Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Thinking about buying a pistol

I'm thinking about buying a handgun. It's been on the back of my mind for a while now and while it's not the main reason I've renewed interest in the subject, there were two shootings a couple blocks from our house last week. I don't want a debate about gun rights or "you'll shoot your eye out" - I just need advice about what to get as it's my constitutional right to bear arms!

I'm not entirely new to guns. I have a Remington 870 shotgun, used to own a short-barrel Mossberg shotgun, and also have an S&W .38 revolver that had been my Grandpa's. I would like to get something more modern and reliable, yet compact.

Primarily for personal protection, it will spend most of the time in the house as a "just in case" but I would like a model that would be fun to take to a shooting gallery every now and then just to stay competent with. I also want my wife to learn to shoot and be sized appropriately for both an average 5'10" 170lb guy and 5'4" 130lb gal. I don't foresee myself obtaining a concealed carry permit but would like to find a model small enough that I would be comfortable carrying it if I ever decide I want to.

I've been looking online and of course there are a million different models and the price ranges are anywhere from reasonable to outrageous. I'm interested in the Walther PPK because, of course, it was James Bond's gun! It also looks like it might fit the bill of what I'm looking for in size and price. Then there's the S&Ws, both the M&P and 910. Or Ruger SR9. I don't even know about Glock or Beretta. Overwhelming enough as it is!

Any recommendations as to certain models I should look at? What size would be appropriate? Should I buy new or get one from a pawn shop? Any other advice?

Many thanks!

I would suggest looking at .38 caliber and 9mm size guns. They seem to me to be the best fit for different size hands.

I like all the S&W stuff.

Clay

Hard to beat the Glocks for reliability and choice. Three different sizes in many calibers, something for everyone, although I prefer the .45 round, 9 mm or 40 would be a better choice for ease and control. Can't beat a 38 revolver for reliablility, any of the major brands.

Or you could check into a .380 cal semiauto. Very light...but has surprising penetration and knock down power...its basically a baby nine mm.

And if you can get a concealed carry permit ....a holstered .380 fits nicely and conceals easily.

In my opinion its a fine personal protection hand gun. Should suffice to empty the brain pan of your every day intruder with little or no difficulty.

Self defense inside your domicile will likely be a close encounter.

Your shotguns do nicely for close in killing though. And of course the advantage to having a shotgun ready and loaded for bear is that you dont have to be a "good shot" just pump and fire. Makes big holes in your house or your adversary.

I would look at a 40 or 45 rather than the 9mm or 380. I carry a 9mm S&W model 59 and it conceals very well. I sometimes carry a 380 as a back up in my boot depending where I am going. But as far a being dependable, nothing better than an old revolver. I also have a double action S&W 357 mag revolver with trigger and spring work done. Beauty of the 357 mag is you can practice with cheaper 38 special ammo in it.

You don't need a pistol. Pistol Grip the Mossberg, install a 16 inch barrel and sling it. Use birdshot or you'll have a lot of decorating to do. Compact and highly accurate within 20 feet. Just loading a round into the chamber will scare of the bad guys.

My vote would be for a 9MM Glock, preferably the Glock 19. Glocks are by far one of the most reliable and safer handguns on the planet. The 19 is the midsize of the three 9MMs made, so it should feel quite comfortable to both of you. Glocks do come in various models to accomodate most bullet sizes; however, I'm of the old school mindset...you get the model for which the gun was originally designed. The more something is tampered with, the better chance it has of mucking up. I've owned a Glock for a number of years and am completely satisfied with it. If you have any questions or would like to be pointed towards additional info, just let me know.

Find somthing that fills right in your hand. Then practice a lot. It's more about placement than cal. size.

Matt,

There are a lot of good suggestions postd by other members; here are my two cents worth.

First off, I recommend a revolver. A revolver provides you with less chance for malfunctions (failure to feed, fire, extract and eject as you can have with a semi auto).

Smith and Wesson makes a very nice line of small, J-Frame revolvers. I carry a model 38 S&W as a back up weapon on duty and as personal protection off duty.

The J-Frame Smith and Wessons are easily concealable (you should have no problem carrying this weapon with a "in the waist band" holster and, your wife could easily conceal it in her purse).

As far as ballistics (I am sure some people out there still think a .38 caliber is not sufficient to complete the task)shot placement is more important than caliber. You can shoot a person with a 9mm or .45 caliber several times and they will stay in the fight if the round does not hit the "upper hydraulics" of your target.

Make sure you go to a gun dealer and gt a feel for whatever gun it is before you buy. Remember, you are buying a weapon for personal protection, not fashion or style so, buy the right tool for the job.

Best Wishes and good Luck!

I've got a glock 40 cal that I like very much, but it's a little big for concealed, and Glocks don't have a safety. Springfield makes a 9mm XD compact that is easily concealed and a really nice gun. Affordable too.

I'm shopping around for a nice little .380 to fit in my back pocket.

I've been mulling over the same thing. I have a little, 22 RL Ruger MKII, which is just a target pistol (but a ton of cheap fun). I was thinking 9 mm or 357 revolver (3.5" barrel). Don't need a concealed carry weapon, just a nightstand tool. I'm leaning towards a Taurus revolver.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=MF2

I too don't know squat about handguns and learned a lot from this site:
http://www.thehighroad.org/

If you are considering a used handgun, they have a checklist on the forum to make sure the weapon is in good condition, but based on what I think I DON'T KNOW, I'll take a knowledgeable friend along to assist.

Your grandpa's 38 S & W revolver is probably about as reliable as handguns get. There's no way a semiauto is gonna match a revolver in reliablity. I have many of various types and enjoy shooting them all. But having to trust something for defense a revolver is still the best choice. Unless you're just into guns. And in most situations, I say most. If six shots ain't gonna get you out of trouble then..well ...you're in a bad spot. In these case's i'd prefer a short barrel shot gun and quick feet.. A short double barrel shot gun is still one of the most intimadating weapons to be on the wrong side of.

I have a Para-Ordinance P-12 .45ACP. Nice and compact. Basically a Colt (Commander?) with a double-stack magazine. But for concealment I liked my mom's old Ruger .357 SP101. Only 5 shots, though.

The M1911-A1 (former military .45 automatic) is very reliable and it is easy to find ammo for it. Parts are easy to get because they are quite popular and have been in production for several decades.
The original reason for development, to stop a Morro who is heavily drugged and bent on your destruction for religious reasons is quite relevant today, as some of the drugs crooks are addicted to have the effect of not realizing they have been shot unless it is with something that will knock them on their bum. The .45 round packs some 250 ft/lb of energy, enough to do just that.

Safety is better than many handguns. There is the usual thumb safety that locks trigger, hammer and slide. There is a handgrip safety that locks trigger and hammer unless the pistol is properly gripped in the hand. The firing pin is too short to reach from the hammer to the round in the chamber, so it has to be hit by the hammer dropping from the fully cocked position to gain enough inertia to fire. This means that even if the weapon is dropped from a rooftop and it lands on the end of the barrel, it will not fire.

I've got a S&W Model 19 .357 Magnum revolver.
Loaded with .357 rounds, it's got some serious stopping power.
Loaded with .38 wadcutters, you can do some inexpensive target shooting.
Get a 6 inch barell for better accuracy.
I'm a big fan of Ruger pistols as well.
Be safe, have fun, shoot well.

My wife (5') carries a Taurus Model 85 (38 Spl/5 round revolver) when she feels the need. It's light and fits well in her purse. It's my carry of choice when we travel too. I keep a few other 38's too, because they're simple and the ammo is cheap. Like others have said, practice is the most important aspect of ownership. We each fire at least 100 rounds at the range every year and would prefer to do more if our schedules permitted.

PS, you can get some decent used firearms at gun shows.
I was skeptical about buying used but I picked up a nice Winchester 94 lever action 30-30 at a fair price.

I carry a slingshot. Ammo is dirt cheap and avalible everywhere.
My other weapon was a S&W 38, 2" barrel, with a target grip and innards polished. I am a firm believer that having the target grip is the most important feature for the S&W revolver. It provides the proper wrist/hand placement for accurate shooting.
Would use wad cutter reloads and fire a hundred rounds @ ten targets every trip to the range. Cost next to nothing.

I have a few to choose from...as some here will tell you... .22, .25, .380, .38, .357, .45, .50, 9mm Short and 9mm ...my recommendation would be to find a local range that rents guns and try some on for size and comfort...choose what feels right and you have some reasonable control over...then get your self to a range, and practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more...unless you go with Dougs (Sole Survivor) suggestion then it wont matter what caliber you carry if you cant hit what you aim for...as far as capacity...if you need more than 5 rounds then you're traveling in the wrong place or with the wrong crowd...I'll take 2 well placed .22 rounds over a bunch of missed .45 shots...and if you're shooting at more than 10 feet you're going to have a he!! of a time claiming self defense...25' is a good practice range...

I own over 50 guns and right now the market is flooded with all calibers and brands to choose from.After getting my CC I looked at all different types and sizes and it comes down to what best fits you.
I carry a G19 and a Ruger SR9 both are great for conceal carry.

Revolver or Glock

I have had many and had to sell many when I got divorced 5 years ago. But the one that I went back to was a Beretta Cougar 8045. 45 cal... and my wife was looking and after trying a revolver, etc, she ended up with a beretta 9000s in 40 cal.... Both wonderful pistols!!!

I have been an active shooter for over 50 years and I have reloaded all my ammo for the last 15 years. I own 8 handguns and 6 long guns. For self defense of my home and loved ones I feel more comfortable with a .38 S & W revolver.

1-Ease of use...point and pull the trigger
2-No safety to have to manupilate
3-If you have a bad bullet, pull the trigger again
4-cheap ammo
5-minimal recoil and muzzle blast
6-makes a good club when empty.

If you practice with grandads old .38 and get pretty good with it then you might get a smaller version like a Taurus 85 with a 2'' bbl or any of the smiths with a 2 or 3 inch barrell. They are all quality guns with excellent reliability and a .38 gets the job done if you put the round where it needs to go.

If you absolutely have have a semi auto then the Ruger SR 9 is an excellent choice. Easy to use and handle. Minimal extra junk to confuse you and in a 9 mm it is an excellent defensive round. In any case you must practice a lot. I am talking about shooting at least 50 rounds a week. You have to make usage of this weapon second nature to you.

I have a Taurus 1911 .45 ACP which I usually carry on a belt in the holster for all the world to see when I am riding. I practice every week at least 100 rounds to keep up my skills. I have utmost confidence in it and I know if I do my part it will perform. You do not have to go my route. It is my hobby and love and I enjoy it...you just want to protect you and yours so go buy some ammo for the old wheelgun, oil it up and shoot off a few hundred rounds. Don't forget goggles and earplugs.

Then join the NRA to protect you right to keep and bear arms. Take a class. Have fun.

Dan

I'm surprised by the number of folks here who carry handguns. I live in MD and can't say I know anyone who carries a hand gun with them on a regular basis (besides police officers).
In NV, you can ride your bike with a 45 strapped to your waist? That's seems amazing to me, guess I don't get around the states often enough.
From the replies here, you guys have a concealed weapon with you on a regular basis?

Many states demand concealment during carry as part of the permit requirements. In states where a hand gun is holstered out in the open, the act of certain crimes against those carrying an evident gun is nearly 0.

Another vote for a single action Taurus for personal protection purposes, due to size & designs
http://www.taurustactical.com/products/products-revolvers.cfm
Hand guns and cameras seem to ride better when small, but maybe that's just me. To each his own.

a gun thread. yummy

Personnally I would reccomend you get some sort of .22 target pistol. You already own guns that fit the bill otherwise. For home defense your 870 is hard to beat. And dont discount your Gramp's 38 for a carry gun. I have a couple of full size autos that I carry on a regular basis. It is more about the holster than the size of the weapon.

If you still insist on something else, the adice to find a range that rents is spot on. Like motorcycles, it makes a lot of sense to buy something that feels good to you. And if you cant shoot them. At least see how they feel in yours and your wife's hands.

Yankee Dog

I figured I'd throw in my two cents here as well.

By all means purchase some type of .22 pistol. They are a great way practice technique as well as not break the bank.

I have a Browning Buckmark Camper in stainless that is excellent. They can be had for about $275 if you look hard enough.

In my nightstand I have a Taurus 1911 .45acp. This is a fantastic 1911 for the price point. I can shoot tighter groups with my Taurus (probably the Hiene sights) than with my fathers Kimber Custom II.

I also have a Springfield XD 9mm which I prefer over the Glocks. The grip angle feels more natural than the Glock in my opinion. It is also extremely reliable. Over 3000 rounds and never a single FTF, FTE, jam, or malfunction. This is with varying types and brands of ammo as well.

One last point. Whatever you settle for, please test the ammo you plan to use for defense. Run several hundred rounds of it through the gun to assure it works. Some of the self defense ammo (JHP, frangible, etc) can be a bit finicky with certain guns. Test it because your life and your families life may depend on it.

An S&W 59 is as big as a full sized .45 Colt. I used to carry one in my flight gear in the Navy. Good if you're wearing a coat but too large to really conceal. There are a lot of good .40 cal compact semi autos with polymer frames and at least 10 round capacities. Light and easy to carry. I like the Beretta but there are several good ones out there.

I was at the Westwood’s Mall in your neighborhood the other day where the nine murders took place last year. I wonder if they have rethought their “No Guns” policy.

You already have a 38. I'd go with a double action 357 with a 4in barrel.

compact M&P 40. small enough to carry and still fun to shoot. shoots better then a glock and will be just as reliable.

Frank

Just don't make any mods to the gun at all-not even grips. I took an advanced defense course years ago and the instrutor told us that you will be labeled a "gun nut" in court no matter how justified you were in using the weapon if its modified in any way. That kind of of stuck with me. I keep a 357 Magnum S&W model 60 in the house-it's an old police turn in-smooth double action. Dumb me though, I let my carry permit expire.

All I have is a tazer and a bat

There will be those who prefer revolvers (wheel guns) and those who prefer semi-autos. The revolvers are simpler and more reliable, but my personal preference is the semi-auto. I like the 9MM, and if price is a consideration, Taurus makes some very nice quality home defense 9 mils (24/7 Pro series and the Millenium Pro). For personal carry, if that becomes a need or desire, the Bersa 380 Thunder (.380 caliber) is based on the Walther PPK's simple design, is just as reliable, and is about half the price of the Walther. Reviews on this little gun have been consistently good, and it's an excellent handgun for concealed carry, IMHO; however, 9 MM ammo is about 2/3 the price of 380, so if you're going to target shoot on weekends, go with a 9 mil. In fact, if you don't already own a handgun, I'd suggest that you start with a .22. These aren't any good for self defense, but they are loads of fun to shoot, ammo is way cheap, and it's a great way to learn stance, technique, weapons safety, etc. Both Ruger and Browning make really nice .22 caliber pistols.

I HIGHLY recommend that you take a concealed carry handgun course even if you don't intend to carry. A properly taught course will provide instruction on safety, the law, techniques of handgun defense, and will answer any questions you have regarding conceal carry. Getting the actual license will require additional background checks, and the course is a prerequisite to obtaining a CC permit. There are so many restrictions on carryng a concealed weapon with a permit, that it's a real haasle to carry legally. (You can't carry and drink a beer or carry AFTER drinking a beer, for example, and I LIKE to drink beer...)

I agree that it would be a good idea to go to a commercial range and try out a selection of guns prior to making a purchase decision.

Like anything else these days, there are numerous forums to check out, ask questions on-line, and read reviews of various handguns. I suggest: www.thefiringline.com, and www.gundirectory.com. If you go to a manufacturer specific site like www.taurusarmed.net, or www.bersatalk.com, you'll only hear that "Taurus is the best." or "Bersa is the best." (Sort of like BA.com for motorcycles...)

Fair warning that many of the folks on these sites are decidedley to the far right of the political spectrum and are just a tad "sensitive" (and downright paranoid) about the results of the recent election and what impact it might presumably have on the right to arm bears under the 2nd Amendment. If they even catch a whiff of you being inclined to think liberal thoughts, they will pounce on you with the logic of a stark raving maniac.

Good luck!

Fair warning that many of the folks on these sites are decidedley to the far right of the political spectrum and are just a tad "sensitive" about the results of the recent election and what impact it will presumably have on the right to arm bears under the 2nd Amendment.

Good luck!

--------------------
They don't call it "right" for nothing.

My personal preference is a 1911 model 45 but if you like the Walther PPK then take a look at the PPK/S which is a 380. It's smaller, lighter, easy to conceal and if you load with hollow points it has sufficient stopping power. Just remember that if you have to pull it -- shoot, don't talk and if you have to shoot, keep shooting till he is on the ground and stops moving. If you empty the magazine it can be a good argument that you were " in fear for your life " and panicked.

And if you can't shell out the cash for a Walther look at a Makarov. The Russian copy, it's original caliber is 9x18 which is a tad more powerful than a .380 but you can drop a 380 barrel in no problem. I have 2 of them, and I love em.
And they cost 1/3 of what a Walther will, granted they used to be even cheaper.

I think I want a Glock 36 for carry. I can get a CC permit for $50. Same caliber as my Para, but smaller and slimmer. http://www.glock.com/english/glock36.htm