Handguns - No haters plz, need constructive advice

[Liko]

I've been, at the same time, a supporter and opponent of guns. They're fun for target shooting and a necessary evil for home defense, but I don't approve of hunting except strictly for population control (varmint hunting mostly).

Anyway, I've had the opportunity to fire a few guns, starting with air rifles and paintball guns, to a couple of long guns a girlfriend had access to (along with a huge deserted field with plenty of runoff area in which to shoot). The Ruger 77/22 bolt-action was just plain fun; the .308 lever-action bordered on painful, but good fun was had by all shooting that one as well.

Let's assume for a minute that I wanted to buy a gun purely for "plinking" purposes. It would be kept either in a locker at a local range or in my home, unloaded and secured either way. I do not have access to enough land to feel safe shooting "outlaw", as it were. I also feel kind of silly paying range fees to plink a .22LR or .17HMR. However, I would pay said fees for a handgun.

I'm thinking the best option, though more expensive, is to sign up for an "Intro to Handguns" class at a local range (I live in Texas; there's no shortage of ranges or classes). Then I can rent guns and try out various models and loads before deciding if I want to even own a gun, and if so, what to buy that would be cost-effective for plinking without being useless on that dark day that I'd ever have to point it at another human being with the intention of pulling the trigger.

I could also buy a handgun and then take classes to qualify with it. It sounds kind of like buying a car before you take your driving test, but thanks to the Second Amendment any U.S. citizen over 18 who isn't a felon or legally insane can walk in, plunk down the cash, fill out the paperwork, pass the NICS background test and walk out with a firearm. I could then, self-paced, learn how to field-strip and otherwise maintain the gun, no ammo required, before learning its operation at a range.

I'm currently looking at the Ruger P95 series, a Glock 9mm, or some of the CZ models. The P95 especially appeals to me as being inexpensive and lightweight, yet solid, and using the 1911 action, so if I do move up to .45ACP I'll be familiar with the go-to guns in that caliber. The Colt and H&K models are currently more than a little out of my price range especially since I'm not looking for a personal or home defense weapon (if I wanted a firearm for home defense it'd be a 12-gauge shotgun). The main criteria are, in this order: safe (the safety should do far more than block the trigger), easy-to-use and maintain, affordable both in terms of the gun and its ammo (which is why I'm going for 9mm over .357Mag, .40S&W and .45ACP; all are far more expensive per round), and damaging enough to be a home or personal defense weapon if it had to be (which is why I prefer 9mm to .22 or .38).

Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[Flabby1]

whatever you do, DO buy hollow point ammo

 

[Baryonyx]

I envy you Americans with your guns. I'm not interested in blowing away bad guys or whatever, I'd just like to have a gun for recreation, just to take to the range and let off a few rounds.

 

[Pilgrim]

For plinking and target practice, I very much prefer revolvers because there's no need to clean up brass. Semi-autos throw brass all over.

Nothing wrong with 9MM - you can buy various rounds and recoil is generally moderate because of the slide absorbing a lot of energy. Ruger generally offers solid value for the money. Don't discount Taurus either - they're a well-made but affordable brand.

The important things are:

1) Get training in firearms handling. This is the MOST important!
2) Never leave a firearm loaded without a lock on it. The unlikely will happen.

 

[scottice]

For plinking and target practice, I very much prefer revolvers because there's no need to clean up brass. Semi-autos throw brass all over.

Nothing wrong with 9MM - you can buy various rounds and recoil is generally moderate because of the slide absorbing a lot of energy. Ruger generally offers solid value for the money. Don't discount Taurus either - they're a well-made but affordable brand.

The important things are:
1) Get training in firearms handling. This is the MOST important!
2) Never leave a firearm loaded without a lock on it. The unlikely will happen.

I agree with everything the above poster mentioned.
I own some Rugers and a Taurus. Never had a problem. If you want to spend a bit more look at S&W, Berretta and of course Glock.

I would look into Single Action if I were you since this will be for target shooting only.

 

[Diggler]

I know you said no. But get a .22. Really. The more you shoot, the better you get. .22 ammo is cheap. $10/550 rounds at Walmart.

I shoot my .22's a LOT more than anything else. No recoil, quiet, it's perfect.

Later on, if you want a more powerful firearm, get one.

 

[scottice]

Also good advice. I like .22's for target practice.

 

[Deleted member 79588]

2) Never leave a firearm loaded without a lock on it. The unlikely will happen.

How is a firearm effective for home defense if there is a lock on it? I keep mine in a safe when I'm not home, and on my nightstand table (loaded, not chambered) when I am home.

 

[Diggler]

It's considered dangerous to mount a trigger lock on a firearm with a round chambered.

 

[Liko]

I know you said no. But get a .22. Really. The more you shoot, the better you get. .22 ammo is cheap. $10/550 rounds at Walmart.

I am familiar with the dime-a-dozen pricepoint of .22LR, and it's still a viable option. I am however also thinking in terms of the situations I hope never to find myself in, and a .22 would be woefully ineffective in most of those situations, where a 9mm would be substantially more so. I've read plenty of articles from respected gun instructors stating anything less than a .45 is a spitwad, but the 9mm is good enough for the Army (mostly on pricepoint) so it's good enough for me.

I do totally understand what you're saying; anyone with a hunting rifle who takes any time to practice owns a .22, because target shooting with a 30-aught leaves you broke and deaf with your shoulder torn off.

 

[Liko]

How is a firearm effective for home defense if there is a lock on it? I keep mine in a safe when I'm not home, and on my nightstand table (loaded, not chambered) when I am home.

Good idea. Another is to keep the pistol and mag seperate, probably still in the same drawer. Most guidelines I've read say to never store a loaded weapon. It's the work of a second to put the two pieces together and rack the slide.

 

[Deleted member 79588]

I bought a 9mm after much consideration and debate over wether I should get a .40 or .45 instead. I figured the extra range time I can afford (with ammo thats just over half the cost of .45 rounds) and the extra capacity (17 rounds) will benefit me greater than a slightly larger hole created in my assailant.

I wanted a polymer frame pistol for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and I was looking at Glocks and XD's, ended up going with the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm. I like it a lot, very comfortable, a good "point and shoot" feel to it, its not awkward to aim. Also it came with 3 interchangeable backstraps that you can custom fit to your hand. The only thing you may not like is the absence of a manual safety.. it has a split trigger so that it cannot fire when dropped. I always keep a magazine in it without a round chambered... that, and using the 4 rules of gun handling are my safety. I feel like in the middle of the night a manual safety may just be one more thing to get in the way. I think they may be making them with a manual safety these days though.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Pilgrim]

How is a firearm effective for home defense if there is a lock on it? I keep mine in a safe when I'm not home, and on my nightstand table (loaded, not chambered) when I am home.

And when you're home, you can absolutely, positively 100% guarantee that no other human being will ever enter the room and pick it up? Hopefully all your friends and family members are thoroughly versed in firearm safety, but I wouldn't count on it. Leaving a firearm in easy reach and unlocked in the home is an accident waiting to happen.

And I realize that having a round chambered and a lock on a firearm isn't the safest thing in the world. But it's better than no lock, especially if the handgun has a grip safety or other additional safeties. That's another reason I like revolvers better than semi-autos. A properly installed lock on a revolver IS safer than on a semi-auto, and no safeties are required.

And in my opinion as a former reserve deputy with a fair amount of firearms training, putting a lock on a firearm is a FEATURE, not an impediment to safety. If I wake up in the middle of the night and believe there is danger or an intruder, I want to have to remove the lock - it takes me some time which allows me to wake up and analyze the situation. I don't want to be able to reach over to the nightstand, grab a firearm and blast away. That's how family members get killed.

If an intruder is standing right over you, you're not gonna reach that firearm anyway.

 

[Liko]

I bought a 9mm after much consideration and debate over wether I should get a .40 or .45 instead. I figured the extra range time I can afford (with ammo thats just over half the cost of .45 rounds) and the extra capacity (17 rounds) will benefit me greater than a slightly larger hole created in my assailant.

Same thinking here. If I had unlimited funds for this I'd buy a 9mm or just a .22 and plink, then buy a 1911A clone for PD.

I wanted a polymer frame pistol for ease of maintenance and cleaning, and I was looking at Glocks and XD's, ended up going with the Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm. I like it a lot, very comfortable, a good "point and shoot" feel to it, its not awkward to aim. Also it came with 3 interchangeable backstraps that you can custom fit to your hand. The only thing you may not like is the absence of a manual safety..

You're right; I don't like that. I almost discarded the Ruger as a possibility when I heard the "safety" was just a decock lever. A little more research unerthed that they make both decocking and manual safety versions of the same models. My gun must have a manual safety.

it has a split trigger so that it cannot fire when dropped. I always keep a magazine in it without a round chambered... that, and using the 4 rules of gun handling are my safety. I feel like in the middle of the night a manual safety may just be one more thing to get in the way. I think they may be making them with a manual safety these days though.

Doesn't look like a bad gun. It does however appear to be a double-double, which I'm not too enthused about.

 

[NJL]

i have a loaded, chambered Glock with me about 99.9 percent of the time. To put a lock on it would render it useless.

 

[Spector_Ray]

I know you said no. But get a .22. Really. The more you shoot, the better you get. .22 ammo is cheap. $10/550 rounds at Walmart.

I shoot my .22's a LOT more than anything else. No recoil, quiet, it's perfect.

Later on, if you want a more powerful firearm, get one.

Great advice. A .22 will help you get used to the feel of a pistol in your hand and allows you to work on your grip and form. Later on, you and graduate up to a more powerful caliber.

 

[middy]

i have a loaded, chambered Glock with me about 99.9 percent of the time. To put a lock on it would render it useless.

+1

Keep it on your hip, or in a fingerprint safe.

 

[thesteve]

when I read that you were looking for a plinker 9mm was what popped into my head. When I worked for a sporting goods store, aside from .22, 9mm was probably the ammo that went on sale most often and for the lowest price.

I can definitely understand the arguments for .22, but I think if it were me I'd be looking into a 9mm given the choice between the two.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I would suggest if your looking at Ruger check out the Ruger
P345.

 

[Diggler]

Integral locks are worthless.

1. It's something that can go wrong and could render the firearm inoperable when you need it most.

2. It relies on a small, usually intricate key that requires movements such as putting two pegs the size of mechanical pencil lead into the same sized holes. Try that in the dark during a high-stress situation.

3. These keys are easily lost. Just ask me... last night I was driving around the countryside finding a key to a Rem. 700 ISS lock because the guy at the gun shop inadvertently locked my brother's deer rifle, and his lock was left in storage in Michigan.

4. It can cause complacency among those who don't know any better. If you "lock" the firearm and rely on it, and leave it in your nightstand, what about if you forget to lock it one time? Your kid who, unbeknownst to you, has picked it up while you were gone, pointed it at his brother, yanked the immobile trigger yelling BANG BANG all the time, will be surprised when it really goes bang.

Child-proof your guns by securely storing them in an enclosed safe of some sort, but also gun-proof your children.

Keep that safety lock crap off my firearms.

But keep giving me the free cable lock with the pistols... they work great to secure the band trailer to the hitch.