Yet another Hand Gun Suggestion Question?

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

So I am looking for suggestions on a Hand Gun and after reading many posts I will give you some details on what I am looking for up front.

1. This is for Defnesive use (home daily and to BUG OUT location if the SHTF).
2. Target would be MAN.
3. My hands are L to XL.
4. I do NOT plan to carry concealed.
5. As I do not get to shoot often I preffer something I could add a laser and maybe a light.
6. Ammo must be availible and cost effective (thinking 9mm).
7. IT MUST BE VERY INEXPENSIVE but GOOD.
(if I draw a weapon then things are already really bad and the weapon must work properly)

Thanks,

Not_Yet_Prepped

[Mjollnir]

used Glock 17

[610Alpha]

i had asked a similar question on what was the AK version of a handgun...the answer I got was Glock. See if there is an indoor range that will let you try one out before you buy.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

Thanks Mjollnir,

Used... I will look into that. What would you geuss a good condition Glock 17 goes for these days?

[protus]

Thanks Mjollnir,

Used... I will look into that. What would you geuss a good condition Glock 17 goes for these days?

location dependent.
but 350-500$ is the used to new range.

if you cant go glock.
go with a good wheel gun like the -
ruger sp101
smith and wesson mdl 66 ( cheaper than the 86's)
or anyof the taurus lines.

semi autos there are many good ones under the glock. but only with in 50-100$ less ( CZ70 series, older smiths, rugers, newer smiths, springfields(xd etc)

set you budget and go window shopping, best way imho and renting them as well.

[Bear4570]

I would have to agree with protus, if your new to handguns, I would suggest a good revolver, many Smiths and Rugers on the used market as police tradeins that were carried alot and shot alittle.
My choice would be a Smith 65 (fixed) or 66 (adjustable sights) or a GP 100. You can shoot inexpensive .38 for practice and buy the more expensive .357 for defense (after checking point of impact vs your .38 practice loads)
Doesnt have the fancy rail on the bottom for a laser but there are several options for attaching a laser to a revolver.

[snare]

Although you said you do not plan to carry concealed, I think it would be wise to consider that you may some day. You may change your mind about it and/or in the unknown future there are many circumstances, it may be best to be armed but inconspicuously.

Personally I feel the Glock 19, as an example, is an excellent, extremely reliable 9mm that most people can conceal (if necessary or preferred) fairly easily. It is close enough to 'full size' (like the G17) that most people can shoot it just about as well. It can hold/use the larger capacity G17 magazines or the 'happy sticks'.

Another 9mm that is similar in size is the S&W M&P9C, if you drink the 'I hate Glocks" kool aid.:p

I would steer you away from revolvers. There is no advantage, IMO, to revolvers for people who are new to guns or women (the other group that always gets revolvers recommended to them). Semi-Auto's are not rocket science and have significant advantages, one major one being the much larger capacity.

My recommendation is seriously consider the attributes of the Glocks. G19 or G17.

[Grand58742]

I would steer you away from revolvers. There is no advantage, IMO, to revolvers for people who are new to guns or women (the other group that always gets revolvers recommended to them). Semi-Auto's are not rocket science and have significant advantages, one major one being the much larger capacity.

But you also have to take into concern the limp wristing of a semi auto and the jamming that can occur. And immediate action on a revolver as opposed to a semi. It takes more training to become proficient with a semi-auto than a revolver. While reloading a revolver can be a little tricky and maybe not as fast as a semi, it still is more reliable IMO. If you have a fail to fire, easy enough to squeeze the trigger and fire another round. With a semi, you have to go through the tap rack and fire, again which takes training and muscle memory to adjust to.

Revolvers are more or less the original point and click interface of the gun world. Not a lot of rocket science involved in firing one either and IMO easier to learn on.

A revolver is a good choice for a shooter that isn't going to spend massive amounts of ammo on training and comes in decent enough calibers to where one shot stands a good chance of incapacitating a target. It's not a one shot stop weapon (there isn't such a thing) but is easy to learn and use reliably.

[Grand58742]

So I am looking for suggestions on a Hand Gun and after reading many posts I will give you some details on what I am looking for up front.

1. This is for Defnesive use (home daily and to BUG OUT location if the SHTF).
2. Target would be MAN.
3. My hands are L to XL.
4. I do NOT plan to carry concealed.
5. As I do not get to shoot often I preffer something I could add a laser and maybe a light.
6. Ammo must be availible and cost effective (thinking 9mm).
7. IT MUST BE VERY INEXPENSIVE but GOOD.
(if I draw a weapon then things are already really bad and the weapon must work properly)

Thanks,

Not_Yet_Prepped

#5, Lights are a decent choice for close quarters conditions, however, are limited in their use. Lasers, IMO, teach people bad habits of not concentrating on the sights like they are supposed to and looking for that little red dot on target instead. It teaches bad habits from the start and I personally don't recommend them. Too many people get dependent on looking for the dot and when it doesn't appear, they fail to move back to the sights. Training can overcome this, but frankly, it just isn't worth the hassle and the sights do just fine for the ranges you (should) be shooting at to begin with.

#6. See the revolver post by Protus and myself. If you are looking for cheap, yet effective, look at a .357 revolver. You can shoot the cheaper .38 Special rounds out for training while keeping back the more effective magnum ammo for SHTF situations.

#7. Glocks are a good choice, but also look into the Ruger SR9, Springfield XD and CZ75 series. Also, the list of revolvers provided by Protus won't let you down either, although I would also include a Ruger GP100 in there as well.

[snare]

But you also have to take into concern the limp wristing of a semi auto and the jamming that can occur. And immediate action on a revolver as opposed to a semi. It takes more training to become proficient with a semi-auto than a revolver. While reloading a revolver can be a little tricky and maybe not as fast as a semi, it still is more reliable IMO. If you have a fail to fire, easy enough to squeeze the trigger and fire another round. With a semi, you have to go through the tap rack and fire, again which takes training and muscle memory to adjust to.

Revolvers are more or less the original point and click interface of the gun world. Not a lot of rocket science involved in firing one either and IMO easier to learn on.

A revolver is a good choice for a shooter that isn't going to spend massive amounts of ammo on training and comes in decent enough calibers to where one shot stands a good chance of incapacitating a target. It's not a one shot stop weapon (there isn't such a thing) but is easy to learn and use reliably.

Since even the non-rocket scientists in this world, without any training in tactics nor strategy, seem to naturally provide themselves with every available advantage when maliciously initiating harm....including (statistcially 2+ attackers) a numbers advantage, I will choose and strongly recommend large capacity handguns. Gross motor movements in reloading and reloading less often are a better plan IMO.

Any gun requires training and malfunction clearance of a semi auto can easily be done without live fire. And the malfunction clearance actions are gross motor too.

[Grand58742]

Since even the non-rocket scientists in this world, without any training in tactics nor strategy seem to naturally provide themselves with every available advantage when maliciously initiating harm....including (statistcially 2+ attackers) a numbers advantage, I will choose and strongly recommend large capacity handguns.

To each their own.

I've just seen too many people become dependent on the ability to put 15+ rounds downrange hoping to hit a target rather than one, two or three aimed shots that will hit a target. To me, it's psychological. With a revolver, you know you only have six (or maybe seven) shots. You know each has to count and you concentrate more on hitting the target.

With semi-autos, there is a psychology of "if I miss, I still have sixteen more rounds to hit them with...now fifteen more rounds...now fourteen...thirteen..." This is all subjective and each person is different as training plays a huge part of this. But honestly and historically, police and military as a guide, many of them do not slow their fire in aimed shots to kill and "spray and pray" with a handgun. And the OP says he doesn't shoot often so this has to be taken into account. So six shots, aimed and fired with concentration from a revolver will kill two or three assailants just as easily as seventeen from a high cap 9mm.

Don't get me wrong, large capacity semi-autos are by no means bad and I fully recommend them...along with the proper training, proficiency fire and above all the ability to operate them like it was an extension of your body and hit a target. But for a novice shooter, a revolver can be just as good or better than a semi-auto.

Just my opinion.

[ebb]

Glock 21, 45acp is common as dirt.

[Metal]

When I was starting out with handguns, I looked in different pawn/gun shops to see what was available to my budget.
Then I spent $75 at a indoor range to rent some of the same or similar handguns to see what fit my hands best, and that I felt most comfortable firing with, be it a revolver or pistol. Then I made my purchase.
My first one was an old Dan Wesson .44 special, (about $250 in 1989)
But be warned it can become addictive.

[Not_Yet_Prepped]

I should have better explained my past experance... I have pretty extensive training with long guns... The Tap, Rack, Aim, Fire is a typical exersice practiced with an AR. Sure a pistol different location and movent but easy enough to "Dry" fire that practice to gain some muscle memory with.

I stoped in the local gun shop and saw 2 very promising prospects...

#1. Used (in good shape) XD-9c with 2 extend mags (So it will fit my hands) and 2 compact mags and Crimson Trace Laser on the handle (but No CASE).
#2. NEW FNP-9 not sure what all it comes with most likely just 2 mags and a box.

Both around 450 and both seemed to fit my hand pretty naturually.

[1Admin]

Not to re-open the revolver versus auto discussion-

It sounds like he is an experienced shooter. Sometimes it's easy to recommend a revolver for those that you KNOW don't train very often and their is the slightest chance of them having an AD.

You can load 5 shots in a six shot revolver and set the cylinder where the first pull produces a "click." We used to call this "Farmer's Rule" but I don't know if that was a made up term or what.

I'm not a revolver advocate and the whole family only owns 2. However a couple more advantages- carrying "farmer's rule" if your gun gets disarmed from you, the first pull being a click gives you a little time to get the gun back.

Lastly is the ease of contact shots. Rolling around on the ground, pressed up against a wall or just squeezed together with someone gun grappling, a revolver will fire without concern for "press and pull back slightly" as one must do with most autos. Easy to teach it out in training/form new habits but nevertheless, an advantage.

Oh! One more- ability to load and shoot various types of rounds that may or may not "feed" in your auto. Some autos are finicky. PAW plus 5 years if things are that bad, we might be relaying on some "home brew" rounds consisting of match head type primers, homemade powder and projectile. Might be easier to get them to work in a revolver.

That being said, having a revolver totally locked up on you REALLY SUCKS!!!