Need advice on gun to buy...

[Tallball]

For the OP: Have you ever looked at Gunbroker.com? CDI Sales on there sells military surplus and police trade-ins. They currently have CZ83's (380) and SW 915's (9mm) in the $200-$300 range (the 915 is superior to the 910 in several different ways). They also have full-sized 9mm CZ clones (Tanfoglio) and 9mm Beretta clones (Taurus) starting at $300-$325.

I own all four of the above, three purchased from CDI, and they are all solld reliable service pistols.

 

[Bigmike79]

Are you serious? If you choose to carry a 32 ACP that’s your choice. The last time I checked no one is telling you to carry a double stack or an AR. And I’m not sure why you bring up all the tangents except to deflect and shift this thread.

Read the post you originally responded to. Now read your response to that post. Go back and read the first post again and think. Next read read the second post you responded to. Repeat steps 2 &3. Think about it some more.

I'm starting to find a lot of other other gun owners more annoying than antis. This is why they're going to win. They're smarter than most of us.......true story

 

[Mad_Max]

Wow! No lack of advice here... thanks (and I really mean that). To answer a few questions: Yes, I am fairly new to shooting. Grew up around guns but didnt really get into it until the last year or so. I have not tried a CZ70. It sounds like I have alot of gun renting to do. I have looked at Gunbroker.com but I really want to try more guns before buying.... and for what its worth, yeah, you never know whats going to happen, so we all have to try to be prepared as best we can or hope to be.

 

[BSA1]

Mad Max,

Why didn't you ask a simple non-controversial question like blondes, burnettes or redheads?

The good news is we are living in the golden age of firearms. The bad news is there are simply too many guns and different attitudes about what is adequate for self-defense to give a single answer.

IMO there is no reason to carry a cartridge smaller than 9mm for general purpose conceal carry. The .380 is marginal at best and anything smaller is foolish except for specific circumstances such as going somewhere that calls for deep concealment.

Hokie has "seen the elephant" so I give a lot of weight to his advice.

There is simply no reason to limit yourself to a pocket size 32 like Bigmike79 recommends. (Frankly I think that is just giving a sense of false security). 9mm semi-automatic pistol design has been refined to the point where even small pocket size function well for self-defense.

All in all the best and safest first choice is a medium frame 38 Special revolver with fixed sights and a 3 or 4" barrel. This is as basic fool proof handgun there is. The S&W Model 10 is a century old design that has been refined and improved over the years and serve for many decades in many LEO's holsters.

Bullet design and performance is highly refined and makes the gun a effective man stopper.

Medium frame revolvers are in high demand as more and more folks are discovering the advantages of a rugged, simple to operate handgun that can lay for years in drawer yet be ready to use in a moments notice.

The Model 10 is a excellent gun for learning the fundamentals of shooting on. Once you master the fundamentals you can start collecting from your friends winning beats on you shooting more accurately with your revolver then their high capacity master blaster 9mms.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have only used a handgun twice when the chips were down. That was in Viet Nam with a Colt M357. It worked beautifully. Nowadays, I carry an M1911.

The way I see it, you either need a gun or you don't. If you don't think you'll ever need a gun, don't carry one -- it's just extra weight.

But if you think you MIGHT need a gun, carry one that will do the job. It's like this: There may be only a 0.00001% chance you'll ever need a gun. But if you do need it, you need a gun that will deal with the problem at close to 100% assurance.

 

[BSA1]

Yep. It is not the risk is so low but that the stakes are so high,

 

[stchman]

To the OP:

You're going to have to go out to a gun shop and handle some guns. See which one feels best in your hand. If it feels good in the hand, see if the size is conducive to carry. See if a local range has said pistol for rent to try out. A lot of the newer pistols have interchangeable backstraps so they can be tailored to your hands.

 

[Pheasant Plucker]

If you're thinking about a .38 for carry or personal protection try firing a 38 in just a 38 . The added weight of the 357 gives you a different kick and less control back on target. Not much but shoot the caliber you're going to carry.
I've owned and carried 1911's to NAA short. S&W 36, 637 lightweight and 686 snubbies at one time or another. For my needs now it is either a 637 or a Springfield XDe. for power and concealment. Your choice of ammo is a primary concern. What's on the market now is much more powerful in terms of stopping power than 15/20 years ago.
Go to your LGS and feel what is right for you. They won't change back straps but you'll find out if the mfgr supplies them with that weapon. Friends that own handguns usually are more knowledgable and may take you out to try out a pistol or let you look over their collection. If you're buying privately do the deal face to face so you can reject anything that doesn't feel right in your hands. Most sellers also have a collection of grips or holsters, ask them to bring those along to the sale. Good Luck

 

[RecoilRob]

If I might make an observation: a pistol that is great for shooting is normally going to be too large and heavy for daily carrying, and conversely one that carries well is normally going to be a bit snappy and less than the most comfortable to shoot. So...in my opinion you need TWO guns! A full size duty-type for range practice and then a compact/lightweight for daily carry. The full size Ruger/Sig/S&W or whatever will not beat you up and let you develop the marksmanship skills you need...especially when first learning to handle a pistol. The skills you develop with the full size pistol will translate just fine to the smaller carry gun with a little practice, but no need for extensive shooting of the carry piece....just make sure you can shoot it OK while doing the bulk of your practice with the full size gun.

 

[JONWILL]

IMHO. Since you like the 38 I would look at the Smith and Wesson 442 pro. There is no lock to cause problems, it shoots +P, it also can use Moon clips in addition to the usual Bianchi strips.

Easy to conceal. I carry mine in my front pocket in a Nemesis. There are great short barrel self defense loads. You can practice with Lower power Target Wadcutters. Go hiking, throw in a shot shell for snakes.
It is a multi task gun that is reasonably priced, simple to use(draw,aim, squeeze the trigger) and very reliable. You pretty much have a guaranteed 5 shots unless there is a squib load that locks the cylinder.
A semi auto is a great gun but does require a lot more practice because there is a lot more going on and needs more maintenance to keep it running
A revolver can be loaded and 50 years later(as long as the rounds are good) it will fire all 5 rounds
With a semi the round might have corroded in the chamber, magazine spring gotten weak etc.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

With a semi the round might have corroded in the chamber, magazine spring gotten weak etc.

Why would a round corrode in the chamber of a semiautomatic, but not in the chamber of a revolver? And if a magazine spring can weaken over time, so can a mainspring on a revolver -- along with the other springs like the bolt stop spring.

 

[JONWILL]

Why would a round corrode in the chamber of a semiautomatic, but not in the chamber of a revolver? And if a magazine spring can weaken over time, so can a mainspring on a revolver -- along with the other springs like the bolt stop spring.

Who cares if it corrodes in a revolver, fired it and the next round comes up when you pull the trigger. In a semi the round may not eject. A revolvers mainspring is at full rest unless the hammer is pulled back, thus will not weaken like a magazine spring. The other springs in a revolver are at rest until it comes time to fire or extract the rounds from the cylinder.

 

[WYO]

A revolver can be loaded and 50 years later(as long as the rounds are good) it will fire all 5 rounds
With a semi the round might have corroded in the chamber, magazine spring gotten weak etc.

A clean semi-auto works better after long periods of non-use than a clean revolver. That is because cleaning a revolver does not involve going into the internals of the trigger mechanism. I have experienced situations where revolver lockworks have made it near impossible to shoot because the gunk inside gummed up and/or hardened. That can happen in only a few years.

Also, modern springs do not get weak from sitting there. They get weak from being used. As for letting rounds corrode in the chamber, well, the owner does not get much sympathy from me if it doesn't work.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Who cares if it corrodes in a revolver, fired it and the next round comes up when you pull the trigger. In a semi the round may not eject. A revolvers mainspring is at full rest unless the hammer is pulled back, thus will not weaken like a magazine spring. The other springs in a revolver are at rest until it comes time to fire or extract the rounds from the cylinder.

A revolver may or may not function with corroded ammunition -- corrosion can block cylinder rotation. And springs are not weakened by being left compressed -- it's cycling that weakens springs.

 

[Hokkmike]

To answer some questions: I believe the CZ75 was a P01. I have also tried: Ruger SR9, Glock 19 & 26 in 9mm and a SP101 in 357 with 38 spc. I have not tried 380 yet. My max budget is $400. I am not opposed to buying used. Thank you.

There are a LOT of good .380's in your price range. Try to shoot some guns to get a feel for recoil, hand comfort, sight picture, etc. Take advice from others about guns but choose your own.

 

[someguy2800]

I carry an LC9s downloaded about half way between a 380 and 9mm. About the same power as a standard pressure 38 special. If you handload I would suggest you do the same. If not I would suggest trying out an LC380. As you become more proficient trade it in for an LC9s or EC9s which have identical ergonomics but a better trigger. They are extremely concealable and comfortable to carry.

 

[Confederate]

The 9mm and .357 would be my number one choices. The 9mm is in power between the .38 Spc and the .357 Magnum. For sheer firepower, the 9mm is hard to beat, but for fun and power, the .357 is my top choice. It's great for personal self defense, yet you can get good, inexpensive ammo for it if you wanted to shoot it for plinking.

The .357 would be my choice. It's a beautiful round and the 125gr JHP is a vicious manstopper. And the 158gr JHP/JSP can do a decent job on a bear. So in one package you have an inexpensive plinker and target gun, a very good home defense gun with .38 +P and outstanding outdoor defense loads for hiking or camping in .357. It's just a fantastic choice, especially if you can find a good gun to go with it.

I like the Ruger Security-Six (if you can find one). Prices are great on this gun, too.


The S&W 686 (top) and the Ruger Security-Six are both top notch performers for indoor or
outdoor protection!

 

[Jim NE]

The Compact CZ-75 I have is concealable and controllable, but to me, it's still too heavy to be an ideal carry gun. I'd recommend the Ruger SR9c. Unless you are an eldery person with age related strength issues or a disabled person, a gun like this should be manageable with practice. A Taurus PT111 G2 (to be distinguished from the non-G2 versions) should also work. There are many others. Stay away from stuff like the Keltec P-11.

 

[Mad_Max]

Well I ended up buying the Taurus G2C. Basically its the latest version of the PT111 Millenium G2. What did it for me was two things: 1. I actually got some time with one and 2. The price was very appealing. I'm a short guy and my hands arent huge so I found the grip to be absolutely perfect, so great that I think that was part of the problem I'd had with other 9mm's I had tried. I have better control with the G2C and it "seems" to have a bit more manageable recoil. Now, from a "arent you concerned with Taurus service/quality?" yeah, but on the plus side I got it from my LGS who gets most of his guns (including the one I bought) thru Davidsons and I've heard good things about their Lifetime Warranty so I'm not overly concerned. I've only run about 75 rounds thru it but I really like it. Came with 2 mags and a 1 year NRA membership. If anybody has any questions about the G2C let me know. As Hickok45 says "life is good".

 

[Tallball]

I bought one recently and it is a pretty good shooter. The trigger pull is slightly long and slightly "mushy", but not too bad. It has been 100% reliable. The sights are good. It carries a reasonable amount of effective ammo. The magazines seems good. I plan on carrying it some next winter. The OP made an effective choice.

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[stchman]

Well I ended up buying the Taurus G2C. Basically its the latest version of the PT111 Millenium G2. What did it for me was two things: 1. I actually got some time with one and 2. The price was very appealing. I'm a short guy and my hands arent huge so I found the grip to be absolutely perfect, so great that I think that was part of the problem I'd had with other 9mm's I had tried. I have better control with the G2C and it "seems" to have a bit more manageable recoil. Now, from a "arent you concerned with Taurus service/quality?" yeah, but on the plus side I got it from my LGS who gets most of his guns (including the one I bought) thru Davidsons and I've heard good things about their Lifetime Warranty so I'm not overly concerned. I've only run about 75 rounds thru it but I really like it. Came with 2 mags and a 1 year NRA membership. If anybody has any questions about the G2C let me know. As Hickok45 says "life is good".

I had a PT111 G2 a while back. It was reliable and shot nice. My biggest thing was the stupid manual safety. Also the finish on the gun seemed to be pretty delicate as it showed wear pretty easily.