Advice, plz... first handgun

[Dark&Good]

Hi,
I'm about to get my first handgun, I just have no idea what brand/model. I do know my preferences, so please consider these before suggesting:
- legal
- I need it for self/others' defense against humans
- I need it for max. 20 meter (60 ft) shots
- needs to have little enough recoil/muzzle jump to allow for accurate 2nd shot
- ammo for it has to be available "everywhere"
- I'm not reloading
- working, no matter what
- very accurate over the above distance

What do you say?

[ThatFishGuy]

There's at least a dozen 9mm autos that fit that. some argue the validity of 9mm as a self defense round but there are some really good loads available for it. golcks, xd's, CZ's, berettas, SW m&p, im sure there are a few others but these seem to be the most commonly recommended. if you want more knockdown power im sure people will recommend a 1911 in .45. more expensive round but still widely available. recoil isnt too bad either IMO. Is that as specific as your needs get? MANY guns fit the bill, most experienced people are just going to tell you to go rent a few and see what you shoot best with. And since you dont have any stand-out requirements, thats probably not a bad idea. HTH

[Dark&Good]

MIGHT need to CC it. I could do the $575 tops version in one piece, the $800 wouldn't be easy... For some reason I LOOOVE 8+ magazine handguns, but I'd rather have something that doesn't need many bullets to do the job. I shot my friends' guns, I seem to be pretty accurate with those 3 models.
Let me put an additional viewpoint in it: from 60 feet, what is the smallest caliber that would always break a human skull?

[oaklander]

Most shootings happen within a few feet.

You might want to go to a range that rents pistols and try some different ones.

[Sobriquet]

Let me put an additional viewpoint in it: from 60 feet, what is the smallest caliber that would always break a human skull?

On your 666th post, THAT is the question you ask? lol

Take a class and rent as many different models as you can. Get the one you shoot the best from a reputable brand. If you're going to use the gun for home defense, IMHO, stick to Heckler & Koch, Sig Sauer, or Glock.

9mm, 357 sig, .40 S&W, or .45acp are the acceptable auto self-defense calibers. 9mm is the cheapest and softest recoiling. We're limited to 10 rounds here in California, so extra capacity from 9mm is usually a moot point depending on the model. 357 sig and .40 have a sharper recoil and I'm not a fan. I also don't really see the logic of an intermediate round. If you need more than a 9mm, get a .45.

[Edit:] Come to think of it, how does someone get over 600 posts without owning a handgun? lol

[comandante costello]

Let me put an additional viewpoint in it: from 60 feet, what is the smallest caliber that would always break a human skull?

[Plisk]

Let me put an additional viewpoint in it: from 60 feet, what is the smallest caliber that would always break a human skull?

To answer your question, a .22 within decent range. As for home defense, most would agree .45 ACP is the best hands down. If you want something a little lighter, a .38 revolver is a decent defense gun with the right ammo. My buddy bought a Kimber CDP the other day (I'm not sure which model, not full size I know that) for defense and CC, and it's a sweet gun. The price for it is bank-breaking, but it's an awesome pistol.

If you want personal defense with CC capability, a 1911 would probably be your best bet IMO.

[kermit]

While you're renting guns, try a 357 magnum with a six inch barrel. They are generally foolproof with factory loads and you could always shoot 38 Specials for practice.

IMHO, headshots are not generally recommended in real world situations as the first shot. The target is small and generally moving around; you're adrenaline's pumping; your fine motor skills are diminished, and your vision is "tunneled". Go with center of mass first and head shots if the COM shots are ineffective.

[Miltiades]

Question...

I think it is rare for a civilian to fire self defense shots with a handgun at 60 feet. You would only fire with legal justification if your life were in immediate danger. How would a person 60 feet away be threatening your life? He would have to be shooting at you from that distance. Nobody with a knife or club could really threaten you effectively at 60 feet.

I would worry more about somebody threatening my life from 10 feet away, or less.

[ieballplyr@aol.com]

My First gun was a Sig P226 and have no regrets I tried a lot of guns at the range and loved the way the sig felt and shot

[duck814]

Caliber: 9mm. Here's a good reference for suitable self-defense ammunition http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_De..._FAQ/index.htm (my personal preference, Winchester Ranger 147 gr RA9T).

Type: I'd go polymer frame pistols. Glock, XD, HK would all do the job. (XD features a grip safety, trigger safety, loaded chamber indicator, and cocking indicator which could be valuable to a first time gun owner)

[downfall]

from your requirements a Glock 17C/19c would fit the bill.

[fairfaxjim]

For your very first, if you intend on using it for self defense, I would recommend a .357 mag. revolver, probably 4" barrel minimum. You can do most of your training with .38 special which is very readily available for decent price. They are accurate, and if you have a decent one, pretty much fail safe.

[BTF/PTM]

If you go semi-auto, I vote for a P226 in 9mm. If you're using it for defense it'll have hollowpoints in it so you'll have plenty of "stopping power". The extra money you'll spend to buy it will come back many fold. If the P226 isn't in your budget I'd say go for the revolver as mentioned earlier.

[fairfaxjim]

If you go semi-auto, I vote for a P226 in 9mm. If you're using it for defense it'll have hollowpoints in it so you'll have plenty of "stopping power". The extra money you'll spend to buy it will come back many fold. If the P226 isn't in your budget I'd say go for the revolver as mentioned earlier.

I absolutely love the P226 9mm. That has been my number one go to gun for years. However, for a first gun, particularly for self defense, I believe in the KISS principal, and in learning to shoot, I mean learning to shoot VERY WELL! For self defense situation, the SS in KISS doesn't mean Simple Stupid, it means SUPER SIMPLE! The best tactical weapon and gear money can buy won't help you in a stressed out situation if you can't work it or you can't shoot well under stress. Remember, all of those people who use that stuff for real iin real situations not only put their life in their gear, but in their traning.

I see so many people on here asking about what nifty weapon to buy first, but hardly anybody asking about how to learn to shoot!

Get a good revolver and put a few thousand rounds of quality training time down the barrel, then move up.