another thread about handguns

[udet]

A couple of days ago I went to a shooting range for the first time. I had never fired a real gun before. I fired three pistols (2 9mm and one 40 caliber), and two revolvers. I don't remember their names, except for the Beretta.
Even to a novice like me, the gun felt more powerful, accurate and with a greater rate of fire. My question is: how much does one cost, and what's the cheapest way to acquire one?

[Toad]

If you're new to it, best to go to a reputable gun shop and pay a bit more. I'm not afraid to buy used, but then I'm not afraid to tear down guns, install new parts, etc.

Expect a decent 9mm to cost $400+.

[hawk220]

if you are getting a gun to just plink cans or kill paper targets.. then you can get away with spending less.. but if you are going to use if for defense and carry, then dig deep and go for a serious carry weapon. HK, Sig Sauer, Beretta, Glock. (yup, in the 400-900 $ range)


my .02

[capt. apathy]

if you are planning to carry it, skip the Barretta,  it's a damn anchor.  I had mine for a year or so.  It shot real nice but packing that heavy thing gets old quick.

But if you’re not concerned with the weight and liked the Barretta you can save some cash and buy a Tarus(sp?), a high quality knock-off of the Barretta 9mm.

[hawk220]

I suppose if you are concerned about weight, you can't really beat a Glock for lightness, maybe a compact HK USP if you want to go top end. (I'd feel safe with either)

 Capt A is right, the M92 is pretty heavy, 'specially fully loaded and prolly not too concealable if you are a small person.

[Dune]

Glock is the #1 law enforcement sidearm in AZ.  They are simple, tough and shoot well.  There's lots out there, as has been mentioned.  Also including things like a Browning Hi-Power and the S&W's.  My first choice for a 9mm would be a CZ 75.

My advice would be to go back to the range and shoot 4 or 5 of them.  Figure out which one's you like best and start there.  Which ones fit you best and do you feel most comfortable with.  

Also, take a class of some sort.  Either a Fish and Game or NRA hunter-safety course or a concealed weapon permit course.  Even if you never plan on hunting or carrying the pistol concealed.  These courses will teach the few basic rules that every gunowner needs to be safe.  They will also give you tips on how to shoot more accurately, etc.

1. Unless you have checked it yourself, the gun is loaded.

2. Never point it at anything you wouldn't mind a bullet in.

3. Be sure you know what is behind your target.

Follow these three rules and you'll have years of enjoyment.  Good shooting!

[ra]

1. Unless you have checked it yourself, the gun is loaded.

Personally, I treat a gun like it is loaded even if I have checked it.

[Monk]

Yes sir, the new CZ 75 P01.......Yum, Yum.

CZ 75 P-01

[Sox62]

I have a Beretta 92 and love it-expect to pay about $500 for the regular model,and maybe $150 more for the Elite model.

They are all correct though-it is a big heavy gun.If they pass a concealed carry law here in Ohio,I'll be buying something smaller and lighter.

I love that 92 though...very easy to clean.You can field strip it in ten seconds.

[hawk220]

Soxman

No carry laws there? that sux. can you keep a handgun in your car there?

[Sox62]

Nope-not yet.You can't even carry openly-you'll get cited for "inciting a panic".

But a CC law was passed by the House,and it looks like the Senate may pass it also by a veto proof margin.Here's hoping.

[capt. apathy]

the glocks seem weird to me.  while I know the grips are supposed to be ergonomically correct they just seem off.  I imagine they would be great if you started off with one and didn't have to re-learn.

myself I started out on ruger revolvers and an old navy colt cap & ball.  the thing that’s weird about the glock is the alignment between the grip and the barrel.  while it might technically be an even better design than all the other guns I've used, the fact remains that it's just different.  and in an emergancy I'd rather be able to know what to expect without having to think to much ablout the details.

I checked into buying one awhile ago and I never could get it to feel natural in my hand.  

one test I do with a handgun to see how it feels is to just point it at something (without aiming) then hold your position and look down the sights and see how close you are.

I tried this with a glock (laser equipped), pointed it at a dartboard about 12' away, then turned on the laser, I was well over a foot off of where I thought I was aiming.

with any of my other guns I would expect to be no more than 6 inches off at that distance,  allowing some of that for the gun moving while you move your head to look down the sights- I know hardly a scientific method - I would expect a more accurate representation with the laser sight since I don't have to change position at all just turn on the light.

with that considered I'd hate to have to use it in a high stress situation.  IMO if you are going to use a gun for protection you should be able to hit a man size target @ under 30' with reasonable accuracy without much more effort than you'd use pointing your finger.   I'd hate to have to line up sights while moving and somebody trying to kill me.

Give me a nice S&W auto any day,  or if you got the cash you can't beat the browning hi-power.

 if money is really no object or you think you will likely need to use it often in a life and death situation go for a sig

[cpxxx]

Make sure you get some training no matter which gun you get and learn to respect it. The person you are most likely to shoot is you.  I've seen people get a jam and then point the thing at themselves as they clear it!!!!

I was lucky to be trained by the military.

Captain Apathy makes a good point about accuracy but to be honest handguns are not by nature precision weapons despite all the movies. I was pretty good, almost marksman standard but I couldn't pretend to be able to maintain that standard while under stress. So if it's protection you feel you need (who's after you anyway?) get something with lots of ammo. The Browning Hi-Power fulfils that requirement but has a bulky grip. But you sure can fire a lot of bullets, no bad guy would hang around with all those 9mm's heading at him. Much is made of the stopping power of bigger calibre handguns but you have to hit him first!

If you're not paranoid and just want to have fun plinking I would go for something sexy. Which leaves the field open.

[Maverick]

A handgun is a personal thing in that everyone has individual tastes and abilities to shoot. The best advice I can give is to go to a range that allows you to shoot a variety of weapons and get a feeling for what feels good to YOU.

Aside from that point the next consideration is what you intend to use the gunb for. Is defense an issue? Is it just a target or casual plinker? How much do you want to shoot it?

These issues lead into caliber. Some folks swear by the .45 and claim that you will get a knockdown on every hit. That is pure bull, but it sounds nice. A 9mm is easy to come by and there is a large variety of ammo to shoot. Practice can be inexpensive if you shop around for buys on ammo. The hands down champ for cheap shooting is the .22 and you can get ammo all over the place for it. If you shop well a brick for under $10.00 is easy. A brick is 500 rounds.

A revolver isn't anything to sneeze at. The caliber issue is again a point to consider. For serious work nothing less than a .38 and a .357 is better as it allows you to practice with cheaper .38 ammo and shoot .357 for serious work. A choice of single vs double action will have to be made. Personally I like the double action but Cowboy shooting matches are supposed to be lots of fun.

Just look at what is out there and try a selection.  

[rpm]

Originally posted by Maverick
Some folks swear by the .45 and claim that you will get a knockdown on every hit. That is pure bull, but it sounds nice.

Show me ANY human that can remain standing after a solid hit from a .45 and I will run screaming like a little girl.(After I empty the clip)