .357 are great semi/revolver choices which I endorse.

But in learning to shoot, I shot thousands of rounds over a few months, learning to shoot and shrinking my groups. Now mind you this was a couple of years ago when you could stop at Wal Mart and pick up a 550 round box of Federal .22 whenever you ran low, but still. A difference of 7 cents per round adds up fast. That's $70 dollars per 1000 rounds. Decent used Ruger MK II (semi) and Single Six (revolver) handguns can be had for less than $300. 2,000 rounds each to learn and practice pays for the extra gun. Which, if bought used will retain its value.

I'm just saying that it took me LOTS of practice to go from embarrassingly large unacceptable groups to acceptable groups with a handgun. A .22 is cheap and not punishing to shoot, it is, in my opinion the best way to learn to focus on the front sight and to keep from anticipating recoil or avoid developing a flinch. Your wife won't believe you, but buying two handguns is really, in my opinion, the most financially prudent approach. Plus you might get a better deal if you walk into the gunshop and say: "What will you take for that 586 and Single Six? Can I get a brick of .22 with them at that price?".

While I gave a nickel's worth earlier, I thought I should point out that I agree with this statement.

It also bears pointing out that 9mm ammunition is still substantially less expensive than .38 special and much less than .357 when I have looked in the last few months. Also, if concealed carry is something you are considering I will say that .38 +P and .357 is zero fun to shoot out of a snub nosed revolver. I find the single stack modern 9mm much easier to handle.

I've got a Jones for that M&P shield in 9mm. I shot one a year ago or so, and was really impressed with it. Great option if you intend to carry concealed.

Who cares how comfortable a cc weapon is to shoot? Most people don't carry for pleasure, I hope.

As my wife would tell you, I have too many guns. Pistols and rifles in many calipers. Semi and revolver.

I have my favorites but really don't dislike any of them.

Like everyone says, revolvers go bang every time and anyone can load them. I find them less than ideal for a fun range day. I like to go through 3-400 rounds on a good day and that will take forever 5-6 shots at a time.

The Glock 19 is recommended and purchased by many for a reason. It's a sweet shooter. 15 rounds of low recoil 9mm's. Also can take the 17 round mag from the G17 and 33 rounder from a G18.

Probably the best thing about the Glock's is the ability to tinker with them. Extremely simple to take apart and there is an aftermarket version of all of the very few components of the pistol.

I do when I practice with it.

This is true, 9mm is the cheapest round that you could also consider for home defense. But .38 SPL isn't bad, especially considering that a .45 1911 has been suggested on this thread. He didn't list CCH on the criteria, so that wasn't my thought process. A 686+ in 4" or 6" is fantastic fun to shoot, I can imagine that a snub nose is less so. Of course my Sig 938 is great for CCH but also not all that much fun to shoot.

+1 The S&W 686 is still a great value for the quality. .357 ammo is still cheap. Nothing to jam on a revolver. Appreciating in value.

A semi-auto is NOT a good first gun. …Unless you're going to take the time to practice extensively. When you can field strip and reassemble, and clear a jam, in the dark, then the auto is a decent home protection gun.

Thanks for the advice so far. Some of the classes I have found offer range time with both revolvers and semi-auto, so that should help me decide what I like best. Solely on form, I would lean towards a semi-auto.

Glock, consider blue tip/snake shot rounds in 9mm. I'm also a Smith .357 fan, less rounds but idiot proof.

There's nothing new out there that I want. I'd look for an early (1955 - 1975) S&W 4" Highway Patrolman, .357

They can be found for a good price.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1446405060.jpg

Here's my Grandfathers.

1973 911T MFI Coupe, Aubergine

Steve

+1 on a revolver. Stay away from an ultralight snub nose. Get something with a 4" barrel in steel that shoots .38.

G

-relatively inexpensive - revolver, plastic gun like a Glock, M&P or XD or any number of other similar guns, also, you can get reasonably priced 1911s.

-cost of ammo is reasonable - .38, 9mm or .45. Those are your best bets for cheap ammo. .22 is also cheap, but not really great for home defense. 357 sig or 40 sw aren't as reasonably priced as the other 3 that I mentioned. If you get something that's a 357 magnum, then you can practice with 38 and use 357 magnum for home pretection.

-easy to shoot (I have very little experience) - the stuff that I recommended in the relatively inexpensive qualify

-potential to use for home defense - SAA

-my wife will also want to be comfortable using it in an emergency situation - revolver is probably the easiest. Pull the trigger, that's it. a semi-auto is not really that much harder unless there is a malfunction.



See if you can find someone from PPOT in your area that has several guns that's willing to let you fire several at the range. Red was willing to help me out with that. I then met a popular CHL trainer from the area that was willing to do the same and go over a little safety with me although I think Red did a great job.