Gun Advice (looking to buy a pistol)
 

I know we have some fellow gun enthusiasts and a police officer here that know their stuff about guns so I thought I'd ask here.

I would like to add a pistol to the home arsenal mainly because of ease of use and size to make it easy to hide / lockup. I don't need a bunch of large guns so I figured a pistol would add a good dynamic.

Anywho, I am not looking for anything fancy at all. I don't know much about pistols but have shot a few here and there. I don't need a cannon either, just a cheap reliable gun. Preferably light so my wife can learn it too yet can get the job done.

Looking for suggestions since I know nothing about pistols. Maybe in the $100-150 dollar range?

Thanks!

You won't find much worth owning in that price range. If it's solely for home defense, I like the Judge pretty well. Mine shoots .410 shells and .45LC rounds. I have it pattern loaded with bird shot, buckshot, slugs and a .45 round nose round. At some point, the attacker will either run away, or be stopped.

As already mentioned, you won't find much in that price range. I'd go to a large retail store and finger bang every pistol you can and then look on local boards / gun shows for which ever you liked best. This is one of those things in life I wouldn't cheap out on.

Yea like already said don't cheap out buy once cry once. 9mm is a good round for a beginner it's large enough to do damage and not to hard to handle. Go to Bass pro or Cabellas to put hands on some and when you find what you want go online and find it cheaper. The big box stores are to expensive.

Yeah you aren't going to find anything in the 100-150 dollar range. 300 to 500 is more like what range you're going to be in.

357 revolver. .38 special. 380 Auto.

357 is a good gun. You can use 357 or 380 and I think in 380 there is a snakeshot which is a shot shell. So you wont be throwing bullets into the other rooms. Mine has 4 snake rounds and 3 357 rounds if that doesn't do the job. I carry a Ruger 380. Mainly because of it's size. The trigger pull is a little tricky because it doesn't have a safety but with practice I can shoot it fine in the distance I'm going to need to.

The ruger 380 can be had for 280-350.

We can go shoot mine if you want sometime.

Look at the Springfield XD40 its in the 300-500 range, friend has one and I love it will be getting one sooner or later.

Yea like stated you will need to spend more than that for a reliable gun. I have Springfield XDm 40 and Xd 45. Just let me know if you want to go shoot

You can't even get a good stolen gun for that price. $300 minimum and that's at a gun show or something. Quality you're looking $500 +

Lol how's how little I know. Thanks for the info guys. I have a Cabelas literally within a mile of my house I may go put my hands on some to see how I like them.

Danny, I would suggest finding a place where you can rent a couple of pistols to shoot different ones. Winchester Gallery is a good option. I can't remember if Cabela's has lanes or not.

Let me know if you go sometime and I'll see if I'm free to join you.

I have a ported Springfield XD 40 and I love it (it's a loud SOB though). Thinking about adding a glock to my collection too. Wife has a ruger 38 under her side of the bed.

Look to spend $300-$500 on a good handgun. The Springfield falls in the $350-$400 range usually.


I also agree with dirty about shooting a few. At the very least hold them and get a feel for them but it's better to run a couple of rounds through some different guns. I thought I wanted a Kimber ultra carry until I shot it. If I get a Kimber it won't be a shorter one like that.

Echo the cost comments. If cost is main concern, a pump shotgun is the cheapest and of the most effective home defense choices. a couple of other comments:
1) lighter and smaller is more portable for concealed carry, but big and heavy is much easier to shoot. I'm very comfy shooting my 40 cal Glock for a couple hundred rounds or so, but I'm ready to set the .380 mouse gun down after about 20 rounds (or less).
2) gun figment in YOUR hand is key. Handling a display gun is a start, but Shoot a few rental guns before you make your choice.

Shoot Smart is real close to Cabellas in Ft. Worth they have guns to rent and it is a great place for indoor range.

This. I used to shoot there all the time before I moved

Maybe we could go to Shoot Smart and have some fun I would love to have a range day with a LEO?

I live on the other side of the metroplex now but maybe during my 10 days off in December we can set something up

That would be cool. We could find someplace in between it doesn't have to be Shoot Smart.

I shoot at Elm Fork

I do to when I shoot rifle. For handguns I like the indoor you don't have to deal with cease fire and you can adjust the distance at will.

I like to shoot in my backyard when I go home. :gunner::biggun:

Danny, have you thought about getting a shotgun? I know it's not small but that's the ultimate home defense gun. When you're half asleep and not fully focused all you have to do it point it in the general direction and let er rip. Additionally, I'm sure if a would be robber heard you rack a shotgun they probably wouldn't keep coming. I bought my Mossberg 500a for $200. Holds 7 shells. I keep 5 bird/target shot as the first rounds and 2 slugs as a just in case.

Cabelas and bass pro usually have some decent deals on sawed off defense shotguns as well.

Thought about it. Heard that is the cheaper route. I kinda wanted a decent hand gun too for recreational target practice too.

A shotgun makes target practice a little easier. lol

If you want to get a little complicated, just start shooting from the hip. Lol

Smokin hot chick works at shoot smart. That's why I go there

I advise shoot smart also. You pay one rental fee and you can shoot the entire case. Think about this, you are getting this as self defense, is your life worth $200? My everyday carry and league shooting gun is a SIG 226.. I have other guns but it's the one I always go back to. It's been thru water, mud, sand , snow , rain , heat, cold, never failed and still drives tacks. As for round size.... I prefer .40 9 mm is cheap but some times it goes too fast. . P.s. Leo's are all poor shots!!!! Ha ha

This is really the only option: (object in picture shown actual size.. sry about that, posting from phone)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...712_221812.jpg

Be wary of advice given by sales people at a lot of gunshops.. Even among the gun enthusiasts posting in this thread there is a bit of bad information.. for instance, spread out of a 18.5" 12ga shotgun barrel shooting buckshot down the longest hallway in your home is going to be about as large as your fist.

I sincerely suggest shooting with someone who knows their stuff before you make a purchase, knowing how to properly handle a gun and understanding recoil, etc will greatly impact the purchase you decide on.

A Smith and Wesson SD9 VE is a good weapon. It is a glock 17/26 clone, which is heavily regarded as the standard among 9mm striker fired pistols. Glock even sued S&W on the design for copyright infrigment and won. Best part about it, they can be had brand new in the $350 range (which is easily $150 less than its Glock brother).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbWIE...w&noredirect=1

I own the Glock 19 Gen 4

http://us.glock.com/products/model/g19gen4

The most popular and highest rated self-defense weapon in America. Well balanced, easy to fire, reload and clean with excellent safety features. I got mine at Cabela's in allen. I use Hornaday Critical Duty 135 grain ammo

http://www.hornady.com/store/9MM-135...Critical-DUTY/

You cant go wrong with a G19 for self-defense. I think you should revise the amount you want to spend upward considerably for safety and quality resons. However, if you want to spend very little, a .38 revolver would be in order.

Gun fitment explained:
http://www.corneredcat.com/article/c...-on-a-handgun/

Danny do you want something that in an emergency situation your wife could use as well?

Well a fist is better than a dime and you won't over penetrate.


Bottom line Danny is you need to find the gun that's right for you and your wife. As said before, the main thing you need to do is put a few guns in your hand and hers. Come up with what you feel is best for you and her. After that it's range time to get accurate with it. Run scenarios where you have to grab the gun quickly and fire one shot. See where you're at. Try it again and again. Just like anything it takes practice. To me, this is one of the most important things you can do for your family. Hopefully you'll never have to use it but if you do you need to make sure you are both ready.

Different people will have different views on what works best for them and they are probably not wrong, but it might not be what is best for you. Personally I believe a shotgun is the best home defense weapon. 2nd to a 22 magnum. I can get to it quickly and while you do still have to aim you're more likely to hit something with a shotgun than a pistol under less than optimal conditions. Also a significantly less chance of hitting or killing someone you don't want to.

I made a little personal pros and cons list for different weapons. I've fired all the weapons I list here. Most multiple times. I'm sure people can nit pick this and more power to them. This is my opinion on these weapons.

22 Magnum Auto Highly recommended as a home defense pistol.

Pros:
Small and light
Accurate
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children
Can hold up to 31 rounds. Big pro...lots of bullets means more of a chance to hit your target without having to reload and reset.
Little/No recoil. Makes it more accurate for less experienced shooters
Not likely to over penetrate
Quiet gun
Easy and fast reloads

Cons:
Smallest round
Not a lot of stopping power (however it seems to be once a target it hit they tend to stop coming)
PITA to clean

380 Auto SubCompact My choice for carry. My wife can put all rounds on target pretty quickly.

Pros:
Small and light
Small recoil but smaller/lighter gun means more kick
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children. It fits in my pocket
380 is good round with plenty of stopping power
Easy to operate however they can jam and can be a problem resetting for an inexperienced operate.
Easy and fast reload

Cons:
Small round
More of a chance of over penetration
Most sub compacts only hold 6 rounds
Less accurate than a large frame pistol
Mild recoil
Long trigger pull (no safety or "trigger safety") can cause you to pull too hard and go off target
Can jam
PITA to clean

9 auto Most popular pistol. Great overall gun.

Pros:
Large frame 9mm are very accurate
Powerful round
Easy to conceal and keep away from small children
Easy to operate
Quick trigger pull. Less likely to pull shot to one side.
Most can hold 17-18 but can hold more
Easy and fast reloads

Cons:
Small round
Very quick round. Can easily over penetrate.
Can jam. Inexperienced user can have difficultly resetting.
PITA to clean

40/45 Auto Two different guns but I think the pro/cons are the same.

Pros:
Large round
Very good stopping power. One and done.
Most hold 16-18 rounds for large frame. I think 9-10 for smaller frame.
Quick trigger
Accurate. More so in larger frames.
Easy and fast reloads

Cons:
Mild/Large Recoil
Can easily over penetrate
Smaller guns have smaller round count
Loud. Can be deafening in small room.
PITA to clean

44 Magnum Auto

Pros:
Very accurate
Very powerful stopping power. One and done.
8 Rounds but can hold more. Only need one.
Has some weight to it which generally helps with feel and accuracy.

Cons:
Weight. Can be too heavy for inexperienced user.
Larger gun. Harder to conceal.
Easily over penetrate
Mild/Large recoil
Very loud. In a small room it would be deafening.

.38 Revolver

Pros:
Small and light
Easy to conceal from small children
Easy to clean
Mild recoil
Easiest type of gun to use. Doesn't mean you're a good shot with it though.
Good round
Will never jam

Cons:
Long and usually hard trigger pull. Causes inaccuracy issues.
Most only carry 5-7 rounds.
Can over penetrate
Slow reload

357 Magnum Revolver

Pros:
Very accurate
Can hold either 357 or .38 round
Can hold "snake shot" round for more spread and less penetration
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Can not jam

Cons:
Large gun. Harder to conceal.
7 Rounds
357 or .38 round can over penetrate
Slow reload
Very loud

Shotguns

20g Shotgun

Pros:
Great stopping power
With short barrel plenty of spread in short distance
Mild Recoil. I can one hand shoot with accuracy quickly.
Autos/pump can hold 5-7 rounds
Can use multiple types of rounds
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Autos can throw shells very quickly
Not likely to over penetrate unless using large buck shot or slugs

Cons:
Bulky and nearly impossible to hide away
Loud
Very slow reload

12g Shotgun

Pros:
Great stopping power
With a short barrel plenty of spread in short distance
Holds 7 shells
Can use multiple types of rounds
Easy to fire
Easy to clean
Autos can throw shells very quickly
Not likely to over penetrate unless using large buck shot or slugs

Cons:
Large Recoil with pistol grip. Mild/large with stock
Bulky and nearly impossible to hide away
Very slow reload
Very loud

I hope this helps and isn't too redundant.

Let's go shoot some.

I'm game to shoot. If someone doesn't mind, I'd like to see some of the pistols y'all shoot.

The

http://www.bullettrapinc.com/

will let you test fire weapons.

damn good list Josh

I agree with what's said about going and renting or getting with friends that have something for you to try and get a feel for.

i bought my first gun without touching it and i didnt like it so i didnt shoot it. since then, i only buy something i've shot and know that i like it.

good luck

Don't listen to lolvtec , if he was for real that desert eagle would be a .50 Cal like mine. One thing to remember about a glock, it's Tupper ware .. and the grip to barrel angle is different from 99.9% of all other handguns, it's designed to pull from a holster and fire from the hip. If you hold it straight out you have to break your wrist at an unnatural angle, every other pistol has the same angle as if you make a gun with your thumb and first finger, that's the angle they take. Glocks have also been chastised for their weird balance and blocky feel, no external safety (don't even start with the trigger safety bs) and the inability to shoot lead rounds, reloads, and the tendency for the .40 Cal to explode.. but you know other than that it's great.. you will also notice lately police forces are starting to drop the Glocks also. Even the broke city of Detroit is getting rid of their Glocks. Handle and shoot everything you can before purchasing. Then shoot every weekend and take the concealed pistol class , even if you don't plan to carry.

If your grip is correct glocks feel and work just fine :)

& if they are so awful why did one of the more conservative local police departments just approve their use? (Dallas) :p & I have two .50ae desert eagles that I everyday carry in matching shoulder holsters.. for her pleasure.

Agree and disagree with this. The grip thing is not true. I'm promise you my grip is just fine bit when I put the glock out I have to angle my wrist to have it line up correctly, where as with my Springfield as soon as I push put it's flat and ready to fire. Some people just have a different grip angle than others. That is why I carry a Springfield rather than a glock every day. I have no problems with flocks and they are as reliable as guns come so I agree with you there. Our department doesn't issue the duty weapon so we have the freedom to choose what we want but ill say more than half of patrol carries a glock. Swat is issued glock 9mm. They are very dependable and will always go bang when the trigger is pulled. And if you need an external safety then you need to get better at handling a weapon. I have no real safety on any of my guns, just the grip safety on the Springfields.