Considering buying a handgun - any advice?

[jda]

I'm looking for advice concerning buying a handgun.

[chainsaw]

How are they supposed to tell the difference between a limp-wristed shooter and a lousy pistol?

If you want to improve your marksmanship, get same snap caps and practice dry firing. Watch the muzzle closely and find your optimum hand position on the weapon.

There is also a laser snap cap, but they are expensive.

[Tijeras_Slim]

An economy alternative to the laser snap cap is to put a dot of red paint on a full length mirror and hold the muzzle on that and dry fire. You’ll be able to watch for motion.

For double action shooting, this was reccomended by Ed McGivern, who knew a thing or two about it.

[chainsaw]

I find 9mm ammo to be more available and less expensive to acquire than other calibers. If you carry for protection, load with jacketed hollow-points.

Practice with 9MM, and carry (9mm +p) or (9mm +P+), but make sure the weapon will take the more powerful ammo.

[archy]

I'm considering buying a handgun for personal safety, particularly when driving around (I live in a right-to-carry state and have hunting guns for protection at home) and am looking for any advice the FReeper nation may have. Thanks.

If you have no previous experience with handguns, consider it a matter of prudence to spend at least as much money on ammunition as you do on the weapon. That's how you get good with it, not all at once, but about 3 boxes worth/ 150 rounds per session. I'd suggest that you choose the caliber of the weapon you intend to have with you first, then decide which particular design or model of weapon best suits your particular circumstances, including the size of your hands, how well your eyes work with the pistol sights, and your general body size/frame.

You'll likely find that concealed carry may require different holsters depending on the season and outer jacket you're wearing. Carriers for extra magazines [or spare rounds, should you choose a revolver, still not at all a bad pick, if a less-likely one]are a consideration as well.

My own choice, after having been trained by the U.S. Army in its use, and in the aftermath of two lethal encounters in which I was equipped with a handgun and came out of it okay? Mr. John Browning's M1911A1 .45 automatic pistol in .45 caliber, now a 100-year-old design- proven! It works.

[School of Rational Thought]

Ignore or take with a block of salt anyone who writes that you should use a specific firearm.

Embrace those responses that ask you a long list of questions to help YOU establish what is right for you.

I would suggest to you to take the NRA Basic Pistol Course which does cover this.

There is a huge variety of firearms. While many may be fit for your use, someone stating so on some forum is not the way to select one.

[jda]

I appreciate that. There are so many choices that, if I choose based on what works for someone else, I’ll probably be wrong. But, I have gotten a lot of good advice on how to choose.

[ichabod1]

I did not know that, but have no reason to doubt. The Ruger has been great for me, and it was necessary for me to brandish in order to chase some intruders out of my house a month ago. Cocked and locked, safety off, finger on trigger, barrel raised, just like all the times I’ve practiced. If they hadn’t turned tail and dove out the window faster than I would have believed possible, if they had scared me in any way, I would have shot them.

Anyway, the gun is like an extension of my hand, it operates like a dream, and it has NEVER, EVER even CONSIDERED jamming, so your compliments are graciously accepted.

[An American!]

FNP-9
It is a great gun. Very accurate and reliable.
Click here for more info

[TheBigJ]

I would recommend buying several handguns, let’s say 2.

Why? Because gives you more options, more roles.

One could be worn on your hip, the other put between seats or under a leg while driving for better access. A roving backup gun, which will be small frame, very concealable, lightweight, simple to use. A snubby fits that role well.

How fast will you be able to access the firearm in close-quarters situation exiting your car? A MAC10 from Masterpiece Arms (affordable by the way) in lap top bag, carried to the car for instance, or a simple j frame revolver in a pocket?

So there you could have a high capacity piece large frame, or machine pistol zippered up for SHTF situations in your car, and a regular carry on your person.

Things can come up on you very quickly. A simple walk to empty the trash in the alley, or your apt parking lot, and a car/person can roll by in seconds. Things to think about. How fast can you access your piece? Will you carry a round in chamber or use both hands to work slide?

I have a friend who came back from work 2am, exited his car in front of house and punk emerged out of nowhere in his face demanding a ride. My friend’s Glock 17 with extra mags? In his backpack. A grenade launcher, you’d be in the same situation. Slow to the draw.

So my recommendation is several handguns, at least a revolver for simple ready use and a high capacity pistol with extra mags, 30 or more round capacity happy sticks if possible. Some people that might sound excessive but in this day and age, I want more at my disposal than any law enforcement officer. Odds will be you face more than one perp and one shot stops are rare.

Taurus, Charter Arms revolvers are inexpensive but decent reliable options to more expensive S&W, and a used high capacity semi-auto should go for around $400. High capacity happy sticks best for Glock, also available for Beretta, Ruger models. So $700-800 for 2 guns.

[RC one]

I prefer a hammerless snub nosed revolver and let me tell you why, you can easily carry it and conceal it in the front jacket pocket of most any casual jacket.

Imagine the typical scenario in which you will need to use this weapon. You will be outside, you won't probably see the assailant coming which means he will have the drop on you when it happens. That means you will not be able to draw your semi-auto out of your holster without risking getting shot first. You just aren't that fast. Very few people are.

So, imagine this: you're walking to your car in a dark parking lot after seeing a late movie. You casually have both of your hands in your jacket pockets. You look vulnerable because your hands are confined. The perpetrator pops out and points a weapon at you and your wife and demands that you hand over your wallet and cars keys. He has the drop on you but what he doesn't realize is that your right hand isn't empty inside that jacket pocket, it's wrapped around a hammerless, snub nosed, .357 magnum.

The hammerless feature means you can fire the gun's five rounds from your pocket without fear of jamming and without fear of him shooting you before you clear a holster. You have the element of surprise now as well as justification. That's a big effin deal.

And I totally disagree about the .38 +P versus the .357 magnum. I have ran the numbers many times, there's a big difference in energy. at 10-15 feet, that .357 is much more potent than any .38 (roughly twice as potent)and you can always load .38s in it for practice if the recoil bothers you. That gives you increased option flexibility and increased option flexibility is ALWAYS an advantage. When the SHTF, you won't notice the recoil anyways btw, but the person on the receiving end of those 125 grain hollow points surely will.

And let's be real here, this isn't the kind of gun you take t othe range to shoot all day long and, what's more, at the ranges that most gunfights take place, you shouldn't have to worry about missing; however, if you remain concerned, crimson trace makes a lovely little laser site that will have you hitting center mass out to 15 yards while under duress with little to no difficulty.

To put a finer point on that, if you shoot the perp beyond more than a few yards away, you're probably committing murder technically. I can hit a man at 50 yards with my Glock 21 .45 ACP but that means nothing in any firefight I am likely to find myself in.

I was in a situation that required my S&W .357 snubby a couple of years ago actually. There were two of them. Neither of them was more than 5 yards away. It was at a very secluded gas station out in the New Mexico desert. I had one hand wrapped around a loaded .357 magnum and the other wrapped around a gas pump nozzle. I saw them coming and had time to think and prepare. I held my .357 behind my back and continued pumping gas as they approached. I told my GF to lock her door. She knew what was going on too and didn't need the warning. One went on her side, the other came on my side. I eyeballed the dirtbag on my side of the truck as he approached and inspected the gas station for witnesses. there were none. It was just us. There was third subject, a female, standing in the road about 40 yards away to our 12 o'clock posted as a lookout. The second they made their move, I was going to hit the dude with a facefull of gasoline and then light him up with the .357's muzzle blast. he saw the gun in my hand, the resolve in my eyes, and, I suspect, the plan in my head. He looked at his partner, shook his no, and they all quickly departed. My GF and I still talk about it. just a little experience that I like to share occasionally fwiw.

[GlockThe Vote]

Glock 26. I have 43 guns andalways come back to that.

[Samogon]

Very convincing story, thank you.
I am lucky enough to not been in such situations, thank God, but drawing a gun in a close encounter with adversary already pointing his/her at you always being a weak point in my mental simulations. When the weather is too hot for a jacket I am carrying my 1911 Officers in a paddle under a Hawaiian shirt or in a pocket holster in my shorts. Either way prevents firing without drawing first. I can't imagine that a snubby will be of any advantage. Fanny pack - possible, but people started noticing them as a carry piece lately, so I am trying to avoid them.
Suggestions?

[RC one]

it sounds like you have it figured out. "Amat victoria curam"- victory loves the well prepared.

"to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues"

sun tzu

[RandallFlagg]

So, have you made any purchase decisions yet?