Learn me pistols please!

Short story long- I'm looking at getting my CCW, for various reasons. As a result, I'm looking at purchasing a firearm either new or (more likely) used- for personal/home protection, and target shooting. I've been told that a medium frame 9mm pistol is probably a good choice, both for concealment purposes, and for relative ease of use, and cost of purchase. I don't really have a budget in mind, but I figure 5-600 will buy me a capable weapon, at least for my needs. Problem is, It's been a REALLY long time since i've handled a weapon, and i'm kind of out of practice as it were. I used to follow them fairly religiously, but changes in lifestyle at the time kind of back burnered guns. As i've gotten older, and my property has gotten more valuable, I think it's time to be looking again. I've done some research online, and asked a few of my friends that own firearms, and I've come to a few conclusions.

I like the concept of a Glock. Lighter frame, parts availability, and relative accuracy. I've heard rumor that due to the composite frame, there can be reliability/jamming issues.

I like Smith and Wesson 9mm semi-automatics as well, but the price frightens me a little bit. Coming from a large family thats owned several (and by several I mean MANY) guns, they seem to "hold up" the best.

I was pointed to an XD(m) 9mm pistol by a friend of mine. I don't remember the manufacturer, but for the price, it seems to have the most value. That's about the extent of what I know with that one.

Sig Sauer seems to be along the lines of a Glock, at least to me, but again, price.

I don't want to carry or own a revolver. For some reason, the concept of only having 6 bullets worries me a little. Not that I ever expect to have an issue, or a need to actually use it, but on that random chance, I want more than 6 chances to protect myself.

Stopping power isn't a HUGE concern, but it is a bit of a worry for me. I've been told that a 9mm might not be what i'm looking for in that respect. I don't know that I want to carry a .45 though, I've fired them before, and they seem to be too large.

So that's about where i'm at. What say you oh gurus of cost effective solutions to every problem?

Be sure to check out the new Taurus line like the 24/7. Very nice, and not that expensive. A 24/7 in 45 has surprisingly mild recoil and isn't all that big, plus you get 12 shots. There's 9's available too. Plastic frame, stainless slide, etc. A modern gun at a reasonable price.

I'm opposite you. I have a magazine load Semi, but want a revolver. Few parts, no safety to futz with, etc. Pull trigger, go boom. My semi would be a good carry weapon, but for the bedside, a revolver can't be beat IMO.

While I do imagine that if I ever actually have to us any of the bullets I will use all of them, 6 vs. 9 vs. 20 doesn't bother me. 6 will get the bad guy just as dead.

Also, for pure home protection, I don't think a pump shotgun can be beat.

A 9 is difficult to conceal. I just went to the range an hour ago and rented a ruger .38. I am aweful partial to it.

Though I am thinking a 9 mil in a shoulder holster would be James Bond cool. I could take to wearing a suit jacket to work.

DILYSI Dave wrote: I'm opposite you. I have a magazine load Semi, but want a revolver. Few parts, no safety to futz with, etc. Pull trigger, go boom. My semi would be a good carry weapon, but for the bedside, a revolver can't be beat IMO. While I do imagine that if I ever actually have to us any of the bullets I will use all of them, 6 vs. 9 vs. 20 doesn't bother me. 6 will get the bad guy just as dead. Also, for pure home protection, I don't think a pump shotgun can be beat.

Yeah, I was thinking 12ga as well, but I kind of want something more multipurpose. I've considered a .223 caliber AR or something similar, down the road.

The Springfield makes the XD. I would take a Glock over an XD. I've held a few XD's, and they just felt bulky and awkward. But pick one up for yourself, and see what you think.

Let me see if I can sum up what you need: Concealable, well priced, preferably 9mm, semi auto. Sound about right?

Glock seems to fit your bill perfectly. Really the best advice I can give, is go to a gun store and finger berkeley every pistol they'll let you. Or better yet a gun show.

Let's see....unfamiliar with weapons, concealed weapons permit, 6 rounds not enough, 9mm not enough stopping power. Just what do you plan to do? Go to the ghetto? Street fight?

Just playing devils advicate here.
9mm will stop anyone closer than 50 yards and will stop farther if you're a good shot. If you don't think you'll be happy with that, hardly anything beats a good old fashioned .45.
Oh and get some refresher training. Don't want to see you used as an anti-gun advacate poster.

CZ 91190 CZ75 Compact 9mm Luger Black 14 Round

wlkelley3 wrote: Let's see....unfamiliar with weapons, concealed weapons permit, 6 rounds not enough, 9mm not enough stopping power. Just what do you plan to do? Go to the ghetto? Street fight? Just playing devils advicate here. 9mm will stop anyone closer than 50 yards and will stop farther if you're a good shot. If you don't think you'll be happy with that, hardly anything beats a good old fashioned .45. Oh and get some refresher training. Don't want to see you used as an anti-gun advacate poster.

It's not that i'm unfamiliar with weapons, just more of the current stuff. When I was into it, I fired mostly WW2 era items that my grandfather had as a collector. I totally understand what you're saying though, and that's why I'm trying to get as much information as I can. I did take some classes back in the day, and would certainly want to take them again. I'm not in it to start playing Rambo, I'm in it for myself and my wife. And as far as 6 rounds not being enough, that's just me. Really, 0 rounds would likely be enough to diffuse most situations, but I'm generally overprepared for any situation.

Don't be scared off by MSRP when your reading the magazines. Most new guns tend to sell for at least $100 less than the published price at the big shops. You should be able to find a very good new gun within your price range.

Just be sure to spend some time at the range breaking it in.

I just applied for my WC, and i have no firearm experience at all.

Though I have been reading alot about violence, and conflict de-escalation, criminal psychology, and reports on post violence victims lifestyles.

I've also read up on law enforcement reports (anonymously) referred to in psych studies after having shot suspects or known criminals to death.

Wether you decide to use lethal force in self defense or not, both choices carry very significant personal consequences.

But I chose to not stay ignorant about firearms. This way, I will at least have a choice to use or not use. Otherwise, if flight is not an option, then you have no other choice.

My only problem is finding a shop that won't treat me like a tool for being completely ignorant on weapons. Being in GA, i went to 2 shops before applying in the last couple years, and neither one left me with a good impression. They were more amazed that 'mah daddy' didn't learn me no shootin`, then actually teaching me something. And one had a firing range attached.

First step should be to find a range which lets you try different pistols. Different guns will fit your hands better/worse. Some of the new models allow the changing of backstraps to fit your hand size. Even Glock allows that now.

A quality pistol will be reliable. Crappy ammo is what causes a gun to jam most times. I carry a Glock everyday and have fired thousands of rounds through it. The only issues I ever had was a bad magazine. Glocks have weak slide release springs, but proper training disregards that.

I would look at the S&W M&P pistols or the new FN pistols. If I had to buy one I would buy the FN (Thinking about it anyway). Glocks are simple to operate and shoot very well, and are priced well too.

Don't get hung up on caliber. 9mm, .40 or .45 will take out the enemy. Training is much more important. Save some money for a Combat Pistol course. Not a target shooting class. They are different and you will not be attacked by paper targets on the street.

Check Gunbroker.com for prices and maybe you can find a good price on something used. Gun shops should have used pistols in good shapes as well.

Platinum90 wrote: A 9 is difficult to conceal.

Well that's sort of a blanket statement, don't you think? There are tons of 9s that will conceal very easily. I mean, are we talking about a Beretta 92 (giant) or a Kahr PM9 (tiny)?

Glocks are very high quality weapons, but the finger ridges have always made them uncomfortable for me. I"m also not a fan of not having a manual safety. The Springfield XD models are good, but I opted for an HK instead. They're pricy new, but I'd look around and see if you can find a used HK USP compact in your price range. I have the .45 ACP model and I love it.

Also remember that the same model gun may have variations over time that you may like better over the current offerings. I have a first gen Glock 17 that is much more comfortable to me than the models.

There are many compact models available that are easy to conceal in most calibers. As others have mentioned find something that is comfortable to you and is a natural shooter for you.

For a home defense scenario, I like the .45 since it packs a lethal punch and the rounds travel at a relatively low velocity. Higher velocity rounds-particularly .357 magnum--you need to consider how many walls it's going to punch through if you miss your target. Any round is better than no round, so ultimately it boils down to what you're most comfortable with. I find the recoil on my .45 to be less uncomfortable than that of my 9mm.

I see the Ruger .380 LCP on sale around here for $300 brand new. Springfield XD compact 9mm for $500.

I don't like the Glocks, but I concede that they are good reliable weapons. Remember a lightweight pistol will make the recoil more noticeable. To me, it's a matter of feel, and I don't like the feel of the Glocks.

Love my Browning Hi-Power, but it's definitely Old School.

My keltec pf9 is very conceable, and it's 9mm. Lots of recoil, but not painful. And dead nails reliable, as long as you hang onto it.

Joey

PA-63 the original conceal and carry gun of the communists. I love mine. They are cheap, small, and lets face it the Hungarians make quality E36 M3. The only real problem I had was the trigger pull on mine. It was a quick spring change. I just joking people hate these I'm just really comfortable with mine and that's why I use it. I guess my point is don't focus on reviews and crap like that just get something that feels good to you even if its a desert eagle.

IMHO the most effective stopper is what you are most accurate with. Start cultivating some local contacts and trade beer/whiskey for a chance to shoot their pistols. Shoot them using some methodology so you know can get a valid comparison of how you shoot each model.

I think you're making a mistake dismissing revolvers out of hand but that's up to you. Don't get too bogged down on "stopping power" of the various cartridges. IMHO most of that discussion is used to sell magazines rather than as a valid component of how the pistols actually function in real-world situations. If you get a critical hit with a 9mm FMJ it's probably doing to stop somebody just as fast as a 45 JHP. The Glocks and their clones are pretty good for what they do, but I'd look real hard at the Springfield XD models based on what you've said.

+1 to the idea "Be good with what you have".

http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/9mm%20vs%2045.htm

This is a great article, I really suggest you read it. Bullet placement, penetration, and number of wounds are more important that caliber any day of the week.

Use good ammo with reliable expansion. Also don't believe factory claims, because they'll always pick the best results. The article I linked goes into some great detail about ammo.

1988RedT2 wrote: Love my Browning Hi-Power, but it's definitely Old School.

That is the on item that I still kick my self for selling. I will get another one one of these days, hopefully.

Read "In The Gravest Extreme " by Massod Ayoob. His name sounds like a terrorist but he was a NYC state trooper for years. This book was written years ago so the law portions are a bit out of date. His advice on caliber, carry, mental state, etc are worth considering. I've never shot anyone so I can't vouch for their accuracy.

When you buy your first gun get a large safe. You'll get more.

Guns I like for various reasons:

M1911A1 G.I. .45 - A workhorse. A great shooting gun. Natural to shoot. Big recoil. Proven man stopper. Ruger LCR - 5 shot .38 revolver. It weighs 13.5 ounces. That's less than some cellphones. In .38 the recoil is just manageable. 9mm full frame anything - inexpensive, ammo is everywhere. Very manageable recoil. .38/.357 full frame revolver - the anvil of the gun world. It will fire. It doesn't get any simpler than that. The first gun I felt truly accurate with.

My favorite pistol is the Kimber 1911 but it is pricey. I am really thinking about saving money and buying a revolver just for target shooting.

Xceler8x wrote: .38/.357 full frame revolver - the anvil of the gun world. It will fire. It doesn't get any simpler than that. The first gun I felt truly accurate with.

Well, it'll fire unless it's timing is off or grit got in the cylinder. Your modern autoloaders are probably more reliable than a wheelgun.

I jammed a revolver the very first time I used one. Don't imagine that it can't be done--I got the shells under the extractor and the cylinder couldn't close.

Osterkraut wrote: Well, it'll fire unless it's timing is off or grit got in the cylinder. Your modern autoloaders are probably more reliable than a wheelgun.

Whatever you say boss!

Will wrote: I jammed a revolver the very first time I used one. Don't imagine that it can't be done--I got the shells under the extractor and the cylinder couldn't close.

With a five minute lesson in loading a revolver...this won't happen. I've seen people who've never fired a weapon catch on in 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Loading a revolver isn't difficult.