Thread: Handgun.. any recommendations?

There's plenty of excellent advice given here...

I think what's most important is after finding the firearm you feel most comfortable with is practice practice practice.

I can't tell you how many times I see Police officers come down to the range because they didn't qualify on their semi annual tests. And they're just shooting NON moving paper.

For home, I'd go with a shotgun with the shortest barrel allow by law. Maybe go with a remington 1187 (semi-automatic) or go with the forever reliable remington 870 (pump). Try shooting trap and skeet so you can get a handle on "moving" targets. Maybe go bird hunting every so often.. That'll sharpen up your skills.

If you want a handgun, I'd go with a browning hi-power, glock G18 or a HK model 23

Originally Posted by bevansmw

Well since there seem to be so many guys into guns here I thought I'd see if I could get some pointers on buying a handgun. I've been thinking about it for a while and was considering getting something in .45 caliber. Just thought I'd see if any of you guys could provide any recommendations for a gun, maybe good place to buy it. It'd be mainly for home defense type of thing I don't do much shooting usually.

My pointer would be to buy a firearm you like and will learn to shoot. Im sure Hawaii has a gun range at which you can rent a firearm. A firearm is of marginal value if you cant or wont use it. If its a house gun, get a 12 ga. shotgun and some 00 buck shot loads. That should do it. If you like hand guns, go rent some at the range. Revolvers are good as you can hardly make them malfunction. Or, I guess you could go buy one off the street and get a few rounds to stick in it and hope you never have to pick it up.

All great advice, but i will chime in once more, often times a gun can save your life without being fired...
It's the OH S**T factor, or Pucker factor as my dad calls it.
Most guns have to be seen to induce this fear in an intruder, but as another member said a pump action shotgun will induce this to the greatest degree, and without being seen.
The sound is recognisable the world over, and because of the spread you are almost guaranteed to get a hit. Nothing will stop an intruder, and keep them away as effectively as a 12 gauge.

I got the Springfield Armory XD .40 subcompact back in September as my first gun. It has great safety features that you won't find in a glock. The butt of the gun must be engaged with your thumb webbing as this presses down on a safety mechanism built into the rear side of the handle. It also has two indicators of the gun's cocked and/or loaded state. So, I feel quite a bit more comfortable with the Springfield than with a glock. That said, the first time I shot with the Springfield, it scared the **** out of me and I thought that it may be too much gun for me. That feeling does go away some, but the feeling that I should've bought a shotgun does not. When and if I get my conceal carry license I think the Springfield will be perfect, but if the gun is mostly going to stay at home I don't think you will have any regrets with a nice shotgun. Also, many have told me that the 9mms do similar damage compared to the .40 and are not quite as scary. Let us know what you end up with.

Yes, don't get one, guns are bad




































p.s. thats just jealousy because they don't let us play with guns over here

I like my Taurus 1911 .45 as well as my XD. I could mention a few others, but both of these are nice for a new guy. If you are going to own a gun, you are definitely taking on a serious responsibility, even if for home protection. The comments around knowing your local gun laws is critical. I also think learning to shoot properly and practicing often are also part of the exercise.

Have fun and be safe.

Lynn

Originally Posted by crichton

Nothing beats a good 'ole Model 1911.....I own a Kimber (which isn't cheap) but much less expensive ones can be had from a variety of other manufacturers.

++ to this.