New handgun purchase

[NPloysa]

What do you all suggest as a first handgun to own for range shooting, plinking, and home defense combo?



I am not new to shooting, just owning. What brand, caliber, etc? Thanks!

 

[TnLRacing]

I say a Glock Model 32c. It is a . 357sig that is compensated. Plenty of power, but very easy to shoot!

 

[NPloysa]

I was at Gart Sports to look today and get some 12 ga shells. I handled the Glock 35 in . 40 caliber, full size, and the Walther P22. That P22 is a cool little gun and the 35 is a light weight, little top heavy, but great looking and feeling gun.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Well whatever ya get 9MM is good for all arround. won't cost a fortune to fire off a bunch (Not like a certain . 45 I know) and can be one of the best tactical rounds in a home defense round. Will you be carrying? if so look into compacts (G26's , P229 , $Kimber$ <--- still dreaming). If not Ful size is good but I would shy away from compensated as 9 out of ten times a confrontational situation will be in the dark and that compensated flash A will give your position away alot easier B will affect your vision even when using a takedown light.

As for GLOCK I was on the other side of the plastic is for toys fence. After shooting a bunch and owning a G36 I stand corrected. I have put CRRAAAP rounds thru it and it never gave me any fits. Wicked easy to strip , can clean VERY easy (Mine looks brand new and now has over 3K rounds thru it. ) And has been proven thru LEA's everywhere.

 

[Shovelhead]

A nice . 357 revolver.

Shoot . 38s for plinkin'

Full bore . 357 for everything else.





For a "House Gun" it's tough to beat a 12 ga loaded with #6 shot.

Won't go through walls like a bullet, and at the distances you'll be using it, it's almost impossible to "miss".



Ed

JMHO

 

[NPloysa]

Originally posted by Shovelhead

For a "House Gun" it's tough to beat a 12 ga loaded with #6 shot.

Won't go through walls like a bullet, and at the distances you'll be using it, it's almost impossible to "miss". JMHO

I do have a Mossberg 500 pump 12 ga with a 20" deer barrel on it for that. Bought some double ought buckshot today

 

[NPloysa]

I looked at the one on the TOP RIGHT at this link:



http://www.waltheramerica.com/p22.htm



Kind of cool, but a . 22 is too small



Maybe the P99 9mm/. 40 S&W?

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Get what fits your hand and feels comfortable. Go to a gun store that has many different brands and models. Like my buddies say "fondling is free!"

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by NPloysa

I do have a Mossberg 500 pump 12 ga with a 20" deer barrel on it for that. Bought some double ought buckshot today

Not tryin' to hijack the thread... .

I have a Mossberg 500 w/ the 18" cylinder bore barrel as a HG.



Buckshot will penatrate walls like a bullet.



I have the pistol grip, but put a "Speed-Feed" stock on it that holds 6 rounds in reserve.

 

[B.G. Smith]

9MM Ruger, several models to chose from, mine is P-89, you don't have to mortgage the farm to buy it. If you are into CC better get whatever in SS, they sure try to rust in the waistband. A good CC is Keltec 9MM, also available in 40 cal. bg

 

[NPloysa]

So does anyone like the Glock or the Walther?

 

[KBennett]

My favorite is my Kimber Custom target in . 45 ACP. I am kind of an accuracy freak and this thing will shoot with the best of them and is very reliable. Number 2 would be my Sig Sauer P226 in . 40 S&W and 9mm(I bought an extra upper in 9mm). The gun shoots great, is extremely reliable, and has a nice trigger pull out of the box.



I personally am not a big fan of the polymer framed guns. They are usually well made and the Glocks are very reliable but I don't like the feel when I shoot them. To me they have kind of a springy feel and the triggers leave a lot to be desired when your trying to print little groups on paper. There are a lot of good deals on used guns. Just like a used truck you can get a good deal on a well maintained gun and usually save at least $100.

 

[JPope]

James Bond liked the Walther PPK in . 32 ACP, hit like the Hammer of Thor, according to Ian Fleming !!!!!! And this was long before the Seecamp . 32 ACP loading.

Wanted more power than the . 25 ACP, Bond originally carried!!!!



How times and thoughts about hitting power have changed!!

 

[NPloysa]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate it.



KBennett, thanks for lettin me shoot your pistols last weekend. I will have to go again with you and keep track of which ones feel and shoot best for me, that will narrow it down a bit!



Nick

 

[datablitz]

i have a smith and wesson sw99 9mm its pretty cheap to shoot, overall a nice gun, its a copy of the walther p99

 

[GFrance]

I have a 40cal Glock #22 like the way it shoots use it for home protection.

I carry a little 32cal Keltec. It fits nicely in my front pocket & you can't even notice it's there.

My 5'2" cute little blonde daughter carries a 45cal Ruger & shoots it very well & likes it better than my Glock.

Don't mess with a blonde. LOL

 

[KBennett]

Originally posted by GFrance

My 5'2" cute little blonde daughter carries a 45cal Ruger & shoots it very well & likes it better than my Glock.

Don't mess with a blonde. LOL

I know what you mean. My wife's favorite is "my" Kimber Gold Match Stainless in 45 ACP. After I bought it she took ownership of it. You gotta respect a woman that enjoys shooting a 45.

 

[c-hawk]

I would definitely go with a 9mm. Easy to shoot well, cheaper ammo, and very effective in it's better loadings. I have most of the common calibers out there, and have shot most of what i don't have, and the 9mm is my favorite, for the reasons i mentioned above.



I like Glocks best, with Sig coming in a close second. There are other nice guns too, but these are my favorites.



Probably the best advice though, is to go find what fits you best. Everyone is different. Then practice, a lot.



Chris

 

[NPloysa]

Thanks everyone. I am still not sure what I want, or even when I will buy one. My dad and friends have plenty of pistols for when I get the need to shoot, but would like one.



I am not going to carry though I have thought about getting my CCW, my dad is working on his but he's not sure if he wants to continue, not a need for him, but a want.



I went to the gun show today and found a couple Walthers and S&Ws that I like, but not sure. I know the caliber will either be a . 40 or 9mm, possibly a . 45 but most likely a 9mm.



Thanks all for the input.



Nick

 

[fkovalski]

Originally posted by Shovelhead

A nice . 357 revolver.

Shoot . 38s for plinkin'

Full bore . 357 for everything else.

Dittos on what Shovelhead said. My first handgun was (is) a Ruger GP100 double action revolver with a 6" barrel. You can fire . 38s all day long without breaking the bank especially if you reload yourself. Otherwise I keep . 357s in it for "unexpected guests. " Not wanting to hijack this discussion, but my next revolver will be a titanium revolver of higher caliber with a short barrel. I will post a thread later when I am closer to buying for opinions (unless this one goes that direction... )