StainedClassKing
Inactive
This is a more fine tuned version of a previous thread I started, my first one I think.
Like I've said on here before, my only gun experience as of now is with a .22 revolver and a couple of bolt-action rifles.
I'm turning 21 soon and looking for a first handgun, basically as a birthday present to myself. Before that, I'm going out shooting with a couple of friends and I'll be able to try other stuff, probably the popular stuff like your standard polymer 9, a 1911, etc.
This coming summer will be pretty damn busy. I'm taking a couple of classes to get ahead on graduating and I'll be having a near full time job. During semesters I'll be working a bit less, but will have a pretty heavy load of courses. I also live in an apartment about a mile from campus, FYI.
Why is that relevant to the situation? In short, I'll have some free time, but not a ton. I'll likely only be able to make it to the range once a month, and I might have to skip some. Something that can be dry fired a ton at home for practice and shot every now and then would be best. I plan on taking a class or two at my local range, but I can't drastically alter my schedule just to be competent with it.
The two purposes I'd consider in a first handgun would be:
A) A large, harder-to-carry handgun for range fun, possible home defense and occasional carry if I'm going to a certain place I'm unfamiliar with. I'm thinking a 3 to 6 inch .357 Magnum (Model 19/686, GP100) or "compact" to full size pistol like a used Beretta 92 compact or third generation Glock 19.
B) A small, concealed carry gun. Either a single stack 9 (Shield) or a .38 snub (642, SP101, something used maybe). I wouldn't carry it every day at this point though, only whenever I'm traveling anywhere off campus, and considering that I go to school and work on the same campus, it might not be all that often.
Even if I go with option A, I'll probably go for option B later once my life settles down a bit and vice versa. So for now, which sounds like a better investment?
Like I've said on here before, my only gun experience as of now is with a .22 revolver and a couple of bolt-action rifles.
I'm turning 21 soon and looking for a first handgun, basically as a birthday present to myself. Before that, I'm going out shooting with a couple of friends and I'll be able to try other stuff, probably the popular stuff like your standard polymer 9, a 1911, etc.
This coming summer will be pretty damn busy. I'm taking a couple of classes to get ahead on graduating and I'll be having a near full time job. During semesters I'll be working a bit less, but will have a pretty heavy load of courses. I also live in an apartment about a mile from campus, FYI.
Why is that relevant to the situation? In short, I'll have some free time, but not a ton. I'll likely only be able to make it to the range once a month, and I might have to skip some. Something that can be dry fired a ton at home for practice and shot every now and then would be best. I plan on taking a class or two at my local range, but I can't drastically alter my schedule just to be competent with it.
The two purposes I'd consider in a first handgun would be:
A) A large, harder-to-carry handgun for range fun, possible home defense and occasional carry if I'm going to a certain place I'm unfamiliar with. I'm thinking a 3 to 6 inch .357 Magnum (Model 19/686, GP100) or "compact" to full size pistol like a used Beretta 92 compact or third generation Glock 19.
B) A small, concealed carry gun. Either a single stack 9 (Shield) or a .38 snub (642, SP101, something used maybe). I wouldn't carry it every day at this point though, only whenever I'm traveling anywhere off campus, and considering that I go to school and work on the same campus, it might not be all that often.
Even if I go with option A, I'll probably go for option B later once my life settles down a bit and vice versa. So for now, which sounds like a better investment?