some advice

[Justin_E]

I'm considering buying several guns here in the near future, providing I have the necessary funds. I am thinking about getting a few revolvers but can't decide on a single action or double. I can't decide on who I want to go with that will give me the best price, customer service, and best product.

I am also looking for some good semi-automatic hand guns. I'm torn between Colt, FNH, Browning, Sig, and Springfield Arms. I know I would like a 1911 for certain but don't know about the company to use. I also wouldn't mind having a smaller caliber gun to the 45. I'm not sure if I want a 9mm, a 10mm, or a 40.

I just figured I would ask some people who are more experienced than I and see what they say. Thank you for the help and advice!

[Will Carry]

I like a double action revolver, unless you are using it as a pocket pistol. The hammer can get caught on clothing. The double action gives you the option of shooting in single action and having a more accurate shot or using double action when you need to. The best price on a revolver will be Charter Arms, Rossi and Taurus ( I may have missed one or twe like EAA). The best buy for the money would be a Ruger SP-101 or Ruger GP-100. (Ruger makes tough, ruggedly dependable revolvers). If you just want the best, then Smith and Wesson makes the best. This is just my humble opinion.

I would also recommend buying a 22 pistol that is fun to shoot and relatively accurate. Twenty twos cost about a nickle a shot. 45acps are like throwing a handfull of nickles at the target. It can get expensive. Good luck! Learn how to operate your weapon safely and know how many rounds you have shot in you revolver. That's just an inside joke.

[Kevo]

I'd buy the one you want the most, and really learn how to shoot it. A training class would be money well spent considering how expensive ammo is nowadays. If you choose a gun that has a rimfire conversion kit available that would also help alot. Be safe!

[Oh Shoot]

Far as revolvers, big cutoff point is if you are going to carry it.

And if you are going to carry it, how?

Meaning, a small light 5 shot revolver that you can pocket carry is very discreet, but not a lot of fun to shoot very much, due to felt recoil. Especially the .357 models. .38+p, the mostly recommended carry load, is also still pretty um, robust in these little pocket guns. The S&W air weight line is by far the standard for this class of revolvers.

Larger steel revolvers are much more pleasant to shoot, but are either too heavy and/or too large to pocket carry.

A good compromise is the Ruger SP101, tough as nails, and carries very well for concealment in an Inside The Waist type holster. Still 5 shots instead of 6, though. .357 very manageable in the SP, and .38 is very tame.

For a larger 6 shot gun, the Ruger GP-100 is a heckuva gun, but a little too large for truly discreet concealed carry. And of course any 6 shot Smith and Wesson.

Also, if you simply like to shoot traditional revolvers of the western style persuasion, the Ruger Blackhawk/Vaquero series of single action guns are aces. I have a Blackhawk in .357/.38, with an additional 9mm cylinder. Love it.

As far as semi-autos, every major manufacturer makes a variety of quality guns. Again, the field narrows down depending on whether/how you want to carry it.

I won't get into caliber wars, but suffice it to say most feel that 9mm is plenty, especially in +p, and .40/.45 is, well, more of a good thing.

Caliber of course, affects cartridge capacity, as 9mm will hold more in same size gun, and is the least expensive common round beyond .22, something to consider if you shoot a lot.

I personally mainly EDC an XD 9mm subcompact IWB (avatar), which I decided was the best compromise in size, caliber, and capacity for me (of course there are MANY other excellent choices). However, although the XD is very much concealable in my everyday wear, which is an untucked polo shirt, sometimes I go for extremely deep concealment, and carry an (expensive) Kahr PM9 in pocket, though that means I'm carrying 6 +1 instead of 13+1.

If you don't plan on concealed carry at all, then the sky's the limit on both revolver and semi-auto choices.

Welcome to TGO!

- OS

Edited July 31, 2010 by OhShoot

[gregintenn]

I'd suggest you go to a range, or else a friend's house where you can fire a bunch of different handguns and decide what you like and don't like. I've bought plenty that looked cool, but when I got them home and shot them, I couldn't get rid of them quick enough. I'd suggest having some patience and looking around for quality used guns at a reasonable price. New guns usually can't compete with the workmanship of an old Colt or Smith and Wesson. They are also like cars; the new ones depreciate in value when you walk out the door with them. The classics appreciate in value.