I'm buying a handgun

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: ghost recon88

Originally posted by: jtvang125
.50 Desert Eagle

Yes, my favorite gun ever! I'm thinking about grabbing the .357 flavor of it.

Why, so it can sit on your wall and you can stare at it. It's big, it's bulky, it's not particularly well made, shoots so-so...so many great attributes. A friend of mine has it in .50 AE, he usually shoots 7 shots through it per range trip and doesn't touch it otherwise.

Originally posted by: dmw16
Also, a few things on conceal carry. It is very important to continue to train. WHen you draw your weapon and plan to use it you better hit what you are aiming at and KNOW YOUR BACKSTOP. Regular continued instruction and range time are a must. Also, be prepared to eat asphalt or hood if you are pulled over and the officer discovers you have a permit to carry. Regardless of what you did or didnt do they will likely consider you a serious threat. Just a warning we were given in our conceal carry class...goes along with the territory.

I've heard the opposite (maybe it's just officers in the area). Let them know AHEAD OF TIME (as in, stick your hand holding your licence/permit out the window while they're walking up) and they tend to respect your "cautious" behavior.

Originally posted by: Lithium381
i get to pick up my new handgun on Sunday, i'm pretty excited about that! It's a Springfield Armory XD9 4" Service Model 9mm. I tried glocks on numerous visits to the range when i rented, and also the XD lineup, both in 9mm and .40. The XD just fit me soo much better. I'll maybe apply for CCW next year once i feel comfortable with my sidearm. It's gotten excellent reviews online as well. I suppose i'll post a review when i get back from the range.

You cannot go wrong with the XD, it's just a quality piece. I was the opposite, I preferred the Glock to the XD, but the XD is certainly "prettier" than the Glock.

Originally posted by: Lipton
If you want to buy best handgun that will last and fire accuratey buy a Springfield, especially if you are buying a .45 (and that is what I recommend). Colts are good however you'll have to get them worked on after 1000 rounds, re-sell price will drop too.
A springfield you can fire 10 000+ and if you clean it it should be fine, re-sell price doesn't drop. Standard issue to for the military, .45, when they used it was made by springfield. Check them out, a very good buy.

Springfield Professional = probably the single best handgun made (IMHO). Course, it'll run you a few grand. For "average" priced 1911's I'd pick a Springfield or a Kimber, for upper level it'd be a Wilson CQB (schweeeet, and more practical than the Supergrade) or a Springfield Professional.

 

[JohnOfSheffield]

Originally posted by: TallBill
Sig P226

I agree.

This is my sidearm and if you just choose a good ammo for it, it will not fail you.

In the years i've been using mine it has not failed me once and there have been several hundreds of bullets going through that barrel.

 

[Boo Boo]

Originally posted by: dmw16
.45 is not a great carry weapon. They are heavy and carry fewer rounds. Also over penetration can be an issue. read up on ballistics before dismissing the 9mm.

you been toking the herb?

45 is a great carry weapon.

glock 30 - 10 rounds
hk uspc 45 - 8

i only need 1 to make your mom cry.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Boo Boo

Originally posted by: dmw16
.45 is not a great carry weapon. They are heavy and carry fewer rounds. Also over penetration can be an issue. read up on ballistics before dismissing the 9mm.

you been toking the herb?

45 is a great carry weapon.

glock 30 - 10 rounds
hk uspc 45 - 8

i only need 1 to make your mom cry.

I would never carry a .45. Then again, I live in Texas. Even a compact won't be a very good carry gun here, it's so hot you have short sleeves on half the year. My carry gun is a Ruger LCP because it's so tiny.

.45 can work for carry, but even 10 rounds is low for me. I have plenty good aim but I want at least 15 if I really need to be hitting something/someone.

 

[Lanyap]

Go with a .45/.410

 

[Boo Boo]

you need 15 rounds then you really shouldnt carry,

hell just get a spp and load up all 30

 

[Orsorum]

M&P Compact 9mm, fantastic carry weapon.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: thepd7
I would never carry a .45. Then again, I live in Texas. Even a compact won't be a very good carry gun here, it's so hot you have short sleeves on half the year. My carry gun is a Ruger LCP because it's so tiny.

.45 can work for carry, but even 10 rounds is low for me. I have plenty good aim but I want at least 15 if I really need to be hitting something/someone.

A friend of mine carries a .45 GAP XD-45. It's only got 9 shots and he carries no spare magazine. I asked why he carried so few rounds and he said "If I can't do whatever it is that needs to be done with these 9 then I shouldn't be carrying." You are responsible for ever bullet that comes out of that gun, no matter where it goes or who it hits.

If the police roll up responding to a "shots fired" call and see you unloading like crazy they're more likely to assume you're the offended rather than the victim, and at the point they'll shoot first and ask later.

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: Boo Boo
you need 15 rounds then you really shouldnt carry,

hell just get a spp and load up all 30

because you're a crack shot/sniper/marksman?

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Boo Boo
you need 15 rounds then you really shouldnt carry,

hell just get a spp and load up all 30

depends on the objective. mugged at close range, you are correct.

guy in mall with AK and possibly body armor, you are wrong.

Originally posted by: kabob983

Originally posted by: thepd7
I would never carry a .45. Then again, I live in Texas. Even a compact won't be a very good carry gun here, it's so hot you have short sleeves on half the year. My carry gun is a Ruger LCP because it's so tiny.

.45 can work for carry, but even 10 rounds is low for me. I have plenty good aim but I want at least 15 if I really need to be hitting something/someone.

A friend of mine carries a .45 GAP XD-45. It's only got 9 shots and he carries no spare magazine. I asked why he carried so few rounds and he said "If I can't do whatever it is that needs to be done with these 9 then I shouldn't be carrying." You are responsible for ever bullet that comes out of that gun, no matter where it goes or who it hits.

If the police roll up responding to a "shots fired" call and see you unloading like crazy they're more likely to assume you're the offended rather than the victim, and at the point they'll shoot first and ask later.

Same answer as above. If the police roll up you need to be dropping your gun and getting on the floor.

I carry a Ruger LCP .380 6 shot with no extra mags. However, in my car I keep my xD-9 with an extra clip, all JHP. That's 32 shots (I NEVER carry with one in the chamber, just not willing to take that risk).

edit: I don't know why but I feel the need to add that my primary objective with carrying is NOT my personal safety, but the safety of others. As I mentioned, the mall situation as well as something like the Tyler courthouse and 9 shots is not enough. Unfortunately, I can't carry my xD-9 full time, so I keep it in my nightstand and car.

If you really think that 9 shots is enough at night in your house, then by all means go with a .45. I know how good of a shot I am (14 shots at 7 yards with the LCP, tiny little thing) but in the dark, just having woken up, adrenaline pumping, I want to be SURE I am not running out anytime soon.

I definitely understand the stopping power of the .45 but give me the 7 more shots, I'll put 2 into the guy and trust me, that'll stop him.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: thepd7

Originally posted by: Boo Boo

Originally posted by: dmw16
.45 is not a great carry weapon. They are heavy and carry fewer rounds. Also over penetration can be an issue. read up on ballistics before dismissing the 9mm.

you been toking the herb?

45 is a great carry weapon.

glock 30 - 10 rounds
hk uspc 45 - 8

i only need 1 to make your mom cry.

I would never carry a .45. Then again, I live in Texas. Even a compact won't be a very good carry gun here, it's so hot you have short sleeves on half the year. My carry gun is a Ruger LCP because it's so tiny.

.45 can work for carry, but even 10 rounds is low for me. I have plenty good aim but I want at least 15 if I really need to be hitting something/someone.

:roll: So, Dirty Harry, how many times have you actually been in a situation where 10 rounds wasn't enough?

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: thepd7
I would never carry a .45. Then again, I live in Texas. Even a compact won't be a very good carry gun here, it's so hot you have short sleeves on half the year. My carry gun is a Ruger LCP because it's so tiny.

.45 can work for carry, but even 10 rounds is low for me. I have plenty good aim but I want at least 15 if I really need to be hitting something/someone.

So wait...you say 10 rounds is insufficient for you, yet your primary carry gun is loaded with 6 rounds only and no spare magazines on your person? I know it has been ages since I took a math class, but last time I broke down and used all my fingers, 10 was more than 6. What good does 32 rounds in your xD do you if you need it NOW? You going to borrow a line from Robin Williams in 'The Survivors' -

Donald: Jaaaack?
Jack: Yeah?
Donald: Time out, OK?
Jack: Time out?
Donald: Time out.
Jack: What do you mean, 'time out?'
Donald: You're not gonna believe this. I was in a hurry when I left the cabin this morning, and, well, silly me, I got the wrong bullets.

And as far as your 9 shots at home scenario - that is a totally different situation than concealed carry. Chances are if an intruder wakes me up in the middle of the night I will reach for both the Colt Government Model in the nightstand AND the 12ga pump under the bed. However, when I am carrying, I am quite content with my Taurus PT145 and 10+1 rounds of .45ACP. It is easily concealed while wearing shorts and a tshirt, so I don't see how that is really a factor. Arkansas weather isn't that much different than Texas.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: kabob983


A friend of mine carries a .45 GAP XD-45.

mmm, I'm looking at a Springfield XD-45...just trying to decided on new truck tires ($~1200) or new gun.

 

[redgtxdi]

Guns don't kill people.........*I* kill people!!


Seriously, I've considered a gun many times before, but I just can't get over the whole "what if" thing.

I have 3 women in the house (wife & 2 small daughters) and losing one of them to any kind of error is not an option. Gun safe, gun box, etc. etc. but if the gun isn't even *IN* the house, then there's no way anybody could get shot with it.

???

(thinking outloud)

 

[Mr Pickles]

Don't buy a gun. Please.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: thepd7
Same answer as above. If the police roll up you need to be dropping your gun and getting on the floor.

I carry a Ruger LCP .380 6 shot with no extra mags. However, in my car I keep my xD-9 with an extra clip, all JHP. That's 32 shots (I NEVER carry with one in the chamber, just not willing to take that risk).

edit: I don't know why but I feel the need to add that my primary objective with carrying is NOT my personal safety, but the safety of others. As I mentioned, the mall situation as well as something like the Tyler courthouse and 9 shots is not enough. Unfortunately, I can't carry my xD-9 full time, so I keep it in my nightstand and car.

If you really think that 9 shots is enough at night in your house, then by all means go with a .45. I know how good of a shot I am (14 shots at 7 yards with the LCP, tiny little thing) but in the dark, just having woken up, adrenaline pumping, I want to be SURE I am not running out anytime soon.

I definitely understand the stopping power of the .45 but give me the 7 more shots, I'll put 2 into the guy and trust me, that'll stop him.

If something goes bump in the night get a shotgun, forget the pistol...00 buck or birdshot (birdshot typically won't penetrate through walls, good if you have family in other rooms, buckshot will do more damage if close proximity penetration isn't an issue).

And 14 shots in 7 yard isn't terribly realistic. I'd be more impressed with 2-3 shots at 7 yards in 1 second with a high speed draw from a concealed holster...putting 14 in a decent group while slow firing isn't exactly "self defense" shooting...at close quarters a larger caliber bullet is more likely to stop someone in one to two shots than a smaller bullet more reliably. As good as expanding rounds have become, there's no substitute for a bullet that is simply bigger...

As for your "guys with AK's and body armor" scenario, while it's possible it's highly unlikely and you're more likely to do good getting people out of said mall than trying to take on a bunch of heavily armed guys with your pistol.

That said I don't CCW, I work in a government building and other than walking to and from my car I wouldn't be able to carry it. But my most used pistol IS a 17 shot 9mm Glock 17, don't think I'm bashing high capacity wondernines. In most situations though I'd pick a lower capacity .45 over a 9mm though.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: redgtxdi
Guns don't kill people.........*I* kill people!!


Seriously, I've considered a gun many times before, but I just can't get over the whole "what if" thing.

I have 3 women in the house (wife & 2 small daughters) and losing one of them to any kind of error is not an option. Gun safe, gun box, etc. etc. but if the gun isn't even *IN* the house, then there's no way anybody could get shot with it.

???

(thinking outloud)

It could be brought it by someone else.

Practice safe handling techniques and you'll be safe. When you stop treating it with respect is when you get burned. My kahr pm9 comes out of the safe and into my pocket or iwb holster once I come home and back into the safe whenever I leave the house. At night, the benelli is bedside along with my glasses, flashlight and an empty chamber to give me another step to take. A safeguard that I'm awake before I can shoot.

 

[bananapeel42]

People are dead wrong if you say a .45 over penetrates. That bullet actually goes slower than the comparable 9mm or .40 cal. If you think "knock down" power is bs ask people from the Armed Forces and they'll tell you otherwise. Sure a .22 cal can kill a man in one shot just like a 9mm if you hit him in the heart or head, but that isn't going to happen 9/10 times or more.

There is a reason police departments all over the country transitioned from 9mm to .40 cal. I own both and 9mm is cheap to shoot regularly, but my .40 is what I'd always go for if I had to defend myself. It's pretty simple, just set both bullets next to each other and you'll see why.

The amount of energy transfer is what really translates into "knock down" power and I know damn well that if I was in that situation I'd want as much as possible.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: bananapeel42
People are dead wrong if you say a .45 over penetrates. That bullet actually goes slower than the comparable 9mm or .40 cal. If you think "knock down" power is bs ask people from the Armed Forces and they'll tell you otherwise. Sure a .22 cal can kill a man in one shot just like a 9mm if you hit him in the heart or head, but that isn't going to happen 9/10 times or more.

There is a reason police departments all over the country transitioned from 9mm to .40 cal. I own both and 9mm is cheap to shoot regularly, but my .40 is what I'd always go for if I had to defend myself. It's pretty simple, just set both bullets next to each other and you'll see why.

The amount of energy transfer is what really translates into "knock down" power and I know damn well that if I was in that situation I'd want as much as possible.

Yep, 9mm and .40 will penetrate more than a .45 ACP. If you use hollow points or frangible rounds like the Glaser Safety Slug these will penetrate even less. They are expensive as hell but damned effective at inflicting trauma to human flesh without penetrating interior walls.

.45 ACP is one of the slowest handgun rounds in the lineup actually.

I'd love to have a Glock 30 or 36. I already own two .45 ACP pistols, one 9mm, a .32 ACP and a .44 Magnum. My next handgun will likely be a Glock 30 or 36.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: bananapeel42
People are dead wrong if you say a .45 over penetrates. That bullet actually goes slower than the comparable 9mm or .40 cal. If you think "knock down" power is bs ask people from the Armed Forces and they'll tell you otherwise. Sure a .22 cal can kill a man in one shot just like a 9mm if you hit him in the heart or head, but that isn't going to happen 9/10 times or more.

There is a reason police departments all over the country transitioned from 9mm to .40 cal. I own both and 9mm is cheap to shoot regularly, but my .40 is what I'd always go for if I had to defend myself. It's pretty simple, just set both bullets next to each other and you'll see why.

The amount of energy transfer is what really translates into "knock down" power and I know damn well that if I was in that situation I'd want as much as possible.

A big +1

While the trajectory is more arched and it doesn't have the "range" (not that you'll be engaging long distance targets with a pistol) the .45 is known as a "knockdown" round.

A 115gr 9mmP moving at 1100 fps isn't going to do any more (probably less) damage than a 230gr .45 round moving at 800 fps, it will go "through" someone/thing more easily (which isn't what you want).

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: dmw16
the XD is just a knock off of the Glock. Most of it's added features are marginal at best. I would rather stick with the original rather than a knock off.

Have you actually shot an XD. The only thing similar is that they are both composite. The grip angle, trigger travel/resistance, sights, safety, etc are all different.

It is nowhere near a glock. I like my glock, but I love my XD. Mainly because of the grip angle and stock trigger. Plus the extended clip in the compact actually 'feels' better in my hand.


Don't select guys based on what someone says is good. Base it on what feels best in your hand.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: DomS
OK,

So I've thought about this a lot. I'm going to apply for my concealed carry permit. I read about it here, and I'm sure this is what I want to do. I'm thinking HK, I don't want to go with a glock because i know too many people that they jammed up on. Is there any way to hurry up the process? I don't want to wait 6 months.

wait .. what? ... glocks jam?

the only gun i consider more reliable than a glock is a revolver. i have 10's of thousands of rounds through my glock without it ever jamming.

 

[melly]

Originally posted by: DomS
I'm thinking HK, I don't want to go with a glock because i know too many people that they jammed up on.

Exactly who do you hang around with?

[I live in a country which does not entitle us to "bear arms". I live in a city whose mayor is trying to ban all guns, albeit unsuccessfully.]

 

[adairusmc]

Dont get the .40 Short & Weak, get a real mans caliber - 10mm auto. The ORIGINAL .40.

 

[Kabob]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Dont get the .40 Short & Weak, get a real mans caliber - 10mm auto. The ORIGINAL .40.

Pfft, right, great for concealed carry.

There's a reason the FBI didn't want it.