MTLabrador
Well-known member
The 19/23 are just about a perfectly sized all around handgun. I recently got the 43 as well for a small concealed carry pistol and absolutely love that.
Looking at buying a Pistol
- Thread starter SD_Prairie_Goat
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JohnCushman
Well-known member
My Judge is my go to personal defense pistol sitting at my desk with my back to the door. From across the room I can put a couple pellets of 000 bucshot into a pie plate size pattern. When my dogs go apeshit and I'm not expecting anyone, it's my Judge I grab for before my M&P .40 or Taurus 9 I have in close proximity. It might not fit perfectly, but it's deadly for it's intended purpose. When it comes to an intruder in your face, and adrenaline is flowing, are you really going to be worried about how well the handle fit into your palm when you're calm under perfect conditions in a gun shop when you're using it at home for survival?
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SFC B
Well-known member
Here is my 2 cents coming from 1) LEO time 2) military time and then 3) my personal side arm. For 1 my sidearm was a Sig P226 (9mm) and today, 25 years later, I STILL miss that weapon. Too big for concealed carry but no issue at the house. Absolutely flawless in performance and function. Fairly large framed unless you have good sized hands. Definitely try it on for size. In 2 I was issued the (IMO) POS Berreta M9, various Glock variants and the Sig P220 (see above for the 220- just 45 ACP instead of 9mm). The Berretas grip shape is big and weird to me, very uncomfortable. They also were just not very accurate and fit and finish was just ok. The Glocks, again, performed flawlessly, the only issue I had with them was personal preference as I didn't like the weight distribution in that they feel top heavy to me. Now for 3 I have a Springfield XD MOD 2 in 45. Another flawlessly performing weapon. It fits me and has flexibility. It comes with both 8 and 12 round magazines and a 3.3 inch barrel. The short mag allows it to be somewhat concealed while the big one is what I keep in it in the safe beside the bed. It also has a nice dual density spring that manages recoil VERY well ( both the wife and HP will blaze through ammo if I let them with good grouping in personal defense range). All that being said I would agree with what has been said about trying weapons out for fit and function (I believe a lot of accuracy comes from a properly "fitting" weapon).
This is where I may vary to others........In order for you to be proficient with a handgun, especially in stressful situations, you need to practice REGULARLY in scenario based shooting. Shooting under stress is NOTHING like standing at a 10m line plinking (this also applies to those carrying sidearms in bear country). For THIS reason I am a fan of the Judge/410 shooting weapons for novice pistol shooters to get instant effectiveness. They are "area" weapons so get pointed in the general direction and 410 buck shot will put rounds on target. If you choose to go semi auto, and this is potentially to save your life, I strongly suggest putting the time and money into requisite training and practice. Happy shopping
This is where I may vary to others........In order for you to be proficient with a handgun, especially in stressful situations, you need to practice REGULARLY in scenario based shooting. Shooting under stress is NOTHING like standing at a 10m line plinking (this also applies to those carrying sidearms in bear country). For THIS reason I am a fan of the Judge/410 shooting weapons for novice pistol shooters to get instant effectiveness. They are "area" weapons so get pointed in the general direction and 410 buck shot will put rounds on target. If you choose to go semi auto, and this is potentially to save your life, I strongly suggest putting the time and money into requisite training and practice. Happy shopping
L
longbow51
Guest
The Judge is 5 shots, albeit pretty lethal ones. A friend of mine just bought a Sig M 17, the new U.S. Army service pistol. It came with one 17 round magazine and two 21 round magazines. Nice trigger, although not as nice as a tuned 1911. If you look at the % hits in actual defensive situations involving LEOs, more rounds is better. The shooting encounters you read about now tend to involve multiple home invaders, not that I have done a scientific survey.
And, don't let the fanboys get to you. Glock, Sig, Smith&Wesson, Walther etc. all make reliable pistols. I have mostly Sigs because that's what feels best in my hand but have an older Beretta 92; beautifully made and extremely accurate, certainly far from a POS as it was earlier defamed.
As others have said, just try out several on more than one occasion. Don't go too cheap, though. The main cost is not going to be the pistol, but feeding it ammo to get proficient.
If you can't put in the hours, just get an 870 Tactical or equivalent, or a compact AR and there you go. Good luck!
And, don't let the fanboys get to you. Glock, Sig, Smith&Wesson, Walther etc. all make reliable pistols. I have mostly Sigs because that's what feels best in my hand but have an older Beretta 92; beautifully made and extremely accurate, certainly far from a POS as it was earlier defamed.
As others have said, just try out several on more than one occasion. Don't go too cheap, though. The main cost is not going to be the pistol, but feeding it ammo to get proficient.
If you can't put in the hours, just get an 870 Tactical or equivalent, or a compact AR and there you go. Good luck!
CoffeeGoat
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2020
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- 141
All of the "which handgun?" comments have echo'd my thoughts entirely - try them out, get comfortable, and don't skimp too much on cost. Don't forget that to be really comfortable under stress you're talking 500-1000 rounds, and depending on which caliber you pick that could be several hundred dollars.
The thing I hadn't seen mentioned yet is taking a concealed carry class. If you don't own a hand gun (I didn't) and weren't comfortable with one (I wasn't) then you probably also have never thought about the legal issues associated with shooting a home invader( I certainly hadn't). I took a concealed carry class (still haven't actually gotten the card) from a local LEO and was absolutely surprised about how much of it was the legal ramifications of each action. For instance, after you've shot someone invading your home - what the heck do you do? Are they still alive? Will their family sue you for wrongful death? Will you get shot by the police when gunshots are reported and they show up at your place? Personally, I figured that after the bad guy was down the threat was over and everything would be rosy, what I hadn't realized is that in all likelihood I would be going to jail, I would be in court for months, and even if everything went my way it would be months and thousands of dollars before things would get back to normal. Even in a "castle" law state it's no joke to shoot someone - forewarned is forearmed in this case.
The thing I hadn't seen mentioned yet is taking a concealed carry class. If you don't own a hand gun (I didn't) and weren't comfortable with one (I wasn't) then you probably also have never thought about the legal issues associated with shooting a home invader( I certainly hadn't). I took a concealed carry class (still haven't actually gotten the card) from a local LEO and was absolutely surprised about how much of it was the legal ramifications of each action. For instance, after you've shot someone invading your home - what the heck do you do? Are they still alive? Will their family sue you for wrongful death? Will you get shot by the police when gunshots are reported and they show up at your place? Personally, I figured that after the bad guy was down the threat was over and everything would be rosy, what I hadn't realized is that in all likelihood I would be going to jail, I would be in court for months, and even if everything went my way it would be months and thousands of dollars before things would get back to normal. Even in a "castle" law state it's no joke to shoot someone - forewarned is forearmed in this case.
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longbow51
Guest
Agree with Concealed Carry class, but no, in most states with the Castle Doctrine you are not "going to jail". OP is from SD; now if you are in St. Louis with that AG, all bets are off on being hassled for merely showing a gun, but even there common sense prevailed.
CoffeeGoat
Well-known member
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- Aug 23, 2020
- Messages
- 141
Perhaps I should have clarified - you will likely be arrested, and perhaps held on bond. Self defense is a legal argument and the police likely won't determine it was self defense directly following the shooting. I'm sure it varies by state, but here's an overview article. I was entirely unaware of the process that would occur should something like this happen - as was my family and I can just imagine how awful it would be for my wife and kids if directly following me shooting an intruder they watched daddy get escorted out in handcuffs.
peterk1234
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- Oct 9, 2019
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- 645
Handguns are like potato chips.
I have a ruger 22 Mark III
a ruger 22 10 shot revolver
sig p938
STI marauder 9mm
STI Apeiro 9mm
VP9
S&W 357 mag
38 special snubby
Probably one or two I'm not thinking of. I started with handguns and worked my way up to rifles. Oh, rifles are like potato chips too.
Thank god I reload.
Honestly though, semi autos are great guns. I too enjoy the 1911 platform the most. Revolvers have a special place in my heart though. There is just something about them. Kind of like a lever action rifle. Must be nostalgia.
Pick a caliber you can afford to shoot. It is one of the reasons I love our 22s. I can't beat 4 cents per round, even when reloading the other calibers. I will come close though once I pour my own bullets. 9mm is another inexpensive round under normal buying conditions. I think it was down to 15 cents per round at one point. 357 and 38 can get up there if you are not reloading. I think 100 rounds of 357 will set you back fifty buck, maybe more. I'm telling you this because we easily burn through 500 rounds of bullets between me and the wife during a range visit. Nothing like firing away my 45/70, where after ten rounds my right arm is on the ground when I shoot the full power loads
Glock, M&P, great options. M&P is inexpensive, very reliable, and has lots of aftermarket upgrades. May not be the prettiest gun, but it checks off all the boxes.
Pete
I have a ruger 22 Mark III
a ruger 22 10 shot revolver
sig p938
STI marauder 9mm
STI Apeiro 9mm
VP9
S&W 357 mag
38 special snubby
Probably one or two I'm not thinking of. I started with handguns and worked my way up to rifles. Oh, rifles are like potato chips too.
Thank god I reload.
Honestly though, semi autos are great guns. I too enjoy the 1911 platform the most. Revolvers have a special place in my heart though. There is just something about them. Kind of like a lever action rifle. Must be nostalgia.
Pick a caliber you can afford to shoot. It is one of the reasons I love our 22s. I can't beat 4 cents per round, even when reloading the other calibers. I will come close though once I pour my own bullets. 9mm is another inexpensive round under normal buying conditions. I think it was down to 15 cents per round at one point. 357 and 38 can get up there if you are not reloading. I think 100 rounds of 357 will set you back fifty buck, maybe more. I'm telling you this because we easily burn through 500 rounds of bullets between me and the wife during a range visit. Nothing like firing away my 45/70, where after ten rounds my right arm is on the ground when I shoot the full power loads
Glock, M&P, great options. M&P is inexpensive, very reliable, and has lots of aftermarket upgrades. May not be the prettiest gun, but it checks off all the boxes.
Pete
OhHeyThereBen
Active member
If you're going to get a revolver make sure you talk to Boris the Blade:
I personally went with a Glock 19 for my all-around handgun. It has functioned flawlessly and 9mm allows you to do a lot more practice shooting for a lot less money than a 45 LC or .410. If you're not into getting a higher dollar polymer 9mm (they're all great as far as I know), then Kotikant has pretty good information on the Canik. I've heard nothing but good things about them.
I personally went with a Glock 19 for my all-around handgun. It has functioned flawlessly and 9mm allows you to do a lot more practice shooting for a lot less money than a 45 LC or .410. If you're not into getting a higher dollar polymer 9mm (they're all great as far as I know), then Kotikant has pretty good information on the Canik. I've heard nothing but good things about them.
std7mag
Well-known member
For everyday concealed carry, i'd get a pistol that is light, fits the hand, shoots reliably.
For home defense.
20ga pump shotgun with short barrel.
Plus your wife can use it too.
The sound of the slide being racked on a pump shotgun is the universal sound that says "you picked the wrong house"!
For home defense.
20ga pump shotgun with short barrel.
Plus your wife can use it too.
The sound of the slide being racked on a pump shotgun is the universal sound that says "you picked the wrong house"!
