Hand Guns
 

From the post here I see a lot of you guys are into guns, with everything that is going on here in the USA I've been thinking of buying a hand gun for protection and for going to the target range for fun.

Any suggestions on what I should be looking for? I'll will be taking lessons as well.

Thanks,
Ric

A 9MM is a good starter weapon. There are lots to choose from. You get what you pay for. Stay away from High Point. They are disposable guns used for mob hits and such. They usually only fire a few times anyway.

A Taurus is a good weapon, but it usually takes a trip back to the factory before they work the way they are supposed to.

A model 92 Beretta is the same as the M9 the military uses. There's mixed reviews on this one. People either like or hate it. I'm VERY familiar with it, which is why I have one that's chambered for .40 cal.

Smith and Wesson, Colt, Kimber, and any other quality firearm would be a good call. It's a feel thing, so get something that "feels right". You'll see what I mean when you start looking at weapons.

A higher caliber weapon is a 1911. MANY manufacturers make a version of this and most of them are .45 cal. Lots more stopping power, but a little more kick.

DO NOT get a .50 cal or .44 magnum right out of the chute. Start on the smaller side. You don't need that much power in any circumstance you may run into and you'll just be increasing your chances for collateral damage.

Hope this helps.

There's a different answer for everybody... I like semi-autos, some like revolvers. I like small, light, and easy to carry. Others like bigger and more powerful.

I carry a very small Ruger LCP .380 in a pocket-holster, but it's not really something to take to the range and shoot. It's so small and light that it doesn't absorb much recoil, or fit the hand very well.

I have tried carrying a Springfield 1911 .45, and found that it was too heavy for me to carry comfortably, and the holster required more effort to put on, so I just got lazy and stopped carrying it.

If you ever need it, a small gun in your pocket is better than a big one at home in the safe.

I've considered trading my .380 for a Ruger LC9 or something similar though. I would like something just a bit bigger than the LCP.

A gun won't solve any problems.

No problems, just want to be able to have one and go to the indoor range in this cold weather. My brother got one a year ago and loves going to,the range.

It may not solve every problem, but it can solve SOME problems. The government spent a lot of time and money making sure I knew how to handle many different kinds of weapons. (U.S. Army Sapper)

I'd rather have it and not need it, then need it, and not have it.

...besides, it IS fun to kill some paper every now and then. :D

I should have made myself a little clearer. A gun is not going to help anything on our down hill slide to third world status.Be sweet if they would.

True, need to be ready for the revolution when we have to take the country back.

If the current president gets re-elected,I will be armed and ready to join the revolution.There will be no other choice.......

When times get tough, you may need a gun more than ever... lots of crazies out there, and you need to be able to defend your family and your property.

:ntwrthy:
Gary,
I just knew I liked you for some reason!!! ;) :p

LOL Bill.I really hope it doesn't come down to that.

I am not a gun fan. After being held up when I was managing a Restaurant many years ago, I have never wanted a gun in my house. But I married a man whose father taught him how to shoot. The compromise, air guns. Now some of you guys will say that they are just toys. I used to think that til I learned that some of these air rifles will take down a deer. So grumpy and the kids now have a new hobby, shooting their air rifles. I don't know if I am thrilled, but I am making a compromise.

I dont own a hand gun yet but have a couple of shotguns and a rifle .Been thinking about a hand gun for protection when we travel but Joan does not like the idea .

My suggestion... shoot as many different guns as you can before you buy. Find the one that fits your hands well, and that you are confident shooting. My daily carry is a Kahr Arms PM45. It is by no means a "range gun." But, it is damn hard to argue with .45 ACP in a concealable gun. I consider it a save your ass gun. I also carry a Glock SF30 and an HK USP compact .45 when the weather/my wardrobe allows. The HK is my favorite of the three. It is smooth, accurate, and has almost no recoil.

I also have a shotgun for the house, and two rifles - an AR-10 and a hunting rifle. (Both chambered in .308)

My latest purchase was a Sig .22 pistol for plinking at the range. Ammo is cheap, so I get in more range time without breaking the bank.

Just my $0.10 on the subject...

Ric, give me a call and let me know when you can come over. I have way too many handguns to list here, but I'm pretty sure I have something that you will like. Try them out for fit, then head out to Williams and pick one out. I have a friend that is a certified instructor when it is tme to take the class. I would also suggest a 12 gauge pump shot-gun for the house. I have plenty of them to get an idea of what you like.

Im very partial to Glocks.
Simple, plain and shoots right every time you pull the triger.
A G17 ou G19 would be nice starter guns.

I've been doing a little research myself. I have a S&W model 67, stainless steel, 4" barrel, 38. Had it forever, nice gun but a semi auto would be nice. Glock, Springfield XDM and S&W M&P in 9mm or S&W .40 seem to be pretty good guns. Lot of 1911's out there as well. Then you need to decide what you want it for, home defense, like Tony said, you can't beat a 12 gauge for home defense. Target range, 9mm ammo is cheap. Lot of people say a 9mm doesn't have the stopping power, I know I wouldn't want to try to stop one. Hell I wouldn't want to stop one of the 38 caliber +P+ cartridges I have. S&W 40 cal has good stopping power but is more expensive and a lot more kick for target shooting. Do you want to carry concealed, that's another factor.

I don't have the answers, just lot's of questions myself. If I could afford multiple guns it would be easy, one gun to fit all your needs, that's tougher. Let me know what you find at Tony's you like. Maybe I'll go up and check them out.

Thanks Guys, a lot of information and lot of choices. I did a lot of browsing on the net last night using your suggestions and I was surprized by the choices out there.

Tony, I will take you up on your generous offer and Hank I will let you know when I can get away from work (remember work now that you are retired?) and we can head up there. Acutally, I have been thinking about buying one since the day that Ray, Hank and I came up to your place and Ray stopped at Guns Galore in Fenton for some Ammo and I seen all the cool guns.

I have to fiqure out a way to bring this up to Leslie now, but since the kids are grown up it should not be to hard to get her ok.

Let me know when you're going to Tony's, I'll see if I can fit it into my busy schedule. If it's okay with Tony.

True, I forgot you are helping Gus (so you can be close to WHN or what ever her name is). I'm sure Tony will give you permission if we stop and grab a couple beers on the way over there. VGs has a sale on some warm Strohs for $1.99 a 24 pack. Maybe Ray could go if he can get away.

I thought this was about guns, now beer is involved. Man, I wish I drank more.

It is about guns, but beer is always involved. How can you have a reasonable conversation about guns, cars, politics, whatever without a beer in your hand. Women, they just don't get it.

Only if you can act decent this time Hank.

Since ya'll are discussing beer among guns I have a beer question. I dont consume it for 20 years now and never liked it anyway ,my drink back then was Crown and Sprite .What is a decent tasting cheaper beer that wont be offensive as a gift to my bodyshop guys ?Luckily they dont like Bud but I dont remember what I took them last time and its about time for some more.

I forgot about him running around your back yard half naked after 1 too many beers singing "Rocket Man" by Elton John.....we should have gotten that on video.

Flash, that is a hard one, I thought all body men drank Budwiser....me I like Labatt's Blue.

They say any beer is fine but Im on a budget ,they get cheap beer as the truck takes the rest of my funds .

Labatts is pretty cheap around here but probably not in Georgia. I don't think we can help you, you need somebody that lives in Georgia to answer that question.

I'll try Tony, I promise.