I want to buy a hand gun

[DonP]

but I'm not sure what I want. So many choices. I've read through books on the top handguns, but just so many choices.

There is a gun show this weekend and I plan on going to see what is there.

I want a self defense gun. I really like the Sig 226 TAKOPS with 4 20 round mags, but it's pricey and I've read a lot of "9mm doesn't have the stopping power". Is this true? Love the feel in my hand, never got to shoot one yet.

I like 1911's as well. Shot a Kimber a couple of weeks ago, seems like a fine gun. Low capacity mag seems to be the downside.

I like high capacity mags (is there a reason not to?).

Help

[SausageofPower]

www.firearmstactical.com/pdf/fbi-hwfe.pdf

First off, read this. A lot of the 9mm/"stopping power" rationale is flawed, IMHO.

I'd also recommend against the 1911, for carry at least, and recommend looking at the Beretta PX4. Great pistol. I've also heard good things about the Springfield Armory XD, though I've never shot one personally.

[Larz]

A 9mm to the face or groin will pretty much stop anybody until the cops arrive, unless they are wearing wicked body armor

[Maiden89]

You can get a Sig 226 tacops chambered in .40S&W and it has a decent 15 round mag...

[rdamaral]

I own a Glock 40, a XD subcompact 9mm, XD 5" 45acp, a Kimber TLE II, Ruger LC9, Ruger LCP.

It all depends on what you want the gun for. Carry? Night stand? Just a range gun?

Caliber is depending on what you want it for also. The new thing is single stack mags. These allow the frame of the gun to be thinner, thus allowing an easier profile for carrying ("printing").

My all time favorite shooter is the Kimber. The finest gun I've ever shot, and by far the most accurate of anything I've ever shot, by a landslide.

As far as an everyday gun that is good for carry, range, nightstand, etc. Buy an XD. One of the best made, and best shooting guns you can get for the money.

I personally prefer the regular XD over the XDM. Go to the gun show and pick up a bunch of different models and see how they feel in your hand.

If you are fairly new to guns, buy a 9mm. Easier to handle, and way cheaper to shoot.

Just my 2 cents.

[Jayster]

I agree completely with the xd, I've owned several and they are great all around.

[Hellraiser6502]

The Glock 19 (9mm) subcompact is a great weapon in a very small frame.

IMO The 9mm is a better choice than say, a .40 Cal, simply because the ammo is much easier to get/find in the event of a total breakdown (i.e. riot or civil insurrection) ...maybe a small consideration NOW but in the event? Think about it.

I'm sticking with the more 'common' caliber.

[atomic charvel guy]

The Glock 19 (9mm) subcompact is a great weapon in a very small frame.

IMO The 9mm is a better choice than say, a .40 Cal, simply because the ammo is much easier to get/find in the event of a total breakdown (i.e. riot or civil insurrection) ...maybe a small consideration NOW but in the event? Think about it.

I'm sticking with the more 'common' caliber.

may I hide in your garage when the tanks start rolling into orange county when the economy collapses for real in the coming years?
i'll gladly toss my body in front of you and your family when the whole show goes into complete disarray.

[Hellraiser6502]

may I hide in your garage when the tanks start rolling into orange county when the economy collapses for real in the coming years?
i'll gladly toss my body in front of you and your family when the whole show goes into complete disarray.

No you may not hide in the garage...but you can come over & be issued your service weapon to defend yourself alongside us!

I have enough pieces for a small Platoon...

[atomic charvel guy]

No you may not hide in the garage...but you can come over & be issued your service weapon to defend yourself alongside us!

I have enough pieces for a small Platoon...

I will lead from the front, Alexander style, and we will win.

[DonP]

I'm sticking with the more 'common' caliber.

LOL! You and Tommy.

Yeah, I completely agree with getting the most common ammo. Last week I stocked up on 1,000 rounds of 7.62x39, a 75 round drum, and 3 more mags for the AK-47.

Bring it on bitches!

Another reason for liking 9mm is I have my dad's old Luger, so I always have 9mm laying around.

But to the contrare, does 9mm fly through walls easier that a .45 ACP? I've been fed a lot on info and don't know what to believe.

And now I read that it's ok to keep loaded mags, that the springs don't wear out under load.

And I see a lot of praise for Ruger. I think I fired the Ruger 1911 as a rental a month ago.

[LouSiffer]

I personally only use a 1911 .45......screw round capacity.....I am dead on target every time I draw so it makes no difference to me. The reason is that the frame design of that gun is so suited for my hands that no other gun will do.

I believe this should be your first goal. What gun puts your sights on target every time when you draw. You do NOT want to be eye fishing your sights into alignment.

Next, is a cross between the caliber and how the gun handles when the trigger is pulled. Bigger calibers generally will have more bang and kick. However, different guns react differently even with the same round fired through it. I am strong enough to muscle a .45. You may not be, but, that is fine.....choose a different gun or caliber. S&W makes a full on 1911 in the 9mm...and it retains a single stack mag.


As far as 9mm, .40, .357Sig, .45ACP. If you are accurate, it really will not make a difference. If I shoot you in the head or heart with any of these....you are just as dead with one as the other.

Do not worry about debates if your assailant is wearing a vest or not. 99.9999999999% of the ass clowns wont be. Even if they are, I have been shot with a 9mm with a vest on.....that shit fucking hurts!! Its like being hit with a Louisville Slugger. I hate debates arguing that .000000001% chance of something. The odds are you will not run into that. I will play those odds. Those are the same odds as you getting out of bed in the morning and dying because you slipped on last nights jizz spot. Don't let people talk you into buying a gun based on strange " What if's ". Buy the gun that make you feel confident and puts you on target EVERY SINGLE TIME you draw. -Lou

[tonemonster]

are you going to carry it concealed? or just have it at home?

as afar as the 9mm "not having the stopping power" its pure bullshit. anyone who says that is suffering from small penus syndrome. a hot 9mm with hollow point is plenty to stop anyone. if that wont stop them at point blank self defense range, then you got a hell of a lot bigger problems than any pistol is going to solve.

let us know what you want to do. if its a carry gun or home protection. if its home protection, get a shotgun. there is nothing better than a short 12 gauge. check out a mossberg persuader or the remington equivilent. shotguns are just far better for home protection. hide it under your bed and its there when you need it. the sound of a shell being racked into the chamber is about the biggest deterrant known to man. they spray buckshot like mad and dont require to you to be as accurate when in a dark room ina home defense scenario.

if your wantinga pistol, give us some idea of how you want to use it and we can come up with some ideas.

[ginsambo]

I want to buy a hand gun....yeah me too, only I will go down for 10 years if I do. Anyway a gun is for show, a knife's for a pro.

Call me old fashioned but what is wrong with daggers, machetes and head stomping innocent bystanders when they are already unconcious or glassing innocent parties because they looked at you wrong after ten pints of wife beater and twelve flaming sambucas, you know, UK style?

Americans and their guns eh....can you still buy hollow points in Walmart?...cause everybody has them in their gun locker.....Jeeeezz....

I've always fancied one of them old peacemakers myself, like in the westerns. At least if it jams or misfires you get to die in style.

[LouSiffer]

Knives generally do not travel 1400 FPS. And yes, we can get hollow points at Wal-Mart.-Lou