Revolvers vs Clips

B

Big Tom

New member
So next November I will be turning 21 and I cant decide on weather to get a revolver or clip gun. I picked out a few canidates but didnt find much in my price range ($150-$360).

Here they are:

Revolvers:

-Taurus 941
-Heritage MFG. Rough Rider (.32 H&R Mag.)
-Heritage MFG. Bird's Head Rough Rider (.32 H&R Mag.)
-EAA Bounty Hunter (.22 Mag.)

Clip:

-Baretta U22 Neos (6" barrel)
-Browning Buck Mark Camper

So I was wodering what would be the most bang for the buck. Also any guns I could get for cheaper I would ike to know about. I only have a book that shows me the new released gun for 2009-10. I am looking for something that a noob would be able to handle. So far I have on shot bb. guns (dont hate). I am getting a Marlin 795ss witin a week or so. Thanks for the help and input.
 
I believe the preferred nomenclature is pistol, semi auto or if possibly, though I have never heard it called one, a MAGAZINE fed handgun. Clips are different from magazines.

As for what to get, go to the local gun shop and get what ever feels good in your hands. Rent some and shoot them if possible. I personally have never liked revolvers but some swear by them. I own a Buckmark and love it FWIW.
 
If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, don't limit yourself to small calibers. Something larger will be more versatile. Unless you are lacking physical strength, you can handle any of the common defensive calibers with only the instructions the salesman gives when you rent a gun.

The term "clip" is most often used by newspapers when they print stories about guns without first considering a source that knows about the topic. Usually these stories have a bias this is not well received by gun owners.

There are a few (mostly older) guns that use clips, to assist in rapid loading by holding several rounds of ammunition together as one unit. Some revolvers can use half moon clips for this purpose. The magazine contains a spring and "feed lips" that allow rounds to be pulled out one at a time as they are used. Its features are integral to the loading mechanism of the gun. A clip is just a holder that does nothing for the function of the gun.
 
I've always wanted a clip fed revolver, but my collection has mostly modern semiauto firearms and hardly any revolvers.

One of the few revolvers I have is a heritage arms rough rider .22lr/.22mag.

They sell for about $150-$175 and are very reliable and affordable plinkers. It's a great way for a new shooter to practice economically and develop real skills. They also work great with CB caps on the tree rats and feral cats in the hood.
 
Shame you put Clip in you title your gonna get flak for that! :D

Welcome to TFL!

I have experience with the U22, Buckmark, Taurus, not hugely impressed with Heritage...

I think you should stick with one of the Semis if those are the ones to choose from the Beretta and the Browning are both higher quality then the revolvers IMHO.

I think the best way to decide between the Neos or the Buckmark is how much you wanna spend or the one that is the best deal. Buckmark is a great gun in general, but the Neos is a GREAT novice gun, cheaper, accurate, not something you'll fret over if it gets nicked and acquires its share of idiot marks (it'll happen trust me!)
 
clipsvmags.jpg


I had to do it.
 
What are you going to be using the pistol for?

If the purpose of owning the pistol is for fun then you'll be happy with essentially any of those guns. However if your planning on using the pistol as a defensive backup or in conceal carry then I'd say your doing yourself a great disservice by going for the smaller calibers. Anyone can handle a 9mm, a 40S&W, or 45 acp don't fear these calibers, they won't bite. Again the question is what is the purpose of owning the firearm? If you just want a target pistol then yeah 22lr to 32acp will work just fine, however I believe it would be extremely wise to stick with the largest caliber your willing to use for practicality reasons if your only buying one pistol. Again that's just me, the guns you've listed should all work well as target pistols.
p.s. Just call all magazine-fed pistols semi-autos from now on. Most gunowners find the term clip to be annoying when talking about a magazine.
 
You may not think that it's important to use correct terminology (like so many others) but I can guarantee that if you walk into a gun shop and ask to look at a "clip gun" they're going to have a lot fun taking you for a ride. Learn correct terms or expect to get poor service. For your first handgun strongly consider a .22 to learn basic marksmanship at a price that won't limit your endeavors. You need to shoot a lot of ammo. Shoot cheap ammo.
 
Don't worry about the clip v. mag mistake. You aren't the first to make it and I am sure some of these guys made it also at one point.

So I was wondering what would be the most bang for the buck. Also any guns I could get for cheaper I would like to know about.
Click to expand...

Thread I started for just this situation:
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=390165

I would highly recommend a 22 for your first pistol. Then set back the money you save on ammo each range trip for a center fire. Those ammo savings will add up quick at 20+ cents a shot. You will end up a better shooter and end up with more guns sooner if you practice with a 22.

So I was wondering what would be the most bang for the buck. Also any guns I could get for cheaper I would like to know about.
Click to expand...
1.Look used. If I can find a gun used I buy it used to save money and if you decide you don't like it you can resell at no loss.
2.If you have to get a centerfire, a hi-point is the best bang for the buck. In my favorite local shop the other day and they said hi-points had the least problems /gun of all the brands they sold. I bet you will buy another gun eventually, but you will probably keep the Hipoint forever anyways. I don't plan to sell mine any time soon, and I would pick up one or two more if they came by at a good price.

Buy the 22 now and the defensive gun down the road when you know more about what you want.

That Beretta Neo looks cool.
 
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When I started out, I had to use the term 'Clip' and I paid for it, both in $$$ and harassment from folks who knew the difference. (I wish these guys had been around to teach me the difference, at least they are nice about it.)

A clip is something that holds a number of rounds in a group, so it can be loaded in a magazine. Think stripper clip for an M-16 magazine.

A magazine is what contains ammo for the weapon. Again, think M-16. You can use a stripper clip to put ammo in the magazine, then the magazine is inserted into the rifle.

If you can find someone that will let you shoot their pistol, try it and see what like. I am a revolver type of guy ;) so I would tend towards a revolver. My buddy is a semi-auto guy so he would tell you to go that route.

With-in reason, try not to let the cost be a determining factor in what you get. A lot of times a low cost pistol ends up being junk. But I guess they are good for practice and getting basic fundamentals down pat.

Also, the cost of ammo should factor in to your purchase. If you can not find or find the ammo you need, you have a pretty expensive paper-weight.

Welcome to the forum and I hope we hear more from you in the future. Let us know what you decide.
 
Hey OP! Can you give us here @ the TFL the models and prices of the guns?
There are a few different Buckmark Camper models and a few different Neos 6" models.

Info like Barrel Length, Finish, Used or New? Do they come with any accessories?
 
I understand the need to clarifly a point but the original poster is new to guns and a simple less demeaning explaining on the difference between clip and magazine would have been sufficient.

Anyway, unless you are looking for a gun for self defense like others have said a semi auto 22LR is an excellent choice because you can get a good one relatively cheap and you won't be reloading so scurring around picking up brass won't be an issue when you shoot it. The 22LR ammo is cheap and you can do a lot of shooting and practing for less then $20. Recommend a Browning Buckmark or Ruger Mark II or III.

If you want a defensive gun then I would get a 9mm semi auto in your price range and the best one is the one that fits your hand. If it's a home defense gun you could also look at a revolver in 38 special or 357 Magnum. The 357 Magnum will shoot either round but the full hose 357 Magnum ammo has a lot of recoil and is tough on a begining shooter.
 
Ok, this is what I am using the gun for. I want to use it to improve an get used to using a handgun and for defending my home....although I am sure the H&R topper I have been recently looking at should more than deal with any burgler attempts because of how my house is laid out. As for why I am choosng between a .22LR, .22 Mag., and .32 Mag. it is actually quite simple. I need to have a gun without a whole lot of kick and still put something down if need be. My dad is not crazy for high caliber guns (anything generally exceeding a .32-.38 caliber). He absolutely HATES the .357 magnum. Then again this is a guy who out of all his guns says his favourite is his Nylon 66, and Franci over and under. But I want to be ale to have an accurate shot and have alteast 8 shots in my gun.
 
Your home?

Big Tom, is this for your own home or your parents home? Maybe I'm reading too much into this but this has come up before. Yes you are of legal age to own your own guns and in a few months your own handgun,,,,,,but,, if you live at home does your dad know and approve of you purchasing a handgun regardless of caliber? I ask this because you sound like your basing your caliber choice on what your dad would approve of. If this isn't an issue I would agree with the others and say pick up a nice .22 like the Buckmark and learn to shoot with it before buying a larger caliber defence gun.:D
 
I think we've beaten the clip/magazine thing to death, so...


For a first gun, I think it is wise to consider economics and ease of shooting- to get the hang of it, you're going to need to shoot it a lot. Also, less recoil is less intimidating, making a person more likely to stick with it. For these reasons I'd recommend something in .22LR- I'd personally point you towards the Browning Buckmark (probably one of their URX models, I like the grips on those more than the standard ones). It has a following as being reliable and accurate.

Eventually you are going to want to step up to a bigger caliber for defensive use. While your father may disparage the more powerful calibers, the simple fact is that the small ones just cannot be counted on to stop an assailant NOW (we shoot to stop the threat, the sooner the better; while the little .22 can be quite lethal, it does you no good if the assailant bleeds out an hour after he stabbed you to death). For home defense (concealability not a priority), it's often spelled s-h-o-t-g-u-n (although larger caliber pistols and more maneuverable rifles certainly have their place). Those decisions are best made once you've been shooting a bit and have a better feel for the firearm you already own. I would encourage you to not write off 9mm, .40S&W, or .45ACP before you've tried shooting them, but they may not be ideal for a first gun for anybody (my first gun was a .45, but I'd have been better off beginning with something like a Buckmark).
 
If you are down to those calibers stay with the .22 LOT cheaper than the other two and not that much less power. My choice would be semi auto but that's just me (coming from a guy who's first handgun was a Ruger single 6 .22)
 
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