Considering buying a handgun - any advice?

[jda]

I'm looking for advice concerning buying a handgun.

[Gaffer]

I have an as-new Beretta 87 with wood grips that I bought used to match its near-twin I have, Model 85....I absolutely love this gun! Solid as a rock and nice heavy barrel. I will tell you it’s damned expensive for a 22LR pistol, though. New it was $795 and I got it for $595 used ANIB.....

[Gaffer]

Agree.....They don’t always wear tutus...

[scott7278]

Ditto.

[Robert357]

I would echo the suggestion on a small frame 357 magnum revolver. I would suggest that it have a 2 to 4 inch barrel and nothing longer. It should be a double action revolver as a first handgun.

I would then practice, practice and practice some more with it using 38 Special ammo. Then I would get some “quality” hollow-point 357 magnum ammo and some quality hollow-point 38 special ammo for self defense.

Practice at least once a month and get use to shooting at distances to 25 yards in all kinds of light conditions.

Finally, and most importantly, learn the local laws in your state or community that relate to the carrying of a firearm and to the use of deadly force. Ignorance of the law is not excuse and carry & deadly force laws are sometimes the opposite of what “common sense” or TV westerns/TV cop shows might have taught you.

Good luck

[Dryman]

please post pictures.

I love gun porn.

[Mouton]

Pick a caliber you are comfortable shooting. For me, the 40SandW is perfect.

If this is for car use only, that is, you are not going to carry it, I personally would not go below 380 caliber at the extreme bottom end. As you step up, recoil becomes an issue. The most important thing in self defense is being able to hit the target IMO. Don’t overlook if you fire a round inside your car, there is going to be a blast and at night a good deal of flash to deal with.

Once you are pretty certain as to the caliber, then go to a good sports store and hand hold as many firearms as you can. How they feel in YOUR hand is very subjective.

Lastly, when you finally get your firearm, don’t lock it in your car, take it with you when you are not in the car.

Good luck with your choice.

FWIW, I have a glock 23 and a Bersa Ultra Compact. I like the Bersa because of the exterior safety but I am more accurate with the Glock. In my mags, I have Winchester Lawman 135gr JHPs, both guns use this round flawlessly.

[Lurker]

The SP 101 is a superb out of the box handgun. Which is probably why there aren’t many of them on the used market.

[Still Thinking]

Considering buying a handgun - any advice?

Uh...get two?

[Vermont Lt]

Yes it does.

Of course, I am living in a home paid for through the Smith and Wesson profit sharing program. So, I am a little biased.

[SIDENET]

I really like that 686 in your picture.

I'd prefer that over a shotgun for home defense. Also makes for a great car gun.

[familyop]

A .45 semi-auto, IMO. It’s the best all around for temperate climates that I know of, where clothing isn’t commonly extremely thick (re. ballistics).

I prefer Ruger Blackhawk single-action with higher powered handloads and a little customization for accuracy, but I’m in the middle of cold, high wind, high country nowhere and have low costs and lots of time for plinking with the extra safety steps and lead recycling (lead catcher on range). ...wouldn’t recommend that for most people, as most have different circumstances including much less range time.

[Red in Blue PA]

Yeah, you can’t beat the Glock. I wish I had known before I bought my Ruger 9mm. It’s been a damn nice gun for me, but a bit underpowered

Whenever I read posts like yours, I just shake my head in amazement.

The VT massacre was perpetrated with a 9mm.

[Osage Orange]

Ya think?

Ha!!

[DTogo]

Quite a bargain considering all the goodies that come with your new XDM:

[Redcitizen]

First gun was a semi auto beretta.Didnt screw that up. ;D

[Tainan]

Since you have to ask...revolver...38 special...3” barrel...use “FBI load” ammunition (just say that at the gun shop, they’ll know what you mean)...practice practice practice.

[doorgunner69]

bfl

[stuartcr]

I’ve got a Blackhawk, Redhawk and a P97. They always hit where they’re supposed to, shoot and work everytime. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

[Samogon]

I am not a die-hard fan of semiautos and see the advantages of a revolver. My decision on getting one or another would be based on the balance of factors, which skew, IMO, towards a semi. In a perfect world, I would carry a semi AND a light snubby as a backup. But, I would steer clear from magnums: they don't provide much of an advantage over 38+P from 2” barrel to compensate for a vicious recoil, strain on the gun and added weight and bulk of a magnum setup.

[IamConservative]

I have a holster between my seat and console. I leave my Rock Island Armory Tactical .45ACP in it all the time. I went with the RIA because it costs about half what a Colt or Kimber, it reliably does the same job and I won’t anguish over it if it gets stolen. It is also safer (IMO) to pull out of the tight space with one in the pipe than a Glock.

A .357 Magnum revolver is a good choice for this use, as is a .38 Special Hammerless revolver.