Started this in a Gun Show thread on the Houston board, but wanted to bring it over here for more responses...

-Gun will be used for Home Protection and Gun Range activities
-I am moderately familiar with firearms and have hunted most of my life
-I am looking for something in the $400-$800 range.

I do not have a CHL and this gun will not be carried on my person, so size is not a big issue.


All recommendations are welcome and I am willing to answer any other questions that might help you make a good suggestion for me.

Thanks!

i would say 9mm, cause ammo is cheap (relatively). you could be one of the first on here to try out the new baby eagle design...

I can assure you of one thing and one thing only. You will have plenty of choices once this thread is over.

Good luck and Godspeed!

I guess that my opinion on the houston board was not good enough.

just kidding. Hope that you enjoy your gun once you buy one. Just beware that once you have one you will always want another.

I would say the best thing you can do is go to a place like Champions and tell them what you are looking for, and go from there. You can even rent some of theirs and shoot at their range. Each gun will have its own feel to it. I'd say go with what you are the most comfortable and confident with.

Honestly, as just stated baove - you should go rent several guns and see what you like best.

My interests change all the time too - and what I loved 5 years ago isn't necessarily my fav now.

But, you are bound to get a list of everyone's personal fav gun in the following posts.

Buying my fav gun or someone else's fav gun may not be your fav gun.

Go rent some...

I would suggest you look at/try shooting the following:

Glock 17, 21, 22, 31
S&W M&P in 9mm or .40
S&W 686
H&K USP, P2000 or P30
Beretta 92 or PX4
Walther P99
Sig 220,229, 2022
CZ 75 or 85
Ruger SR9 or GP100
Springfield XD
FN9 or 40
Steyr MA1

If you don't mind a used handgun, you can add the S&W 27/28 or Colt Trooper MKIII or Colt Cobra (the newer version, not the old snubbie), all in .357. There are also a lot of the older metal-framed semi-auto's from S&W on the used police turn-in market to consider.

beretta px4 feels really good in your hand.

http://www.texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=1423426&forum_id=34

Its about a carry gun, but the suggestions work here too

[This message has been edited by 12th Non-Reg (edited 12/22/2010 12:16a).]

just to let you know... ammunition should factor big in your decision, especially if you are going to just "plink." cost, availability, etc. right now, you can not find .45, and i'm not even going to start on .380 . i asked about it and the clerk laughed in my face. home protection isn't really a factor. you can buy fancy hollow point or handgun shot shells basically for any caliber, and they will, shot placement imperative, be about the same. which goes back to practice affordability, etc. i suggest go to a gun range, and ask to hold/shoot a few. which one feels good in your hand? (i'll be honest, which one makes you feel that "i'm a bad m'fer" feeling?)

price of ammo, most expensive to least.
$ of .45


$ of .40
$ of .357

$ of .38


$ of 9mm

Good suggestions. Thanks!

9mm is great for the price of ammo - it's not too expensive to play around with at the range.

If you want your SO to use it, you'll want a smaller caliber as anything larger will probably be intimidating.

If those aren't an issue, I would suggest going with a .40 or .45 as they are absolutely guaranteed to have more stopping power. Only downside is it's more expensive to play with.

As for brand/model recommendations, I wholeheartedly support Springfield XD handguns as a "beginner" gun. They're made with a polycarbonate frame, easy to disassemble and clean, it's notoriously reliable (as much so as any Glock, I don't care what anyone says), and accurate to boot. Once you've mastered it, you'll likely get an itch for something nicer, at which time you could step up to revolers, a 1911 style handgun, etc.

Something to consider: Champion Firearms has a buttload of guns you can rent and play with. I would recommend doing so and seeing what feels comfortable. That's what I did and was grateful for thinking ahead like that.

Some links to check out:
http://texasguntrader.com/
http://gunbroker.com/
http://www.theboxotruth.com/
http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/

[This message has been edited by AggieBarstool (edited 6/2/2009 8:30a).]

quote:

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step up to revolvers

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FWIW, I think revolvers are actually a better place to start.

I just bought a Sig P226 in 9mm. Very accurate and it feels great in my hand. You should check these out. I bought it used with night sites for $630.

quote:

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I just bought a Sig P226 in 9mm. Very accurate and it feels great in my hand. You should check these out. I bought it used with night sites for $630.

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I can't believe how expensive guns are getting. A couple of years ago and that gun could be had for that price new.

You need to shoot a few.

I recommend shooting at least the following:

Springfield XD
Glock
Sig
S&W M&P

The trigger pulls are vastly different on each of those guns. You need to see which you like best.

I guess caliber is going to play a huge role in this decision.

Anyone care to give me a rundown of their pros and cons on calibers?


I do not think I will get a 9mm, just fyi. .45 is definitely a possibility.

quote:

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you can buy fancy hollow point or handgun shot shells basically for any caliber, and they will, shot placement imperative, be about the same.

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i own a .45 . listen to me. there is nothing a 45 can do that a 9mm can't i wish i had a 9mm. ammo would be cheaper for the range and hollowpoint, (placement key)for home/personal protection is all basically the same.

i'm not trying to push 9mm down your throat. i guess i just see myself two years ago in your same situation. if i could do it over again, i would go 9mm. you do what makes you happy.

quote:

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price of ammo, most expensive to least.
$ of .45


$ of .40
$ of .357

$ of .38


$ of 9mm






























$ of .22lr

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I love my Beretta U22 NEOS

I am selling my XD40

quote:

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i'm not trying to push 9mm down your throat. i guess i just see myself two years ago in your same situation. if i could do it over again, i would go 9mm. you do what makes you happy.

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I'll try one out.

I posted my XD40 on the classifieds board.

http://texags.com/main/forum.reply.asp?topic_id=1421738&forum_id=50

I think the three options you'll hear over and over are all decent:

Glock
XD, XDM
S&W M&P

Just have to pick a caliber and fire them to see which one feels the best. I've got an XD45 and haven't had an issue with it.

Don't discount a 24/7. I was pleasantly surprised by it.

I have a Springfield XD9 Subcompact
My friend has the XD9 Compact

Both are great guns. Both retail at 500+ and we got both of them brand new for 400+20 off of gunbroker. There are some great deals on there.

A 9mm may expand, but a .45 will not shrink.

quote:

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A 9mm may expand, but a .45 will not shrink

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But I can shoot twice as many rounds (for same $) and become more familiar with my gun. Therefore have better shot placement when instincts kick in.

[This message has been edited by 12th Non-Reg (edited 12/22/2010 12:17a).]