Revolvers vs Clips

Lots of people love their old Nylon 66.

Many people recommend that a .22 be your first handgun. If you want something for home defense get an inexpensive shotgun as well.
The two most popular .22 semi-autos are the Ruger MkIII and the Browning Buckmark. The Ruger is pretty much indestructible so a used one should work just fine.

.38 special will do fine and dandy for home defense. You best bet will be a used S&W Model 10 or a used Ruger sp 101 or gp100. .38 ammo will shoot out of a .357 revolver. Frequently you'll find a better deal in a .357 than in a dedicated .38 revolver.

The 9mm is to semi-autos what the .38 is to revolvers; the round that most people agree to as a minimum for home defense. There are more good semi-autos to choose from than you can shake a stick at.
The S&W Military and Police is a very good relatively inexpensive pistol.

As mentioned above, go to a gun range that rents handguns and try a bunch out.
 
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.)
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It looks like you're shooting for the ~$250 price range, no pun intended. ;) If this is the case, and you're looking for something viable for self-defense, I would forget about getting a new gun in .22Mag or .32 H&R Mag from a second-tier brand and get a used gun in .38Spl from a first-tier brand.

-S&W Model 10/64 (blued or nickel finish/stainless), fixed rear sight
-S&W Model 15/67 (blued or nickel finish/stainless), adjustable rear sight
-Ruger SP-101
-Ruger Security Six
-Ruger Speed Six

IMHO .22Mag is a poor choice for SD; it's not much more powerful than .22LR from a short pistol barrel, but it's a lot pricier. .32 H&R Mag, while a decent choice from a ballistic standpoint, is a bad choice from an ammo availability and price standpoint; it's a niche caliber that most big-box sporting goods discount stores don't stock, and it's nearly twice the price of .38Spl where you can find it.
He absolutely HATES the .357 magnum.
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...but any gun chambered in .357Mag will also fire .38Spl, giving the shooter more choices. .357Mag has punishing recoil in a lightweight revolver, and suffers from blinding nighttime muzzle flash and deafening muzzle blast from any revolver, giving many shooters lots of reasons to dislike it. However, many of those same shooters appreciate the ability to harness the extra power in case it's needed.
Frequently you'll find a better deal in a .357 than in a dedicated .38 revolver.
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While true in a sense, the flip side is that .38Spl revolvers are generally a better deal than .357Mag revolvers on the used market due to their relative lack of flexibility. If one is on a seriously constrained budget, a $250 .38Spl gun today may beat a $350 .357Mag gun 6 months from now, or possibly never. :(
 
@ OP... Your requests are getting more and more puzzling. Your wanting something for nothing and one thing that does it all.

Basically you cannot have a small sub .32 caliber with low recoil that will effectively put down an assailant quickly. But thats my opinion. .38 special would be the lowest SD caliber I would use.

Now if you want a cheap plinker obviously a nice .22 is perfect.

Yeah the restrictions with you dad? Can you clarify? You are of age to own a pistol correct? Why would he put limit of caliber on your gun thats kinda like me saying you can't get buy a truck... whats stopping you?
 
I can highly recommend the Buckmark. A 5 1/2" slab side was my first handgun 21 years ago and I still shoot it often, 2-5 times a week generally. Been through a lot of others but the old Buckmark still gets it. Rugers semi auto .22's are just as good, Mark I, II, III or the 22/45. Browning or Ruger, get the one that feels the best in your hand and you can't go wrong. From there build your skills and move into larger calibers, always returning to the .22 to hone your skills.
 
okay, let me clarify on some of the issues...

I have both questions for you all and awnsers to some of your questions...

Okay first to awnser he question of why I listen to my dad on calibers....My dad is and has been an excellent marksmen for many years. He has shot many different kinds of guns and has accomplished some pretty impressive feats. For one he has gone up against Marines in shooting competitons and proven to be a better shot than any he has faced. Also on many cruises he has won competions with the clay pigeons, and at carnivals they push my father away at those places where you shoot out those targets with the stars...the guy says he's better than many of his friends from Vietnam. two he believes that a .22 can effectivley kill anyone. He says the Italian mafia throughout the 50's and 60's used .22LR's to accomplish many sniper hits, and that a .22LR can kill for up to a mile. He's been shooting for 42 years! I would hope he knows some of what he's talking about....

Second awnser to another question is yes, he is ok with me having my own guns. Matter of fact we went out the day after christmas to get my first gun. I ordered for a Marlin 795ss with an extra clip. He just doesnt want me wasting money for ammo. But he only uses rimfire, so I guess he's not familiar with newer model guns.

So now a question...

1) Is it true guns using magazines jam frequently? As far as my father is concerned any guns using those mechanisms are "cheap junk".
 
he believes that a .22 can effectivley kill anyone.
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Indeed it can. But the bigger question is how fast can it STOP someone? That is why .22lr, .32acp, etc. is not generally accepted as adequate for self defense. You aren't trying to kill your attacker you are trying to stop the attack. This requires more than poking holes in them and hoping far a CNS (central nervous system) hit that will shut them down NOW.

Is it true guns using magazines jam frequently? As far as my father is concerned any guns using those mechanisms are "cheap junk".
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It depends on the gun. I don't recall my Sig P226 ever malfunctioning with the magazines that came with it or the 17-rnd Mec-gars I bought for it. There are magazine fed handguns that might be considered "cheap junk", but that category doesn't include Sig, Glock (depending on who you ask), Springfield XD, Ruger P-series, most recognized 1911's, and many others. I've never heard anything bad about the Buckmark and can attest to the reliability of my Ruger 22/45.
 
1) Is it true guns using magazines jam frequently? As far as my father is concerned any guns using those mechanisms are "cheap junk".
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You will find out soon, you just ordered one. The extra clip you speak of is actually a magazine. Magazines are proven to be an effective way of feeding ammo. The vast majority of semi automatic firearms use them. Do they sometimes jam? Sure. Is there a perfect system that never malfunctions ever? I don't think so.

The effectiveness of the .22lr to kill relies almost entirely on shot placement. There is definitely no hydro static shock with that caliber.

Practice with your .22, save money, and buy a bigger caliber later.
 
For more bang go with the 32 mag that tickles your giggle the most, the only difference is in the grips. This way you can shoot the magnums and the 32 longs in the same gun. Minimum for SD but effective if your marksmanship is up to it. the 32 long makes a nice plinking rounds and does a number on rabbits, the magnum for stopping power if needed.

As far as pistols jamming a bad magazine can do that, a bad extractor can do that bad ammo can do that, limp wristing a gun can do that, a dirty chamber can do that, a bad feed ramp can do that. It has more moving parts and needs more maintenance but in proper working order a magazine fed pistol is as reliable as a revolver. If they weren't their wouldn't be so many of them in the holsters of military and police officers or as the weapon of choice for CCW carriers.

Confusion on the Marlin 795ss is advertising copy calls it a (clip fed semi-auto rifle). The truth is, it is a magazine and if you need a replacement it will be called a magazine. Copy writers at ad agencies aren't well known for accuracy or technical knowledge. Us old codgers prefer correct terminology because it is easier to communicate with each other.
 
I strongly agree with Sport45. While you can by all means kill a person with a most any caliber.

IMHO the purpose of a SD weapon isn't to kill the person rather to stop the attack and the danger it presents. Using a low power cartridge of SD is just asking for trouble.

The only cheap round of those you listed was the 22lr. Get a Buckmark or Neos and call it a day. Then save up some cash for a nice .357(.38) or 9mm for SD. 9mm bulk is quite cheap and most all semi auto platforms are chambered for it. Or get a .357 and that way you can shoot .38s out of it as well.

As to "cheap junk" Sadly I would list the heritage and the Taurus underneath the Beretta and the Browning in terms of quality and reliability. Ironic since they are both semis compared to two revolvers.
 
Ok guys I will be choosing between the Buckmark and Neos. But I had my eye on the Tarus 82 in the future...any thoughts on tha gun? I can't seem to find any reviews on it.
 
and that a .22LR can kill for up to a mile.
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Theoretically, possible...realistically, no.

Also on many cruises he has won competions with the clay pigeons
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They haven't allowed this in decades

For a first gun, I would look at a .22 revolver - if cost is an issue, then one of the basic .22 semi from Ruger or Browning will work nicely.

SD/HD is a different animal
 
As far as Taurus is concerned, I personally wouldn't buy one. I would save up and get something else. They just seem a bit cheapy.

For home and personal defense I would get a .38 at the minimum (I stick to .45acp personally). Twenty twos are suited for some small varmint and recreation in my opinion.
 
For your price range I would keep an eye out for a 1970s-80s 4" .357 Magnum revolver MADE IN AMERICA. No one else makes better handguns, and you will eventually want to shoot Magnum rounds, even if in the beginning you only shoot .38s. I love the .32 H&R, as well as the rest of the .32 spectrum, but it's not a great starter gun.
 
I'll second purchasing an American made Revolver. You can snap up a nice security six or GP100 used for a fine price. Its not that the Taurus is a bad piece its just for the same money or just a touch more you can get something FAR superior with FAR better customer service.
 
It was a C96 Mauser and it came with a shoulder stock holster.

There were a few other early automatics that loaded with stripper clips but I think the first more or less successful automatic, the C93 Borchart, if that is the correct name, had a detachable box magazine. At the time, there was no long established precedent for having a detachable magazine.
 
I am always wryly amused by those who get up tight about calling a magazine a clip but then will speak of foot pounds of energy.
 
You know, English is the only language that has no "academy" or special body to control what words mean and how they're supposed to be spoken. Fortunately, there is this forum to make up for it.
 
I suggest a .22 for your first handgun. The Buckmark is an excellent pistol and is the one I would go for in an auto. I would probably get a Ruger Single Six in a revolver. Learn to shoot it and shoot it a lot.
 
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