Guns, Bows, Shooting Sports, and Hunting 1st Handgun

[p-Bar]

My 686 was my first hand gun, and I still love shooting it. I don't think you could do better for a first gun. It's also still the one I keep ready at all times.

That is my first gun too . Just joined an outdoor range close to the home base took wifey with she was shootin next to me and I was shooting some hot loaded 357 mag she said she could feel the shock wave from it. Still an awesome shooter and right on the money. My XDM 40 is off and will have to buy some adjustable sights to get on . Can't beat a revolver always ready to rock n' roll

 

[pdxkid]

Bump-

Life happens and sometimes you just have to wait to buy your toys. Yesterday I picked up a new Springfield XD 9mm, 4" barrel, 3 mags total, 120 rounds of ammo, a nice Tagua leather holster, background check and cleaning kit all for around $640.

I found a great gunshop in Philomath, OR. and will continue to give them my business (shotgun next, then AR, then a .45).

I will get some one-on-one training with http://www.logicalresponsetraining.com/ and will eventually take their concealed carry course (though in Oregon, I can simply watch a youtube video).

Thanks for all the responses. I can't wait to shoot it!

 

[TJJEEPER]

Bump-

Life happens and sometimes you just have to wait to buy your toys. Yesterday I picked up a new Springfield XD 9mm, 4" barrel, 3 mags total, 120 rounds of ammo, a nice Tagua leather holster, background check and cleaning kit all for around $640.

I found a great gunshop in Philomath, OR. and will continue to give them my business (shotgun next, then AR, then a .45).

I will get some one-on-one training with http://www.logicalresponsetraining.com/ and will eventually take their concealed carry course (though in Oregon, I can simply watch a youtube video).

Thanks for all the responses. I can't wait to shoot it!

You're on the right track... as an old timer once told me, "You can go broke buying guns, but you can't go wrong."
Now I AM that ole timer

BTW, I'm a Glock guy... Glock, dishwasher safe!

 

[Killgore]

X2 on the Glock; rugged, accurate, dependable, but ugly. I carried one for twenty years. I also carried Beretta, Colt and Sig at one time or another, but if you have one on your hip, I found the Glock to be the most comfortable. I wish I could justify a Kimber, but alas, my little Beretta 3032 Tom Cat will just have to do as a pocket companion now that I've hung up my spurs.
- Ed

 

[dodgesst]

I'm a huge Springfield fan, heck I have 2 XDS's and 4 XDM's. Love em

 

[1965LONEWOLF]

I just bought a coonan 357 semi auto and put 300 rounds through it and love it ? Very accurate and should hear it ? Wow

i grew up shooting rifles, shotguns and only a few handguns. I am ready to buy my 1st handgun and wonder what is the best way to go. I am already partial to a magazine style, not a revolver and something that looks like a desert eagle or a glock.

What are some good choices for a handgun under $500. Thanks in advance.

 

[kvtcomdo]

Bump-

Life happens and sometimes you just have to wait to buy your toys. Yesterday I picked up a new Springfield XD 9mm, 4" barrel, 3 mags total, 120 rounds of ammo, a nice Tagua leather holster, background check and cleaning kit all for around $640.

I found a great gunshop in Philomath, OR. and will continue to give them my business (shotgun next, then AR, then a .45).

I will get some one-on-one training with http://www.logicalresponsetraining.com/ and will eventually take their concealed carry course (though in Oregon, I can simply watch a youtube video).

Thanks for all the responses. I can't wait to shoot it!

You'll be very satisfied with your choice.

 

[kvtcomdo]

I'm a huge Springfield fan, heck I have 2 XDS's and 4 XDM's. Love em

Have the XDs 3.3 inch in both 45 ACP and 9mm.

Couldn't be happier; good shooters.

Bought them both for CC; fit in same holster.

Very concealable, accurate enough for the job @ hand.

Sprinfield's CS is the best.

 

[kvtcomdo]

I grew up shooting rifles, shotguns and only a few handguns. I am ready to buy my 1st handgun and wonder what is the best way to go. I am already partial to a magazine style, not a revolver and something that looks like a desert eagle or a glock.

What are some good choices for a handgun under $500. Thanks in advance.

Already posted about your XD.

Editorial note though.

I have always felt that ones first hangun should be a good double action revolver.

Utterly reliable and EASY manual of arms. 357 has always been what I recommend as it is versitile (38's and 357). and ubiquitous.

All auto's will jam, it's just a matter of time. The manual of arms for malfunction drills is not difficult but does require training. Training that many are unwilling to get.

If your revolver miss fires, one simply pulls the trigger again.

Become a proficient and safe shooter, then graduate to the more complex, practice your drills and (if properly maintained) you will probably have little issue.

Most handgun instructors will counsel you ad nauseum about the eventuality of needing to use said drills in an adrenaline charged situation. Auto's require a level of proficiency that few take the time to master.

My $.02

 

[dodgesst]

Have the XDs 3.3 inch in both 45 ACP and 9mm.

Couldn't be happier; good shooters.

Bought them both for CC; fit in same holster.

Very concealable, accurate enough for the job @ hand.

Sprinfield's CS is the best.

I see you think alike, I also have both and enjoy the fact they fit in my white hat holster. I just bought the 4inch xds 9 and really don't like it as much. Can't figure out why. I really like my XDM 4inch.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

I got my Concealed Carry Pistol Permit 25 yrs. ago. Have not purchased a gun yet? No need to? So far?

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Has Anybody shot a Glock 20 10mm? Powerful shell. Check Youtube for comparisons.

 

[KBurgoyne]

The 10mm is a 40 magnum. The biggest thing is that it is loaded to much higher pressures. Eventually the higher pressure will beat down on the gun and the frames tend to crack. As a self-defense or carry gun its not really useful and would be a hole puncher instead of a stopper. I really think that the 45acp is the original and still the best.

The best way to be accurate is to dry fire practice. Sear reset, squeeze, sear reset squeeze, sear reset, squeeze. If the gun goes click and your still on target you would have hit it. If its double action, put a quarter on the end of the barrel, if your pull the trigger it will fall off. Start slow and speed up until you can get the squeeze down to about a second. And its all for free.

 

[mfurrh55]

I got my Concealed Carry Pistol Permit 25 yrs. ago. Have not purchased a gun yet? No need to? So far?

And when you will need it, you won't have it, It'll be too late then!!, Monte

 

[HHhuntitall]

10mm has about the same energy as a .45ACP+p round.... They were the original .40cal, but the shorter .40S&W took over, as it was offered in a short action, albiet, not in a +p configuration.... I don't get it, but I guess the .4-600" overal action length really must be vital.... law enforcement agencies all over the country can't be wrong, can they?

Having had and hunted with a 10mm, I can't say it's a bad round. I've put down several hogs with one, and finished off a lot of other varmints. As for punching holes, that's the purpose, isn't it? Bullet selection and placement has a lot to do with terminal performance in personal protection, regardless of .44 mag or .32ACP.... .22LR can fit the bill in some cases. It's been my experience, 90% or more of the times you need it, just the appearance of the firearm is enough of a deterrent.... then a brain shot will take down almost anything you can't outrun.... (yeah, I know, that's not practical for self defense.... but niether's a 30round double stack mag hanging out the bottom of a compact pistol....)

 

[KBurgoyne]

10mm has about the same energy as a .45ACP+p round.... They were the original .40cal, but the shorter .40S&W took over, as it was offered in a short action, albiet, not in a +p configuration.... I don't get it, but I guess the .4-600" overal action length really must be vital.... law enforcement agencies all over the country can't be wrong, can they?

Maybe thats why Glock saw fit to make the 45 GAP, or the 45 LIMP if you will. The 10mm is a great round performance wise, especially with an auto pistol, but I like the .45acp both for the nostalgia and the versatility. The 45acp+p only runs 3000 psi hotter so with a heavy spring and maybe a buffer you can launch big hurty bullets forever.

 

[HHhuntitall]

My great uncle C.W. was a WWII vet. He had lung problems all his life from being shot in Europe. There were somewhere inland, after living through the initial invasion, and his company got in a firefight with the Germans. They were over run, and he was shot 10 times with a Luger at a short distance, supposedly around 25-30 yds. He managed to still pull his .45 and shoot the German once, who went down. They recieved backup shortly after that, and he didn't have a clue where he went, but he was later told in recovery, that the German was killed from his one shot.

I've used just about every caliber there is, just out of my own curiosity and love of firearms. I carry a .45 when I think I may need it. Although, I admit, I do love a good revolver in .357, 41, or .44 Magnum.... I've got an old J.P. Sauer and Sons in 44Mag that's getting pretty loose in the cylinder.... It was my first handgun. It's a gem, to me.... kinda like that Colt Double Eagle I've got.... and that old Walther....

 

[KBurgoyne]

I was looking at a LAR Grizzly for a while. 45 win mag. Me likey, but its completely impractical. Which is a huge part of the reason me likey. Since then I've been looking at the BFR in 450 marlin because its even more impractical. Grandpa left a 1894 Winchester in 32 special. I don't know the exact age, but it should be pre 1900 because it has the flip-up, screw style peep sight. Shoots like a dream.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'm not sure I'd call the Win Mag impractical.... you'll have to reload, most likely, but if you do, that's not a problem.... I liked the Win Mag and the 460 Rowland, as well as the .400 Corbon. They performed well, but weren't that much better than my handloaded .45 ACP ammo, so the benefit wasn't that great, too me. Now, the BFR..... that is impracticool!!! HA!!

And the ever faithful .32 Colt Army revolver.... They were one of the finest pistols made, IMO. Fairly flat shooting, great on small game, and always accurate! I bought one from a friend who was a gunsmith, and he had just reclocked it and recrowned it, and it shoots the lead, hand-cast bullets very well. I think with my cheap wheel weight lead composition they come out to 96gr bullets. They actually work fairly well on hogs, and extremely well on varmints like coyotes, coons, and skunks. I think I use 3gr of Hogdon Universal, making about 900fps...IIRC. Not much flatter than the .45ACP, and not nearly as much energy, but they go where I aim and are pretty quiet, with a lot more energy than a .22LR, but not as much noise as a .38 or .357.

 

[KBurgoyne]

definitely glad I got into the reloading business a few years ago. The 45 win mag and 450 marlin are both rounds that I would never consider if I didnt load my own. The .45 would be too hard to find to make it worth while, and Hornady is the only company that loads 450 marlin at two bucks a shot, and they only make one load, and its with leverevolution which is useless in a revolver.

You must be one of the lucky buggers that has a stock of good powder. I am not. Rifle powders are not hard to find anymore, but pistol is still gone. The best thing I have for 45s at the moment is Unique which works, but its dirty and im not happy about it.