Pistol Advice

[RobbyZ5001]

I am new to guns, I have only shot a few times. The only guns I shot were a Ruger 357 magnum and a Remmington 30-6. I don't hunt, but I enjoy shooting the pistol. I know a lot of you are very knowledgeable with guns and I just want to see what a good starter pistol would be. I want a personal protection gun. I have not shot a large variety of guns, but I think I want a 9mm possibly a Glock. I don't know too much so my opinion can be swayed. I don't want to spend a small fortune.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

How much is your budget, Robby?

[Hammer 4]

Is the pistola gonna be just for punching paper, or..?????

Oh, if it's available, take the NRA course.

[RobbyZ5001]

How much is your budget, Robby?

Honestly... no clue. I will say I don't like buying junk, but I don't want to be spending $700 and up. If feasible up to $500.

[RobbyZ5001]

Is the pistola gonna be just for punching paper, or..?????

Oh, if it's available, take the NRA course.

I don't really know what your trying to say by the punching paper statement. Don't police officers use 9mm? Also whats the story with the NRA course?

[flechero]

I don't know anything about Glocks... I think Micro is well versed in them. But if you generally like the glocks, also look at the XD's.

I want a personal protection gun

for concealed carry or home protection or both? That can make a huge difference in recommendations.  There are lots of trade-offs in size, weight, etc.

punching paper means shooting at the range.

Don't completely discount a revolver either... especially if you are new to guns. They are simple, reliable and some can shoot multiple calibers. .38/.357 .44spl/44mag (think light recoil/cheap for range use and premium, full power for home defense)

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Is the pistola gonna be just for punching paper, or..?????

Oh, if it's available, take the NRA course.

I don't really know what your trying to say by the punching paper statement. Don't police officers use 9mm? Also whats the story with the NRA course?

Easy tiger.....Punching paper = target shooting for fun    

500 is definitely a range where you can find a good pistol.  Is it something you are looking at right now, or are you not in a hurry to get it?

[flechero]

Yes, a good number of law enforcement uses 9mm... I also think it's the smallest caliber that any law enforcement uses. Smaller cartridges allow higher capacities in magazines... caliber choice is a never ending debate in most circles.

[RobbyZ5001]

I don't know anything about Glocks... I think Micro is well versed in them. But if you generally like the glocks, also look at the XD's.

I want a personal protection gun

for concealed carry or home protection or both? That can make a huge difference in recommendations. There are lots of trade-offs in size, weight, etc.

punching paper means shooting at the range.

Don't completely discount a revolver either... especially if you are new to guns. They are simple, reliable and some can shoot multiple calibers. .38/.357 .44spl/44mag (think light recoil/cheap for range use and premium, full power for home defense)

I would like it for both concealed carry and home if possible, but of course I want to better my shot at the range. I don't think I like revolvers, but I have only shot my buddies 357 magnum. I shot .357 and .38 out of it. I can't really grasp what a bullet does to someone. I would think the 9mm would do almost as much damage as say a .357. I have no idea if I am answering these questions correctly.  

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Yes, a good number of law enforcement uses 9mm... I also think it's the smallest caliber that any law enforcement uses. Smaller cartridges allow higher capacities in magazines... caliber choice is a never ending debate in most circles.

Yep.  It can get just as heated as any fishing thread on here.   ;D

I think .40 is a nice caliber, personally.  Not "scary" in the correct gun, but definitely with enough punch to knock down anything that needs knocked down...

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I don't know anything about Glocks... I think Micro is well versed in them. But if you generally like the glocks, also look at the XD's.

I want a personal protection gun

for concealed carry or home protection or both? That can make a huge difference in recommendations. There are lots of trade-offs in size, weight, etc.

punching paper means shooting at the range.

Don't completely discount a revolver either... especially if you are new to guns. They are simple, reliable and some can shoot multiple calibers. .38/.357 .44spl/44mag (think light recoil/cheap for range use and premium, full power for home defense)

I would like it for both concealed carry and home if possible, but of course I want to better my shot at the range. I don't think I like revolvers, but I have only shot my buddies 357 magnum. I shot .357 and .38 out of it. I can't really grasp what a bullet does to someone. I would think the 9mm would do almost as much damage as say a .357. I have no idea if I am answering these questions correctly.

A little off topic, but I hope that you never have to find that out.    

[RobbyZ5001]

Is the pistola gonna be just for punching paper, or..?????

Oh, if it's available, take the NRA course.

I don't really know what your trying to say by the punching paper statement. Don't police officers use 9mm? Also whats the story with the NRA course?

Easy tiger.....Punching paper = target shooting for fun

500 is definitely a range where you can find a good pistol. Is it something you are looking at right now, or are you not in a hurry to get it?

Ha.. I didn't mean anything bad  by questioning the punching paper statement. I had no clue what it meant. I am still getting used to the gun lingo. I am not going to get it in the next couple days, but the next month or so could be realistic.

[Micro]

Robby, I love Glocks. I have several. They are among my very favorite semi-autos.

The 9mm is a great choice. There are an abundance of different loads available from many manufacturers. The ammo is readily available and rather inexpensive. The 9mm is a great defensive round. Its mild recoil makes it a joy to shoot. There are many, many guns chanmbered for it. And because of the small dimensions of the 9mm, you can get semi-auto pistols that hold a whole bunch of rounds.

Now, about a gun. You mentioned Glock. Glock makes several 9mms. They are the Glock 17, which is a full sized pistol. The Glock 19 is a mid sized pistol, and the Glock 26, which is a small, subcompact pistol. If you want it for home defense, and occassional carry, I'd highly recommend the Glock 19. It's big enough that you can grip it comprotably and feel in total control. It's small enough that it can be carried comfortably and concealed easily. It's a great compromise size. If you have a female significant-other, they seem to be right at home shooting a Glock 19.

When you buy a Glock, you get the pistol, two magazines, a magazine loading tool (which can help you get the last round into a magazine - sometimes the spring gets tight on the last round), a cleaning brush and rod, manual, and case.

Glock, IMO, is the most robust semi-auto pistol ever made. There are examples with over 300,000 rounds through them and they are still going strong. They have no external safety, yet are one of the safest pistols made due to their "safe actions." I have several in .45 ACP caliber and 9mm. I've never had any problems with any of mine. They are simply fantastic guns. If you shop around a bit, you should be able to find a Glcok 19, brand new, for about $520.

Once you get your gun, I recommend talking to the dealer and letting them show you how to break it down (it's a lot simpler than a fishing reel), getting soem cleaning supplies, some inexpensive shooting glasses, some ear muffs, and finding a decent indoor range somewhere. Get to know your gun. The more familiar you are with it, the better.

Here is a pic of my most recent Glock acquisition.

[flechero]

Half of this is purely about what's comfortable and what you like. If you don't really like revolvers, that's totally cool. I happen to like them (the J-frames and equivalent) a lot for CC since they are so small and light.

Hopefully you have a good range near you... all the big ranges down here have rentals... just about anything you might want, you can shoot before buying one.

I'd start at a gun show or store and find 4-5 different models that feel good in your hands and are legitimately concealable and then head to the range to try them out.  (or if you have any buddies that will let you shoot theirs at the range)

Also you might look into the forums...  there are a number of them dedicated to either- certain brands (glock, xd, S&W, etc.) styles (1911, etc) or concealed carry.  

[RobbyZ5001]

First thanks for all the great advice. Second are their any of brands worth checking out in my price range for what I want? Also how many of you guys carry on a day to day basis? What are some good ways to carry where you won't freak people out?

[Siebert Outdoors]

I hope my post will make sense. LOL

The pistol you want to buy is the one that you put in your hand and when you aim it comes up fluid and points where your hand is pointing.  Just like if you point your finger at something.  Everyone has their favorits but if it doesnt fit you its not going to shoot well for you.  

I'm a HK fan but I also like many other brands out there.  I'm not a brand junkie more of a shooter that the firearm has to be quality and fit me correctly.

Some good brands

HK

Glock

Sig

Springfield

FNH

Smith M&P

Thats all I can think of right now but there is more.  

[flechero]

They have no external safety, yet are one of the safest pistols made due to their "safe actions."

I don't think they are any more or less safe than any pistol w/o an external safety.... if you pull the trigger, they go boom. The only real safety on a weapon is between your ears.

From the glock website-

ACTION

Safe and ingeniously simple: Contrary to conventional, the trigger is the only operating element. All three pistol safeties are deactivated when the trigger is pulled

Micro- off topic but are any of the compact glocks narrower than the rest? All the ones I've seen in person looked pretty thick.

[Hammer 4]

NRA = Natinal Rifle Association...they have a Saftey course for new gun owners, imho it's agood thang to take..

No worries on the paper punching reply..

[Micro]

I'm only going to speak to the Glock-like 9mms, since you expressed an interest in them.

Of course, there is Glock.  

http://www.glock.com/english/index_pistols.htm

Smith and Wesson makes some polymer framed pistols that are well regarded- the M&P Series.  Don't look at the MSRP, they never sell for that much.  I've seen the M&P9 full size for under $500.  

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=11101&storeId=10001&categoryId=15711&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=15708&top_category=15708

Ruger.  Anything Ruger puts their name on is a good gun.   There relatively new SR9 is a slim, extremely comfortable high-capacity 9mm.  They cast a wee bit less retail than Glocks.  They seem to be very highly regarded.  

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=62&variation=Ruger SR9®&bct=Yes&type=Pistol

FN (Fabrique Nationale) is a Belgian caompany that is famousfor making Brownings.  FN has a plant in South Carolina where it produces weapons for the US military.  They make a 9mm that is about the same price as a Glock.  They sell them in BPS stores.  They seem very nice and I've heard good things about them.  I don't like the safety lever too much, it's a bit flexible and sticks out too ar for me. But others seem to really like them.

http://www.fnhusa.com/le/products/firearms/family.asp?fid=FNF002&gid=FNG001

Springfield Armory makes the XD series of pistols.  These guns have a huge following.  They seem to rival the Glock for durability.  Prices are roughly the same as Glocks.  

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=72

CZ is a Czech Republic builder of firearms and they have been around for a long time.  I don't own a CZ, but I've owned some Italian knock-offs and these are good guns.  The CZ is considered by some to be the best 9mm ever made.  The CZ 75 B is their bread and butter pistol.  But they make some polymer framed guns that are considered to be outstanding.

http://www.springfield-armory.com/xd.php?version=72

[Micro]

First thanks for all the great advice. Second are their any of brands worth checking out in my price range for what I want? Also how many of you guys carry on a day to day basis? What are some good ways to carry where you won't freak people out?

The first thing you have to do is get a concealed handgun permit.  Many states have simplified their processes in this respect.  In Virginia, for instance, you sign up to take a safety course at a local gun shop.  Mine was a few hours long.  When I was done, I took my certificate of completion to my city's circuit court clerk's office and filled out an application.  I got finger printed.  I turned it in, along with my certificate and $35 and in 45 days I had my permit.  It's good for 5 years and easier to renew than get a new one.   Virginia is a "shall issue" state.  Meaning, if I pass the background check, the judge must approve my permit.  No more having to reason with anti-gun judges who think they know better.  

Once you decide to carry a concealed handgun, you can do it in a holster, fanny pack, shoulder rig, pants or jacket pocket.  I usually carry my guns in high rise belt holsters or in a jacket pocket if I'm wearing one.  Most people will never know, which is the point.  

[NewAngler]

here comes my .02.

I own a Smith and Wesson Sigma 9. Its a 9mm pistol that i bought for home protection at a gun show. I loved it, i mean i LOVED LOVED LOVED IT. up until i shot my brothers Glock. The gun i have now i bought, like i said, at a gun show. I got the gun, two magazines a trigger lock, a manual and a case. Oh, and I bought 50 rounds for $370. Price is great, and the gun is pretty good, too. I just happen to like my brothers Glock 17. Buuut.. from reading in a previous post I think i remember seeing that youre in your senior year at PSU (we are...!) and your budget may be short.

I know i dont offer much more information than the other guys, as they know more than I do about guns. But there is my .02. Oh, and the sigma 9 is a little more compact, but like Micro said, there are different variations to the Glock, and my bro's was the largest of the 3, and i think my Sig 9 i smore comprible to the glock 19.

If i were you i would look around for local gun shows,

http://www.gunshows-usa.com/penn.htm

youre in luck. this weekend. near you.

good luck, buddy.

[Micro]

Micro- off topic but are any of the compact glocks narrower than the rest? All the ones I've seen in person looked pretty thick.

The only compact Glock I have right now is the 30. It's a compact .45. The slide is the same width as the 21 I pictured. I had a Glock 36 (a single stack version of the 30), and it's slide was the same width, too, though the front was bit more rounded. The Glock website says the slide width of the 36 is smaller than the 30 but I don't think that's correct.

AFAIK, the width of the slides stay the same when the caliber stays the same.

This was my Glock 36 when it was new..

[RippinLips86]

Robby I used to carry in Virginia i have a very inexpensive in the waist band holster aka IWB. With that holster you could not tell i was carrying unless my shirt rode up for what ever reason. I carry a full size 1911 in 45acp I love my 1911 very simple very accurate and very powerful but not so much as to knock on the shooter on your butt. you can find a full size 1911 for the price range you are looking. Its tried and tested for years. great gun. You can pick up a 22lr conversion kit for punching paper to make shooting it a little less expensive they run bout 170 to 200 bucks. They will pay for them selves. the conversion kit is very easy to install and can be switched back in a minuet or two. I will say if you can hit a person from 15 yards in the chest even wearing body armor they are not gonna get up right away.

these are pics of what i used to carry i just have not gotten around to getting my permit here in California as it is hard to get one out here.

holsters i like to go to MAGILL'S

[I.rar]

i will be in the market for a 9mm subcompact pistol as well.

for the cheapness , i saw keltec's pf9. they are only available in DA only though. but they will be very easy to conceal in summer clothes if you choose to go the CCW route. BUT kel tecs are not the type of gun you go to the range and put thousands of rounds through. they can jam , and will need to be taken care of. probably more so than others.

i was eyeing the springfield xd9 for the longest , but i am unsure of the grip safety so the glock 26 may be the one for me. i still havnt been able to get them in my hands to see what i like better , but those are the ones that i think i will be most comfortable with. i also like the fact that some glocks have had 250,000 rounds through them and are still going.

[Stasher1]

As someone who has owned a half-dozen 1911's (both custom and stock) and carried one daily for several years, it is the absolute last handgun platform I'd recommend to someone just getting into firearms. They were designed to be carried "cocked-and-locked" (round chambered, hammer cocked, thumb safety on), which is not something I'd recommend to a newbie. You could always carry with the hammer down on a loaded chamber, which is unsafe unless you're carry a model with a firing pin block (Series II Kimbers, Colt Series 80, etc) but many of those models come with reliability issues as well. Another option is hammer down on an empty chamber, which is basically a 1911 paperweight. An unloaded gun is nothing more than a club, and a pitiful one at that. None of these are acceptable options in a defensive scenario, imho.

Don't even get me started on the reliability of most 1911 style pistols. In many cases they're like owning a vintage Harley. They're pretty to look at, and a blast to own/use, as long as you don't mind the never-ending tweaking that's required to keep them functioning.

I got tired of unreliable "defensive" pistols, sold my 1911's, and replaced them with Sigs and Glocks. Now, $500 won't buy you a new Sig, but it can get you a new Glock which (ergonomics aside) is one of the finest defensive handgun platforms available.