I am itching for a new gun

[LuluSS]

So, decided I will be purchasing a SCAR at the beginning of the year (Christmas present ) but everytime I get a rifle, I must get a new handgun too! HAHA.

One problem, I can't decide what one to get! I either want to get a .40 or a revolver. I am a woman, so I am picky on looks. I don't like the look of the S&W M&P's, I don't like the look of the Beretta Storm's, an HK or Sig is too expensive (since I am on a budget after the SCAR purchase), I don't like Glock's, my fiancee already has a Springfield Armory .40 so I can't get that, I already have a Ruger SR9c, so I don't want the new Ruger SR40. What else???? I hate being picky HAHAHA. I could get a S&W .357 revolver....hmmmm....can't decide.

What do you girls (or guys) recommend?

[sniper4usmc]

CZ 75 Compact in 40S&W

[stphnman20]

How about a P99?

[CSACANNONEER]

Why don't you look into getting a .22lr handgun and a .22lr rifle. Both will provide countless hours of very cheap shooting and let you develop your skills without breaking the bank. You're welcome to shoot some of mine before you decide on getting one or not.

If you feel the imediate need for another centerfire handgun, look at 1911s in .45acp. Or, everyone needs at least one .357 revolver so, that's a good choice too.

[LuluSS]

CZ 75 Compact in 40S&W

I do love the look of the CZ 75's!

I hear a lot of good reviews on these handguns. Are they really that awesome?

And they have a great price as well!

[tacticalcity]

So, decided I will be purchasing a SCAR at the beginning of the year (Christmas present ) but everytime I get a rifle, I must get a new handgun too! HAHA.

One problem, I can't decide what one to get! I either want to get a .40 or a revolver. I am a woman, so I am picky on looks. I don't like the look of the S&W M&P's, I don't like the look of the Beretta Storm's, an HK or Sig is too expensive (since I am on a budget after the SCAR purchase), I don't like Glock's, my fiancee already has a Springfield Armory .40 so I can't get that, I already have a Ruger SR9c, so I don't want the new Ruger SR40. What else???? I hate being picky HAHAHA. I could get a S&W .357 revolver....hmmmm....can't decide.

What do you girls (or guys) recommend?

The Scar is a great rifle. So I'm jealous big time.

Can't help you on the "looks" department. I've learned to embrace the ugliness of Glocks. The only "pretty" handgun's I go for are 1911s, and that is not based on their looks but functionality. A really good 1911 is going to run you a lot of money,as much as the SCAR rifle. So I'm pretty sure based on your OP that is not an option.

My first handgun was purchased almost entirely on looks. It was a stainless steel Beretta 96FS with a wrap around hogue grip that made it feel like it was massaging my hand. Really big mistake. When I showed up for a 4 Day Handgun course several days later I had a bear of a time mastering it, while Glock owners were running circles around me.

That pretty Beretta had an 8lbs first trigger pull, and a really light follow-up pull that were night and day difference and really messed me up when I tried to speed things up and shoot realistically vs. just plinking. It also had a safety/decocker that added several steps to the manual of arms. When compared to the Glock, it was like trying to do Calculus when the other students only had to master basic arithmatic. The Glock is suited so much better to self defense shooting/training it wasn't even funny.

That experience made a convert out of me. I would rather be the live owner of a really ugly Glock than the dead owner of a really pretty Beretta.

So my only advice would be not to be so worried about looks. The ugliest gun on the planet (the Glock) is probably the easiest to master and thus the best gun for self defense. If you can't do it in training, you are definately not going to be able to do it in a real life fire fight.

That said, there are lots of firearms fairly similar to the Glock with regards to functionality and masterablitiy. Not identical, but close.

Here are the ones not ruled out in your OP that if I could not have access to either a Glock or 1911 I would prefer over say a Sig or CZ based on functionality.

Walther P99 QA (The Quick Action Model is the only one I would recommend)


Walther PPS


H&K USP (with LEM Trigger Pack)

Compact version shown but full size available.
The V1 Trigger Pack can be carried cocked and locked much like a 1911 if you prefer to go that route. The LEM trigger pack functions a lot like that of Glock, making it really easy to master.

H&K P30 (with LEM trigger pack)

See notes for the USP as they apply to this handgun as well.

You ruled out the XD and M&P so I'm pretty sure that completes my list. If I think of any more I will let you know. I would still prefer a Glock or 1911 over the above, but they are all great firearms.

I actually would not want the Sig P250, S&W Sigma, or the S&W M&P. On all of those, you have to completely release the trigger to fire it again, and that makes it pretty hard to master. It leads to "slapping" the trigger pulling the handgun off target. For someone who has learned to master trigger reset, it really standsout and messes you up. Releasing the trigger all the way out is just not natural. Of the ones mentioned above, the Glock has the shortest trigger reset. It one area where the Glock really shines. Little things like that are what make or break a handgun, more so than looks or how it feels in your hand.

Revolvers usually require you to completely release the trigger each time as well, which is one of the reasons I am not a big fan of them as a primary self defense weapon. That said, if you need something really small and light that you hide just about anywhere there are some great "backup guns" that are revolvers that allow for a larger round than their semi-auto counterparts.

Something to consider...

From a purely dollars and cents perspective it makes more sense to buy another long gun instead. You can put as many long guns on the same DROS paperwork as you like. You pay the same low DROS fee for 3 long guns as 1. However, you cannot do that with handguns. Each handgun gets its own DROS, and DROS fee. If there are other long guns on your wish list, you might want to buy a few of them all at once. Just an idea.

[LuluSS]

Why don't you look into getting a .22lr handgun and a .22lr rifle. Both will provide countless hours of very cheap shooting and let you develop your skills without breaking the bank. You're welcome to shoot some of mine before you decide on getting one or not.

If you feel the imediate need for another centerfire handgun, look at 1911s in .45acp. Or, everyone needs at least one .357 revolver so, that's a good choice too.

Yeah, I am already thinking about getting a .22lr rifle. They are inexpensive with inexpensive ammo too! But as far as the handguns go, I want to stick with minimum 9mm, as they are for home defense as well

What .22lr rifle do you recommend? I was thinking about getting the GSG5

[LuluSS]

How about a P99?

Hm, that is a nice looking gun. Didn't think about that one! Thanks!

[LuluSS]

Thanks, I realize looks are not that important for home defense. However, I already have my ugly home defense gun (SA .40). Therefore, all I am going for is looks, accuracy, and reliability with my next handgun. Yes, a gun with all of those features MUST exist somewhere! HAHA. And actually, the Walther P99 is a good looking gun. I think I might rent it at the range to see how it feels in my hand. Thanks!

Can't help you on the "looks" department. I've learned to embrace the ugliness of Glocks. The only "pretty" handgun's I go for are 1911s, and that is not based on their looks but functionality.

My first handgun was purchased almost entirely on looks. It was a stainless steel Beretta 96FS with a wrap around hogue grip that made it feel like it was massaging my hand. Really big mistake. When I showed up for a 4 Day Handgun course several days later I had a bear of a time mastering it, while Glock owners were running circles around me.

That pretty Beretta had an 8lbs first trigger pull, and a really light second pull, and a safety/decocker that added several steps to the manual of arms. When compared to the Glock, is was like trying to do Calculus when the other students only had to master basic arithmatic.

So my only advice would not to be so worried about looks. The ugliest gun on the planet (the Glock) is probably the easiest to master. Making it fool proof in a high stress situation like having to defend your life.

That said, there are lots of firearms fairly similar to the Glock with regards to functionality and masterablitiy. Not identical, but close.

Here are the ones not ruled out in your OP...

Walther P99 QA (The Quick Action Model is the only one I would recommend)


Walther PPS


H&K USP (with LEM Trigger Pack)

[stphnman20]

Hm, that is a nice looking gun. Didn't think about that one! Thanks!

It's a nice handgun. Good feel to it IMO.

[bjl333]

My 2 cents !!

$0.01 Colt Python 6" Blue, save a little bit more money before pulling the trigger. If you look for the thread "most beautiful handgun" you'll see lots of Python votes. Everybody need a Python.
$0.01 S&W 686 Stainless 4"/6". Second place IMHO, not a close second but second.

Both of these will shoot very nice, the Python nicer !!

[CSACANNONEER]

Yeah, I am already thinking about getting a .22lr rifle. They are inexpensive with inexpensive ammo too! But as far as the handguns go, I want to stick with minimum 9mm, as they are for home defense as well

What .22lr rifle do you recommend? I was thinking about getting the GSG5

While I really enjoy my GSG5, I wouldnot suggest it as a first .22lr. There are plenty of great bolt action .22s out there. I happen to really enjoy shooting old gallery guns (.22lr pumps). Lever actions are also fun to shoot. If you feel that you must have a semi auto for your first .22lr rifle, the best choice is a 10-22. You can modify them any way you want to from to be tacticool toys to serious competion rifles.

Before you buy a GSG5, come shoot mine and then clean it. You'll see why it's not a good first purchase. Besides, they are expensive for what they are. They are made from pot metal and impossibly to find parts can break easily. Also, they are just not built to last. I'm making an educated guess that the average GSG won't last more than 100,000 rounds where a 10-22 is good for literally millions of rounds and every single part on a 10-22 is easy to find and change.

[tacticalcity]

Thanks, I realize looks are not that important for home defense. However, I already have my ugly home defense gun (SA .40). Therefore, all I am going for is looks, accuracy, and reliability with my next handgun. Yes, a gun with all of those features MUST exist somewhere! HAHA. And actually, the Walther P99 is a good looking gun. I think I might rent it at the range to see how it feels in my hand. Thanks!

If going for the P99 make sure to checkout the QA (Quick Action) model. That trigger pack is much easier to master than the DA (Double Action) version.

The first thing you will notice is how comfortable it is. Of all the handguns I've held, it was the most form fitting. All the controls are right where the should be as well. That is not my highest priority when choosing a handgun, but it is really impressive none the less.

[tacticalcity]

My 2 cents !!

$0.01 Colt Python 6" Blue, save a little bit more money before pulling the trigger. If you look for the thread "most beautiful handgun" you'll see lots of Python votes. Everybody need a Python.
$0.01 S&W 686 Stainless 4"/6". Second place IMHO, not a close second but second.

Both of these will shoot very nice, the Python nicer !!

Not to completely flip on myself, but you make a good point. If she already has a few Semi-Autos then a nice affordable revolver wouldn't be a bad choice either.

This is what gets me every time I buy a new handgun. I have such a hard time deciding what to get. The only time it is has been easy was when I really caught a bug for a particular firearm. Which was the case when I picked up a few of my past Glocks, and an H&K USP. I knew exactly what I wanted with those. Every other time I spent months trying out everything under the sun. There is no shortage of guns to check out.

[LuluSS]

My 2 cents !!

$0.01 Colt Python 6" Blue, save a little bit more money before pulling the trigger. If you look for the thread "most beautiful handgun" you'll see lots of Python votes. Everybody need a Python.
$0.01 S&W 686 Stainless 4"/6". Second place IMHO, not a close second but second.

Both of these will shoot very nice, the Python nicer !!

Its funny you mention the S&W 686 because that is exactly the revolver I would get! It is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

I think I am leaning more towards the revolver right now as I already have a 9mm, .40, and the fiancee is getting a 1911 .45 soon. So I think it is time to add a revolver to the collection