Hand gun selection

[Blown03_GT]

I'm looking to get at least one hand gun probably two for home/personal defense. One would be for myself and the other for my wife. What do you guys recommend and why?

Also if you could turn me on to a good place to get them at an affordable price that would be nice too.

Thanks.

[Trip McNeely]

Whatever youre comfortable shooting.

[ThreeFingerPete]

Whatever youre comfortable shooting.

I always thought a glock with trijicons was the way to go for every circumstance.

[Dawkins]

I always thought a glock with trijicons was the way to go for every circumstance.

It is for me....

[barronj]

It is for me....

(That was a pot-shot at 1BAD06)

[Dawkins]

(That was a pot-shot at 1BAD06)

I know

[GT98SVO]

.38 Special or .357 magnum revolver. Smith & Wesson or Taurus. Smith makes a nice .357 with rail, but its $$.

or

.40S&W or .45ACP semi-auto. Springfield XD, Glock, Beretta, S&W, CZ, Walther, FN Herstal or any other polymer pistol with rail. You can put a flashlight and/or laser on the rail, so you can keep both hands on pistol.

Gets some self-defense rounds. Lots of posts about those. As well as this topic. ;)

[Blown03_GT]

.38 Special or .357 magnum revolver. Smith & Wesson or Taurus. Smith makes a nice .357 with rail, but its $$.

or

.40S&W or .45ACP semi-auto. Springfield XD, Glock, Beretta, S&W, CZ, Walther, FN Herstal or any other polymer pistol with rail. You can put a flashlight and/or laser on the rail, so you can keep both hands on pistol.

Gets some self-defense rounds. Lots of posts about those. As well as this topic. ;)
I tried a search briefly, but I couldn't come up with the magic combination of words to get any helpful results. Sorry for the new thread, but thank you all for your recommendations.

[GT98SVO]

Self-defense ammo.

Winchester SXT - rumored to stand for Same eXact Thing.
Cor-bon DPX
Remington Golden Sabre
Hornady TAP
Speer Gold Dot

Typically,
low-flash powder to help prevent blindness.
Jacketed Hollow points for expansion.


I shot an H&K USP .45 at the range last week. Very, Very nice, but they are like 750-850$. They are 12+1 capacity. You can configure them in SA, DA, SA/DA, etc. They are very accurate and recoil was best I've shot in .45ACP.

Most of the polymer pistols can be had for 450$-550$ new. Add 80$ for night sights.

Springfield XD was gun of year last year, and is great bang for buck at 500$ for XD-45.

Kimber makes one as well.

[krazyh0rse]

i always like the feel of a 1911 , but i keep a sawed off 500 handy also

[robrayLX]

check your pms

[AEA]

.38 special revolver for your wife and .45 ACP Auto for you.

[Denny]

Go to a gun range and try different guns. They have several to choose from, in most places.

[Blown03_GT]

Go to a gun range and try different guns. They have several to choose from, in most places.
Thats what I decided on doing.

[Denny]

Thats what I decided on doing.
Be sure to take her too.

[usmcluke]

Thats what I decided on doing.
When you get back you can shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45. Pretty affordable for a Kimber and shoots like a dream. Just get your hands on everything you can and one will stand out as being the best fit for you. I like the single stack .45s because I have small hands. Just don't get a 92FS, pieces of shit.

[Blown03_GT]

When you get back you can shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45. Pretty affordable for a Kimber and shoots like a dream. Just get your hands on everything you can and one will stand out as being the best fit for you. I like the single stack .45s because I have small hands. Just don't get a 92FS, pieces of shit.
Thanks for the advise man. I'll probably take you up on that offer. I cant wait to get back. Only two weeks left till I get to come back home and start working on the 'stang again.

[propellerhead]

If you go to Elk Castle on the west side of Fort Worth along I-30, their gun rental plan will let you pay once and try all the guns they have in their cabinet. Unlike other places that charge one fee per gun, Elk Castle is practically unlimited. Try out all the pistols you want.

[Blown03_GT]

If you go to Elk Castle on the west side of Fort Worth along I-30, their gun rental plan will let you pay once and try all the guns they have in their cabinet. Unlike other places that charge one fee per gun, Elk Castle is practically unlimited. Try out all the pistols you want.
Are they in the phone book. I bet they are pretty close to my house. I live right by 820 and 30.

[Denny]

When you get back you can shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45. Pretty affordable for a Kimber and shoots like a dream. Just get your hands on everything you can and one will stand out as being the best fit for you. I like the single stack .45s because I have small hands. Just don't get a 92FS, pieces of shit.
LOL @ small "hands"

[Blown03_GT]

I wasn't going to give him much crap for that, cuz so does my wife.

[usmcluke]

LOL @ small "hands"
:o Its true. I am just a little feller.

[propellerhead]

Are they in the phone book. I bet they are pretty close to my house. I live right by 820 and 30.
www.elkcastle.com

[Blown03_GT]

Sweet, thanks

[Goose1]

Sig .40 has been my choice of defense.

[gspfunk]

Sorry for the stupidity, but is this what you're talking about (sig .40)?

SMITH & WESSON SIGMA .40 S&W HANDGUN

http://academy.com/images/products/220/0357/0357-03425-0023.jpg (http://academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/center_fire_handguns&start=0&zoom=1&selectedSKU=0357-03425-0023)
http://academy.com/graphics/zoom-icon.gifZoom product image. (http://academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/center_fire_handguns&start=0&zoom=1&selectedSKU=0357-03425-0023)

http://academy.com/images/products/logo/LOGS/LOGSmithWesson.jpg
$299.00 Item#: 7328024
Style#: 220023
SKU: 0357-03425-0023

Capacity: 10+1
Barrel length: 4-in.
Finish: stainless
Polymer frame and grip

That seems pretty cheap... How does it compare w/ some of the others like Ruger, H&K, etc?....
I can't decide what I want to get.... It's been a while since I've shot anything, but I liked the Glock .45 and the Ruger 9mm. The H&K's are nice, but pretty steep. I'm looking for something new or used for $300-400.

[usmcluke]

Sorry for the stupidity, but is this what you're talking about (sig .40)?

SMITH & WESSON SIGMA .40 S&W HANDGUN

http://academy.com/images/products/220/0357/0357-03425-0023.jpg (http://academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/center_fire_handguns&start=0&zoom=1&selectedSKU=0357-03425-0023)
http://academy.com/graphics/zoom-icon.gifZoom product image. (http://academy.com/index.php?page=content&target=products/outdoors/hunting/center_fire_handguns&start=0&zoom=1&selectedSKU=0357-03425-0023)

http://academy.com/images/products/logo/LOGS/LOGSmithWesson.jpg
$299.00 Item#: 7328024
Style#: 220023
SKU: 0357-03425-0023

Capacity: 10+1
Barrel length: 4-in.
Finish: stainless
Polymer frame and grip

That seems pretty cheap... How does it compare w/ some of the others like Ruger, H&K, etc?....
I can't decide what I want to get.... It's been a while since I've shot anything, but I liked the Glock .45 and the Ruger 9mm. The H&K's are nice, but pretty steep. I'm looking for something new or used for $300-400.
Those SUCK and that is not a SIG. Mile long trigger pull and a heavy pull at that. For something to just burn rounds through I guess it would be OK but I wouldn't carry that thing if you paid me.

Sig Sauer is what he is talking about.

[Ronin6135]

Ive said it before and ill say it again, my sig is awesome. Not sure that I will buy another brand pistol ever.

[gspfunk]

I know 9mm rounds tend to be cheaper than .45's, so I'm leaning that direction. I want something that's good quality and will last, which is why I'm thinking Glock 17 or 19. I guess I need to call around and see what I can find.

[Roscoe]

second the sig .40

I carry a Sig P229 in .40 with 165gr Rangers.... :-)

if you check on www.sigforum.com - you can get a LOT in their for sale area.... check there or www.glocktalk.com

[Strychnine]

I know 9mm rounds tend to be cheaper than .45's, so I'm leaning that direction. I want something that's good quality and will last, which is why I'm thinking Glock 17 or 19. I guess I need to call around and see what I can find.


For a 9mm, I love my CZ P-01.

My favorite pistol though is my trusty ol' SW1911.

[03GTGUY]

Glock 26 for wifey (sub compact 9mm)
Glock 19 2nd choice....little less snappy.

Glock 22 for you (full size .40)

Im a die hard Glocker-Colts and Kimber is what u show your friends, Glock is what you show your enemies.

[Trip McNeely]

<-- Glock 23 carrier.

[03GTGUY]

If you wanted to make things more simple in the wife department I'd go with a snubby .38. Point and shoot. Taurus makes one for around 200 NIB

[gspfunk]

I'd never heard of CZ until this post, but I haven't been in the market until lately, either. Is CZ a dependable gun? Good quality? Any issues? Sorry for the noob ?'s....

[usmcluke]

I'd never heard of CZ until this post, but I haven't been in the market until lately, either. Is CZ a dependable gun? Good quality? Any issues? Sorry for the noob ?'s....
Yes. Yes. No.

[Trip McNeely]

If your wife is a first timer, I would suggest something with an external hammer and a D/C. Just a suggestion. Some of those DAO pistols will get a newbie in trouble.

[robrayLX]

When you get back you can shoot my Kimber Ultra Carry II .45. Pretty affordable for a Kimber and shoots like a dream. Just get your hands on everything you can and one will stand out as being the best fit for you. I like the single stack .45s because I have small hands. Just don't get a 92FS, pieces of shit.

Just out of curiosity, why don't you like the Beretta 92fs? I have a 92fs Inox that is very accurate and reliable.

[93coupelx]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSB7H0ygVcU

Benelli M4

[usmcluke]

Just out of curiosity, why don't you like the Beretta 92fs? I have a 92fs Inox that is very accurate and reliable.
When I was in Iraq we had several issues with reliability and targets sustaining multiple rounds. I started researching after posting that and I found out they traced the reliability issue to the new magazines and the stopping power to ammo. I have shot some Berettas since returning and they seemed ok but over there the sand and dirt really did a number on those mags. I do suggest you use a P+ round if you are carrying for protection.

[Blown03_GT]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. I'll keep ya'll posted on what we end up with.

[Trip McNeely]

When I was in Iraq we had several issues with reliability and targets sustaining multiple rounds. I started researching after posting that and I found out they traced the reliability issue to the new magazines and the stopping power to ammo. I have shot some Berettas since returning and they seemed ok but over there the sand and dirt really did a number on those mags. I do suggest you use a P+ round if you are carrying for protection.
Damn thats messed up. They chose the Beretta over the Sig too because of price, as far as military.

[Casper]

I'd never heard of CZ until this post, but I haven't been in the market until lately, either. Is CZ a dependable gun? Good quality? Any issues? Sorry for the noob ?'s....

I like them. I'm fond of the cheap tanfoglios which are CZ clones (like the baby eagle, sphinx, and several others). I would go with a real CZ though if you aren't ready to tweak on a platform some or spend a lot of money.

[Seafarer12]

For self defense you cant go wrong with a pump shotgun with buckshot. I personally keep a S&W model 19 close, but I would have to aim. If it was a shotgun just point and shoot.

[BigJirish08]

The browning pro 40 is a good sub-compact has a hammer and decocker, easy gun to shoot. also small and light which would be good if you were looking at a CHL. i go with that or the XD or a S&W M&P 40 cal. all are good and affordable handguns.

[GT98SVO]

I think the Browning Pro and FNH FNP are the same.

I don't see the Pro info on the Browning site.