Handguns (vanity)

tatown | 3/22/10 | tatown

[tatown]

If someone were looking to purchase a revolver (.357 or .41 Mag) or a semi (9mm or 45) what would you recommend? Budget < $700.00.

[paul51]

a Sig of course

[dgroundhog]

As another poster said Glock, HK, Beretta, Sig are all top brands that would be fine choices.

So many brands and styles I think you really have to decide on a few key questions before you make a selection.

Metal or Polymer? To my eye polymers tend to be ugly things. I am not a Glock fan - but there are few handguns that can take more abuse or perform better in a non-pristine state.

Semi-auto or revolver? A good quality, well lubed semi should not present any significant reliability issues. I clean and lube my guns THOROUGHLY after each use.

Caliber? 9mm is very popular - and generally what I would suggest. If single shot man-stopping power is important then a .45 is a great choice. The 9mm will be cheaper to shoot, and without practice caliber may be a moot point.

Personally I like Beretta's.

For a polymer the PX4 Storm is a nice looking handgun:

I use a 92 FS Inox ($650 in black, $750 for Inox):

[wardaddy]

Taurus .357 revolver...works as good as any and save your money...Rossi too for that matter....buy the one that feels good.

Automatic?

you’re a man...get nothing less than a .40..

Glock trigger safeties ain’t safeties

again...if money counts buy a Taurus with side safety to go with a trigger non safety

if money is flush then buy a nice Kimber .45

or any finger pointing Steyr or Sig Sauer

that is just for starters...

I love anything 1911 style....

[UnwashedPeasant]

For the house, get a shotgun (Mossberg 590A1 or Remington 870).

For carry, consider a 357 SIG semi-automatic. It has kill power of a .40 but with recoil slightly more than a 9mm — which means it is easier to control than a .40 caliber. The downside is that you cannot get cheap ammo for target practice like you can with a 9mm.

[Southbound]

Yup. Mine has......errr....HAD the slightly longer 6&1/2” barrel. Balances a little better. I’m just kinda partial to single actions, and this one wasn’t too expensive, and gives me a choice of ammo. I mean gave. Just $636.00, and really you have three different weapons. You do have to get used to the single action, though. In my case it made for more accuracy. Cock, sight, shoot. Cock, sight shoot. Makes you take your time, which is good. Gun control is being able to hit what you aim at.

[Semper Mark]

Mark XIX Desert Eagle in .50 Action Express

If you're going to put holes in something, may as well make them big holes.

[ExSoldier]

Do you carry the comp gun for self defense? Myself, I'd never carry a comped gun for SD. If you ever had to shoot from a position of retention you'd get all those hot gases and redirected muzzle blast right in the face and eyes.

[flintsilver7]

First, what’s your price range?

Small hands usually means small frame. That means you’d probably want less recoil. A semi-automatic with a smaller cartridge would help achieve that. I’d look at the Ruger 380 LCP (it’s quite small) or the Beretta Tomcat in .32ACP.

The Walther PPK (the James Bond gun) is almost pretty small and comfortable.

Most of these guns are relatively inexpensive and ammunition is also relatively cheap and plentiful.

[Shooter 2.5]

Seriously?

You’re thinking of the wrong guns. Everyone’s first gun should be a .22 rifle or pistol, preferable the rifle.

Ruger’s Mark II .22 pistol is one of the most reliable and favorite of the line. The 10-22 rifle can’t be beat.

[bmwcyle]

Excellent choice!!!!!!!!!!!

[Jim Noble]

I didn't grow up around guns, and don't have any gun porn to share.

As a grownup, I've had the chance to shoot many different handguns, revolver and semiauto, and I own a 9mm and .357, although in the latter my ammo of choice is .38+P JHP.

You have to find a gun that you can practice with enough to become good and that you like to shoot.

It doesn't matter what you can do to a bad guy with a .44 Magnum if you can't hit him.

That can also be expressed as, "4 hits with a .22 beat 4 misses with a .44".

Lots of folks here deride the 9mm, but most people in this country who expire after being shot with a handgun are shot with a 9mm round.

I also like the .45ACP, but good hardware is expensive. I don't like to shoot 10mm/.40 S&W, but if you do, that's a good choice as well.

It's not the round, it's the shooter. Take an NRA course, try lots of guns, then decide.

[hoosiermama]

Thanks for the information.

[Red in Blue PA]

Another vote for the venerable 1911 .45 ACP here. Specifically, you could possibly buy a Kimber Custom II for that price of $700. You may never look at a non-1911 again;-)

[Red in Blue PA]

You should be able to get a basic Kimber Custom II for $700.

[Red in Blue PA]

I think prices are higher in California!

Prices for a Kimber Custom II can be had starting at around $700......not even close to $900 or $1000.

[Red in Blue PA]

[Red in Blue PA]

9mm- CZ-75 is hard to beat.

Gotta say I agree with this. For 9mm, this would be my recommendation. (Quality/Price cannot be beat) For .45 ACP, definitely a 1911.

[sig226]

Ruger GP-100 .357 Magnum revolver and Ruger P-95 9mm pistol. If you want to keep the combined cost under $700, you can find both of these guns used, in excellent condition, for that amount.

[softwarecreator]

[oh...wait...I just remembered. I didn’t own any guns in the first place...never mind]

doh!  Now I feel stupid, I did not own any either.  I had some pictures of guns, but no real ones.  You know, looking back, maybe the jackalope wasn't real either.

never mind

[softwarecreator]

I just love my Glock 26.  I would've prefer a .45 or maybe a S&W .357, but the little Glock is sweet.

Well, that would be IF I had guns, of course, which I do not.  =)