A do all semi-auto?

[Sanchagrin]

So I am just getting into the world of gun ownership and at this moment the only firearm I own is an antique piece. I want my next firearm to be a modern handgun, either semi-auto or revolver is up for discussion. I want to make sure it is a "do all" firearm though. Something I can use for home protection, woods carry, and mere target practice. I am stuck between a M&P .45, Glock 20, or the M&P R8. There are a few others but these are the most likely. Now I understand shooting the G20 is expensive but I have heard with a simple barrel swap you are shooting .40s instead of 10mm. And before anyone tells me to buy a 9mm let me restate I want a "do all" firearm. If anyone has experience, good or bad, with these firearms let me know what you think. Also if you have any others I should keep in mind feel free to respond. Please do not respond unless you have at least owned or know someone that has owned the gun before.

 

[Jeff H]

Something I can use for home protection, woods carry, and mere target practice.

A revolver would fill your request nicely. Any of the 357mag guns can accomplish all these objectives with ease, and since you can shoot 38spl in it, it is an excellent plinking gun as well.

Semi autos are great and I own more than a few and shoot them quite a bit, but for your first handgun,(and with those intended purposes) I would recommend a revolver.

 

[Ben86]

For me my 'do all" firearm is a Glock 19. All I need it to do is HD and CC, and is mainly for anti-personnel purposes not so much for wild animals. It's just small enough for CC and still be enough to offer the desired firepower for HD.

Perhaps a Glock 23 in .40 would be more appropriate for you as something that is capable of dispatching wild animals efficiently. Loading with something like this: http://www.underwoodammo.com/40sandw180grainjacketedhollowpointboxof50.aspx

I don't think you would be undergunned save for large dangerous game. In which case you ought to have an adequate rifle or shotgun.

 

[Fotno]

I know you're asking about semi-autos (and I own more than a few); but if I had to make do with only one handgun, it wouldn't be any of the guns on your list. I'd buy a .357 revolver with a 4" barrel instead. There's not much you'll need a handgun for, that a .357 revolver won't do well.

 

[Sanchagrin]

Thanks for the input guys. A .357 revolver is likely what I will choose. The M&P R8 is a pretty cool one - 8 shot. Have any of you used the Gp-100?

 

[XxBulletBendeRXx]

IMO, you cant go wrong with a Glock for an AutoLoader.. simply the most reliable there is IMO. I know some may not agree but thats the way it is...
Anyhow, For a DO IT ALL, a Glock in 10mm will DO it ALL, however you have higher ammo costs but like you said you can use a 40 S&w Barrel for more trigger time for range use. I personally prefer 9mm due to capacity and easier follow up shots and not to mention the availablity of ammo. Its everywhere thats sells ammo. As far as 10mm, well thats not so readily available.
I see some have suggested wheel guns in magnum varieties, that can shoot specials for range use, and suits well, but they simply do not have the capacity and auto loader can provide but do have their place in a Do It ALL pistol.
For example, Say someone other than you needs to use the pistol to save you or your family: EX: your wife needs to grab the gun and take care of home defense situation that you are in a scuffle with, A wheel gun is much easier for someone to just pick up and pull the trigger and go BANG. No slide manipulation needed to function the firearm. I Have a 38 special for the Mrs, cause she has problems manipilating the slide with autoloaders, and If it happens to jam on her, forget about it, the gun is out of the equation for her....
This is Just my .02 cents. Hope this helps and have fun searching for your gun, dont just settle, thats part of the fun and be careful not to catch the bug, cause then you will wind up like a lotta guys and gals on here, a safe full of guns .

 

[MikePaiN]

I'm a fan of more compact handguns, especially for those that are going to be tagged "do-all"..... Sanchagrin, once you decide if you want to go with a 10mm or .45acp, I'd recommend looking into a Glock 29 or 30. Both don't give away much to their bigger brothers in accuracy, but are much more easily carried and maneuvered for the trail or in HD. Its not on your list of needs but the G29/30 are not to bad in the EDC roll either.

 

[olderguns]

I have the g29 and a ruger sp101 both would work for what you are looking for, I mostly carry/shoot the 29 simply because I'm better with it, probably because I've been shooting glocks since the early 90's, so thats one major question which one can you shoot better.. try to borrow/rent each one. and buy your favorite can;t go wrong with either one...
and by the way 10mm is a little harder to come by, but it's getting easier, and check out underwood ammo it's not much more then 45acp....

 

[Quoheleth]

Gp100s are great guns. I have a 6" - too much to carry for an every day gun, and really, it's almost too much to pack comfortably for hunting. The 4" or even a 3" (harder to find) would be a good choice but even then, GP100s are hefty.

If you can find a used K-frame .357, like the Model 19 or 66, that would be another great choice. Slightly smaller in size than the GP100, K-frames are about as good as a revolver gets, I think, especially with 3" or 4" barrels. Stay away from hot-snot 110gr and 125gr Magnum loads to prevent gun damage. Likewise, Rugers older Speed Six, Security Six, and Service Six are great guns with an almost cult-like following. These are all 6-shot revolvers.

Ruger's current SP101 is another good gun, but they are fixed sight, shorter barreled guns with only 5 rounds.

Q

 

[jmr40]

I'm a fan of the 10mm, especially the G-20, but it is a niche gun. As much as I like them I wouldn't recommend one for a new shooter. Ammo is expensive, but by carefull shopping I've always been able to find it at about the same price as 45 so it isn't horrible. I've never felt that the barrel changes were worth the price. It will take a LOOOOOOOG time and a lot of ammo just to break even. I'd rather just buy a separate gun in the same platform.

A revolver or somthing in 9mm would be better choice I think as well. I'd lean toward 9mm though. Perfromance with the best loads is closer to 357 than the revolver boys are williing to admit. Especially with barrels shorter than 6", and who wants to lug around a 6-8" barreled revolver.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

There's always a trade off.

I own autos in .45, 40, 9mm, and .380. I've got tupperware and steel. I have Revolvers in .38 and .357.

For a first gun that YOU NEED TO SHOOT A LOT I'd go 9mm. For simple I'd go Glock. I don't even own a Glock but I have shot more than a few. I own XD.

If I had to pick one for "do it all" it would be my wife's stainless 4" Ruger .357 SP101 but that just me and you will eventually pick your own favorite.

Good luck!

 

[Hit_Factor]

R8 is a lot better than gp100.

Gp100 is blocky compared to a s&w. Far more options for accessories as well. Most likely better grade of metals and heat treating. S&w is more expensive for a reason.

Edit to add i am a glock fan, but i don't take them deer hunting with me.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Sanchagrin]

Thanks all. I will really take your input to heart. Not to offend anyone but I am really trying to stay away from 9mm. I know the ammo is cheap and the round is accurate and the bullet designs have gotten better over the years, but IMO a "do it all" handgun shouldn't be even the slightest bit concerned about being underpowered; whether one views the concern as legitimate or not. Ammo capacity isn't a major concern for me either since I am stuck in California. I like the R8 a lot. Has anyone had experience with it or any other scandium framed smiths?

 

[SpentCasing]

This is easy. Compact Glock. I prefer the G19 but since you prefer to not have a 9mm get whatever the size equivalent is in caliber of your choosing. Add a conversion barrel and you're set.

 

[GlackAttack]

I'm personally jonesin' for a Glock 29 (or 20). Seems to be a great woods gun, and with a conversion barrel, you can shoot .40, .357 sig, and 9x25 Dillon. From what I understand, the casings are all the same diameter, so one would just have to switch out the barrel to shoot the others reliably. I can't wait. i'll be getting the .40 barrel to shoot a little cheaper than 10mm.

 

[Ben86]

Not to offend anyone but I am really trying to stay away from 9mm. I know the ammo is cheap and the round is accurate and the bullet designs have gotten better over the years, but IMO a "do it all" handgun shouldn't be even the slightest bit concerned about being underpowered; whether one views the concern as legitimate or not.

With loads around that will send a 124 grain bullet out of a 4 inch barrel at 1300 fps I don't know what one would feel it was underpowered for, except large dangerous game. Most handgun calibers are underpowered for that.

 

[easyg]

The quintessential "do all" handgun is the .357 magnum revolver.

Plinking, target shooting, hunting of small to medium size game, and home/self defense, the .357 magnum can do it all.

Thanks for the input guys. A .357 revolver is likely what I will choose. The M&P R8 is a pretty cool one - 8 shot. Have any of you used the Gp-100?

S&W revolvers are nice, I've owned a few, but in my opinion they are really over priced for what you get.
They certainly are no better than Ruger.
In fact, I think the Rugers are even more robust than the S&W revolvers.
You get more bang for the buck with a Ruger.
I also like that Rugers are much easier to disassemble than the S&Ws.
Also, IMO, the cylinder release is a better design on the Rugers.

 

[TarDevil]

There are no indications in your "do all" qualifications or selection of handguns that conceal carry is a requirement, so I might suggest considering a Ruger Blackhawk .357/9mm convertable. That gives you a cheap round for plinking and practice, .38 for home defense, and.357 for woods carry and hunting.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Get the M&P 45 or just get a 357 wheelgun.

 

[JERRY]

most any mid sized 9mm semi-auto (since thats what you asked about)....will conceal fairly easy for ccw especially a single stack, will handle most any critter in the woods intent on harming you except a bear or moose et cetera, 9mm ammo is the cheapest centerfire round i know of for target practice.

if CCW is not your concern and price of ammo is not your concern and the size of the gun is not your concern i highly recommend a Glock 20 10mm.

 

[tarosean]

let me restate I want a "do all" firearm.

Then you want a rem 870 or moss 500.


You can't go wrong with your choices pick the best one that fits your hand

 

[Pilot]

For me, my all around pistol is a semi-compact 9MM like my CZ-75D PCR. It carries well, is very accurate for range work, and holds 15 rounds so also great for home defense. Other good choices in this class are:

Glock G19
Sig P228/P229
XDm
HK P30

 

[Onward Allusion]

The R8 is an awesome gun. Not many 8-shot .357 mags out there. However, it is on the expensive side @ $1,100 to $1,300.

Personally, if I was going to spend that kind of change, I'd get a Glock 22 (or 31) with a .357 Sig (or 40) drop in barrel, and a 9mm conversion barrel & 9mm mags. The .40S&W should do fine for HD. 9mm is in expensive plinking for the range. The .357 Sig will do anything up to black bear in the woods. Plus, you'd get twice the capacity of the R8.

 

[SOTSpro21:31]

Sig Sauer P226! Sidearm of the Navy SEALs for many years...

 

[mljdeckard]

I use 1911s for everything.