Handgun

[abbo]

:) Good day to all- I am interested in buying an entry level handgun. Nothing extremely fancy, just want something dependable and at a decent price(probably would go up to $500). Something that ammo is readily available and relatively cheap.
Any suggestions from you gun enthusiasts would be appreciated. Keep in mind I am in the middle of Iowa and gun stores are limited. THANKS

[moloprintz]

Springfield X9

[ponch]

While I am a big fan of the 1911, it's not necessarily an entry level pistol, although I think it's one of the best.

Get a Glock if you can. Something in 9mm and learn how to use it. That's cheap, safe and dependable. May be the Ruger LCR if you prefer revolvers?

[blowndodge]

I agree with the 1911 Ponch..

If it's for "general" purposes with the focus on protection a 45 is still hard to beat. That's my go-to choice for vacation time. Dependablity is second to none..

[flavor]

Conceal? Ruger LCP. It fits in your front pocket with a pocket holster. I prefer wheel guns though. Ruger makes some that you'd need a sledgehammer to break. A little on the heavy side though. Ruger SP100 is a good shooting wheelgun. Ruger also has a lot of different models, some with adjustable sights.

Heavy and longer barrels mean less recoil and easier to shoot.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

I agree with the 1911 Ponch..

If it's for "general" purposes with the focus on protection a 45 is still hard to beat. That's my go-to choice for vacation time. Dependablity is second to none..

I have to find a better way to conceal it. What kind of holster do you use? I have a commander...

[oledawg]

;) Kahr CW9 W/ Fobus Paddle Holster.

http://www.kahr.com/Pistols/Kahr-CW9.asp

[coacha]

I want to mount one of these on my bike:

http://www.dillonaero.com/

[nomadtom69]

Alot depends on what you want to do with the gun
1 go to range and just shoot
2 carry for protection
3 have for home protection
4 Just cause you want one.
5 Are you going to hunt with it

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by abbo

:) Good day to all- I am interested in buying an entry level handgun. Nothing extremely fancy, just want something dependable and at a decent price(probably would go up to $500). Something that ammo is readily available and relatively cheap.
Any suggestions from you gun enthusiasts would be appreciated. Keep in mind I am in the middle of Iowa and gun stores are limited. THANKS

Springfield XD in .40 S&W. Ammo is cheap and plentiful. Beretta makes a nice 9/40/45 in the Storm series, too.

[usranger74]

A lot of folks are hung up on semi-autos. But, the truth is, a wheel gun (revolver) is much more reliable.

For half of my career I carried a revolver then my agency made us change to semi-autos. We went from very few problems to many problems.

If your are a gun nut, shoot alot and willing to do all the necessary maintenance and cleaning, a semi wins out because of it capacity to hold more rounds. But, be ready for problems if you do not shoot much, or are not willing to do the necessary cleaning and maintenance.

The revolver is simpler to clean, simpler in design and superior in reliability.

Here is my key point - When you pull the tiger on a revolver and it does not go off, you simply pull the trigger again. Simple and fast. If you semi does not fire you best have a lot of training to deal with the problem (which can be caused by multiple things to include a "weak" wrist) and even then, you next shot is not going to be fast and simple.

Ok, you semi-auto fans, "go ahead and make my day"

[ponch]

Originally Posted by usranger74

A lot of folks are hung up on semi-autos. But, the truth is, a wheel gun (revolver) is much more reliable.

For half of my career I carried a revolver then my agency made us change to semi-autos. We went from very few problems to many problems.

If your are a gun nut, shoot alot and willing to do all the necessary maintenance and cleaning, a semi wins out because of it capacity to hold more rounds. But, be ready for problems if you do not shoot much, or are not willing to do the necessary cleaning and maintenance.

The revolver is simpler to clean, simpler in design and superior in reliability.

Here is my key point - When you pull the tiger on a revolver and it does not go off, you simply pull the trigger again. Simple and fast. If you semi does not fire you best have a lot of training to deal with the problem (which can be caused by multiple things to include a "weak" wrist) and even then, you next shot is not going to be fast and simple.

Ok, you semi-auto fans, "go ahead and make my day"

I have owned ample numbers of both types of pistols. Autos conceal easier, are shorter for a given barrel length, flatter/thinner and have a higher capacity, although not that it matters really. the 1911 holds 7 rounds. That's enough if you know how to shoot. I think the S&W revolvers have the best actions. Very smooth and if you have an action job done, almost impossible to shoot poorly with one. If I had to carry a revolver, it would be a Model 29 Smith with a 4" barrel or a Ruger Redhawk Alaskan in .454. With the Ruger, I could shoot .45LC too. One of my favorites was a Ruger Blackhawk in .45LC. I like big and heavy bullets over light and fast. Big and fast works too. :)

[blowndodge]

Take a wheel gun and an semi-auto and drop them in some really dirty sandy soil and see how tight the wheel gun freezes up...

[usranger74]

Originally Posted by Blowndodge "Darksider"

Take a wheel gun and an semi-auto and drop them in some really dirty sandy soil and see how tight the wheel gun freezes up...

Worse case, your correct - both will fail. About the only thing that would work in your example is a AK-47. But, in normal every day carry and use, the auto will fail more often that the revolver. That is a fact.

Now, having said all that, I carry a Sig 45. But, I am gun nut and I was trained in how to use it care (stress care) for it and I shoot a lot.

The advise I gave above was for a "casual" user who wants something for a little protection and is not willing to invest in what is needed to make a auto "reliable".

[ponch]

Originally Posted by usranger74

Worse case, your correct - both will fail. But, in normal every day carry and use, the auto will fail more often that the revolver. That is a fact.

Actually, the correct way to look at it is, that an auto may be less reliable after the first shot. If I do carry, it's in condition one...