First handgun on the cheap?

GlossyTundra

GlossyTundra

Tractor Detailer
I am definatly new to handguns and know practiaclly nothing. The words compact, subcompact, 1911, 40, 9mm, 22 are ringing in my head.



First off, are there any websites out there to be reading up on some important info and a good way to learn?



Second and mainly, how about a good first handgun. My main purpose is going to be for self defense (if need be) and range/target shooting. I have read a little about 22's, and I like the non intimidating factor, but I want a gun to grow with, and it seems people outgrow 22's pretty fast.



I want one around 300-400 dollars, and decently compact. It does not have to be 2" long, but I dont want a long barrel revolver either. I also know I do like the semi auto.



I have been looking more and more at the Taurus 24/7 9mm.
 
Also, i'm planning on visiting a couple of gun shops? Is there anything I need to ask about or say in the shop? I dont want to just walk in there expecting to hold a gun and i've never held a pistol in my life.
 
First off, there are two things that I would never skip spending the right money on and that is a gun and your woman. Both of them can give you a headache, hurt you or even kill you if you don't spend the right amount of money on them.



DO NOT buy the cheapest gun you can find.



If you are talking about concealed carry, the new Ruger LCP .380 looks to be the next greatest thing in concealed carry. My father is about to purchase one. I have seen an article about it in every gun magazine I have picked up with nothing but good reviews.



It will make a great carry weapon and the ammo is pretty cheap for target shooting. You can find one in the $300 to $350 range, new.



If you have pretty big hands though, this might not be the gun for you.



Also, while shopping, if you find a new gun for under $300, you need to be skeptical about its reliability. Find out more about it.



I personally carry a Glock 27. It is the best sub compact I have ever shot. However, you are looking in the $500 range for a new one. If you can swing that, I highly recommend trying one. The Glock 26 is also a great choice, and ammo will be cheaper for target shooting.



Brandon1 said:
Also, i'm planning on visiting a couple of gun shops? Is there anything I need to ask about or say in the shop? I dont want to just walk in there expecting to hold a gun and i've never held a pistol in my life.
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Before you buy any gun, test it out! I can't stress that enough.



Don't just hold it, shoot it. Feel the gun in your hand and feel the trigger pull. Make sur it is comfortable to you. Don't just take someones advice about one and buy one. Especially since oyu have never held one before.



If I were you, I would go to a firing range and ask about classes or help. Tell them you have never shot a gund and you would like to learn. Also, tell them you are in the market and would like to test diferent guns and tell them your primary objectives. Concealed carry and target shooting, if that be the case.



You can go to a gun shop first and hold a few to see what feels more comfortable, but make sure you go elsewhere ans test it out.



I own a Smith & Wesson Sigma SV40V an it feels great in my hands, but the trigger pull leaves a lot to be desired.
 
What are you using the gun for?



Random opinions on the matter self defense handguns:



I wouldn't buy a .380. I don't trust the caliber to stop an attacker and ammo costs more than 9mm or .40 so you will be less likely to practice with it.



You absolutely cannot go wrong with a hammerless snub nose .38/357 revolver. They are usually pretty accurate and near maintenance free.



As previously mentioned, the Glock 26/27 is an amazing weapon. Also consider the Springfield Armoy XD subcompact in 9mm or .40 if you want a compact semi auto.
 
Frito Bandito said:
I wouldn't buy a .380. I don't trust the caliber to stop an attacker and ammo costs more than 9mm or .40 so you will be less likely to practice with it.
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That's odd. The .380 ammo around here is cheaper than the .40S&W ammo.



Check your local prices to see.



9mm ammo is just about always cheaper than all though.
 
I am not a Glock fanatic. But I do like the feel and reliability of mine. I am a 1911 fan at heart



The G26 (glock 9mm subcompact) is a very reliable, very accurate pistol. You can pick up a used one pretty decently priced. A new one might set you back $500-540. you can pretty much know it will shoot everytime.



Glock Safe Action Pistols



Ammo- Do not skimp on protection ammo. Spend the extra money now, because it might save your life.



Like someone else said, do not buy a cheap gun.



DO NOT GO TO A SPORTING GOOD STORE



When they say go hold one and feel it in your hand, you will understand when you feel it. When I first got into guns I wanted a H&K, but after holding it it just didnt feel right.



Practice. the gun will do you no good (and possibly harm an innocent person)if you cant hit what your aiming at. Some ranges will rent pistols for a few hours, call your local range and see what they have.
 
Brandon1 said:
I am definatly new to handguns and know practiaclly nothing. The words compact, subcompact, 1911, 40, 9mm, 22 are ringing in my head.



First off, are there any websites out there to be reading up on some important info and a good way to learn?



Second and mainly, how about a good first handgun. My main purpose is going to be for self defense (if need be) and range/target shooting. I have read a little about 22's, and I like the non intimidating factor, but I want a gun to grow with, and it seems people outgrow 22's pretty fast.



I want one around 300-400 dollars, and decently compact. It does not have to be 2" long, but I dont want a long barrel revolver either. I also know I do like the semi auto.



I have been looking more and more at the Taurus 24/7 9mm.
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Brandon1,

I can only really offer my opinion on 3 different auto pistols. I was a weapons instructor in the US Air Force for 8 years and I trained Base personnel on the M9(Beretta 92F), M11(Sig Sauer 226), and my secondary weapon at my current job which is a Glock 22 40 s&w. The Berreta and the Sig in my opinion are more accurate than my Glock but are also more expensive than it. The 92F and the 226 are also all metal construction and are a good bit heavier than the Glock which will make them harder to conceal if you get a carry permit. They also have alot more parts to deal with from an armorers stand point. My Glock has over 10,000 rounds fired to date with no malfunctions other than training induced(dummy rounds placed in the mag for training on malfunction drills). I agree with everyone here DO NOT buy a cheap gun especially one to be used for self defense. I would go with a Glock 27,23 (both 40 cal) or a Glock 19, 26 (both 9mm) with tritium night sites. These site will glow in the dark without having to be charged by a light source to aid in aiming in low/no light conditions. These weapons will serve you well for practice/target shooting and with the right ammo will deffinately save your life when needed to. You may also want to look into a local range that allows you to rent guns to shoot without having a membership to these ranges. I have one near by to me that charges during the week 20 dollars for the use of the range 10 dollars for the gun rental plus ammo. Ask some of your friends that you know are shooters and see if you could also tag along on their next range day and try out some of their weapons to get some trigger time and see if you like their weapons. This will help in your decision making of what gun is right for you. Hope I was able to help you out some.



Andrew
 
Gun rentals are always the way to go! I thought I would like a number of guns that I didn't end up really enjoying (the P99 comes to mind).



Found out I was a 1911 man at heart, still hunting for a good 4" one. I like the Kimber but I can't justify $1100.
 
My .02: The Glock 19 is probably the best combat handgun you can find. It's large enough to allow you a full grip, but small enough to conceal. A lot of people get the subcompacts, G26 and G27 and put grip extensions on them. To break down the sizing thing for ya, Glock has 4 different sizes they offer firearms in.



Long slide: These are just like they sound. They have the longest slides and are the largest glocks. They are intended for competition use, but are still Glock reliable.



Full size: These are duty weapons. Typically what the police will have on their belt while on patrol.



Compact: These are a bit smaller than full size. It may not look too much different in size, but they are ALOT easier to carry IME. I have a fullsize and a compact Glock.



Subcompacts: The "baby" glocks. These dont allow a full grip on the pistol. Your pinky hangs off the bottom. They do make a lot of extensions for the magazines that allow you a full grip.



I'm very Glock biased, but there are a lot of other great firearms out there. I know some people that love the Springfield XDs and Smith and Wesson M&Ps. You can probably pick up a used Smith and Wesson auto (like a model 5906) for a decent price. With guns you're definitely going to get what you pay for. If you're buying it for defense, you want something that WORKS. Check Gunbroker.com when you decide on a model to have an idea what people are getting for their used ones. That way you wont get taken for a ride.



Caliber choice is another well debated topic. I'd go with 9mm. This from a guy that has 5 different calibers. 9mm is still affordable enough to practice every week and the technological advancements in ammunition has 9mm performing almost at the .40 S&W's level with less felt recoil (I've got both 9mm and .40S&W).



If you want something to carry, you may also look into a Smith and Wesson J Frame revolver. I love my J Frame. It's .38 spl and it holds 5 rounds. You trade capacity for size with this one, but you can carry it in a pocket with the right pants, and it's easy to carry IWB (in the waistband). I could talk guns all day long. If I can be of any help, please feel free to PM me.



If you live near any shooting ranges that allow you to rent guns, then I'd take advantage of that. It may cost you a little bit to rent a few that you're interested in, but it's better to spend a little more up front and get what you want, than it is to spend less and regret it. I wish you were local, I'd let ya try all mine out for free. :D
 
Personally I am of the philosophy of why chose, just get one or more of each :)



Unfortunately I sold most of my collection when I got married, these days I keep a small Taurus 617 for home defense locked up in a safe in our master bedroom closet.



Taurus Tactical | Law Enforcement and Military Pistols and Revolvers, home of the PT 1911, 24/7 Pro and Millennium Pro



617SS.jpg




Just my opinion but for home defense I believe in the KISS principle and it doesn't get any simpler than a double action revolver.



One of my favorite handguns was a Ruger GP100, that revolver would probably scare the pants off most any intruder. They are relatively inexpensive and in my opinion would make a great first handgun that you will have for years of trouble free service.



Ruger GP100 Double ActionRevolvers



I had the satin stainless with a 6" barrel and if anyone would care to contribute to my firearms fund I would love to get another one ;)



286L.jpg




There is a lot of good reading out there on home defense. I personally like the columns by Massad Ayoob. Check it out...



Columns by Massad Ayoob
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Self defense from who/what?
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anyone trying to break into your home and/or harm or kill you?





i'm also interested in this topic...i've wanted to learn to properly handle a gun for quite a while. target practice would be primary, but safety a strong second. i have numerous friends (in varying areas) that have now experiences home invasions. one was a single female ~110 lbs...robbed by three men in the middle of the night. they beat her with a maglite (yup, tough guys to do that to a tiny woman) and stole everything in her home. had she had a gun (and been properly trained to use it), things would be a bit different and she would not live in fear now.



.02
 
One more point, IF you ever have to pull your weapon and the person on the the other end doesn't take off running and you pull the trigger and nothing happens things could go south real fast.
 
I would first start off taking a NRA pistol course since you never owned or handled one..may prevent a accident...plus you will get to try different handguns and see whats suits you....some ranges have handguns you can rent to try out...





But again..I would go to instruction first...



a good defence caliber is a .40 S&W...or a .41...Glock makes a fine weapon...light weight and compact...its a easy carry weapon...



also you can get some good deals on used that are practily new ....find a reputable dealer from a gun club...



AL
 
I have 1911s, Sigs, Steyrs, a 92FS (M9), and Glocks. The one I keep carrying is my Glock 19 in a Kramer Gunleather holster. The handgun is (should) be the cheapest part of the equation.



The Glock 19 is my weapon of choice because with 9mm +P+ Winchester Ranger...the stopping power is very real. My Glocks have been the most reliable and my 9mm Glocks have been the most reliable of my Glocks. The simple safety system reduces "fumble...f***...and die" syndrome. Heinie makes some excellent sights (straight eights). But the question is: does the weapon fit you?



As far as Caliber...

9mm is good and cheap. It stops people. Yes, I know.

40mm is a poor compromise imo. The cartridges tend to be more of a "snap" and less of a woosh like a 45mm. Most people who shoot 40 seem to have the worst trigger prep/press issues of all the shooters I have seen

45mm is nice, but the trajectory is not very flat for possible distance encounters of the human kind.



So for someone looking for a cheap handgun, I would recommend a Glock 19 (used for about 450). Because 9mm ammo is the cheapest. (About 11/c a round at Wally World in the Winchester White Box).



To get proficient you are going to need to do about 1000 rounds in class and practice, combined with about 5,000-1,000 dry fire iterations. So your ammo costs for 9mm would be ~$110. VS 45mm at about .25/c a pop at ~$250. If you decide that your ninja skills are great enough at that time, sell your Glock 19 (for about $450) and get whatever your ninja power dictates.



So hypothetically speaking your outlay would be:

Glock 19 - $450

Holster - $50 <--- don't skimp

Training - $300 <--- don't skimp

Ammo - $110



Or $910 and realistically $1000 by the time you get all the rest of your ninja kit and cleaning gear.
 
VroooomCrash said:
As far as Caliber...

9mm is good and cheap. It stops people. Yes, I know.

40mm is a poor compromise imo. The cartridges tend to be more of a "snap" and less of a woosh like a 45mm. Most people who shoot 40 seem to have the worst trigger prep/press issues of all the shooters I have seen.
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That's funny. Just about every governnment agency and a lot of police departments and sherrifs offices have went or are going to the .40s&e caliber. They have all dropped their .45 and 9mm for the .40. Now, if the 9mm and .45s are so much better, why are they moving towards the .40 caliber?



In my shooting experience, .40 is a great compromise. I love that caliber. I find it to be nice and smooth.



Whatever floats your boat though...
 
sixty7mustang22 said:
That's funny. Just about every governnment agency and a lot of police departments and sherrifs offices have went or are going to the .40s&e caliber. They have all dropped their .45 and 9mm for the .40. Now, if the 9mm and .45s are so much better, why are they moving towards the .40 caliber?



In my shooting experience, .40 is a great compromise. I love that caliber. I find it to be nice and smooth.



Whatever floats your boat though...
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Police Departments rarely make decisions based on rational judgment.



No huge problem with .40... but most of the weapons that shoot .40 were originally made for 9mm and then .40 was shoe horned in (there are exceptions such as Steyr and some other new comers). They are less reliable (in my experience) than the counterparts the pistol was designed around. If it really works for you...then great...but my two cents are to go for the caliber which the weapon was designed for.



Winchester Law Enforcement



Expansion is fairly close. So I go for the nice, flat shooting round that is cheap to use and reliable. I can get follow up shots faster with 9mm (even my 127gr +P+ than .40). I can carry 15+1 easily in my G19. If I really wanted badaxe stopping power. I would carry my 10mm and sling 200 grain bullets at supersonic speeds (~1300 fps if I recall). But then I get to deal with nasty bright flamethrower flashes.



9mm stops people as well as any other pistol caliber... But pistols are only so good.



So to sum up my opinion: shoot whatever you want. I like 9mm...it serves its purpose and it is relatively inexpensive to shoot. Otherwise, I love my M4.
 
I will agree with vroooom, simply because its what works for me. I do have a Sig229 in .40 and it leaves something to be desired.



9mm- great for range days, great for my 26 that stays with me.

.45- Do I need to say it?



I need pics of the M4!
 
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