General shooting handgun

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evan090793

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Here in a month or so im looking to get a target/home defence handgun in either 9mm .40sw or 45 acp. I know nothing about different types of handguns other than the ones ive borrowed and used. What would you all recomend as a good home def/target gun. I will be shooting the crap out of it prob 800-1000 rounds a month so it must be durable.
 
cz 75b or sp-01 depending upon how it fits your hand.

pcr on bottom. 75b in middle. sp-01 on top.
IMG_20120412_190021.jpg
 
Are you near a range that rents? Nothing like getting what interests you in your hands, and shooting them.

And I agree, 9mm will be your best bet if you want to shoot a lot.
 
I'm going to echo AK103 here. Go to the store(s) and finger them. Go to the range and fire them. Pick the one you like and enjoy the heck out of it.
 
XDM 45 5"

Great gun for shooting and a great gun for HD due to capacity, sights and ability to mount a light. .
 
9mm is a great starting point...easier to control, lighter recoil than .40 or .45

But honestly I'd say .22lr if it weren't for the ammo crunch caused by resellers...
quicker progress leads to more shooting...more practice means better accuracy...
nifty little circle to fall into...

So...9mm is the beginning.
Try EVERYTHING, whatever fits in your hand best & gives you a smile when you think about it...
that's the one you need. Find a range that rents & try everything you can.
If you've got a buddy that's a Gun Nut (20+ pistols), move him to Best Friend & go shooting :)

And Enjoy!! :)
 
I'm going to recommend 9 since it's the cheapest of the calibers, even if you cast and reload your own it still eats up less powder and lead from your reserves.

M&P pro in 9

Glock 34

CZ 75

CZ p-09

Sig p226

Many great options out there...these are just a few I'd like to own.
 
How much do you want to spend?
There are a lot of good choices out there and a lot depends on your experience level.
If you experience level is not that high and you want another person in your house to be able to use the gun than I would not suggest a striker fire gun like the Glock even though I am a big fan of Glocks. No safety.
I would suggest something like a Beretta 92 or a Beretta Cougar now made by Stoeger. Its well made gun that has some features that would be good for you like a drop hammer safety. And it’s double and single action. I have had mine for a long time and well over 3000 rounds and its never had a single issue. Its also one of the most accurate 9mm guns I have ever owned.

http://www.beretta.com/en/stoeger-cougar-8000/

If price is not an issue than your not going to beat a Sig Sauer, just find one that fits your needs and hand. I have put a lot of rounds through a P229 and I am very impressed with the gun.
http://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p229.aspx
 
For handguns capable of really excellent accuracy that also hold up well, I'd vote Beretta 92, an old Taurus PT92, CZ-75 Omega, Witness, SAR B6P, used S&W 5906. A Hi Power is a nice gun, but they really aren't that durable for lots of shooting.

Some Glocks can be pretty decently accurate, but I would try to find an old Gen 2 G17 for accuracy. An old West German P226 would be pretty decent, too.

A used HK USP in .40 or .45 also group well and really hold up - LE trade ins are cheap.

There are lots of good handguns out there - the real question is whether they are rewardingly accurate AND hold up well.
 
If you can, rent. Personal preference is a heck of a thing and pretty hard to predict. As your first handgun you might find your preferences will change the more you shoot, so I'd personally shy away from dropping a lot of money at first. Used is a great option. If you need help knowing what to look at in terms of wear and what prices might be good, this forum can help with that.
 
You did not mention your budget or your environment. Are you in an apartment or a single family home? Are their family members room mates in adjacent rooms?

Do you have a dog for early warning?

It sounds as though you want a home defense firearm which also serves as a range firearm.

There have been some quality firearms already mentioned.

Shooting a lot can lead to reloading. The 9mm is most likely going to be your least expensive ammunition whether you reload or buy new.

Are there any local or State laws where you are at on magazine round limitations?

In home defense, my personal choice is a 20" barrel 12 gauge shotgun with an 8 round capacity.
 
lamarw said:
You did not mention your budget or your environment. Are you in an apartment or a single family home? Are their family members room mates in adjacent rooms?

Do you have a dog for early warning?

It sounds as though you want a home defense firearm which also serves as a range firearm.

There have been some quality firearms already mentioned.

Shooting a lot can lead to reloading. The 9mm is most likely going to be your least expensive ammunition whether you reload or buy new.

Are there any local or State laws where you are at on magazine round limitations?

In home defense, my personal choice is a 20" barrel 12 gauge shotgun with an 8 round capacity.
Click to expand...

Yeah i did forgwt to mention budget it will be in the 500-600$ range. I live in a home with 5 other people but only me and one other in the basement. It will be mostly for range use as i already fire about 500 a month or more out of my ar15. It will probably be my main range gun due to 9mm or .40 being a lot cheaper than 5.56mm. There are no mag limitations in missouri so no.
 
Big Shrek said:
9mm is a great starting point...easier to control, lighter recoil than .40 or .45

But honestly I'd say .22lr if it weren't for the ammo crunch caused by resellers...
quicker progress leads to more shooting...more practice means better accuracy...
nifty little circle to fall into...

So...9mm is the beginning.
Try EVERYTHING, whatever fits in your hand best & gives you a smile when you think about it...
that's the one you need. Find a range that rents & try everything you can.
If you've got a buddy that's a Gun Nut (20+ pistols), move him to Best Friend & go shooting :)

And Enjoy!! :)
Click to expand...

Recoil doesnt bother me as im a pretty big guy ive shot 44 mag quite a bit. Ammos just outta my price range or i would love to have one lol. I am leaning towards .40 or 9mm. Do you know any ranges in or around ozark/springfield that rents.
 
Lots of law enforcement folk use Glocks and the military has kept the Beretta 92 in the inventory since 1986 or so...

I'd go with the others and say handle 'em and see which one feels the best.

In the caibers you mentioned and for a range and home defense gun you might want to take a look at a 1911 but maybe the low magazine capacity is a non-starter for you.
 
DaleA said:
Lots of law enforcement folk use Glocks and the military has kept the Beretta 92 in the inventory since 1986 or so...

I'd go with the others and say handle 'em and see which one feels the best.

In the caibers you mentioned and for a range and home defense gun you might want to take a look at a 1911 but maybe the low magazine capacity is a non-starter for you.
Click to expand...
I am thinking about a 1911 the small capacity isnt a deal breaker there for me. Dont they make double stack 1911s? I am also looking at the cz75 or one of the glocks in .40 or 9mm
 
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