Hey guys, new here - A bit overwhelming with so many options!

A

AdrianVall

New member
Hey guys,

First off, just wanted to say Hello! I'm an AVID forum member on a Harley Davidson message board that I contribute to on a daily basis. One of the guys here suggested I come check this place out, and so far I'm glad I did. Seems like a lot of good people here!

Anyway, I'm new to fire arms. I had a really bad event happen in my neighborhood last week. It freaked me out big time, and made me realize how unprotected I am.

So.. with that said.. I'm looking for a fire arm to keep in the house for protection. I visited a couple local gun shops, with no much help. I did get to hold a couple guns, and I found one that really fit me extremely well, or at least I think it did.

I want to get my CCW. I live in Florida, so its a good state for weapons laws. Fairly easy to aquire my concealed license as well. I think I may take a class this Saturday. Its a beginners 30 minute safety course, and in that time, I'm able to rent some guns to try them out.

I just have a few questions. I'm pretty sure I want a Semi Auto pistol. Not to crazy about revolvers, although I'm sure they make incredible fire arms.

I held some type of 9mm Glock, and it felt EXTREMELY nice to me. It wasn't TO bulky, but fit my hand like a glove. It kinda just spoke to me.

I guess my questions are, what brand of guns should I absolutely stay away. I think I want to go with a 9mm. Is 9mm amunition readily available, and at a reasonable price? I want a gun that I can take to the range often, and be able to enjoy it. I don't want to get something to small. I held some type of semi auto pistol last night that felt like a damn water gun. I didn't like that feeling. My price range is $300 tops. Can I find anything that I'm looking for in that price range?

Brands I've seen are Kel-Tec, Taurus, Glock, S&W. Any other suggestions?
 
9mm is a pretty good caliber.. ammo isnt as expensive as the others... typically.... 300 bucks is a low price tho... not too many handguns out that for that little.... i have a taurus...which is about the least expensive... some people dont like em... havent had any trouble with mine... I think a taurus 9mm would be the way for ya to go for now.
 
If you have no idea what to get, buy a Glock 19 and six magazines. If you end up disliking it, you can easily sell the gun.

Some major brands to consider:

Beretta
SIG
Glock
HK
Ruger
S&W
CZ
Springfield Armory

Some will include Kimber, Taurus and Kahr. I don't consider them reliable guns. Opinions will differ from mine.

Specifically:

SIG P-Series (not the P250)
S&W M&P
Springfield Armory XD
CZ 75 and P01
Any HK (I like the USP Compact series)
Ruger SR9
Glock (Any, though the G36 and 29 may be a bit much. Glock excels with the 9mm cartridge).


Some things to avoid:

Safeties located on the slide such as on the Beretta 92. The reason for this is that it's very easy to accidentally activate the safety during an emergency reload.

Caliber wars. Don't fall for 9mm vs 45 ACP vs 40 S&W vs 357 Magnum vs 38 Special. Carry at least 9mm or 38 Special. Don't fall for 380 either; it's too light for quick stops. So long as you purchase QUALITY ammunition, any of these calibers will do the job as well as a HANDGUN can.

Very large or small guns. Tall guns, such as the XD, Beretta 92, HK USP and Glock 20/21 are difficult to conceal. Look for a height from the bottom of the magazine to the top of the slide no more than 5". A gun that is 4.75" tall is quite easy to conceal, while less than that are even easier to hide. However, once you get into the Kahr PM9 sized guns, those are experts guns (as are very small revolvers). The trade off on these small guns is capacity, barrel length and controllability.

All 1911's. They require a relationship. You should know what you're doing before getting one. Sometimes they require some work to get working properly. If you do go the 1911 route, make sure to get advice from someone who knows the 1911 platform. The smallest 1911 you should consider is the Commander (4.25" barrel) or the Officers (4.25" barrel with shorter grip). Be prepared to spend lots of money. I have become firmly convinced that high end 1911's from a company like Wilson Combat, Fusion, Nighthawk, Ed Brown and Les Baer are the way to go. Be prepared to spend $1500+.

Many folks will recommend the 1911. If you go that route, just make sure to find people who know 1911's and work with them. You will also learn to shoot since they'll take you out to the range. Handgun shooting requires some time, money and discipline to master.

Also do some reading. Poke around on this forum and you will find several threads with recommendations.
 
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First of all, I would recommend taking a Basic Handgun Safety and Handling course. You'll learn a lot.

Now, handle and shoot anything you can. Find a range that rents guns, find friends who will let you shoot theirs. Check the reviews in the gun forums.

Now:

The "best" gun is the one YOU like, not anyone else. It will be a compromise of:

1. Fit - It should fit in your hand like you were born with it there.
2. Reliability - It should go BANG about 99.8% of the time you pull the trigger.
3. Accuracy - In YOUR hand. It's how well YOU shoot it.
4. Concealability - It should be comfortable enough to wear and easy enough to conceal so you won't leave it laying on the dresser at home.
5. Cost - You don't want to scrimp on your "life protector" weapon, but you probably don't need a $1,000 Kimber, either.

All that being said, I can tell you what works for me - it might not work for you. I've gone through several types and calibers of carry weapons, including a Bersa Thunder 380, Taurus 85UL, and a Keltec PF-9. All have good points and bad points. I've settled on two carry pieces, and I don't see myself changing anytime soon. I carry either the Springfield XD9SC or the Steyr S40. Both fit the above 5 criteria to a "T".

Welcome and good luck!
 
I just have a few questions. I'm pretty sure I want a Semi Auto pistol. Not to crazy about revolvers,
Click to expand...

Here's something you should give a lot of thought too. How much experience do you have with handguns of any type? Please consider the motivation for getting a weapon and in what manner you might have to use it. Any confrontation with a firearm is going to be tremendously stressful according to people who have actual experience. Now, take a look at many of the semi-automatic pistols available. On the left side will be a slide release and magazine release button, maybe a safety, and possibly a take down lever to release the slide for cleaning. How sure are you of picking up your weapon in the middle of the night and remembering to release the safety before it can be fired?

Believe me I'm not trying to discourage you at all. You should be thinking of how to protect yourself and your family and friends if need be. What I'm asking you to do is consider the simplicity of the revolver as a home defense weapon. All the suggestions you've read above are fine, but apply them broadly to the available choices. Using a revolver in most cases is as simple as picking it up, pointing it and pulling the trigger.

One thing I'm sure of, you will probably find that you enjoy shooting as recreation. That is unless you let some unscrupulous salesman talk you into a 2 inch .44 Magnum. :rolleyes: Consider your first weapon as a defensive tool and how to practically apply it. A good used no nonsense .38 Special revolver could be had for your budgeted amount, and .38's are very economical as are 9mm.

Whether it's a 9mm in a semi-automatic or .38 Spec in a revolver, as a novice you should keep it simple. Once you've made your choice, practice as often as possible. You can buy "snap caps" which allow you to dry fire the weapon without potential damage to the firing pin. Sitting on the couch watching TV and practice your trigger pull will make you that much better at new motor skills.

Some time down the road you've discovered that you REALLY like to shoot so save up for a really nice gun. Renting from a range is a great way to find one you like and one that feels good in your hand. Remember that home defense gun doesn't have to be a perfect fit. You need to practice with it but hopefully you'll never need to use it.

Last, but most importantly - learn the 3 primary safety rules. First, always treat a firearm as if its loaded. Second, always point the muzzle in a safe direction. Third, don't put your finger on the trigger until you are aiming at your target and are ready to fire.

Enjoy and let us know how you are getting along.
 
Here's how I see it:

IF a Glock fits your hands, go for it. There's a few things you ought to know first though.

* Glock ergonomics are kinda funky. If it DOES fit your hands, great. Problem solved.

* Avoid one in .40S&W unless you get the very latest generation. The Glock in 9mm is a very, very reliable piece. And 9mm ammo can hold it's own in a fight - get ahold of some good quality brand name hollowpoints in +P (slightly extra pressure) of between 115gr and 127gr bullet weight. Speer's Gold Dot 124gr+P is a top choice, Cor-Bon's "DPX" works (kinda pricey), Winchester's 127+P has a good rep. You have to be just a little bit picky with your defensive ammo in 9mm...basically, "care enough to send the very best" :D.

* Glocks have some advantages - very reliable, very simple to bring into action, above-average accuracy, good parts/upgrades/holsters availability.

* Because the trigger itself is also the safety, you want a holster that fully covers the triggerguard. No-holster carry of a Glock is insane. You also need to avoid holsters that have a snap-strap that can get into the triggerguard during re-holstering, or dangling jacket ties or the like that could also get inside the triggerguard during re-holstering. You know how FBI agents are famous for windbreaker jackets that have those dangling plastic things? Yeah, more than one has gotten inside the triggerguard of a Glock being holsters. Bad scene. The resulting injuries usually aren't severe as the bullet goes skimming down the outside of your leg but...you can still blow your kneecap off if you're very unlucky. I recommend a good "strapless" holster that just grabs the gun properly...not a Blackhawk Serpa, whatever you do.

* Glocks have one issue you need to be aware of that render them unfit for a careless user. When you take one apart for cleaning, you have to pull the trigger to get it apart. Which means you better have checked to make ABSOLUTELY sure it's unloaded first, AND you'd better practice solid muzzle direction discipline. This take-down issue gives them a relatively high rate of accidental discharges, statistically speaking, when compared to other modern designs. When the NYPD switched from double-action revolvers to Glocks, their accident rate climbed significantly. In response the department ordered a heavier trigger spring (the "New York trigger") but that doesn't really solve anything if the operator is careless.

This isn't intended to scare you away from one. On the contrary, as long as you carefully check the loaded state with magazine OUT, and then when doing the mandatory dry-fire to take it apart do so with the muzzle pointed someplace safe, you'll do fine. But you damned well better do so.
 
Try them "All" don't get suckered into a Glock. Handle as many as you can get your hands on, check out machining, like vary loose slides on frames (#1 complaint I find with Glocks when I was looking at them) Besides there ugly :D You don't need the biggest cannon in your holster, personally I prefer .40s, 9mm are fine, use to carry long time ago but I have two .40s, one I carry back and forth to work and one for casual or dress. >380s make nice "pocket" gun, they're basically defense and not range guns. Take your time, don't forget it's the one that's right for you, so take heed on some advice you'll receive. Oh and "safety's" your choice, I don't have them on my carries, don't use my holsters,have Clip-Draws and carry SOB. Just my .02, have fun shopping.;)
 
Can you afford a shotgun to go with your pistol? I can't think of anything to add to what others have suggested regarding your first pistol.

So ... I'll just suggest you consider also picking up a short-barreled 12 gauge pump-action shotgun to add a little extra punch and versatility to your "armory." :) If not now, maybe later on. I just think it's wise to own some kind of long-arm suitable for defense and an old Winchester "Defender" works for me.

I live where hurricanes hit so it's easy for me to imagine circumstances where my shotgun might be more helpful than a pistol.
 
Try a 9mm Ruger P95, you can buy online for less than $300. A Glock is going to set you back $500 or more, and the Ruger is just as good, plus it has a safety.
 
I was going to agree with spacecoast until the end...

Safety? On a standard double/single action semi-auto there is no need for a safety. If you can find a Ruger P95 decock only that is one very good direction to go in.

Another good point is the easy resell value of the Glock 19 or other Glocks... but then I've never sold a gun and can't figure out why someone would want to. The one time I shot a Glock 19 I had trouble with limp wristing.... which is something they should teach you about in a good handgun class... which is a must... not 30 minutes but a full day.
 
Fit... If it does not feel 'right' in your hand, you will not enjoy shooting it as much.

I agree with what the guys said above. But I would strongly urge you to look at a revolver (.357) for a first pistol. You can shoot .38 specials out of it to help with getting used to it.

A revolver is a little more forgiven when not cleaned regularly. They are easier to clean. It is easier to check to see if they are loaded or not. (I have seen a lot of people drop the magazine from a semi and not check the chamber.)

The .357 gives you a much wider choice of ammo, from .38 special to the OMG! What Was That? .357 loads.

This is just my experience and I do not know if others have noticed the same thing. New shooters who use a semi-auto pistol seem to have more of a flinch problem and anticipate recoil. They seem to have a harder time getting the pistol back on target for the second shot.

As for the brand of pistol to recommend, well every manufacturer has put out junk, has put out a pistol that for some reason miss the QC process and had to be sent back to the factory for repairs. I have pistols from Taurus, S&W, Colt, Ruger and some other companies. I have not had any problems with them. But if you read through the forums you will find the "(Insert Company name) Are Pieces Of Junk!" threads.

Let us know what you decide to get and enjoy.
 
$300 is a little on the low side, but for concealability the Kel-Tecs will work. You need to try them out, the trigger is the safety and it takes some getting used to. By that I mean the trigger pull is long and requires some effort, like a DAO revolver, reduces the chance of firing it accidental. The Ruger P95 is a bit bulky for carry, but it is easy to shoot and it is as rugged a gun as you'll find.
For a first gun I would recommend some sort of full size 9mm as it is easier to learn to shoot, small guns take more training.
Your biggest expense is not the gun, it is the ammo and range time. You need to break in a gun like a bike engine and the cheaper the gun, the more breaking in it might need. Any semi-auto pistol can be ammo sensitive, and you need to run whatever self defense ammo you choose through the gun before you carry it. Especially in 9mm, DO NOT Carry Ball Ammo, it is not very effective in self defense situations. Most modern hollow points work well, I don't recommend the 147 grain loads though.
I can't emphasize enough that you need to buy something that fits comfortably in your hand. If it doesn't fit, it will be harder for you to shoot well. Glocks don't fit me, but they fit a lot of people, and if it works for you, they are a rugged and reliable handgun.
 
Eaa poly compact can be had for under $400 and the EZ for close to $300. Not sure on the EZ but the compact is very well made,comfortable, very accurate, easy to service and can be carrie cocked and locked
 
I have to agree with Unclebuck. The revolver is easier to maintain. I also own both in the same brands that he does and never had issues with any of them either. It's just my $.02 worth.
 
re: guns

best advice I ever got and didn't take

SHOOT BEFORE YOU BUY

In this order:

1. Gun safety course

everything else is way back in 2nd place

good luck, have fun, and be safe
 
Lots of pood advice on handguns. I am a 1911 fan and carry either a Kimber Ultra Carry II in my pocket, holstered ( There's one there now,) or a Dan Wesson Scandium Commander Bobtail in an Inside the waistband (IWB) holster. However I would never attempt to tell someone what is best for them. Several posters have suggested a basic handgun course and then trying several pistols 'till as the Baby Bear said, "This one's for me."

Rastus also suggested a 12 gauge in addition to a pistol. I whole heartedly agree. Pistols are great for self defense but inside the home, I believe that NOTHING beats a 12 guage shotgun with buckshot. The range will be short, the pattern larger hence a greater probability of a telling hit and less likelihood of collateral damage.
 
best bet for under 300 would prolly have to be a ruger. Really the only manufacture right off the top of my head. They make a verry good pistol. I personally dont own one but know they are good shooting guns. The best advice that i could give you is be as safe as you possibly can and then be more safe, take nothin for granted. Practice as much as you can, reputioin just like in any other sprot thats waht makes you good. And yes a 9mm is realitvly cheap and fun toi shoot. Welcome to thew forum and safe shooting!
 
You are getting a lot of information and suggestions on this thread, and that is good. A large part of them is from posters personal preference, and not necessarily practical advise for someone new to firearms. For home protection, NOTHING beats a shotgun. Close quarters point and shoot. For CC you need to be proficient with what ever you carry, and that will take a LOT of practice. The autoloaders are now more popular than revolvers, but the revolver is still the easiest to master and become proficient with. As stated before, try to shoot as many different types, calibers, and makes of guns you can before you decide. I won't make a suggestion because it would be influenced by MY PREFERENCE. You have to find what is to your own liking.
 
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