First pistol
I am currently shopping around for my first pistol and was hoping to get some advice/thoughts before purchasing.
I am purchasing the pistol for home-defense and target shooting, and my budget is in the 400-700 range.
I've narrowed down my search a bit, so here goes.
A Ruger GP-100. I enjoy the .357 Mag round and I like the fact it can shoot .38sps. Currently around $550 and I can't really find anything negative about them online.
Beretta M9/92FS. A few cop buddies of mine swear by it in terms of durability and ease of use (I don't think they carry them anymore though). It seems like a good and simple semi that fits my needs.
The final is something along the lines of a 1911. Most seem to be 800 and up, but my friend bought an FEG Browning copy that I like for 300.
I don't have my heart set in stone on these three choices, so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
And on a side note, I have a Winchester 1894 chambered in .357 Mag. The barrel is very short (I think 20 inches, will update when I get home to measure it again). I was wondering how much they normally sell for. The auctions I've seen for 1894s are around $500, but none are identical to my rifle.
I am purchasing the pistol for home-defense and target shooting, and my budget is in the 400-700 range.
I've narrowed down my search a bit, so here goes.
A Ruger GP-100. I enjoy the .357 Mag round and I like the fact it can shoot .38sps. Currently around $550 and I can't really find anything negative about them online.
Beretta M9/92FS. A few cop buddies of mine swear by it in terms of durability and ease of use (I don't think they carry them anymore though). It seems like a good and simple semi that fits my needs.
The final is something along the lines of a 1911. Most seem to be 800 and up, but my friend bought an FEG Browning copy that I like for 300.
I don't have my heart set in stone on these three choices, so any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
And on a side note, I have a Winchester 1894 chambered in .357 Mag. The barrel is very short (I think 20 inches, will update when I get home to measure it again). I was wondering how much they normally sell for. The auctions I've seen for 1894s are around $500, but none are identical to my rifle.
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I'm 13 and I just got my first pistol and i love it!!!! I will post some pics as soon as i get them on Photobucket.[:D][:D][:D][:D]I almost forgot. Its a 410/45 LC single shot break 0 -
I would go with a .22 semi-auto for your first handgun. It's much more enjoyable and economic to shoot then the handguns you mentioned. U.S. made .22's such as the Browning Buckmark, Ruger Mark I's/2's & 3's or the Smith & Wesson 22 S have been made over a period of many years, and can be bought very economically either new or gently used.
To the best of my knowledge Winchester didn't make the Model 94 in .357 Mag. Japanese replicas of the Model 92 were though. Or it's possible a original Winchester Model 92 was converted by a gunsmith to .357 mag.0 -
Your Winchester 94 in 357 mag is probably the 94AE and likely has a 16 inch barrel. Also made in 44 Mag. NIB they're going around here for $600 to $800 and gently used probably in the $500 to $600 range. Nice guns and getting hard to find.
Nothing wrong with the GP100 for the purposes you have in mind although you should be able to find a used one for less than $500. I agree with rufe-snow that a .22 makes a great first handgun but that wasn't on your list. If you went that route the Ruger auto as rufe says is a good first choice. If you're think "investment" value you might consider a Colt Woodsman and they're great shooters too. In the type of guns you list I'd probably choose a K or L frame S&W (357/38) with a four inch barrel but that's just me. You can't go too wrong with any you list and you can always buy more.0 -
S&W 686
CP0 -
None of the guns you list are bad, and there are plenty of other really good ones out there.
As a general rule of thumb, you basically can't go wrong with any of the full sized "service" type guns from the major manufacturers (eg Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Beretta, Glock, etc). If the gun is in current use by a major military force (let alone many of them), or has been for many years, you can safely assume its durable and reliable.
Same is true of the revolvers from the big American makers (Smith and Ruger). While you may run into an occasional dud, as a general rule, these two companies don't sell bad revolvers.
If you are looking at .357 revolvers, do yourself a favor and take a look at the now-discontinued Smith and Wesson model 19 (66 is same model in stainless steel and might be preferable). This gun was THE standard police issue revolver for many years (back when every cop carried a wheelgun), and it is an excellent package of size, balance, and smooth action. They can be had used from maybe $400 or so.
Ultimately, 95% of this decision comes down to personal preference. Which gun fits your hand and feels comfortable. Which action type do you prefer. What's your budget.
I also recommend a .22 for your first pistol. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a .22 revolver, by the way, though the good ones cost quite a bit more than the auto pistols.
So, that said, given the specific parameters of your question, you might consider getting either the 1911 you mentioned, or the Hi-Power, then topping it with an extra .22LR conversion unit (for roughly $200 more).
That will give you a .22 to practice with and a centerfire gun for personal defense rolled into one.
If you're looking at "service" type (ie military/police) guns like the Browning Hi Power, Beretta, and 1911, do yourself a favor and check out the CZ-75 as well. This has a better trigger pull than the Beretta, and is more ergonomic, but it also lets you go cocked-and-locked like a 1911.0 -
Sorry, I should have made it more clear. I already own a .22 rifle (M&P 15/22) and use that for cheap shooting and target practice. So while a .22 pistol may be enjoyable and fun, it doesn't suit what I mainly want it for (home defense).
@22hipower - thanks for the clarification. You were right, it's the 94AE with a 16in. barrel.
beantownshootah - thanks for the information. I'll look into the S&W 19 and the CZ.0 -
I like your choice of revolver's, but I also like the S&W's as well in the K, L, and N frames. I do believe you are making the right choice with a revolver over the semi-auto, at this time. Stay with the S&W, and Ruger, and DO NOT even think about Taurus.
You should be able to find a good used one on the auction side for well within your price range, and possibly less. That should be able to provide you with enough extra cash for a good 22 also, be it a decent revolver, or a semi-auto.
Have fun shopping!!!
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xplag...thanks for your question. I find it interesting that right out of the box your keen eye has selected the Ruger GP100! Lots of great pistols out there, and I have a quite of few of them, but I love my GP100...built like a tank, last forever, nice shooter. If you buy it you will not regret it. I actually got a police buyback as my GP100 is marked with the San Diego Sheriff's Dept. Got it years ago, have run thousands of rounds through it, both .38 and .357 and never a hiccup. It has earned the right to be with me most of the time in my truck so it gets my vote. Can't speak to the Beretta 9mm but like my older Smith M39 and M59's. If going 1911, go Colt, not FEG...I have the older R9 and it is OK, but not a Colt by any measure. With a sharp eye, now is the time to get a Colt as the market is down and with careful shopping, you could get with within your budget. Good luck in your search! 0 -
The MOST important consideration for a home-defense weapon is the ability to place the shot. One or more center hits with a .22 are far more significant than multiple near misses with a larger bore, especially if you factor in the possibility of strays going through a wall and striking an innocent on the other side. The GP100 is a very strong revolver, but I find the S&W M-19/66 family easier to swing and fire accurately. 0 -
I know you said you didn't want a .22, but I agree with the other posters: a well or even not-so well-placed .22 will cause serious wounds, make a lot of indoor noise and is cheap to practice...which you need to do often.
My choices in order: 1) S&W Mdl 18 (or 17)(it's a .22 on a K-frame, looks bigger than it is and is going up in value every year); 2) Ruger Mk I,II,III (for all those reasons mentioned above); 3) Walther P-22 (possibly the most ergonomic handgun I own, fun and cheap to shoot; 4) S&W K-frame 38 Specials (lots of choices in various models, and even more choices in ammo); 5a) Ruger GP-100 (38 Special and .357 and rugged as noted above; 5b) any S&W Ll-frame .357 (my 586 is the epitome, IMHO, of the perfect .357 wheel-gun.
I gently disagree with the S&W Mdl 19 choice: alas, it's too easy to purchase a used one that was shot too often with full-power .357 Mag loads, and the K-frame is really not designed for same.
Further, I own 2 Taurus revolvers in .38 Spl, and both have several thousands of rounds, target wadcutters as well as +P loads, with no mechanical issues, ever.
Notice, except for the couple of .22 semi-autos, I recommend revolvers for your first handgun. Safer, easier to learn, cheaper to shoot (you don't burn up ammo as quickly!), and probably easier to re-sell.0 -
quote:Originally posted by cpermd
S&W 686
CP
yep0 -
A k or N frame in 357 and learn to reload for it and the rifle. Stainless versions have their pluses also. 0 -
Everyone has their opinions regarding what a good first handgun and size ammo it fires should be and I could add my own specific suggestions here.
I believe that what you should consider is the type of handgun and that, in general terms, boils down to:
Revolver vs. Semi-auto
Revolvers are good first handguns because of safety issues related to handling semi's vs. revolvers. A revolver is easy to load and unload and to know and keep track of whether it is unloaded or not. A pistol (semi-auto handgun) is more complicated. It is just enough more complicated (regardless of caliber or size of ammo) that it can be dangerous to the novice unless (s)he has been seriously trained in its use. Without going into the details of handling safety regarding the semi-auto, I believe you should consider the revolver as your first handgun0
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