I just picked up an application for a Concealed Pistol License.. I know I've gotta wait 30 days for the background check and all, but I've been thinking about getting one for some time, just never 'pulled the trigger' on it, but I just got to thinking that I better get one now, while we still can, just in case.....

I've been a shot gun, rifle and very small hand gun owner (wimpy little .22 revolver), and know 'of' all the big guns, like the 9mm Glocks, .38 and .45 cal this and that, etc...

My main plan is for getting into target shooting with the wife, so I don't need a Magnum or anything like that, but what's you guys opinion on revolvers and semi auto's? Other then the # of bullets each one holds and what's a good caliber size for a relative 'novice' in the hand gun arena, but will still pack a punch if called upon.. My wife used to have a CPL, but let it lapse over 10 years ago.... She's fired .45's before. The biggest hand gun I've fired is a .38...

Any advise?

Mitch

 

If you are mainly looking for something to target shoot then 9mm is your round. It is about 10 bucks cheaper per hundred than 40 cal or 38. A good 9mm hollow point personal defense round will stop someone wishing you ill will. The main thing is to practice with the gun you decide on so you are familiar with it. No round will be effective if you can't shoot what you're aiming at!!

 

Well I like an auto pistol for the ammount of ammo that can be carried, as well as the ability to reload quickly with no special clips or anything like a revolver. My advise on picking a cartrige would be to go shoot several of them at a range and see what you like best, as its a personal preference thing. I like 40.S&W because it has less recoil and pretty much the same knockdown as a 45acp. However I am about to buy a 357sig conversion barrel for my Springfield xd so I can have less recoil but almost the knockdown of a 357mag.

 

Thanks s2krn and birddog! That's the idea, getting familar with it and actually shooting at something.. I hadn't thought about the ammo cost, so thanks for that too! My dad used to load his own ammo, 12g shells, but I think he got rid of that equipment 20 years ago...

I'm leaning towards a semi auto, one that holds like 12 rounds in it. Can you get the hollow point ammo 'anyplace' that sells ammo, or is it harder to come by? Figure I'd have a clip of that as well as the target ammo that I can just grab if needed...

We have a number of ranges I can go to around my area, so I'll be trying them out and become a member on the one that we like the best.

 

I just bought a Kimber 1911 in .45 and love the gun, S2krn is right, you can't beat the 9mm if you are looking for something for target shooting. Rounds are very cheap. Plus, you can get 15+ rounds into a mag. I have a Ruger p89 9mm with 15rd clip. Shot 3000+ rounds and not one misfire yet.

I also like the .40 cal round. Glock makes some good reliable guns, plus they make some with double stack mags where you can get more capacity with larger calibers.

In a revolver, I would go with a .357. The .357 round is a very good self defense round, plus for target shooting you can use either .357 or .38. I just got Taurus Tracker .357 w/6" barrel. Great gun under $500 for a revolver.

 

I think most beginners find a revolver much easier to shoot than a semi-auto. It is comfortable in the hand and almost never malfunctions.
I like to recommend the .357 mag because it can also shoot. 38 ammo. The bullets are the same diameter. However, the .357 mag cartridge is longer than a .38. You can load .38 ammo into a .357, but you cannot load .357 ammo into a .38. The cartridge will stick out and the cylinder will not close.
The .357 is built heavy. It will probably never wear out, especially with a steady diet of .38 ammo. The extra weight helps minimize the recoil.
Choose a barrel length of 4" or longer. Look for nice thick grips if you can get them.
The Ruger GP100 and Smith and Wesson 'L Frame' are both good choices. I personally own the Ruger with a 4" barrel since about 1989. My wife is on the smaller side and this is her favorite gun to shoot.
If you want to use it for home defense, the .357 mag ammo will stop almost anything you can hit.
If you are looking in the used market, you can find some good choices made by Colt, Dan Wesson, and Charter Arms. I have had bad luck with Taurus, I will never buy anything made by them again.
Avoid the off brands like RG and others.
If you really want a semi-auto, the 9mm is readily available, cheaper to shoot, and very manageable recoil. CZ makes a model called the CZ-75 in 9mm. I think this is a great gun for the $. They are made in the Czech Republic and are easy to find.
Avoid the inclination to buy something really lightweight. The recoil increases dramatically as the guns are made lighter. The extra weight keeps the barrel down.
Good luck.

 

I get my hollow points at walmart when I don't load my own. It could be different in your state, but in Texas anywhere that can sell ammo sells hollow points.
BTW if you haven't got a pistol in mind yet I would suggest an XD by Springfield armory, they make several different ones, but they all have a lifetime warranty and if you have Springfield's custom shop do any work on the gun like trigger job or anything else its also guarantied for life. They are like a glock but actually have saftey's built in on them, plus they are cheaper and have a 1911 grip angle.

 

Thanks RedFord150, That's great info and the time I did fire the .38, it was a .357 revolver with about everything you mentioned on it and we shot the .38 rounds because they were the cheapest.

The range we went to had several varities of guns we could 'rent' and then buy the ammo for right there.. I think I should get my butt back over there and start trying them out to see what works for 'me'.. As was said, it's gonna be more of a personal thing and what works for me kind of deal...

Once I get used to it all, then I can branch out, that is if anything is left to be able to get! ha, ha!

Kinda makes me think I'm prepping for some sort of 'dooms day' deal, but my wife is on board with this too, and she's has liberal as any of them!

Thanks guys, and keep it coming if you can.. I'm a noob at this for the most part, but I have at least hunted and shot game before, even though that was like 20 years ago!

Mitch

 

I favor the fn 57 5.7x28mm
Any thoughts.

http://personalsecurityzone.com/cgi-...roductID=29445

 

The .357 in 4" is a 'dime a dozen'. This has been a winning combination since the 70's. Many shooters use .38 for the range. Not surprised to hear you've already tried it.

Your idea of going to the range and trying lots of models is a good one. You might find that perfect fit that none of us has thought about. Some of the ranges in my area will let you try lots of guns for one rental fee. As long as you buy the ammo from them and only take out one at a time. Call around or ask your local gun shop which range is the most 'customer friendly'.

Also, compare prices at gun stores. In my area, we often find big differences in price on identical models.

 

Agreed.

A 9mm is a great gu to get started with Mitch. It was my first real handgun action. I love shooting the .45, but wouldn't suggest it for the 'novice'.

You have any gun your eyeing right now ? Or ... ?

 

Not really at this time. Kinda leaning towards that .357 deal. I'll try a 9mm at the range and if they have one, I'll try a .45, just to feel it out...

Mostly going to go by price too... I don't want to spend much more then $500, so that probably limits my choices quite a bit? Down to used or pretty small caliber ones in that price range, huh?

By the sounds of it, prices will probably start going up, as this 'supply and demand' thing starts to take hold!

Thanks for the info MT!

Mitch

 

$500 will get you a decent new one.
Guns hold their value. You will not find a big savings going from new to used.
Look at www.gunbroker.com to get some good price comparisons.
www.turners.com is a chain of stores in my area. Click on 'in store ad' for their weekly deals.
Ruger, Smith and Wesson, Glock, Springfield Armory XD, and CZ are available in the $500 range.
You will NOT get a Sig Sauer or Kimber in this price range.

 

Thanks for the links Red..

 

Also a heads up on gunbroker.com you can have your local gun shop buy the gun for you from gunbroker.com. You have to have a FFL to buy from the site, but most shops will order them for you. You can usually find some very good deals on that site also.