What do you guys recommend for a first handgun?

[groundpound4200 5,000+ posts]

I'm looking into buying a handgun but I don't know shit about them. I want something with more power than a .22 but I don't want to go broke at the range either. For those wondering, yes I am old enough and I have my firearm certificate. I've been looking on gunbroker.com but I really dont know what I'm looking at. My budget is $300-400 ideally but if thats unrealistic I will reconsider. Any help?

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[Racerx250 10+ year member]

I've shot a glock 10mm compact frame. Out of the pistols I've personally shot I'd rate that as my favorite. I'm sure some "expert" will tell me I'm an idiot but that is irrelevant. I don't think you'll find a new one for $3-400 though. I think it will run closer to $600, I can't say for sure.

 

[groundpound4200 5,000+ posts]

I dont mind buying a used one... as long as its legit. How much for a box of ammo for something like that?

 

[snoopdan 5,000+ posts]

Whatever you buy, make sure you always clean it while loaded and the barrel pointed to you. Saftey first!

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

not allowed access to a firearm..**** CA sentencing laws

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

shouldn't have done the crime

 

[PollyCranopolis 10+ year member]

My old man just bought a used .38 special. Havent shot it yet, but it's apparently a good choice for basic home protection. Only thing I don't like is the short, stubby grip..the bottom half of your hand has nothing to grab onto.

 

[anton lavey]

h&k usp 45

sig sauer p26

 

[old_greg 10+ year member]

Desert Eagle-24 gold plated

http://www.tikitumble.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/gold-plated-desert-eagle-500x375.jpg

 

[Cabin_Pressure 10+ year member]

.................oh, you said "hand" gun..................nvm

 

[kr15 5,000+ posts]

shouldn't have done the crime

ya, I know. But my crime wasnt even pistol related

 

[w00tah 10+ year member]

USP or Glock. Hate saying it because I don't like Glock's (just the way they fit in my hands), but they ARE dependable.

To the guy above who said 10mm, no. Rounds are really expensive compared to a .40 S&W or 9mm, without a huge boost to stopping power. If a .40 won't stop someone, you shouldn't be shooting at them with a handgun.

Kef

 

[Canaan 10+ year member]

Easy answer to your question, go to a local gun shop and look at a few. Different guns will your hand differently.

See what gun you like and can handle well. Check local pawn shops too, you can find some deals one guns from time to time. Right now, handguns sell fast, at least around here.

If you order form Gunbroker.com, they have to ship to and FFL dealer and you have to pick out an 4473 gun form and have quick background check. I do those forms pretty much everyday, takes about 15mins to fill out and have the shop call it in to the ATF.

You might be able to find a nice gun in the $300-400 range, but stay clear of stuff like Hi-Point.

The S&W SW9ve might be a gun to look at, not exactly top of the line but it will be ok for plunking.

Taurus makes some nice budget friendly guns too. Look around and you might find a Taurus PT92 9mm (Beretta 92fs clone) in you price range or a little above. Hard to beat a 92 for a budget 9mm.

If you want to put up a little more $, the Glock 17 is a nice handgun, but I really like my XDm40. You really need to see what fits your hand.

Forget the 10mm, if you want more stopping power get a +P capable .40cal. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

EDIT:

Oh, and if you are looking for something for home-defense. Forget a pistol, get a 12ga and load it w/ #6 long-brass. Fire that in a house, you will stop anyone you need..but it will not rip thru multiple walls in your house.

 

[anton lavey]

Easy answer to your question, go to a local gun shop and look at a few. Different guns will your hand differently. See what gun you like and can handle well. Check local pawn shops too, you can find some deals one guns from time to time. Right now, handguns sell fast, at least around here.

If you order form Gunbroker.com, they have to ship to and FFL dealer and you have to pick out an 4473 gun form and have quick background check. I do those forms pretty much everyday, takes about 15mins to fill out and have the shop call it in to the ATF.

You might be able to find a nice gun in the $300-400 range, but stay clear of stuff like Hi-Point.

The S&W SW9ve might be a gun to look at, not exactly top of the line but it will be ok for plunking.

Taurus makes some nice budget friendly guns too. Look around and you might find a Taurus PT92 9mm (Beretta 92fs clone) in you price range or a little above. Hard to beat a 92 for a budget 9mm.

If you want to put up a little more $, the Glock 17 is a nice handgun, but I really like my XDm40. You really need to see what fits your hand.

Forget the 10mm, if you want more stopping power get a +P capable .40cal. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

EDIT:

Oh, and if you are looking for something for home-defense. Forget a pistol, get a 12ga and load it w/ #6 long-brass. Fire that in a house, you will stop anyone you need..but it will not rip thru multiple walls in your house.

never been a fan of .40's. recoil is less in a .45, and the .45 has better stopping power. only cops and wannabe cops use .40's. people say a .45 isnt accurate, but that is not true. with my h&k usp .45 i can easily hit targets 35 yards away. tight groupings too.

 

[Canaan 10+ year member]

never been a fan of .40's. recoil is less in a .45, and the .45 has better stopping power. only cops and wannabe cops use .40's. people say a .45 isnt accurate, but that is not true. with my h&k usp .45 i can easily hit targets 35 yards away. tight groupings too.

I was thinking more along the line of plunking and learning to shoot.

A .40 or 9mm would be far less expensive to shoot than .45cal, and the .40cal will offer plenty of stopping power.

Also, w/ many .40's you can get a 9mm conversion kit. I got mine for my XDm40 at pistolgear.com, ~$180 for the barrel and lighter spring...and its about half as expensive to shoot as a 9mm than as a .40cal.