Handgun purchase ? DONE DEAL, BOUGHT ONE TONIGHT !

[CaptainTom]

I know there are many gun owners on this forum, and probably many gun haters as well.
I am considering the purchase of a self defense/range pistol. My budget is $500.
What would you recommend new/used in this range and why.

PLEASE ! NO POLITICAL OR RELIGIOUS OPINIONS !!

I bought the Taurus PT845. The glocks didn't aim well for me.

I've put on the Large (Grande) backstrap and it fits like a glove.
The medium size frame is OK for CC especially when you have all the extra waist area I do ( I'm large ).

I don't have any ammo for it, but tomorrow I will go to the range and see if it actually puts lead downrange. (assuming I can locate any .45 ball ammo).

[Daniel Bates]

Springfield Armory XD. I won't recommend a caliber or frame size - that's a personal decision.

[ovimo]

Daniel, do you mind if I ask why the XD and not, say, the Glock 17? I do not know much about this, sorry for the "not so smart" question.

[Daniel Bates]

They are both fine weapons, and I won't pretend to know much about either. But I like the XD for its customizability and grip angle. It feels good in my hands. (No, I don't own one - my buddy has one in .45 ACP.)

The two major differences between the Springfield and the Glock are the safety (grip on the XD) and the grip angle. There's not much else between them.

[CaptainTom]

let me add a couple of wants/needs

accurate
reliable
ambidextrous - left handed
ammunition must be available and relatively inexpensive for target shooting.

leaning towards an automatic vs. revolver

not necessarily used as with a CHL (although I am scheduled in a class).

I'm considering 9mm or .45cal.

pretty

[ElanR]

Two excellent choices in the $500 range are the Springfield XD mentioned by Daniel, and the Smith & Wesson M&P. For your first pistol, I think 9mm is a good caliber. The ammo is cheaper and more available, the recoil is better and it's easier to be accurate with it. It's a smaller round, but with +P hollow points, you have plenty of stopping power. You're going to need to run through 2k rounds to get good at this, so the cost is important.

Once you make your choice, before you even have the gun in your hands, start hunting for ammo. It is really hard to come by right now.

[hhscr]

Tom,

I have always had excellent reliability and accuracy with Glock.

They are available in three main sizes so you need to find the one that fits you best.

Caliber is personal choice, but I have the .40

The 9 will be more controllable than the 45, as far as ammo availablilty, it is all a little hard to find right now.

[D80]

I have the 9mm Baretta that I purchased from BASS Pro Shop. It has sure to nothing knock down punch and is very light weight (carbon steel). It comes in a very nice carrying case. I bought this about a year ago for $550. Hope this helps.

[Daniel Bates]

Looks like I got the XD versus Glock flame war off to a good start!

There really is no substitute for going to a handgun range and trying out a few different models for yourself. Everyone's hands are different.

[dpena]

well mr Tom as mr Private said" the caliber is a personal decision. My opinion is nothing less than a 40 cal (thats just my opinion, i would go higher but not lower) now of course the bigger the caliber the bulkier the weapon is going to be. and if ur gona use for under clothes, it will be too big. if itsa home defence weapon and just for you an auto if fine. now if you getting older and your hand strength isnt as strong as it used to be, get a revolver as charging the slide back will get harder, but u gota go out and test it in your hands. sig saur, colt, kimber, glock, smith and wesson, sprinfield, they are all good companies. its personal preffrence. depends what feels good in your hands and your hand strength so you gotta go out and feel em..... new or used , i myself would not buy a wapon from someone i didnt know. i would buy a new one, some people dont take care of their things and when they dont work, they sell em cheap. if you buy a weapon you will buy one for safety and survival, the possibility of having to take a life comes with that. that is the reason they were invented to take lives, no matter what any one says thats what they are for. now saying that if u pull ur hogleg (itsa a decision you have mentally made and are ready for and have accepted) you are going to need that weapon to work. youll have to make sure itsa good weapon. just like on a photo shoot you make sure all ur equip is working, youll have to make sure our weapon works also, cleaning and maintenance, upkeep. thats why " I " would not buy a used weapon from some one i do not know. I hope I was helpful. If your ever in Houston and wanna try a few that i have gimmi a call.

[TXFZ1]

My 0.02 is to go and handle the pistols. Hand fit is important. Might see if a range will rent and then you get a chance to fire.

David

[Jeff_Green]

I've got a Rutger P95DC, 9mm. I love it and it hits the target!

[ovimo]

Wow, what have I done???

Sorry all, did not mean to start a war...

Thx for the reply Daniel.

I guess you guys are right, try it first

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by ovimo

Wow, what have I done???

Sorry all, did not mean to start a war...

Thx for the reply Daniel.

I guess you guys are right, try it first

It's just like Canon vs. Nikon vs. Sony vs. Olympus. Everybody has their likes and dislikes.

I've been to the range recently and have fired a .45, .38, 9mm.
I like the fire power of the .45 but also like the 9mm.
I'm a fairly decent shooter. It's just been a long time between practices

[LegacyPhotographic]

Here's another vote for the Ruger P95.. great balance, ambidextrous. Easy to find after market grips that can accommodate your left-handed needs if needed as well.