Handgun Choice - Help Please

2oakes

[2oakes]

I am trying to choose a handgun for a variety of purposes - target, practical pistol and also for home defense.

I used to shoot a bit when I was in the UK until they took our guns away, but since moving to the US and gaining citizenship, I wish to take up shooting again.

I have been pointed to the Sig Sauer P226 which fits my hands just fine (the Glock 21 is just too big) but would like to seek the opinions of other Freepers before buying.

Thank you

David

[FateAmenableToChange]

Purpose is key.

Self Defense - H&K USC Compact in 9mm or .45 is my top choice, followed by the Glock 26, 27, 28 or 31 in 9mm, .40 s&w, .45 & .45 rexpectively; followed by Para-Ordinance in LDA; followed by everything else.

IDPA / IPSC / PCP match shooting - H&K USC match grade in .45; Kimber Custom Match in .45 or the Glock 21 (also .45). For IPSC, Para Ordinance in .45.

.22 Pistol (i.e., bullseye matches) - Ruger .22, heavy barrel, price limited only by how hard you want to compete.

Plinking and shooting beer cans off your fence rail - Ruger .22 is far away the best, followed by browning buckmark.

If you're in Michigan, the best place for a combination of price and selection is Jay's Sporting Goods in Clare. I've never been in Guns Galore in Fenton but it's supposed to be pretty good too. Don't buy at a gun show - prices and guns generally s&ck.

[Eagle Eye]

Where's that "Laz special"?

[1Old Pro]

What .22 would you recommend?

[mvpel]

You might consider the Glock 30 - it's a compact version of the 21. I own one, and I found it to be more comfortable to shoot than the 21. The grip might still be too fat for you, though - the magazine is interchangeable with the 21's. There's also the 36, which is a single-stack .45ACP, thus has a narrower frame and much more compact structure.

[xsrdx]

I would like to take part in Action Pistol / IDPA (International Defense Pistol Assoc) events which are staged defense situations, but I dont want something that would not be of use in a home defense situation

IDPA founder Bill Wilson's intent was to run pistol matches for defensive handguns, so you should be ok.

Glocks are de rigeur for IDPA, but you'll see a few SIGs and HK's, as well as plenty of custom and near-custom 1911's.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Get a Smith and Wesson revolver in .22 cal for practice. I like the older kit guns...mod 17 or mod 34 w/ 4 inch bbl. Ammo is cheap and if a ladyfriend would like to give it a try, it won't scare her with noise and kick.
I like the mod 22 Glock .40 cal for serious stopping power. It shouldn't be too big for small to medium sized hands. The .40 has more punch than a 9 mm in about the same size weapon.

[1Old Pro]

.22 Pistol (i.e., bullseye matches) - Ruger .22, heavy barrel, price limited only by how hard you want to compete. Plinking and shooting beer cans off your fence rail - Ruger .22 is far away the best, followed by browning buckmark.

What's the approx. price range of these?

[Tijeras_Slim]

In that case I'd get something that can have a .22 conversion kit put on it. (CZ and the 1911's and some Glocks fit this description) That will allow lots of range time with little expense with the same gun you will compete with. A brick (500 rounds) of .22 can be had for $7-10 on sale. And get assistance from a more experineced shooter in the IDPA. Practice makes permanent, so learn good habits early on.

[null and void]

For target practice, .22 ammunition is much cheaper than what you will need for home protection. The "Hydra-Shock" ammo in .38 or .357 Magnum ain't cheap.

A good arguement for getting a 1911-A Colt in .45 cal, with an ace conversion kit for firing .22 LR, allows you to do lots of cheap practice with very nearly the same feel as the big bore...

[wardaddy]

If you are a real Newbie to handguns then you should buy a .357 revolver which will also shoot .38 Special(s) as well. S&W(new owners), Taurus, Rossi, and Ruger all make fine models some of which are quite lightweight or have a high capacity cylinder that will take 8 rounds which is approaching 10+1 Semi-Auto post ban mag capacity. Revolvers are quite simple and reliable....point and shoot....very good for nightstand self defense with Glazer or Black Hills style "human target ammo".

That is just a start. If you insist on a semi-auto then by all means the Sig is a good choice. I doubt anyone here would argue with that.

Buy what feels good to your hand and shoot a few rounds first at your dealer's indoor range if possible.

For protection I would not go below .38+P in revolver or 40MM in semi-auto. (maybe 9mm or .380 in semi-auto if you are a small handed female...but with mankiller ammo)

Good Luck...take an instruction course while you're at it.

[1Old Pro]

What about Ruger or Browning, why S&W?

[AnAmericanMother]

Man, you are in the U.S. of A. now! Don't limit yourself. Get SEVERAL.

Amen to that. If you try to find one weapon for all your various purposes, you'll be compromising some qualities at the expense of others.

I'd start with a 1911A1 and then choose two others specifically for IDPA and for target competition. And then there's metallic silhouette, and handgun hunting, and just plinking, and collecting, and . . .

And yes, our house is overrun with firearms! As far as I'm concerned, they're like potato chips. :-D

Finally broke down & acquired the Sig P245 because of the DA feature, but my favorite carry gun is still my Colt Lightweight Commander in stainless. And don't let anybody tell you the .45 ACP cartridge has "too much recoil" -- I'm a 5'6" middle-aged matron and it doesn't bother ME. (g)

[ZULU]

I agree with you. A .45 is a man-stopper, no matter how big he is. The same cannot necesaarily be said of 9mm or .38s.

AS for Magnums, they are too big, too noisy and too expensive, unless you want to kill engine blocks or somebody in the next county.

[harpseal]

I would recommend you buy what fits your hand most comfortably. Find a public range in your area where one may rent guns for practice and if there is one gun that you shoot accurately and instinctively with choose that. I recommed at least .380acp or above for a minimum of stopping power. The larger and more powerful a gun you choose the better the stopping power as a general rule.

The reason I am including Slim in this post is because he recommended the Cz-75 in 9mm. These or clones of these are also available in .357 Sig, 40 S&W, .45acp and 10mm. There are a number of absolutely exellent sidearms available out there.

I do not prescribe but I will be happy to further expand upon the principles of self-defense with a sidearm. I note the following 9mm is probably the least expensive of the reasonable definsive calibers to shoot and practice is most important. Personally I prefer .45acp but each must make up his/her own mind.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[grobdriver]

I am trying to choose a handgun for a variety of purposes - target, practical pistol and also for home defense.

You are buying a weapon for home/personal defense.
Everything else is a supporting disipline.
Ergo, you want a Colt model 1911. A service piece with minimal competition mods; Bevel the magazine well for better reloads, put on a pair of grips that work for you. Port it.
Anything else is destined to eventually break. You can stand that on the range, but not at 0200 with a big guy between you and your wife.
Load it with a brand of hollow point that you have tested IN THAT GUN and with which you don't get a single feed failure in a box of ammo.
Compete in Tactical class. Let others spend a gazillion dollars on a space gun. Practice and compete with 200 grain reloads boosted to make major, but put a box of ball through it occasionally so you don't forget what you're holding.
Practice, practice, practice. If you don't fire 100 rounds a month, you're better off with a shotgun.

[Centurion2000]

CZ-97 in 45acp aka Jericho and the Baby Eagle.

You can get it for about 400-500. Double action on the first pull and then SA the rest of the way and it holds 10.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Rugers with bull barrels run from ~$300-500, with the competition model being most expensive (although already drilled and tapped for red-dot mounts). You can get lots of after market stuff like better triggers, hammers, barrels, etc from Volquartsen. Some fully customized Ruger MK II's from an after market gunsmith can run close to $2000.

[null and void]

Smart man ;^)

[FNG]

I will get flamed for this, but I would avoid a 1911 like the plague. There are much more reliable and accurate handguns to be had for much less money. If you do not mind a single action, the browning Hi-power is far superior to the 1911. I like my Tarus PT92 becuse it has the DA for safer home defense, but I can use it cocked and locked for IDPA pistol matches. For those who belittle the 9mm, shot placement is much more important than caliber chioce anyway. If you must have a .45, Sig, Ruger, and S&W make fine choices. I also have a Sig 220.