GUN STUFF

[WarrenJ]

Be aware that when you start buying carry holsters, you probably won't get it right the first try.  Most people that do a lot of pistol carry end up with a big box full of holsters that just aren't quite right for them.  Its a subtle deal finding the exact holster that works for you. 

[Goat_Herder]

I am looking to purchase my first pistol but don't know where to start.  I figure this is a good place to start and get some unfiltered opinions.

First off, I do have some experience with pistols and rifles.  Mostly from shooting my friends' guns in the middle of nowhere and rentals at the range.  I have never owned a gun but I want to get one for home protection.  And it would be fun to have one to take out to the range.  But with so many makes and models out there, choosing one is confusing, to say the least.  As a person who likes to compare and over-analyze, I need some input on what to look for, pro/cons, features, etc.  As of now, I am looking for a 9mm or a .40.

So for all your gun enthusiasts out there, what's your favorites and why?

So far this is what I've tried:

Glock 9mm Standard â€" simple; compact; from talking with the guy at the range, it's reliable and it just works.  Hammerless?  Feel weird not having a hammer.  What do you do if you want to uncock it?
Beretta 9mm â€" it felt heavy in my hand, off balanced; big recoil.  Didn't like it at all
Kimber 45 â€" my buddy had me tried it.  Felt exceptionally balanced and recoil wasn't nearly as big as I had expected from a 45.  The safety is actually on the handle grip so every you hold the gun, the safety is off…  I don't know if I would feel comfortable with that.

[fastwin]

Warren, have you been looking in my garage again? How did you know I have a box (OK... boxes ) of holsters? I could start a Galco shoulder holster museum!

But he is right. It's very rare you find, buy and keep the first holster you buy. Somebody always uses something more interesting and convinces you to buy one or a new one that seems better hits the market. I don't play golf (thank God!! ) but I have lots of friends that do and they claim to have the same problem... make that disease. Golf game sucks = buy new clubs, balls, carry bag, etc...

[fastwin]

Goat Herder,

Great question and good place to post. That's what this thread is about.

I'll tell you my stuff then leave it to the rest. Home protection, right? So no carry. That helps. For the 1,000th time I will pitch the shotgun idea. But I won't bore you and everyone else with that... again! You said pistol so I'll stick with that. You like the Glock. Go with that. Either caliber will do. I have had several .40S&W handguns but I am now down to just one. A Glock 23. I just wanted to shrink my ammo stash to .22lr, 9mm and .45acp for auto pistols. Wheelguns, rifles and scatterguns are a different story.

Just sold my #2 Glock 34 to my best friend's grown son and he is CRAZY over it!! Again, no carry for him. Just home defense. Some folks don't like Glocks. I like them. Pretty? No. Do they work, easy to use and easy to care for? Yes.

Let the hoopla begin! But a Glock in any caliber would make a great first auto pistol. There is a damn good reason why so many law enforcement agencies went to them when the tidal wave of revolvers to autos change came many years ago.

Personally, I am a huge 1911 .45acp guy but I do like my Glocks. I will also use my pistols to fight my way to my 12 gauge shotgun... then the real fight will begin!

[ducatiz]

I am looking to purchase my first pistol but don't know where to start.  I figure this is a good place to start and get some unfiltered opinions.

Buy a 22 revolver or a Ruger Standard (also 22) and learn to shoot with it.  That's the best advice you'll ever get.

[ducpainter]

Warren, have you been looking in my garage again? How did you know I have a box (OK... boxes ) of holsters? I could start a Galco shoulder holster museum!

But he is right. It's very rare you find, buy and keep the first holster you buy. Somebody always uses something more interesting and convinces you to buy one or a new one that seems better hits the market. I don't play golf (thank God!! ) but I have lots of friends that do and they claim to have the same problem... make that disease. Golf game sucks = buy new clubs, balls, carry bag, etc...

Anything for a beretta 92 FS you want to part with?.

They're supposed to fit CZ's

[muskrat]

22 is fine but he said "home defense" therefore between his 9 & 40 preferences I'd say a 40 but it's pricey at the range compared to the 9.  
Look at Bersa, Ruger, Taurus and Stoeger for reasonable prices.  If u want something more expensive look for Khar, CZ and such.   Khar has a nice 45 compact that feels like a full size, sounds weird but Cabelas carries one and I was surprised.  
I get shit for my Bersa all the time until people shoot it. 

[ducatiz]

It's a first gun.  Foolish to start with the most complex device available.

For home defense, buy a side by side shotgun, esp if you have never owned a firearm. 

Pistols are somewhat complex pieces of machinery compared to a "Coach gun"

I have an old coach gun in 12 ga and it's the only "home defense" gun I've ever fired inside my home. 

I fired it once.  That's all that was needed.  I think they got 1-2 pellets of bird shot in their ass or legs.  They didn't come back.

[MikeZ]

He did mention he's fired a variety of guns before so while it may be the 1st he's owned he's not a gun noob.

The Glocks are always a great simple gun.  Can't go wrong with one IMO

[mitt]

I have seen a lot of studs at the range that can't even hit the paper shooting .40's.  IMO, 9mm is a great choice for accuracy and price.  Also IMO, Glocks are accurate, inexpensive, and so simple, lots of accessories, made in Austria, etc., you can't go wrong.  

I agree with duactiz though, I started with a medium frame .22 revolver, then moved to a .38/.357 in the same frame, then a walther p22 semi auto, and then a defense gun, glock 19.  You can learn all the important stuff with a .22, and not feel bad for shooting 500 rounds in one setting.

mitt

[ducatiz]

Without some training, a pistol is a crappy home defense weapon.  Even with training, I would still regard it as a "last resort" weapon.  It's very hard to be accurate with a short barreled firearm while under stress.  Try it sometime:  drink -7 espressos, wait 30 minutes and then try to be accurate with your handgun at 7-10 feet.  80% of your shots will miss unless you practice in that state.

if you're using a handgun past 7-10 ft, then forget it esp if you're freaked up on adrenalin which most people if they are having their home broken into/invaded.

a shotgun is easier to operate, easier to secure and more forgiving.  and they are much bigger which has a psychological advantage for the shooter and against the criminal. 

I've actually shot people and I will choose a shotgun any day over a pistol for home defense.

Range is a different matter of course.

[Goat_Herder]

thanks guys.  Perhaps I am being too modest and didn't give myself enough credit in the "experience" department.  I do have experience with guns and been around guns all my life.  I am fairly comfortable around them.  However, I have never owned a handgun.  Never had the responsibility of maintaining it and keeping it. 

A 22 is fun to play around and the ammos are cheap.  I am looking for something a bigger but don't know where to start.  I guess from what you'd suggested, a Glock is a good start point - cheap, reliable.  It's the Kia for a new driver?

WIth Bersa, Ruger, Taurus and Stoeger, what and how are they different from each other.  What would make you choose one over another?  Is it simply look and feel?  Or does the "brand" play a part in that (Ford vs. Chevy type of thing)?

[ducatiz]

thanks guys.  Perhaps I am being too modest and didn't give myself enough credit in the "experience" department.  I do have experience with guns and been around guns all my life.  I am fairly comfortable around them.  However, I have never owned a handgun.  Never had the responsibility of maintaining it and keeping it. 

A 22 is fun to play around and the ammos are cheap.  I am looking for something a bigger but don't know where to start.  I guess from what you'd suggested, a Glock is a good start point - cheap, reliable.  It's the Kia for a new driver?

WIth Bersa, Ruger, Taurus and Stoeger, what and how are they different from each other.  What would make you choose one over another?  Is it simply look and feel?  Or does the "brand" play a part in that (Ford vs. Chevy type of thing)?

Well there you go.

I like Taurus revolvers a lot.  I have not liked their autoloaders as much. They always seem to have a "crunchy" trigger.

Bersa are decent and will go bang with every pull.  They are not beauty queens.  They are functional guns with better than average designs.  The Thunder Pro models are very well done for the price.

Ruger autoloaders are very good.  They have a great track record for reliability but not for looks.  THey are functional guns.  Massad Ayoob is a fan of the "9mm brick".  They have some new offerings which are going over well, the SR series.

Stoeger is just an importer name, they don't make any of their own guns.  Some of their shotguns are made by Rossi of Brazil and are very good quality.  The Stoeger Cougar is the Beretta Cougar made under license.

I still think a shotgun is a better choice for your home defense plans though.  Handgun is to get you to a long gun. 

[WarrenJ]

Another alternative would be to buy a Glock and the appropriate 22 conversion kit.  Or the CZ-75 and the Kadet kit...    Either one would be hard to beat.

[ducatiz]

Another alternative would be to buy a Glock and the appropriate 22 conversion kit.  Or the CZ-75 and the Kadet kit...    Either one would be hard to beat.

That's a good suggestion if you like the Glock.  I am a big CZ fan and that didn't even occur to me.  Of course, a cheaper gun means you can buy a separate 22 for almost the same budget....