What would you do?

I'm going to have to agree with chriscorp here. I have been shooting for just over a year and have both semis and revolvers. semis are fun at the range, they can be pretty cool. but for life and death situations, at home and for carry I would never consider anything but a simple, yet reliable revolver. load it and shoot it. thats the way guns should be made. let the gang bangers have their glocks, get a decent 357 revolver and you're all set. (easy now, I hope I didn't offend anyone)
 
Y'know, I'm not even a revolver guy but I give you this advice...

Probably you're absolute best bet is to do one of two things...

1. Purchase a .357 or .38 revolver for plinking and SD/HD. .38 still isn't too bad on the wallet (unless I'm wrong), and it's a very pleasent round to shoot unless it's out of the lightest of stubbies. A .357 will give you the benifit of firing either/or... using the hot .357s for some serious social work and the .38s for practice.

2. Go with a semi auto pistol that will accept a .22 conversion. I know conversions are made for 1911s, probably for glocks. I think sig *MAY* have a .22 conversion, but it won't be cheap. Don't know about anything else. The beauty of this is you get to have a very serious HD/SD firearm with the ability to have fun plinking in one platform. Not to meniton you can learn the manual of arms for pretty cheap because of the .22 conversion. Christcorp has good advice concerning semi-autos. If you have to have it, then practice, practice, practice.

3. 9mm only. It's mild enough to learn off of. It's still probably the second cheapest ammo. Go for it. Practice, Practice, Practice. Again, Christcorp gave good advice, I'm just adding to it.






I recommend #2... as learning on a .22 is easier. I didn't say mandatory. I didn't say preferred. I said EASIER. Sight picture, sight alignment, and trigger pull is much easier to learn on low recoil. Then there's the beautyr of having the same platform you're familiar with in a serious defense caliber. If you already have this... then consider something else. I recommend #3 next. 9mm is a serious defense round, is fairly easy to shoot in most pistols, and is most of the time readily available as a "second cheapest to .22" option. After that the choice is yours.
 
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2. Go with a semi auto pistol that will accept a .22 conversion. I know conversions are made for 1911s, probably for glocks. I think sig *MAY* have a .22 conversion, but it won't be cheap. Don't know about anything else. The beauty of this is you get to have a very serious HD/SD firearm with the ability to have fun plinking in one platform...
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if you go this route you should look at the cz75b. you can purchase the 22 kadet conversion kit too. this is a great gun in either 9m or 40s&w, which ever higher caliber you decide. and the price is very competitive, they are all steel machines.
 
But the bottom line is I did not like the look of the revolver and I liked the look of the semi.
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I've heard the expression "If looks could Kill"; but I never in my wildest thoughts every discarded a defensive weapon as a choice because I didn't like how it "LOOKED". I've turned down guns because they didn't "FEEL" right in my hands. I've turned down guns because they were too Big/Small. I've turned them down because I couldn't conceal them; they weren't as safe as I liked; and even because of the price it was going to cost to shoot it. But never an entire style of gun because of the looks

The poster now admits to having been shooting for 9 months. If S/He feels comfortable with a semi-auto as a defensive home weapon, then go for it. But for the first gun buyer, with little or no experience, who will probably leave the thing sitting in the closet all but maybe one or two days a YEAR; I will continue to recommend revolvers. Without exception.

And when they go to choose a gun, I will recommend all the different attributes about finding the perfect gun for them. And I do stand corrected on one thing. I use to honestly believe that "Magazine/Round" capacity should be the LAST consideration when buying a defensive gun (Mind you I am not talking about the guns we buy as toys/hobbies). A well handled 32auto or 38 special with 5-7 rounds is better than a double stacked 15 round round 9mm or 40sw that you can't shoot well. But I've now realized that "Round Capacity" is NOT the LAST consideration when choosing a defensive gun. It's is now 2nd to last. "LOOKS" is definitely the LAST consideration in choosing a "DEFENSIVE" weapon.
 
Just buy a S&W M&P 9mm with the thumb safety. It will double as a range gun and home defense. Its a good idea to practice with the gun your gonna use for home defense. You might want to get basic handgun operation instructions from your local range. I think with some basic knowledge, the 9mm is a good starter caliber. The M&P is as simple as it gets. I believe they have it with a thumb safety now. I would wait until your more experienced before going with a 1911 Kimber. I think the 12 or 20 gage pump is the best tool for home defense. A mossberg 500 is fairly inexpensive.
 
laga; of those 2 choices, I definitely would take the S&W. Personally, I have yet to find a polymer gun that felt right. That includes glock and Springfield XD. They just don't feel like guns to me. Maybe it's the weight. But personally, I've never looked at guns as being a thing of beauty. I will admit that there are some guns that just command respect by their looks. A German Luger LOOKS impressive. A 1911A1 LOOKS like it will cause damage. An M-16 LOOKS like it means business. But most guns just look either round and 3 dimensional (Revolvers); or many of the newer polymer guns like glock and Springer XD just LOOK square, 2 dimensional and cheap.
 
Just checked out a local gun store. They were selling two S&W 626's used, asking for $699 each. Is it just me or is that a little steep?
 
You should be able to get a good used .357 for $300-400, but not a S&W, and probably not a Ruger unless it's older. My first pistol was a 4" Ruger Security-Six and it was perfect as a range/woods gun, and not too large for concealed-carry with the right outfit or carried off body. Of course I already had a Mossberg 500 for HD... the .357 magnum is not a good idea for home defense if you live in an apartment. I think $699 is close to what a new 686 costs, and is at least $200 more than a Taurus model 66.
 
m1magn87 -- that sounds about right from what I saw when looking for a .357 revolver a couple of months ago. I eventually bought my S&W Model 60 (a smaller/stretch snubby version of what you're looking at) for just under $600.00, which was in line with what other similar models were selling for. Smith & Wesson is a premium brand; they don't seem to loose much value when used, especially when they're relatively newer used and in good shape. (Antiques also get pricey, of course.)
 
m1magn87

I like you am just starting to shoot guns. I was in the war but that was a long time ago and when I got back to the world never touched a gun until about five months ago. That time period is about 38 years. My wife told me she wanted a gun and had put one in layaway? I asked her what kind? She said a 40 s&w! I said no way that is to much for you. She got ted off and said ok you get me a gun. I did some research and ended up with a S&W model 64. IMHO guns are for killing. I am not informed enough to know about different platforms so I went with the basic and time tested platform. IMHO the revolver is as simple as it gets? Last time I shot my revolver I had all six in the ten hole with four touching at seven yards? She is a small woman and has very small hands. My gun is to big for her and she is a glock freak? lol She ended up with a glock 26 and it fits her well way to small for me but it is not my gun. Being a newbie to autos I bought a Walther p22 to get used to them. I like it and it is fun. Thought about a Springfield emp as a carry weapon but then saw a Ruger lcr and I think it will end up being my carry weapon ? As for H/D I went with a mossberg 500 in 410 ga with a pistol grip so the wife could handle it and it works just fine? There are way more informed people on this site than I but this is what I have concluded?
 
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I would splurge and buy a 12ga 18in pump, a .40 compact, anything but a Glock, never could stand them and your middle of the road .22 for nice cheap plinking fun. ;) Oh and don't worry as soon as you buy you'll see something else you wish you would of bought instead.
 
There are a lot of excellent options listed in. I don't think I saw this one, so I'll suggest a .45 ACP 1911 with a .22LR conversion kit.

target_conversion_kit.jpg
 
I know I know, revolvers are 'prettier.' I just like the semis more. I didn't say Glock I said semi in general. If I was buying a gun to put in a case it would probably be a nice revolver. But if I am buying a gun I want to shoot for fun and still have practical uses I just prefer the semis. I am not saying revolvers are not intrinsically more dependable and easier to clean, shoot, etc. I just prefer the look of the semis more, its a personal opinion. And I would not classify the LOOK of the gun as unimportant. I still stand by that if I enjoy shooting it, I will shoot it more and thereby be better with it.
 
Most quality semi-auto handguns are extremely reliable. While they are slightly more complicated than revolvers to operate, I would not rule them out. Most semi-autos have great capacity in ammo capacity and are faster and easier to reload (unless you are Jerry Miculek). I find semi-autos more natural to point and much easier to shoot quickly. If you are considering eventually getting a carry permit, you should consider this. I think getting a conversion kit is a great idea since the grip, trigger, and sights of your .22 will be the same for your defense gun. I think they make the CZ in 9mm and .40 S&W.
 
For home defence nothing beats a 12 gadge pump loaded with Federal Power-Shok shells, but thats just my opinion. As for a handgun start out with a .38 snub,something that can handle +p ammo; then maybe move up to a .357 Magnum. If you wanna go with an auto and you'er willin' to spend the coin,I say go with either a Springfield XD .40 or a Sig in the same caliber.either way you won't be sorry.
 
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