What do you recommend?

B

bedbugbilly

New member
I'm pretty much a black powder shooter so I am not "up" on the cartridge handguns nor the various cartridges. That being said . . . . . I am looking to purchase a handgun for general plinking, possibly to take a critter or two and home defense (hopefully never to be needed for that). Somethinjg that won't "jar" the bejeebers out of me but which still has the "stopping power" if it was ever needed. I have had experience in shooting the 1911A1 Colt - it packs a whollop for sure - but after shooting .36 BP revolvers, I think I am looking for something more along the line of a .38?? I would be open to either a revolver (double action) or an automatic. It wouldn't have to be a new fangled model - when carried, it would not be "concealed" but rather "open" in a holster. I guess I'm pretty much describing a "general purpose" model of some type and nature. Of course I'd want it to be of a caliber that cartridges are available for at a reasonable cost as well. I know that a pistol is pretty much a "personal taste" sort of thing but I'd sure appreciate some help and/or advice on what caliber/cartridge I should be looking at and perhaps your thoughts on makes and models as well. Thanks very much! :)
 
4 inch barrel .357 mag., S&W or Ruger. Best of both worlds, can shoot .357's or .38 Special, depending on mood or situation.
 
GLOCK model 23 ( 40 S&W), Glock is perfection in a great package, nothing else even comes close , Its durable ,efficeint accurate , simple and gonna go bang everytime you pull the trigger. I bet my life on it, and so do most law enforcement officers. GLOCK!
 
If you are looking toward the 38 special, Its most certainly going to be a revolver.

I can think of two really good choices (my opinion of course) for you. The first being a 4" Ruger GP100 in .357. Whats great about the 357 is that you can shoot 38 special with it also. Since its a revolver, you can really get some SOFT 38's for plicking, and in the next breath load some hot 357 (or anything in between). That would be a great all around revolver for you. BTW, I say this from experience, as I own both a 4" and a 6" GP100.

The other choice in my opinion would be a smith model 10. Its a K-frame revolver, so its more on the compact side of things, but it can only chamber the 38 special round. Its a great gun, and there are tons of them on the used market. You can probably get your hands on one for under $300!

I would head down to a gun store and handle both. Whatever you are most comfortable with, go for. Either way, they are both excellent choices that will last 10 lifetimes!!!

-George
 
My picks, basic pistols/DA revolvers....

If you have limited or entry level handgun skills or want a well made sidearm to be used in many ways; target/home protection/open-concealed carry etc, Id check out the following;
A Ruger GP100 in .38spl/.357magnum with a 4" barrel. This can do well for general uses. The SP101 DA only(no single action fire) would be good too but the larger .357magnum GP100 can be used in the field or for defense.
The "classic" type SIG Sauer P226 or P229R DAK pistol. This SIG pistol in .40S&W or .357sig(a better pick) can be great for protection and the P series can be fit with a .22LR slide/barrel/magazine etc for target use/marksmanship/range use. The R or rail model P226/P229 can take a white light or laser aiming unit.
Glock model 22(.40) or 32(.357sig) can work very well but I'd suggest the safe action or striker fired system to a handgun owner/armed citizen with more skill training or experience. If you buy & shoot a few DA only or DA(hammer fired) pistols and learn more, then a Glock could work great.
After market .22LR systems can be used to on Glock models too.

Clyde
 
Go with what Glen said and you will have your looking for coverd and with 38wad gutters you also have a very mild plinker. You can also get sone loads from most companies that offer a good defence load.
 
Ruger .357s are a good suggestion. .357mag is a great SD round, and .38spl can make for a reasonably cheap practice round.

If you want to go for an autoloading pistol, I would pick something in 9x19mm or buy a .22LR conversion for a 9mm/40S&W/.357Sig/.45ACP. 9mm is a relatively cheap round, but there are also good defensive loads being made for it. A .22LR is going to be the cheapest way to practice, over all other calibers ($0.04/rd). Glock, xD, M&P, CZ-75, 1911, 92fs, etc will all be good pistols.
 
I think you're on the right track with a .38 revolver. Used S&W K-Frames like the Model 10 or 64 can often be found at very reasonable prices and really are excellent guns. .38 Special is a good all around cartridge as it is powerful enough to be adequate for self-defense, very common with a good variety of loadings available, reasonably priced as far as ammunition is concerned, and fairly mild recoiling.
 
I've got a GP100 in a 6"bbl and a Smith 686 with a 4"bbl. They are both very nice guns and either would suit your needs, especially if the "critters" might be bigger than say your average possum.

However, I think a full size semi auto in 9mm might be a better choice. I know my CZ75 is a lot more fun to shoot than my revolvers. Ditto for my Smith 5906.
 
I'll add a completely new twist to your options, a 9mm Makarov pistol. Some reasons:

Very easy to shoot well
Very well made and one of the most reliable autos ever.
Almost twice the rounds of a 38 snubby.
Very concealable
Ammo readily available and cheap too
About the same stopping power as a 38
Very reasonably priced
Extremely easy to take down and clean

A Makarov is a very good entry level to the world of semi autos.

Here's an East German Mak:

EG_Mak_2.jpg


EG_Mak_1.jpg
 
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