So guys and gals out there. My sister and i just bought a gun range membership and are starting to get into guns. Never have been before. So my question is what do you guys recommend for handguns? The place we got a membership at has about 50+ guns to rent. With our membership we get free gun rentals on those guns. Any suggestions are appreciated thank you. caliber and size don't really matter.
Handguns
- Thread starter AZhiAZiAM
- Start date
Airmapper
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Bowling Green, KY
If your plinking for fun, try out .22's. Ammo is a lot cheaper. Get up into larger calibers and it's over a doller a shot. I just shoot my SD guns to stay proficient, if I'm plinking targets for fun I grab a .22
ya it will be mostly for fun and to take to the mountains in case of predators when wheeling. i know .22 ammo is cheaper and is what i was kind of looking into. i do have a 1911 but it was a hand me down. don't even know if it even works its about 50 years old i think some military stamp on it.
also sound dumb, but im not sure what you mean when you say "plinking" unless that suppose to say looking.
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Airmapper
First Fill-Up (of many)
- Location
- Bowling Green, KY
Oh I just mean "plinking" as shooting for fun, at targets, tin cans, and such. Sorta like the sound it makes when you shoot a can, "plink."
I just now noticed your in CA, mind your gun laws over there, it's not the most gun friendly state.
aw didn't catch on to the sound thing. but yes more unless for plinking. minus a little protection. I've noticed cali laws. i'm more than likely going to be buying from a gun shop around here unless i find a gun i really enjoy at the range and maybe ill order it.
HK..
Bought an X
- Location
- Cincinnati ohio
For 22 plinkin look at the ruger mkIII 22/45, ruger sr22, M&P22, and Walther p22q. All are nice pistols for plinkin. And easy to learn to shot with. Also if you're looking for a small 22 rifle you can't go wrong with a ruger 10/22. You can do pretty much anything with it and is extremely customizable. But as always with guns be safe. 
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iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree on the plinking thing. As far as what to go with is up to how it feels to you. Any handgun purchased for plinking or self defense or home protection you have to be comfortable with it. Try many to find the type/size that fits you. Do not settle or just listen to one person. Many folks like Glock, however, I do not care for the feel. Just my 0.02
- Location
- North Alabama
If you can post some pics of the 1911. Sounds like you may have a very nice, and possibly valuable, 1911 there and don't know it.
Like Saks said you really need to try a bunch of different handguns and find what feels good in your hand and shoots well for you.
ya ill get it out of my safe and post a pic later this week. thanks for the input guys.
Rangerguru
Bought an X
- Location
- Currently in Afghanistan
If you're looking for a self defense weapon, I recommend something simple with very few moving parts that holds a lot of bullets. I have three Springfield XD .40 calibers. An XDM full size (16 round capacity), an XD sub-compact for concealed carry (9 rounds or 12 rounds with extended magazine) and the wife carries an XD compact (12 round capacity). Glock also make easy to operate semi-automatics, but I prefer the XDs. When I worked at a government agency, we tested the Sig Sauer 229, HK USP 40, Glock 19 and Springfield XD .40. After firing about 10,000 through each of them, the Springfield blew away all the others. Least amount of malfunctions/stoppages and it was also the least expensive. The Sig Sauer performed the worst by far and it was also the most expensive, so of course, that's what they went with. I have a lot of friends that have 1911's an in my opinion, they are overrated and most people buy them because it's the cool gun to have. They have a 9 round capacity, too many moving parts and if you're ever in a high stress situation, basic motor functions are about all you will have to work with. There might be people that disagree with me and that's fine, but I've been shooting and teaching advanced firearms to military and federal agents for over 25 years. Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions.
- Location
- SW OK & formerly Eastern NM
I'm gonna use this thread sometime too. I kinda have my wife on board now
- Location
- Morrison, CO
380, like a S&W 380 J-frame would be great for self defense and easy enough to shoot for practice (always practice with your carry piece too).
Looking at that to carry after my "official" class next month.
Looking at that to carry after my "official" class next month.
I love the XD, but for some it's a big gun to try to carry concealed. I carry a Walther PK380 occasionally. It's a nice little compact for IWB concealment. I'm also a big fan of the Walther P99, but with the XD being considerably less expensive, it beats the Walther out every single time. I also absolutely love a Ruger Redhawk Super Alaskan .44, but it's a big wheel gun and not easy to concel at all, if that's your thing. Fun to shoot though, if you don't mind the cash register dinging in the back of your mind every time you pull the trigger.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
Ditto on the XD...I carry a the 4" Service 9mm at work and I LOVE it. Snow, rain, road salt, dirt, mud....never had an issue with it, even with cheap Blazer ammo at the range.
Just put some rounds downrange with different pistols and see what YOU like. I was never a Springfield fan until I shot one of the range rentals once...2 weeks later, I traded in my Smith & Wesson for that XD9. Now I'm looking for a compact for Karen, since she likes mine so much.
Just put some rounds downrange with different pistols and see what YOU like. I was never a Springfield fan until I shot one of the range rentals once...2 weeks later, I traded in my Smith & Wesson for that XD9. Now I'm looking for a compact for Karen, since she likes mine so much.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
Absolutely love my redhawk .44 mag. Carry it deer hunting in case I get one under 80 yards or so.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
I would definitely go XD over glock, but 1911 those. My dad has all and while I love his XD in .40 the 1911 feels better to me and I have never had an issue with.
Rangerguru
Bought an X
- Location
- Currently in Afghanistan
.380 is a good conceal carry weapon, but the ammunition was impossible to get a couple of years ago. I don't know if the manufacturers have resolved that problem because I don't shop for it. Just something to consider.
I never have a problem finding .380 ammo. Though I've only had my Walther a couple of years, and whatever shortage there may have been must have been resolved before I bought it.
- Location
- Columbus OH
38O rounds are everywhere now, not exactly cheap but they are everywhere. I love the fact that my LCP is the same size as a cell phone, but hits a hell of a lot harder, and is as easy to take with you wherever you go.
Mr.Ed
Test Drive
- Location
- St.Louis Mo.
Love my XD 45. service model for which is my carry gun . I use Corbon +P
hollow points. Its the best gun to date i own!!!
hollow points. Its the best gun to date i own!!!
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
Just got my first pistol the other day for my 21st! My dad bought me a ruger single six, single action revolver. Can't wait to shoot it! 6.5" barrel. .22LR and .22WMR cylinders! Gonna be a great short range coyote/bobcat pistol!
- Location
- Morrison, CO
Picked up my LCP a little bit ago. Put a box through it today and it did great. Using the Critical Defense round. I'd like to get some ballistic gel to see what these things actually do.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
I did the unthinkable yesterday and traded my XD9 for an M&P9 with thumb safety..one of the best shooting, accurate pistols I've ever shot. Too bad the Army didn't have it when I qualified the first time.
- Location
- Columbus OH
I am still a little un-decided what round that I like better at this point so I am running a bit of everything through it. Hollow points, FMJ, at the range that it would be used I cant see that it would make a lot of difference and the arguement over expansion through demim vs over penitration vs lack of penitration with hollow points is really a moot point at best. Shot is shot and at 10-15 feet away I dont think that it would make much difference.
P.S. glad that you like your LCP
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
I've heard great things about the lcp. I, personally, am going to be looking for an lcr for cc. I like the simplicity of a hammerless revolver. Seems to me like there would be fewer parts and mechanisms to worry about malfunctioning in a do or die situation.
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
agreed, the difference is what the bullet does after it hits the person. a good hollowpoint shouldn't be a threat to anyone that may be beyond the intended target (i.e. if I have to shoot someone in my house, I don't have to worry about the bullet going through the intruder, through a wall, and being a danger to my child)
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
[video=youtube;AD4Z5hKg8zs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD4Z5hKg8zs[/video]
here ya go...
[video=youtube;-H9M6cZGd18]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9M6cZGd18[/video]
this one is a bit more accurate...
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That's what I keep loaded in my Walther, but I shoot 90-grain FMJ Winchester at the range because it's significantly cheaper. At typical pistol shot distances, the accuracy difference between the two rounds is minimal, and my range time is more about being comfortable with the pistol than anything else.
That second video is all the demonstration I need to know that the Critical Defense is the right round to have for EDC.
That second video is all the demonstration I need to know that the Critical Defense is the right round to have for EDC.
jmnielsen
Need Bigger Tires
- Location
- Lincoln, NE
that second video was pretty neat. I was pretty impressed with the penetration.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
Check out some of TNOutdoors9 on the Tube...he's got some great info and about 250 videos. His tests are why I chose Winchester PDX1 for duty carry over everything else. I want the round to stay in my intended target, not pass through. I carry the 124gr.
9mm or .40?
I'm looking into getting another gun for myself and wife real soon. We both used to carry .38's. She had a Rossi and I had a Taurus both with combat grips. Great guns in opinion. Wish I still had them. I also had a S&W .40. I really miss that gun. Unfortunately we came into hard times and with a toddler and new born, I had to sell them.
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
9mm
- Location
- Amarillo, TX
agreed nismo, that's why I've got .40 hydrashok ammo, when I shoot someone, I want the round to stay where I put it.
it's also why I've started responding in the house with my AR instead of my .40, less chance of blowing a round through a bunch of walls if it goes stray....
it's also why I've started responding in the house with my AR instead of my .40, less chance of blowing a round through a bunch of walls if it goes stray....
- Location
- Smyrna, TN
The 147gr bullet just has too much oomph behind it for my liking, at least for duty. Sometimes, bigger isn't always better.