Newbie To The Gun World

Both are very concealable, and both have generous ammo capacity for being such tiny pistols.
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Tiny... yes. Good for CCW... yes.

Best choice for HD and a fun range gun? ... Nope. Not trying to bash the kel-tec, but if you wan't a good "all around" gun there are better choices. The kel-tec and other "tiny" guns are not exactly fun to spend all day at the range with.

I know that I already suggested a Sig 229... but I also agree that you can't go wrong with a Glock 19. If money is a big issue (usually is for me!) look for a used Glock. You can get them pretty cheap and for the price, you wont find a better gun.
 
If you want to stick with 9mm...

... and a handgun that is pleasant at the range but also not too hard to conceal....

My personal preference would be a CZ75D PCR, in double column, or a SIG P239 or a Kahr in single column.

A 1911 in 9mm would also be a good choice for single columns, but I would go with a Commander variant.

As always, though, my primary recommendation:
1) Research different pistols in your price range for reputations for reliability and customer support quality;
2) Try to get your hands on as many of those as you can, to see if there are any you really like the feel of, or any you just don't like to hold;
3) From the ones still on your list, try to rent as many as you can so you can see how you like the way they shoot.

Good luck,

M
 
True Sixer, not all hands are equal I suppose. The "stocky" hands I have just seem to work quite well with those pistols. Given the recoil of a Glock 26 was more acceptable...but something about how it fit my hand kept giving me problems when pulling the trigger...I kept firing down towards whichever hand was holding it. My pistol has one of that issue...every shot goes right where the sights were when the striker dropped.

I'm planning on doing a 100-round shoot next weekend, and seeing how a long shoot like that pans out. 60 rounds wasn't bad at all...I wanted to go a full 100, but then I'd be all out of ammo :eek:

Either way, much like beauty is in the eye of the beholder, comfort in pistol ergonomics are in the hands of the beholder :)
 
Since nobody here wants to state the obvious when it comes to a home defense pistol, then I will. Can't go wrong with the S&W .500! What's not to love about it? Mild recoil, compact, and not to mention the 700 grain slugs! What more do you guys need?;)
 
Can't go wrong with the S&W .500! What's not to love about it? Mild recoil, compact, and not to mention the 700 grain slugs! What more do you guys need?
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Skan,
I think you forgot to close your tag with </tongueInCheekMode>. ;)

I'll point out that another weapon that fires a larger projectile that has almost no recoil... but a bazooka is simply not an appropriate HD weapon. :D
 
I'll add to the .357/.38 revolver suggestion.
Plink with .38 reloads, practice with .357's, once familiarized with the heavy hitters, you'll be formidable.
 
This is really "form follows function" a good CCW gun is not a good choice for other uses. Price range and use will determine your choice.

You received a lot of good suggestions on going to a gun shop and "feel" then for yourself. That is the best way to go. You may even be able to rent a few for testing on the range.(good idea)

First determine a price range (you will go over it), but it will give you a good starting point. Second determine the use of the weapon, outdoors on your hip, CCW, home defence, etc. Third determine the caliber of the firearm you wish to use. Since you are familuar with the 9mm that might be the way to go, but use will determine your final choice. A side arm for hunting would be best in a magmumin caliber, .357 or 44 mag. A small CCW pistol that is hidden, 9mm, 40 S&W or 45 ACP. A plinking gun, 22LR or 22 mag.

Not every weapon is designed for all things. Choose one that will fill you needs to the best. As an example - something that could be used for hunting, home defence, plinking and target shooting, Ruger GP100 in .357 mag, can also use 38 spl and +P s. Or home defence, CCW or IDPA matches, 9mm 4 inch from any reliable mfg.

What ever you do, try them out first.

Jim
 
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500 Smith is real good.

Skan21 said:
Since nobody here wants to state the obvious when it comes to a home defense pistol, then I will. Can't go wrong with the S&W .500! What's not to love about it? Mild recoil, compact, and not to mention the 700 grain slugs! What more do you guys need?
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A press. At $2.50 to $3.00 apiece for 500 S&W cartridges, you need to load your own.

I have, on several occasions in other threads, stated the obvious. My shooting buddy uses a 500 Smith with a 4" barrel. It makes a fine home defense gun (when you are defending against bears), but loaded with 350 grain flat points over 8 grains of Trail Boss, it shoots like a 22 rimfire, but the slugs (at 800 fps) hit like a 45 ACP.

It makes a great housegun.

Actually, the puff loads are for familiarization, practice and just plain fun. The real housegun is the far superior 12 Gauge.

Lost Sheep
 
I'll point out that another weapon that fires a larger projectile that has almost no recoil... but a bazooka is simply not an appropriate HD weapon.
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Well of course it isn't! They don't make it anymore, so you'll have to upgrade to the AT-4, SMAW, or Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle. I reccomend the Gustaf because it's reloadable, and they have anti perssonel flechette rounds. :)
 
Thanks

I would like to thank you all. Let me clarify a few points.

1. It took me 5 years to convince my wife who has an irrational fear of guns to let me get one.

2. I heard because of the run on guns/ammo due to liberal agenda that 9mm ammo is hard to get these days, is this true?

3. At first, I only expect that I will be manage to afford one gun probably in the 300 to 400 dollar range.

4. I really liked the Ruger I had before is the Ruger brand pretty safe? If not, how come?

5. I am very serious about eventually getting a carry permit, first I would just like to find the right gun.

6. I intend to take a basic hand gun defense training course.

7. My collection will grow over time but to start off just want a affordable gun with good defense, power, accuracy, practical, and affordable to shoot.

Thanks all to have responded to this thread I will research each suggestion before I make a decision. I thank god that I live in a gun friendly state. If this post helps to clarify my need or inquiry, please let me know.

Thanks Again,

rrhodes
 
I would like to thank you all. Let me clarify a few points.

1. It took me 5 years to convince my wife who has an irrational fear of guns to let me get one.

2. I heard because of the run on guns/ammo due to liberal agenda that 9mm ammo is hard to get these days, is this true?....
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1. Took me 25, so you went fast. This is even though she can shoot much better than me and grew up in family with lots of guns. I think she thought I was too accident prone.

2. All the medium size handgun ammo was a bit sparse due to buy up by the masses. Most of the calibers are starting to reappear on the store shelves. Somebody on TFL mentioned this site for mail-order ammo http://www.ammoengine.com/find/ammo/9mm they list over 100 types and sources for 9mm right now, for 380 ACP they only list 5. I think for this reason I would skip a 380 for now, but a 9mm, 0.40S&W, .45 ACP, 357/38special should be fine.
 
Ruger makes a number of acceptable choices. You can look at and choose between a GP100 revolver in .38/.357 and a SR9 9mm semi-auto. Both are very versatile. That's my $0.02 worth. Enjoy TFL, lots of knowledge here. Good luck with your decision.
 
rrhodes,

First, the Ruger brand is a good quality one and the guns they make are safe and reliable (as any other brand). Rugers are renowned for their strength, so that's all good.

The 9mm/.45 ammo is a bit hard to come by - true. Mostly due to panic buying after the last election. And antigun president with a majority congress on his side scared the bejabbers out of a lot of folks. All ammo seems to be somehat scarce. But the demand is easing up so hopefully we will see increased supplies and falling prices.

If you expect this gun purchase to double as a CCW weapon in addition to a range and home-defense weapon, I suggest a 3-inch to 4-inch barrel in either a wheelgun or a semi-auto pistol.

Either size can be readily concealed as long as the thickness or the grips are too large. Ruger's SR-9 pistol has a grip that is thinner than most double-stacks, but I haven't tried one yet. Usually the Ruger P-series autos are a bit large and bulky to CCW.
 
12 gage mossberg500 for home defense. XD9 subcompact for carry.
20 gage mossy if the females in the house are going to be shooting.
 
If you want to be sure to get ammo, get a 40 S&W. I can't walk around the corner in my local gun stores without knocking over cases of 40 cal. Even Wal Mart has about 60 boxes. It makes me wish that I had bought the XD(M) 40, but I couldn't find one. The only cheap brass case 9mm I find is WWB, or Speer, and that still isn't very cheap. They have Blazer aluminum cased all day long though!
 
If you have only 300-400 bucks to spend, then I would say buy a Ruger P95 and be done with it. There is really nothing comparable at it's price range. The SR9s are a good gun I think, but they will cost you at least one hundred dollars more.

9mm ammunition is not nearly as hard to find as everyone thinks it is. You just have to know where to look. I would tell you where I get mine, but then that would leave less for me! But trust me, there are places around that have plenty (.380 and .45, not so much.)

Ruger does make a .40 pistol (the P944), but it will cost more than $500. That said, .40 S&W is much more available lately. Anyway, the choice is yours and only yours. Don't let anyone persuade you to have a firearm you don't feel good about. Peace of mind is the whole point of this rigamarole.
 
I bought 200 rounds of Western .45 cal ACP FMJ ball ammunition at WalMart in Riverside, (southern) California yesterday morning. Price: $65.94. Reasonable, I'd have to say.
Check the Walmart near you.
Big5 wanted $49.95 for a box of 50 Remingtons.
 
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