want a semi auto handgun.
basically im just going to be using it for target practice.

9mm, .40, .45..what suits me best?

also if youre selling something, lemme know.

1/28/2008 8:36:28 PM

you have to get a handgun permit first

1/28/2008 8:38:23 PM

You should go out and get a .50 AE Desert Eagle for sure.

1/28/2008 8:40:28 PM

i dont remember posting this here. ill get a permit, i just want to start pricing shit.

1/28/2008 8:42:45 PM

start pricing and youll find out how expensive ammo is, if price is your concern, i would go smaller, but thats just me. i bought a p22 on the cheap to dick around with and ill probably get a p229 in .40 this weekend for defense/range shooting. you might not care, but if i have a .22 i wont feel bad about blowing through a few hundred rounds in a weekend, at 15 bucks rather than $texas for the .40

1/28/2008 8:50:09 PM

WalMart has 100rd boxes of .40 ammo for $22

not bad

1/28/2008 10:31:31 PM

Got yo self a gun.

1/28/2008 10:34:25 PM

yeah thats not a terrible price for .40, but still far above the 6 or 7 bucks/100 nice rounds for the .22. nonetheless, a good price though.

1/28/2008 10:50:48 PM

i've got a glock .40 that i love. i've heard the p22 is a nice starter though. sounds like sledgekevlar would agree. i'm not really that great of a shot with a handgun though, so you might want to get a bit better advice than mine.

[Edited on January 28, 2008 at 11:36 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on January 28, 2008 at 11:37 PM. Reason : ]

1/28/2008 11:35:25 PM

ryan, goto the nearest range and see what fits you best.

you may think a .40/.45 is too much.

1/28/2008 11:52:44 PM

get a glock 19 with a 17 clip

1/28/2008 11:57:13 PM

Ones first gun should always be a .22, preferably a rifle, but definetly a .22

You are gonna want to put a couple thousand rounds through this gun to learn.

and a thousand rounds of .22 cost $20-30.

1/28/2008 11:59:14 PM

start with a .22, move up to a 9mm, then go from there.

i've got a .40 and it's a handful.

a 9mm has the benefit of light weight, more shots, low recoil (usually), and lower overall cost.

1/29/2008 12:34:50 AM

.22LR

or 9mm if you must have a centerfire.

no reason to pay more for ammo and subject yourself to more recoil if you're just punching paper

for that matter, i don't give a shit what anyone in here says, a 9mm with good hollow point ammo is a perfectly acceptable self defense round (and I say that as a 1911 shooter). I would be at least as confident of my ability to stop an assailant in his tracks with my old SIG P226 as I would be with my 1911.

but if you want it for target shooting, 9mm is definitely the way to go (if you must have a centerfire instead of a .22LR)

[Edited on January 29, 2008 at 2:06 AM. Reason : asfdas]

1/29/2008 2:05:40 AM

I have my handfull of handguns. Glock, Walther, Sig, Kimber...the list goes on. First off, the P22 is being replaced by the new SP22. Check it out. They are not so expensive and good shooters, but a pain in the ass to clean. (that rimfire is dirty as shit). If you plan to carry, that will change your decision. But for just range, buy a .22 but nothing more than a 9mm. But the most important thing is to get a gun you can shoot...something you can control. I don't care how nice the gun is if you can't shoot it, it doesn't matter.

1/29/2008 8:43:59 AM

this is a really stupid question from someone who doesn't know much:

is the .22 ammo used in a rifle the same as the .22 used in a pistol?

also, i'm thinking about getting a .22 handgun to start out with...suggestions? price is an determining factor, but of course i'd rather go value (not the best, but not the worst) rather than very low- or very high-end

1/29/2008 10:57:42 AM

^Yep. Exact same thing, .22 Long Rifle goes in both.

1/29/2008 12:08:07 PM

^^ something to be aware of though, is that there are .22 short, .22 long rifle, and .22 magnum rounds out there. Probably 90% of your ".22s" are going to be .22 long rifle (or .22LR for short), but just be cognizant of that when you're buying your gun.

1/29/2008 2:46:25 PM

^^ awesome

^ thanks for the heads-up...suggestions of .22LR pistols for a beginner? i have tons of .22LR ammo lying around, so since a .22 seems to be a good start for someone new to handguns (though i've shot competitive riflery for years), i thought i'd go ahead and use what i've got

1/29/2008 4:05:10 PM

whats a good gun for killing minorities?

1/29/2008 4:16:46 PM

Ruger makes the quintessental .22 pistol, but there are plenty of quality .22s out there. I'd ask yourself if you're buying a .22 because its a .22, or as a stepping stone to a full sized gun.

If you're getting it to be a .22 and nothing more, just pick one you like with a decent reputation. If you're getting one as a stepping stone, look for one that mimics the handling of a full sized gun.

No one has really mentioned it, but there are also .22 revolvers for fairly cheap.

1/29/2008 4:26:06 PM

honestly? probably just because it's a .22...i don't think i'll want to shoot on a regular basis, but since i can shoot (pretty well) rifle, shotgun, and bow (both recurve and compound), i thought it'd be fun to learn how to shoot a handgun

we've also got some black powder pieces in storage, but i haven't bothered with those, yet

1/29/2008 4:51:59 PM

i'm getting my first personal handgun in the next month or so (i actually just bought myself a pump 8+1 shot gun so that's affecting my decision some), but I think I'm gonna go with a 9mm... gonna look at the sig's, the s&w's, and the taurus's. 45 is a lil big for what i want, as is the 357/38sp, but I think a 9mm would be about right

i'm also looking to get my concealed whenever I get it. Your best bet is to either find someone who has a collection or go to a store that let's you demo them and just feel them out and decide what's comfortable- to be honest, i was all about a semi, but after shooting a bunch, if i were to go bigger, ie 357 or 45, i'd probably get a revolver

1/29/2008 6:37:23 PM

.40 glock 23 with a 30 round clip ftw

1/29/2008 7:31:48 PM

Quote :

"also, i'm thinking about getting a .22 handgun to start out with...suggestions?"

ruger mkiii 22/45 or a browning buckmark.

both are excellent pistols in .22LR and they aren't expensive. if you don't opt for stainless, one can be had for less than $230.

1/29/2008 11:18:40 PM

Quote :

"whats a good gun for killing minorities?"

A nine.

1/29/2008 11:28:41 PM

Quote :

".22LR or 9mm if you must have a centerfire. no reason to pay more for ammo and subject yourself to more recoil if you're just punching paper for that matter, i don't give a shit what anyone in here says, a 9mm with good hollow point ammo is a perfectly acceptable self defense round (and I say that as a 1911 shooter). I would be at least as confident of my ability to stop an assailant in his tracks with my old SIG P226 as I would be with my 1911. but if you want it for target shooting, 9mm is definitely the way to go (if you must have a centerfire instead of a .22LR)"

+1

Good 22s:
-Ruger MKIII $3-350+
-Ruger MKIII 22/45 $250-300
-Browning Buckmark $275+
-Sig/Hammerli Trailside (discontinued, but a few are still imported) $4-450
-S&W 41 $texas

I don't like the P22. It feels too much like a toy.

Good 9mm:
-S&W Sigma 9VE (crappy trigger, but works) $300
-Glock 17, glock 19, Springfied XD, S&W M&P, Ruger SR9 $550
-Sig 226, 228, 229 $650+

9mm will always be the cheapest centerfire to shoot and is an effective cartridge.

There're tons of choices. Go rent some guns at a range.

1/30/2008 9:12:08 AM

If you don't own any guns, rent a few at the local ranges. (Davi's, or the PDHSC on Tryon Rd.)
If you are looking for a good target practice gun, I would second the recommendation for the S&W from above. DO NOT buy a fucking Glock, they misfire, hang fire, jam, and just plain explode. The damn things are better used as paper weights.
Personally, I'm eyeing my first concealed carry piece right now. Looking at a .38 snub with an internal hammer. Depends on the availability, but I might even be able to get one of those in 7-shot. Still looking around.

1/30/2008 9:24:35 AM

i'm a huge fan of the Springfield XD Subcompact 9mm.

I wish they had the Compact in 9mm, but if i ever decided to carry then the smaller size would be better.

1/30/2008 9:43:40 AM

My favorite 9mm is my Taurus 24/7 Pro. I have big meaty hands (im fat), and the grip on the Taurus fits me really well.

The glocks are nice as well.

For my concealed, i love my Bersa Thunder 380.

1/30/2008 9:44:45 AM

^what is your concealed routine, if you dont mind me asking? on you at all times, in your car, certain trips?

1/30/2008 9:50:01 AM

Its on me most of the time, especially on weekends.

During the week, it sits in my car because I cant take it into work. If I get out of the car to go somewhere after work, I usually just drop it in my pocket.

Sometimes when we go places, I am more conscious of it than other places. I always carry it going shopping, especially if i am buying big ticket items, or if we are going to be in what i consider an unsafe area.

I always carry it fishing too.

1/30/2008 10:00:12 AM

I great first gun would be a Sig P226 9mm.

1/30/2008 10:04:06 AM

I second the Bersa Thunder 380 for a good cheap concealed carry.

But yeah, for just plinking around get a .22. Or a 9mm if you must.

1/30/2008 10:43:09 AM

Quote :

"DO NOT buy a fucking Glock, they misfire, hang fire, jam, and just plain explode"

Glocks are excellent guns.
Misfires and hangfires are functions of bad ammo, not the gun.

Jams? Yes...Glocks are susceptible to limp wrist induced jams. Learn to shoot worth a damn and they won't jam.

Exploding Glocks are almost always traced back to reloaded ammo.
If it still concerns you then just don't get one in 40S&W or 357Sig.

1/30/2008 1:04:42 PM

for a general ammo price reference you can check out http://www.ammoman.com

as far as what caliber, what brand, etc, you're going to want to go to a gun store and look at some different guns and see what FEELS like the right gun for YOU

we all have our preferences, but screw that, in general you want what works best for YOU, not someone else

1/30/2008 1:07:46 PM

so, for a beginner, the Ruger P4MKIII would be a decent start? yes, before i buy i am going to stop by davi's and try some out, but 1.) do they carry all types, or just a few? could i try this particular gun out at davi's? and 2.) what's the process for getting a permit? i don't want a concealed permit, but you need to have a permit to own a handgun, right?



what does the 22/45 mean? does that mean it shoots .22 and .45 (silly question, i know) does a longer barrel mean more accurate and stable shooting? is stainless worth the premium (about $100 for a barrel that's also 1.5" longer) over blued?

stats on this gun in particular:
- bull barrel
- blued
- adjustable rear sight
- fixed front
- 4" barrel
- 8" overall
- 31oz.
- 10-shot magazine
- about $250 ($307 MSRP)

would a gun like this be pretty low-maintenance? good, solid reputation (even if not feature-packed or especially powerful)?

[Edited on January 30, 2008 at 1:41 PM. Reason : pic]

1/30/2008 1:36:02 PM

davi's carries most calibers of pistols for you to try (9mm, .40s&w, .45), but i don't believe that they have a .22LR unless it's a mosquito (which i wouldn't recommend ever).

you would have to call and ask to see if they had a ruger to rent.

if you live in wake county, just take a trip to the wake county sheriff's dept. and apply there.

you need a permit to purchase.

22/45 means it uses .22LR bullets, but the grip is designed similar to a 1911 model handgun.

a longer barrel increases accuracy if you know how to shoot.

stainless is mostly a cosmetic thing. i'm getting a 22/45 in stainless, but only b/c the difference in price for me is ~$50 and i don't want to worry about marring the blued finish/i prefer the longer barrel.

that gun would be perfect for you, unless you wanted to check out the others that fumbler listed (all if which are fantastic.

it's good to have choices.

1/30/2008 1:55:45 PM

Quote :

"Glocks are susceptible to limp wrist induced jams"

This has also been my experience with 99% of glock jams ive seen.

A couple of weeks of practicing double taps, and youll train yourself to instinctively reduce the recoil (muscle memory and all), and as an added bonus, your double tap time/accuracy will improve.

1/30/2008 2:06:54 PM

I dunno why people try to perpetuate the glock jam issue. I haven't been shooting for that long, but the 2 times I've seen something go wrong with a glock, it was from an inexperienced shooter.

1/30/2008 2:11:02 PM

There are a lot of Glock haters out there. Me, personally, I don't like the grip angle and I dislike the Glock trigger. That being said, they were revolutionary at the time and have been in the striker-fired business longer than pretty much anyone else, so if you like a Glock, get one.

If you think you kind-of like the Glock, but aren't wild about it, look at the Smith & Wesson M&P, the XD, or the Sig Sauer P250.

1/30/2008 2:30:08 PM

^ I'm with you on the Glocks.

Quote :

"but i don't believe that they have a .22LR unless it's a mosquito (which i wouldn't recommend ever)."

I'm pretty sure that they have a few. I remember my ex trying to pick one out to shoot when I took her.

1/30/2008 2:40:46 PM

Quote :

""but i don't believe that they have a .22LR unless it's a mosquito (which i wouldn't recommend ever).""

2 weeks and I am still waiting on parts for mine.

That being said My other Sigs have never missed a beat.

1/30/2008 3:37:58 PM

Stainless isn't worth a premium unless you plan on putting the gun in bad conditions or you just like the look.

Longer barrels will have longer sight radii and can dampen muscle twitching making practical accuracy with iron sights better. Barrel length affect the gun's balance and some people don't like muzzle heavy guns. I like my 22/45 with 5.5 inch barrel a lot.
Longer barrels are not inherently/mechanically more accurate than shorter barrels.
Generally they do have slightly better velocities than shorter barrels. For 22LR, velocities peak around 16 inches of barrel. Anything more and bullet to barrel friction will start to slow the bullet down.
If you plan on carrying it concealed or in the woods then a long barrel can be a pain in the butt.

Most 22s are low maintenance.
All you really have to do is wipe the action, bolt face, breech face, and firing pin clean every hundred or so rounds. Keep the action lightly oiled and you'll do fine. You don't really have to clean the barrel of a 22 often.

1/30/2008 3:55:01 PM

ill admit. p22 does seem like it would be inferior to the ruger. i have a ruger rifle, but not the handgun, but the p22 does definitely have its downpoints. however im already pretty good with a gun, having shot a long time. so if youre really looking to hone some skills go for the ruger, it will most likely work better and end up giving you a better feel for handling a handgun. i just got the p22 because ive just wanted one for a while. it feels like a toy in your hand, its actually really tiny. if i wasnt planning on buying the sig so soon afterward, i would have never considered it. as i said before, 22 is cheap. its what i learned to shoot with and its good for putting a terrible lot of rounds through a gun for little money and being decent enough to make do. so now my dilemma is the p229 in 9mm or .40

1/30/2008 9:45:41 PM

sig 229 40 cal

reliable as hell

1/30/2008 11:24:32 PM

Quote :

"I great first gun would be a Sig P226 9mm. "

Great pistol, or greatest pistol ever?

Quote :

"There are a lot of Glock haters out there. Me, personally, I don't like the grip angle and I dislike the Glock trigger. That being said, they were revolutionary at the time and have been in the striker-fired business longer than pretty much anyone else, so if you like a Glock, get one. "

I like them except for the trigger. It sucks less than other double-action triggers (partially because it isn't a true DAO), but I refuse to own anything other than SAO or DA/SA.

Quote :

"2 weeks and I am still waiting on parts for mine. That being said My other Sigs have never missed a beat. "

yep, SIGs rule...my old P226 was prob my favorite pistol ever, and my roommate's P232 is easily the best shooting subcompact pistol I've ever shot.

Quote :

"sig 229 40 cal reliable as hell "

i'm a #1 SIG fan, but there's no reason for him to get a .40, and he'd prob be better off with a full-size (i.e., P226).


I'd look for a Ruger Mk2 or Mk3, SIG Trailside, or something from High Standard if I went the .22LR route, and a SIG P226 in 9mm if I went the centerfire route (with maybe a little consideration given towards a 1911, just because I like them).

[Edited on January 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM. Reason : aasdfads]

1/30/2008 11:57:34 PM

.22 is weak, start with the 9mm

1/31/2008 2:53:28 AM

Why?

[Edited on January 31, 2008 at 3:15 AM. Reason : a .22LR is a shit hot tool for target shooting.]

1/31/2008 3:14:39 AM

Quote :

".22 is weak, start with the 9mm"

This is a dumb statement. The paper targets dont give a rats ass about stopping power.

For your first pistol, you cant go wrong with something inexpensive to shoot, and easy to take care of.

1/31/2008 6:16:41 AM