Author Topic: Handgun Help Needed (Read 683 times)

Specklebelly · « **on:** March 06, 2004, 01:07:32 PM »

I do not own but would like to purchase a handgun within the next couple of months. I need help on what to get, I know nothing about them. I am more of a shotgun kind of guy. :grin:

I was thinking about the .357 caliber but am wide open on suggestions. I have few requirements, they are:

1. Can be "somewhat" concealed if needed (legal permit available in Oklahoma).
2. Self defense caliber.
3. Inexpensive factory ammo.
4. American made.

Any suggestions? Any guidance you all can give me will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Flint · « **Reply #1 on:** March 06, 2004, 05:17:24 PM »

Sounds like a job for a 1911 Colt to me.....

DEPUTY · « **Reply #2 on:** March 06, 2004, 05:23:21 PM »

First off get some training from a good local trainer
look at trying several different handguns and revolvers before you buy and dont belive the gun shop commandos, pick a good name, and best of all get what fits you and feels good to you not what they like!

if it were me i would look at kahr, sig 239, glock 23/19 series, kimber cdp or ultra series if you look to the wheel gun lok at a ruger sp101 and the smith 340pd series if money is tight look at the taurus cia. as a trainer i teach about 1k students a year i havew seen every handgun made come through class, i avois the kel tec(sorry guys) taurus millenium, and charter arms these guns have had the most trouble in our classes and in every class i document what guns were used and record what troubles they have! these are just a few hints not religion it it were we would all shoot sigs! :grin:

HappyHunter · « **Reply #3 on:** March 06, 2004, 07:39:21 PM »

I feel that a 357 is a great start in a center fire handgun.

You can shoot 38 specials in it at a reduced cost and recoil. This will enable you to get a "feel" for your new revolver and save a few bucks on ammunition.

Another way to go is a 22.....Either a revolver or a pistol. A smith & wesson modle 17 is a great k frame 22. Later you could get a modle 19 or 66 in a K frame 357. This will enable you to get the fundamentals down pat befor getting a centerfire. You will be a better shooter in the long run.

Another 22 you may want is a Ruger Mark II this is a 22 semi auto pistol.

I just feel that is is better to learn to shoot with a 22 then progress to a center fire handgun. You will learn to control flinch, and be better with the trigger technique.

Good luck.

Fred

New Hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** March 07, 2004, 01:38:06 AM »

GP-100, 4" bbl, 357 Mag. Can shoot tons of .38 special in it. 4" bbl is a good in-between length. 3"is best for concealment, 6" best for target. 4' gives you the best of both worlds with a shorter bbl for conceal, but a long enough bbl to do serious enough target work. The frame is heavier than the sp101, but is really welcomed when shooting full power 357 or 38+p loads.
Brian M

jhm · « **Reply #5 on:** March 07, 2004, 03:21:43 AM »

Like Deputy said get some training and in the process handle several brands and type semi auto, revolver, etc. to see which one feels the best in (your) hands, a handgun is like a pair of shoes we dont all take the same size or style, enjoy the process it can be fun.

JIM

bigdaddytacp · « **Reply #6 on:** March 07, 2004, 07:46:21 AM »

Quote from: Specklebelly

I do not own but would like to purchase a handgun within the next couple of months. I need help on what to get, I know nothing about them. I am more of a shotgun kind of guy. :grin:

I was thinking about the .357 caliber but am wide open on suggestions. I have few requirements, they are:

1. Can be "somewhat" concealed if needed (legal permit available in Oklahoma).
2. Self defense caliber.
3. Inexpensive factory ammo.
4. American made.

Any suggestions? Any guidance you all can give me will be appreciated.

Thank you.

..........This sounds taylor made for a 38/357 revolver of medium size....S/W 19/66/585/686 in 4inch barrel length.....the Ruger is just not a "refined" in action as the Smiths....the modern 38 or 357 ammo is great for defense with the 158grain lead hollow point in standard or plus P and the reloaded wadcutter ammo to learn the sights and gun for cheap reliable pratice ammo.......a good holster will allow concealment with suitable clothes and stocks to fit your hand and for proper trigger reach distance are available by the truck loads for Smiths....the market is full of new and used guns and the resale value holds up well if you decide you want/need something different at a future date........good luck and good shooting!!

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2004, 08:37:05 AM »

I can't think of a better caliber for the purposes you've stated than the 357 magnum. Like the others have said, it'll also shoot 38s.

I'm not fond of the compact models from any maker, as my revolvers do more hunting than anything else, but there are a lot of good 357 DA revolvers out there to choose from.

My favorite 357 revolver is the Ruger Blackhawk.

litman252 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2004, 08:51:59 AM »

I would really look into the .357/38 platform as well.
I would strongly consider getting a .22 first. The best plan would be to decide what centerfire you want, then buy a .22 that mimics the centerfire as close as posible.

Best of luck, you cant stop with just one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tony

Specklebelly · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2004, 03:30:15 PM »

Quote from: litman252

you cant stop with just one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thats one thing that scares me. I am afraid of ending up with double digit numbers of handguns, like I have in long guns. :wink:

Two more questions. Several have mentioned the ability to shoot .38's in a .357 handgun. Should I just look at a .38 gun? Is it a comparable load to the .357?

Thank you for the responses.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2004, 03:54:55 PM »

The 357 Gives you more flexibility. The case difference between a 38 and a 357 is not much, a fraction of an inch, and they use the same general bullets. But thats where the similarities end. The 357 Mag puts you into more power, wether it be for defense or even hunting. The 38 is kinda like a 9mm with slightly heavier bullets. Some will nit pick that the 9mm is more powerful and some the 38, but its really splitting hairs. But move up to the 357 and its in a class all itself.
Brian M.

RollTide · « **Reply #11 on:** March 07, 2004, 05:19:13 PM »

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2004, 04:15:28 AM »

Quote from: Specklebelly

Several have mentioned the ability to shoot .38's in a .357 handgun. Should I just look at a .38 gun? Is it a comparable load to the .357?

Thank you for the responses.

No. The 357 magnum is a much more powerfull round than the 38 special. The case diameter is the same, and it uses the same bullets, but the 357 magnum opperates at over twice the pressure of the 38 special. You can safely shoot 38s in the 357 revolvers, but not 357s in a 38 special. The 357 case is about 1/10" longer than a 38 case, and usually will not chamber in a 38 revolver, but once in a while, you'll find one that will take 357s. Don't ever try to shoot the 357s in a 38 though, even if they'll chamber.

As far as the power difference, here's a comparison in my 6.5" 357 Ruger Blackhawk.

With 357 magnums, and a 125g bullet, I can get velocities in the 1500-1600 fps range with the right powders.

With 38 specials, in the same gun, with the same bullets, I can reach 1000 fps or so with full house loads.