Home Defense/Minimal target shooting.

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STCHAS

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Hello forum goers.

I am in the market to purchase my first firearm. I am looking to buy a weapon for home defense and maybe the occasional target shoot when my bro is in town. While I'm not opposed to purchasing something NIB. I would prefer not to spend a small fortune either so I would guess used from a gun show or such would be the best route. I'm a cheap bastard, I know. LOL

My question is this. What would be a good, easy to maintain semi'auto handgun to purchase. I've heard Glock 17, Ruger SR9 and Sig 229 (I think)would be the best options. I was told a NIB inexpensive option would be a Hi-Point.

I started looking last year and was looking at revolvers to start. I didn't really care for the way they fit in my hand (at least the ones I tried) which is why I was leaning more towards semi.

Any help from you seasoned gun owners would be greatly appreciated.

Shawn
 
The Glock 17, Ruger SR9, & Sig P229 are all fine weapons. However, if you factor in parts availability (including mags), a used Glock 17 would be your best bet. It's a reliable and hearty pistol as long as you can get over its looks. 9mm is cheap enough to be shot at the range on a regular basis. Lots of aftermarket accessories for it, too. I would recommend some formal training if you've never shot in the past.

I would not recommend the Hi Point as a first pistol even though it is inexpensive and fairly reliable. If you only had $150 to spend and really needed a pistol, I would recommend one. However, it is not a range gun nor is it good for conceal carry.
 
You can get a new Ruger P95 (9mm) for much less than a used Glock :barf:, and for the purposes you describe it'll be every bit as good, plus it's American made. It's built like a tank, larger and easier to shoot than the SR9, and less expensive. Aftermarket mags are available for something like $10-12 each and they work fine in mine. I'd recommend a couple of genuine Ruger mags (which you get with the gun) for HD.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/18161

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=666891

Everyone needs a workhorse 9mm pistol, the Ruger fits that bill perfectly.
 
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Any of the three you mentioned would do you fine. You should be aware that the Sig is quite a bit more expensive (new) that the other two, which are pretty much in the same ballpark. Also note that the Glock does not have a thumb safety. Whether that is good or bad is debatable. Some argue that having a thumb safety makes a handgun inherently safer, which others argue that it is an unneeded extra step in preparing to fire. It sounds like you are not heavily committed to practicing, so you need to ask whether with little practice you are going to remember to deactivate the safety in an extreme emergency.

I personally like Glocks, but I have also owned firearms from other manufacturers that I appreciated a great deal, as well. Consider features and handle them to check your comfort with the size and shape. Renting is always a good idea if you have a facility nearby that rents the models in which you are interested.
 
Glocks look like they got beat with the ugly stick a few times and then beaten some more but they are generally are reliable. Any of this pistols mentioned so far could be a winner for you but the best bet for your money is to rent a few pistols at your local gun range and see what feels most natural to you.
 
I have not shot in some time. A little bit of shooting cans and bottles or what have you with my dad when I was a kid. Outside of putting a few hundred rounds through the weapon to familiarize myself with it, yes it would get minimal usage. My primary purpose is that of home protection. It would get used when my little brother is visiting because he is an avid shooter and it would give us something to do when he is in town.

There are very few ranges in my area so to shoot I would have to travel close to an hour to Indianapolis to use the weapon. Another reason usage would be low. There is a place not far from here that does USPSA stuff (I think that was the correct acronym).

I'm not opposed to something CCW if the situation arose but at home is my primary concern.

Thanks for the responses thus far.

shawn
 
Yeah. I had planned on mentioning it to him next time we got around to talking. Currently we usually only talk around the time he plans on being back home. He's on the west coast, I'm not. He works nights and I work days, lol. So we don't talk to often as far as just shooting the ****.

I plan on heading to the gunshop soon and I think we have a gun show coming up soon, not sure. I was more just trying to get some insights and have some kind of an idea of what I wanted to look at when I went.
 
I like the Hi Point*, but not for your purposes. If I am only going to have one gun, I want a durable, well made piece.


*I have a Hi point in my off road jeep in the glove box as a gun to let friends shoot when we stop and kill some cans.
 
I personaly feel you have a responsibility to train enough to be proficiant
and safe with what ever fire arm you plan to use for personal defence.the controls should be second nature.Any of the pistols you listed would work in the home defence roll.Others may disagree with me but Id opt for something with a decocker and or safety as opossed to the glock unless your willing to spend time with the Glock.I own 3 Glock's and like them I also own several 1911's all of which I shoot and train with.I think the 1911 is safer for new shooters than a safe action pistol.
 
There is a lot more to it than just price - although that's important as well.

Since you have to travel so far to shoot - it might be difficult / but you should really shoot some guns and see what you like the best....

a. how they fit your hand
b. how the trigger breaks, how it resets - different mfg's are all different
c. how the controls feel - do you want a thumb safety, do you want a decocker, are the controls easy to reach and logical
d. do you want a polymer, plastic, frame - an alloy frame - or a steel frame - or even stainless...
e. what kind of sights do you like best ...they are surprisingly different, different front and rear, some colored, some not, some are "night sites" some have options...
f. do you want a "single stack" or a "double stack" gun ...different number of rounds in a gun / but one may fit your hand better.

Glocks aren't bad guns - but grip angle is different / triggers have a lot of slop, lots of wobble and have a long reset....but they're inexpensive...

Rugers - really have bordernline triggers on the first round especially / long resets...

Sigs - very solidly built guns, 229 is a medium frame size ( 226 is full sized, 239 is a single stack ) ....lots of finish options, sight options, there is a short reset trigger option - some are Single Action Only, the have the DAK trigger, there is a Short Reset Trigger, and the traditional DA/SA sig trigger.

My personal preference of all the DA/SA guns is Sig. There are a lot of reconditioned Sigs on market ( red band on the grip ) / lots of good used guns out there if you know what to look for. An all Stainless Sig is a very nice gun / a gun you'd probably own for a long time ....but prices are $1,000 plus ....unless you find a good used one .......but you have to sort all this stuff out / so you can make the best choice for yourself. Have fun with it / don't be in a rush to buy ....
 
If you really want to spend your money wisely, take a day or two & research the Beretta/Stoeger Cougar 8000. If it fits your hand & feels comfortable you will not find a better handgun for the money. They sell NIB where I live for $369.

If you really do the research, you'll find that 99% of owners love them. You'll find that it's one of those handguns that gives you much more value than you've paid.
 
Anything made by the following mfg. are on par, as far as "good" guns (reliable, accurate, durable, etc.):
  • Smith & Wesson (yes, including the Sigma series)
  • Glock
  • Beretta
  • Walther
  • Heckler & Koch
  • SIG-Sauer
  • Ruger
  • CZ
  • Springfield
  • Kahr
This is a non-all-inclusive list. There are others, but these are popular, and I don't know of any part of their product lineups that are not accepted as good. You buy from these companies and you will get something excellent. Also, buying used is a fine option. You can get used guns for a fraction of the price of a new one, usually. Look at places like Summit Gun broker, CDNN, and Bud's if you want lower prices. You will have to do extra legwork to get one online, but sometimes you save $100 or so.

There is no "best" gun. Period. If someone claims a "best", it's their opinion only.

Now, for my opinion...

In your situation, I'd be looking for the cheapest good gun I could find. Probably a used S&W 5906 or brand-new Ruger P95. Both can be had for ~$300 (or less)
 
i would say S&W M&P series or springfield xdm. both are good guns with the ablity to fit most any hand because of the interchanging grips. the smith is my chioce because im a lefty and it feels best to me. all the features can be made to fit me...safety,mag release,slide release...

they both come in many calibers...9mm,357sig,40,45. both come in a compact so it would be good for both home defence and ccw.

i my self carry the M&P 357sig compact as my ccw.

i would also say its worth a trip to the range and try out a few guns. make a trip of it and take ur brother w/ you. im sure you'll find something you like. only because you dont want to buy a gun and then find out you dont like it.
good luck and happy hunting.
 
Sounds like you have limited handgun experience and not much inclination to practice. Given that, (and your stated purpose of home defense) I would strongly recommend you settle on a double-action 38/357 revolver, probably a S&W or Ruger. You can find a used revolver that is priced reasonably and is inherently easier to handle than a semi-automatic. Pull the trigger, if it doesn't go "bang", pull the trigger again. Autos are great, but not for novices, especially in stress situations.
 
Depends on how much you want to spend.
If you want a shotgun the cheapest option would probably be a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 will cost you WELL under $500.00 NIB.


If you are dead set on a handgun for mostly HD that you do not plan on shooting much it comes down to price, for $500.00 you can get your hands on any number of used semi-automatic handguns.

If you are looking for something cheap but good i would point you towards any number of glocks, a used Glock or a new Glock is a fine handgun. If you are willing to spend a little more money a used DAO or DA/SA P-226 or P-229 in 9mm or .40 S&W should run you from $450.00-$650.00 with a new one running anywhere from $800.00 to $1,200.00.

One way or the other, I do not see how you could go wrong with any Glock 17/19 or SIG P-226/229.

One thing I would recommended for HD use is to make sure it has night sights.

Guns are sort of like cars in layman's terms, do you want the entry level Taurus or do you want the SHO model? The entry level might be $28,000 and the SHO is $40,000, or do you want a ford at all? Maybe you want a BMW.

Get out there and hold(or shoot) some handguns until you find one you like.
 
new gun owners; choices...

This subject pops up often on the forum.
In short; if you are new to handguns and have limited time/budget issues, I highly suggest you buy a simple DA(double action) or even better a DA only 3"/4" barrel .357magnum or .38spl revolver.
Many used/LE surplus revolvers in a DA only format are for sale online in the $200-300.00 range.
If you buy a new S&W L frame or a Ruger GP100 you can train/practice with .38spl then move up to the more powerful .357magnums. ;)
Semi-auto pistols like the SR9, SIG Sauer, HK, Kahr etc are good but not for a entry level shooter.
When you learn and understand the basics then you can advance to a DA only pistol like the SIG Sauer DAK, PX4 C model, S&W Military & Police, HK LEM, ParaUSA LDA.
A smooth even DA only pull is easy to learn to use. It's safe and you can avoid the bogus claims that you; "fired by accident" or "cocked the hammer and made threats". DA pistols are popular with many large police agencies for these reasons.
Do not buy low-end firearms or cheap models to use for protection either.
Use only factory made ammunition for protection/defense. No reloads or handloads. Get a well made CLP(cleaner-protect) like Ballistol, Mpro7's LPX, Weaponshield, Eezox.
Learn and follow your local-state gun & use of force laws too.

Clyde F
ps; Join the NRA; www.NRA.org . They offer classes and work to protect gun owners/2A issues. A basic membership starts at around $10.00/year.
 
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