Best handgun for target shooting
I'm thinking of buying a handgun for casual paper and plate target shooting at a club I recently joined. A sentimental favorite for me is a Python in 4" or 6" bbl--I like the idea of having the choice of shooting either .357 mag or .38 special ammo. But I notice most of the shooters have semi-autos. Since I don't know that much about the prefered makes, I'd appreciate some expert advice. I'm thinking of staying in the $500-$600 range and would prefer something that shoots a caliber that can be bought cheaply in bulk. (I don't plan on reloading.)
0
-
if you're not going to reload , then you have limited yourself to the 9mm if you want to stay with cheap ammo and in a semi auto , handguns could be something along the lines of a Browning Hi-Power with adjustable sights , Glock 17, 17L or 19 , Sig makes good guns ,, Ruger has several P89 , P94 or P95 , also maybe a CZ........ I'm sure others will be along with more ideas ,, good luck and have fun [:D] 0 -
I say stick with your first thought, the Python. You can find a decent shooter that won't be too expensive. Doesn't have to be 99%. It's a great target pistol. If it's just for fun, go with the wheel gun. 0 -
Python 0 -
If you want a 6 inch Python, get that. I'm sure it will do the job for you. Autos are enjoyable, and in 9mm the ammo is cheap. But my most accurate handgun is a revolver, shooting it's pet reload.
If I only had one choice on what gun to have available, it would be a revolver.
If we do not hang together,
We will most certainly hang separately.0 -
Don't let peer pressure push you into a semi-auto gun. Shoot what you love, and you are good at.
Is it true that cannibals won't eat clowns cause they taste funny?0 -
I can appreciate the Wheelgun advice you've been given, and see the sense in it. If you ARE going to go with a semi-auto, look at the EAA Witness guns. They can be had for around what you're looking to pay, and for your $500 you can get a slightly tricked out version. They come in all the popular calibers, and feeding them should be no problem. In the end, I would advise yopu to try as many different guns at the range as you can (most people are pretty forthcoming about helping you get into the sport) and choose what suits you best. The capacity with a wheelgun can put you at a slight disadvantage, but don't tell Mr. Miculek that! He competes against and often bests high end competitors who use semi-auto's, using his own modified S&W revolvers! Go with what you know, I suppose would be my advice!
"When I cease learning...I'm dead"(Me)
"Power corrupts...Absolute power corrupts absolutely"(Descartes?)
"History is written by winners"(Patton)
"You get a lot farther with a kind word and a gun than you do with a kind word alone!"(Al Capone)
"There is nothing lower than the human race...except the French" (Samuel Clemens)0 -
I successfully competed in combat matches with S&W .38/357 6 inch
"L" Frame revolvers in the 1980s. With a little gunsmithing (crowned muzzle, forcing cone angle opened up, and a good trigger job - for about $100 then) I had exceptionally accurate, smooth operating handguns. With Safariland Comp II speedloaders (not any spring loaded type - gravity only) and Safariland loading trays, I could take 884 rounds to the range and process the ammo through the gun all day long. Patridge sights are preferable. I'm not up to date on the new "L" frame mechanisms to be able to say yay or nay.
Despite the accolades some people give to Colt revolvers and Browning Hi-Powers, etc, I know that well informed people in the '80s swore by S&W revolvers over the rest of the field, including the sturdy Rugers. There is a reason Colt came out with the Highway Patrolman revolver, which basically includes the S&W lockwork design.
I'm now an advocate, with only pennies in my pocket, of target shooting with a good .22 autoloader. I'm late to respond to my own question about such .22s under "Victor" on this site and won't have the opportunity until the end of the week. Good luck on whatever you choose.
(Platform "Consistenent rigidity" - Trigger "smooth thoughtful continuous control" - Front Sight "profoundly absolute adamant welded strong eyed continuous vision THROUGH each and every shot"). Also consider Leatham's comments about trigger manipulation in current American Handgunner.0 -
S&W came out with the Highway Patrolman, a model 28, not COLT. 0 -
http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=24058263,.... I have some 9's and 40's on also
Dave0 -
pay the extra money and buy a s&w model 52 match 38. when all the bullets hit the x and you become club champ, youll thank me. when you shoot 22 match, shoot with a hi standard. wheel guns require a special skill to master. to make matches even, always shoot what your competition is shooting. if they have semi's, you shoot semi's. if they have wheel guns....use a semi![:D] always remember, a bullet must jump into a bbl from a cyl on a revolver. with a semi, it chambers into the bbl and then it is fired. no jump. better accuracy.
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
10 comments