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Advice needed on personal protection handgun
08-01-2013 | Circlecity

Posted on 08/01/2013 7:57:08 AM PDT by circlecity

Looking for advice on which pistol to buy. After my first child was born 30 years ago I sold my pistol so as not to have it around the house. Now I am an empty nester and would like to get back into having a few handguns. After so many years I consider myself a newbie so all advice on which handgun to purchase is appreciated.

For my first gun I would like a 9mm autoloader. I intend to use it primarily for shooting at the range and for personal carry. Eventually I will also purchase a revolver to use as my primary carry weapon - but for now I'm looking at an automatic. I'm looking to spend between $450-600.


TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: banglist; firearms; guncontrol; secondamendment
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1 posted on 08/01/2013 7:57:08 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: circlecity
Looking for advice on which pistol to buy.

Too bad you picked a topic that will only get one opinion and very few responses. < /sarc>

2 posted on 08/01/2013 7:59:13 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: circlecity

Get a nice throw away


3 posted on 08/01/2013 8:00:33 AM PDT by al baby (Hi Mom)
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To: circlecity
and for personal carry

You should expand on this. Will it be in a purse, tucked inside your waistband under a belt?

4 posted on 08/01/2013 8:00:54 AM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
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To: circlecity
Stoeger Cougar 9mm. Originally a Beretta design. Beretta transferred all the production machinery to their Stoeger subsidiary to make under the Stoeger name.

Cheap good first gun. Very reliable. Rotating bolt mechanism makes it a soft shooter. Grip is very comfortable.

Whatever you do, stay away from the newest generation of Glocks. They have reliability issues.

5 posted on 08/01/2013 8:01:04 AM PDT by Thane_Banquo ( Walker 2016)
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To: circlecity

Can’t go wrong with a Glock sub-compact (G26, I think).


6 posted on 08/01/2013 8:01:33 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Inside every liberal and WOD defender is a totalitarian screaming to get out.)
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To: circlecity

Dibs on the popcorn concession!


7 posted on 08/01/2013 8:02:40 AM PDT by BykrBayb (Somewhere, my flower is there. ~ Þ)
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To: circlecity

Ruger SR9


8 posted on 08/01/2013 8:04:54 AM PDT by tumblindice (America's founding fathers: All armed conservatives.)
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To: circlecity
Haven't used a pistol in 30 years? Going semi-auto? Step One. Get one of these. Use it. Every day:
 photo 5949hand_exercise_grip_zps22016cf3.jpg
9 posted on 08/01/2013 8:05:38 AM PDT by PowderMonkey (WILL WORK FOR AMMO)
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To: circlecity

Go to a range that rents handguns.
Try all that look possible.

Start small caliber.


10 posted on 08/01/2013 8:07:12 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter admits whom he's working for)
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To: circlecity
Can't go wrong with a Walther!


11 posted on 08/01/2013 8:07:20 AM PDT by Timber Rattler (Just say NO! to RINOS and the GOP-E)
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To: circlecity

My advice would be to before you even go shop for your ccw, find a range that rents handguns of the type your interested in and try them out on their range. Spend the time and a little $$ on ammo to try atleast a few out, you may be surprised at what you decide on..................After all, have you ever bought a car without test driving it first?

Just my 2 cent. v/r V_TWIN


12 posted on 08/01/2013 8:07:49 AM PDT by V_TWIN
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To: circlecity

Personally I would recommend you find a shooting range which rents pistols and has a wide selection of options. Then try out a variety of guns and see what suits you. I find handgun selection to be a very individual thing. People have very different tastes in grips and overall feel.

One thing I would note to be careful about is making sure you have a nice trigger on the gun. A good trigger is really crucial to accuracy. Even if you do go for a less expensive option, make sure it can get a trigger job which will get it up to snuff. (some triggers really can’t be improved much)

My personal preference are Sig Sauers, but I suspect those are a bit past your price range.


13 posted on 08/01/2013 8:07:53 AM PDT by drbuzzard (All animals are created equal, but some are more equal than others.)
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To: circlecity
Like recommending dentists and lawyers, the people here who are not sarcastic will tell you their is the best. If you want good advice go to a gun blog .
14 posted on 08/01/2013 8:08:00 AM PDT by Baynative (Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.)
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To: circlecity

Best suggestion is to visit a range and rent some that fit your hand and shoots well.
I was SURE I wanted a Sig till I did this...1hr later I bought a Kimber 1911.


15 posted on 08/01/2013 8:08:55 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: circlecity

Check out hickok45 on Youtube


16 posted on 08/01/2013 8:09:57 AM PDT by molson209 (Hillary Clinton)
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To: PowderMonkey
"Get one of these. Use it. Every day"

I train with weights four times a week and am a powerlifter. I don't think that will be a problem.

17 posted on 08/01/2013 8:10:08 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: circlecity

I, too am in the age of life where I am concerned about my protection. Recently I went to a gun safety course conducted by a friend and saw a bunch of different types of small fire arms. There was a smallish revolver with no hammer to get hung up in a purse. But at the range it was calibrated with a too hard to pull trigger setting so I didn’t take to it though I know I can have it adjusted. I tried a Kimber with a hair trigger and loved it. Also for a female-type, the recoil is something to consider.
Good luck!


18 posted on 08/01/2013 8:11:29 AM PDT by matginzac
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To: Thane_Banquo
Stoeger Cougar 9mm

Second that. Never a blip.

19 posted on 08/01/2013 8:14:51 AM PDT by Stentor
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To: circlecity

For the price range you are talking about you could get a Springfield XD, a Glock, or a Smith Wesson M&P. All of these are well built, reliable guns with a strong fan base. Some gun stores have ranges where you can shoot a couple different guns and see what you like best. If it was me I might go with the M&P


20 posted on 08/01/2013 8:14:55 AM PDT by thorvaldr
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