Here are the criteria that will mold my decision:
1- Home / self def. (no ccw at this time)
2- A safe action, easy to use and maintain
3- $500 - 750 range
4- Proven brand that will resale well if needed. Also, a good accessory line, and rail.
5- Fun to shoot, accurate enough for amatuer / local club matches if it becomes a hobby.
Handguns I'm considering are:
.45 ACP - FNP45, Glock 21SF, HK USP45, (im not ready for a 1911)
.40 - Kimber Pro Defense
9mm - Walther PPS, Beretta PX4, Ruger SR9
.22 - Sig Mosquito, Walther SP22
Other - Sig 250 - Modular barrels, etc.
My main question is should I go for the 45? It's the obvious champ at home defense, or should I go the route of starting with a .22 and working up thru the calibers as I gain experience? The range nearest my house is .22 only, so that may influence my decision, but I'd really like the .45 but I'd have to travel a couple hours to practice..
Please help, I've heard and read so many differing opinions
Thanks, but at this point I'd like to stay with a semiauto pistol. Just a personal preference. Do you have any advice on those?
I would say start with a 9mm. Work your way up to the others. a 9mm will be ok for home defense.
The Px4 is a great gun, but I grew tired of the trigger pull. I own a Ruger SR9 and love it, but there is a recall on them and you should wait towards the end of the year to buy one. Or just ask to see when it was made. Anything after April of 2008 are ok. My all time favorite semi-auto is the Springfield Armory XD. In my opinion has the best fit, safeties, and lowest recoil. The trigger pull is smooth and is easy to maintain. Definitely in your price range. I own both a 9mm and a .45acp. I do not like .40 calibers. That was my first handgun ever and I ended up with some arm issues that I do not have with any other caliber.???
As for the .22s. Go with the Sig. A friend of mine has one and is way better than the Walther.
Any other questions or comments please email anytime.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:23 am
I will answer with a none of the above. I would recommend a 38/357 revolver with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights. You can practice and learn to shoot with light 38 special loads, before working up to heavier defense loads. They are simple to operate and you can buy a used one in good condition for $300. You will also have enough money to get a 22 revolver or automatic for local practice. Where do you live? There should be a public or private range closer than two hours away.
References :
Range Safety Officer, Target Shooter and Match Director.
February 24th, 2009 at 6:33 am
I would say start with a 9mm. Work your way up to the others. a 9mm will be ok for home defense.
The Px4 is a great gun, but I grew tired of the trigger pull. I own a Ruger SR9 and love it, but there is a recall on them and you should wait towards the end of the year to buy one. Or just ask to see when it was made. Anything after April of 2008 are ok. My all time favorite semi-auto is the Springfield Armory XD. In my opinion has the best fit, safeties, and lowest recoil. The trigger pull is smooth and is easy to maintain. Definitely in your price range. I own both a 9mm and a .45acp. I do not like .40 calibers. That was my first handgun ever and I ended up with some arm issues that I do not have with any other caliber.???
As for the .22s. Go with the Sig. A friend of mine has one and is way better than the Walther.
Any other questions or comments please email anytime.
References :
Gun Owner, NRA member
February 24th, 2009 at 7:10 am
Congrats on making a big decision! First - if you haven't already, please go get some training. Most ranges will offer a course or two or at least be able to recommend an instructor. If you're new to firearms, you'll need the basics on safety, maintenance, and marksmanship. If you're just new to handguns, you can get some instruction on grip, stance, sight alignment, quick reloads, etc. I've been shooting and carrying concealed (licensed) for years, and I still take classes from time to time to sharpen my skills.
For the actual pistol recommendation…I own or have owned pistols from Beretta, Glock, Sig Sauer, Browning, and Smith & Wesson in .22, 9mm, .40, .45, .357 Magnum, and .38 Special.
That said, I highly recommend Glocks for defensive pistols. I usually suggest revolvers, but the Glock is great if you're willing to put in the practice time to learn the auto. My primary defensive pistol is a Glock 19 9mm. It's been through over 5,000 rounds and has fired every time I've pressed the trigger. It is very simple to operate as it only has a single trigger pull and does not have a de-c o c k e r or safety (unlike the HK or Beretta). Simply point and press - just like a revolver. It is very simple to clean but can still run dirty. You can also get a .22 conversion kit, which will let you plink all day with the same feel as your defensive pistol:
http://www.topglock.com/catalog/barrels_advantagearms.htm#glock
So…at around $500 for the pistol and $250 for the conversion kit, you've basically got 2 pistols within your $750 budget.
Hand-fit is key. The 9mm/.40/.357 Glocks fit my hand perfectly, but I find the larger models (even the 21SF) are a bit large for me. Try the full size and compact models and choose the best fit. As I said, I carry mine concealed, so the compact was a better choice for me.
Now….caliber…you'll hear all sorts of opinions on this, but I think that with the right loads (Jacketed Hollowpoints), there is really VERY little difference between the 9mm, .40, and .45. Just looking at the rounds, that .45 looks like a monster…and there are tons of stories about its effectiveness. But…ammunition has come a long way in just the past 20 yrs, allowing the 9mm to close the gap. I carry Speer Gold Dots (124 gr +P), which is the same round that the NYPD has used successfully for the past several years. In addition to being generally easier to shoot rapidly, 9mm ammunition is generally less expensive than either .40 or .45, allowing you more practice bang for your buck. If you feel the need to go with the .40 or .45, no sweat…but just don't expect it to be a magical round which will throw a bad guy back several feet. There are plenty of stories (and a few police videos) of .40's and .45's failing to stop an angry subject. Put your shots in the right spot and shoot until the threat stops.
If you decide not to go with the Glock, I'd also highly recommend a Sig Sauer. I've owned the P-220 (.45) and P-226 (9mm) and thought both were great pistols. I had a bad experience with a Beretta 96 (.40), so I will not buy one again. Never owned an H&K, but their customer service is notoriously poor…so I have no plans to buy one. Good luck…and please do get some training!
References :