I never hoped to own a gun. Fired a few, enjoyed the experience, but they scared me a little bit.
After my Dad died 19 years ago, I gave his guns to my Dad's brother. I now wish I hadn't done so.
To the point - I'm looking for a reliable, sub-$700 handgun, to protect myself and any innocent in proximity.
Any advice regarding proper training, practice, discipline would be of great value.
I was there when r/thedonald was poisoned, then died (murdered).Came here with great hope, have been rewarded with hard, cold truth mixed with hilarity, genius memesmithery, patriotism, unity.
I love y'all. I love this "place".
But, yeah, please help me buy a worthy handgun and help me be a responsible owner,
Everyone has different needs and preferences. Go to a gun shop (preferably one with a range) and explain what you're looking for. They'll help you out.
Good advice right there. For ease and simplicity of use I always recommend a revolver for new hand gun users.
Good advice right here.
OP, you sound like an elder pede. Revolvers are foolproof - easier to learn, easier to use and much less likely to jam. If you're doing a revolver, get a .357 (use .38 specials in it. - cheaper, quieter, less recoil). If doing a pistol, get a 9mm (or a .380 - basically a mini-9). Ammo is easier to find, basically ubiquitous. I find that I cannot fire any .45 w/o hearing protection. I am happier not worrying about busting a drum when in a hurry to shoot.
They are also more complex and when they have a failure you cannot easily resolve
Excellent point. I'm sure we could all tell tales.
Its hard to recommend a revolver over a glock for simplicity and reliability. Glocks are ridiculously simple and easy to upgrade/repair as well
I will not disagree but some gun owners and range whores know there are plenty of newbies, first time buyers and non mechanically inclined folks that should not own a semi auto pistol.
In that case they probably shouldn't own any firearm. Lord knows I have seen plenty that shouldn't
Of you can operate the headlights on your car, i don't see how a semi auto handgun could possibly be a challenge. Why would you insult the man and tell him its easier to open a revolver and take all the time to empty and load it when he could much more easily press the mag release and insert a new mag? Im pretty sure OP can walk and chew gum at the same time.
There are none nearby. I don't drive anymore. I was hoping the veteran gun owners here could offer their thoughts, I understand I should probably find a friend who drives and visited ranges.
Hmm...well I wouldn't consider myself an expert by any means, but I went into the store explaining that I want to blast anyone that illegally enters my home or vehicle and ended up buying a SigSauer 9mm for $750. For pure home defense, you might want a shotgun, but I don't own one so I can't speak on that. And I recently bought a kit to build an AR15 for when shit really hits the fan. With the sight, it ended up being about $1200.
Stay with high-quality semi-automatic pistols such as Glock, Sig, Smith & Wesson, HK. Don't fall for the macho and bravado of douche nozzles who will tell you a revolver is all you need, if you can't hit it in 5 shots, then you shouldn't shoot, blah blah. All that is nonsense. In a gun fight, having ammo wins over not having ammo, and semi-auto guns have more ammo and faster reloads.
For brands, the very best that you could look for is a Glock. Stay with 9mm or 45 because these are low pressure rounds that are easier on a gun than 40 if you ever decide to shoot it 100k rounds or so. Also stay with common calibers (9, 45, 40 if you must). 40 is a high-pressure round and over many ten thousands of rounds, it will beat the frame harder than 9 or 45.
Now I will say something that is sure to anger all the people who are emotionally invested in their guns: DO NOT GET A 1911. They are nowhere near as reliable as a Glock, and this isn't dependent on who makes it. The design is antiquated compared to a Glock. This is based on data, not emotion.
Also, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING MADE BY TAURUS.
Now all the people who have 1911's and Tauruses or perhaps even Taurus 1911's will chime in and flame me for telling it like it is.
Best answer so far... been well stocked since the clinton years so I'm not up on current prices. I would suggest deciding exactly what you would be asking of this pistol. It sounds like you are interested in self defense but would that be from the home only or are you looking into a concealed carry permit to carry out in public? If at home only you could look at a full size with large magazine capacity such as a smith and wesson M&P or others previously listed. For concealed carry you could try out a M&P sheild. I would suggest a 9mm and use a top of the line round like federal HST for defense. Practice ammo would be cheaper and you need lots of practice.... Begin with people you know that may be able to offer assistance as far as a trip to range or shooting area. Try to make it to a shop to be able to feel each model in your hands. Some will jump out at you as just feeling right where others wont. Look into kahr arms especially if looking for a compact. Take your time , do the footwork, watch a ton of videos on you tube until you can figure out who knows whatbtheybare talking about and who doesnt. If you are looking for carry permit you will have to take a class anyway so you can start trying to locate those. Wouldnt hurt to take any classes you could afford anyway in the begining. Good thing about carry class is they get into the legalities of a self defense situation. Keep checking back with us and let us know if you need anything else... educate yourself with reading and videos and try to have some knowledge before you get a pistol in your hand. Safety first. Once you do practice practice practice... and have fun...
I just hope to defend my home.
Thank you for your time, advice.
Certainly not looking to impress by size (a recurring theme in my life). Personal protection at home, that's it. Can't yet conceive of personal public carry
Start thinking about concealed carry please. We need good people armed in society.
Why don't you ask uncle for one of those guns back?
He's been dead 10 years. Nothing in his will for me.
If you haven't fired a pistol, I recommend you find a means of trying it out.
I took a "Handguns 101" at my local shooting range (https://www.blackfisharmory.com/) here in Occapied Virginia. It was a good thing to do because I was concerned about (1) safety (2) safety and (3) safety. I had never handled a firearm (although my dad hunted every year, and I have two brothers who qualified on .22 rifles at 10 and 11). I was concerned about being able to handle the gun without it leaping out of my hands.
The course was focused on safety and just loading, handling, and clearing a handgun.
The hook on this course for me was the opportunity to handle "8-10" (actual number was 10 - I know I'm missing one on this list) different firearms as part of the course.
Ruger MK4 .22
Ruger Mk4 .22 w/suppressor
Ruger .38 special revolver (BOOM!)
M&P EZ Shield .38
Glock 48 9mm
Sig Sauer M11 9mm
HK VP9 9mm
Walther PPQ .40
Kimber 1911 .45 (BOOM!)
Thank you for spending the time on me, giving me things to investigate. I can't afford to purchase a dodgy handgun and buy another
This is an expensive process to do right. This is a VERY expensive process to do WRONG.
I'll second one from his list, M&P EZ Shield 380 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TclKpSgcjMk
I have one. So beautifully easy to learn and use.
that was a most instrucrive video. i learned a lot about discipline, mechanics, terminology. in 10 minutes. thank you
Cool. Glad it helped
Glock 19 is always a good choice. As are CZ's
All I want to do is defend my small, suburban property from anyone who wishes to infiltrate.
Something simple, reliable, effective, that I would hope to never use outside of controlled conditions.
I commented above, but I'll add in another 2 cents. I'm terribly inaccurate because I never go to the range. I'm assuming you are too. You might want a shotgun if you don't want to worry about hitting center of mass.