advice on hand gun purchase

[snohunter]

I am turning 50 in a couple weeks and thinking about buying myself a special b-day present.I have owned many long guns in my days but not so many hand guns.Currently all i have is a ruger single six 22. many years ago i owned a s&w .357 mag revolver dont know what model.Having said that any input would be greatly appreciated.Im a good sized guy 6ft 250 what would work for me IYHO.Also i am considering conceal and carry classes also thanks in advance.I Always get good advice here.

[Westernbiker]

Take a look at this thread.



http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,23065.msg202763.html#msg202763

[f6gal]

Your first handgun should (in most cases) be a revolver.
Revolvers are dependable, simple to operate, and easy to maintain. Though I would never personally neglect a gun, a revolver is relatively forgiving if left dirty or unlubricated.  
If a semi-auto jams, you're screwed, however, if a revolver doesn't fire, you just pull the trigger again and bring a new cartridge into firing position.
Semi-autos have a learning curve; they are mechanically and operationally more complex than a revolver.  Not necessarily a bad thing, but don't expect to go out and point and shoot, like you could with a revolver.

A S&W .357, 3" barrel is my primary carry weapon.  Small enough to conceal, but enough barrel length to maintain accuracy.

[Garland]

Smith and Wesson has a $50 rebate on the small J frame revolvers through the end of December.  I picked up a 638 Airweight .38+P Saturday as an early Christmas present for myself!

[solo1]

I agree that a revolver is best for a first handgun user.

A Smith and Wesson J model (.38 special) is a good choice. 

You will hear others say that bigger is better

Bigger is also heavier and harder to conceal.

[ricoman]

+ 1 (or 2 or whatever) on the revolver.
Look at Taurus, not bad and pretty good prices.
The 357 allows you to shoot 38 ammo for practice (cheaper than 357).
I believe either would stop an intruder! 

[Slammer]

40 cal compact. 13 rounds, if that doesn't do the job throw the gun at them!!!!!!

[czuch]

I have a Ruger single six .22 also. Thats a tack driver. I love that piece.
 CC, I have a SnW 357, 4" barrel and love that one too.
Revolver, get good with a speed loader, never look back.
That bein said, I love my .45, 1911 too. A LOT.
I'm so durn fulla love today.

[Pete]

"Many years ago had a .357"

Could have been a model 27/28 if a large N frame, model 19 if a medium K frame.
In later years S&W introduced a L frame, between the two.
J frames (smaller than K) were only recently introduced in .357.

The N frame in earlier years was known as the "heavy duty" or 38/44 being the larger and stronger of the frames.

[f6gal]

"Many years ago had a .357"

Could have been a model 27/28 if a large N frame, model 19 if a medium K frame.
In later years S&W introduced a L frame, between the two.
J frames (smaller than K) were only recently introduced in .357.

The N frame in earlier years was known as the "heavy duty" or 38/44 being the larger and stronger of the frames.

My carry weapon is a K-frame (model 65).  I like a little more weight than the J frame (less recoil); L frame is a bit heavy for a CCW.  Unfortunately, I don't think S&W is currently making a K frame .357; I'm sure there's plenty of good used ones out there, though. 

[f6gal]

In Texas, you must test out for a CHL to be able to carry a semi or a revolver.  
Mase

In Arizona we don't have to have a permit to carry anything!!!  Wooohoooo!

[sandy]

When you start to narrow your choice, go here to find a good price.
www.galleryofguns.com

[Pete]

For concealed carry, consider the lightest firearm you can shoot accurately.
You can get .357's from 13 oz to 44 oz and everywhere in between.
Lighter = more recoil, heavier = less recoil.

But in all honesty, if put in the position to have to shoot someone, you will not notice the recoil.
At the range you will notice the recoil. Yes you can shoot .38 specials in any of the revolvers to reduce recoil.

[PAVALKER]

I have revolvers and semi autos, and prefer to use/carry the semi auto (KelTec PF9 or Taraus PT911 - both of the 9MM flavor).  I also have a KelTec P3AT that I usually put in the back pocket to balance out the cheeks with the wallet.   I would suggest that you go to a range to rent/shoot/handle some various handguns for yourself and see which one suits you the best/most.  If you are like me, and some of the others here... I am sure you might end up getting a few, depending on your preference or interest.  I have a few .22's as well that are nice plinking/target practice guns which are not that expensive to shoot... and quite fun actually.  If you have a .22 cal you can practice your stance, grip, shooting with the less expensive ammo and periodically shoot the bigger caliber once you get some skills/practice on the range.  Good luck.... and have fun.

[JimC]

Currently I have 4 handguns,
Smith .40 cal auto in stainless steel = heavy and somewhat hard to carry concealed
Smith .9mm auto in stainless = not quite as heavy but still a large weapon to conceal
Colt detective special revolver in 38 cal. = nice little gun, light & easy to hide  
KelTec PF9, a 9mm auto, cheap, easy to conceal, lightest and narrowest 9mm made

The smith auto's are indestructible, I have at least 10,000 rounds through the 9mm. Never a malfunction that could not be contributed to cheap reloads.

If you are not familiar with the semi-automatics, my recommendation woud be a small .357 revolver for reasons mentioned above, and if you feel that it is too much recoil in .357, you could always shoot .38 PlusP ammo in hollow points to tame it down slightly and still have decent stopping power.

Whatever you get, head to the range or the back 40 and get comfortable with it before you start carrying it.

Good luck, Jim

 

[Trynt]

40 cal compact. 13 rounds, if that doesn't do the job throw the gun at them!!!!!!

+1     Glocks are very reliable, durable and simple to use.

[highcountry]

.40 cal SIG

[Sorcerer]

If you get up to the twinCities there is a place known as Bills Gun Shop and range. They have a north and south stores. They dont have the best or worst prices in town but what they do have is a very large selection of rentels. $15 for the first firearm $10 for each addtional. Down side is you have to buy/use there ammo. If you are thinking of buying a firearm go to your local P.D. and apply for your "permit to purchase". It is free/good for 1 year. Takes by law 7 or 10 days.

[RTaz]

Revolvers are the preferred weapon of choice for the novice shooter...they are pretty much (excuse the pun)  "bullet proof...I have a couple  revolvers and this is a personal choice but I prefer a med. weight gun I have a bad hand (left) and the ultra lights just hurt to much after a few rounds so...my favorite is  Taurus Tracker .357 mag. which also allows me to shoot .38's...
good gun  and not bad in price either...


but it is a little big for a carry piece ...there re alot of different revolvers out there so check them out and see what fits the hand good and what fits your style ...maybe a shorter barrel for personal carry..
check out this one...still a .357 mag/.38


I know alot of people won't carry a hammered revolver because they say it can  catch on a draw from a holster (people should always know their weapon and how to carry it properly) ...but I like the ability to pull the hammer back and have the short trigger to the longer pull of the hammerless guns...

[Crazy Miles]

Lots of good choices out there! I like small with big punch.   My picks,              Colt   or other small 1911  45acp   or  Ruger or other small frame 357.  And I've got my eye on that new Stainless  Bull Dog Pug  44 spec.

[hotglue #43]

FB and I both took our conceled carry with semi-autos..... but think I will get FB a concealed hammer 38.  Only 5 shots..... but she was dead on at the range and no perp is gonna hang around if yer hitting him......Hammerless can be fired thru a purse if need be... and less to hang on....  I may use her .380 as CC.... the 40 cal is a bit big ta not show.....

[RoadKill]

A 22 in the hand is worth TWO 45's at home in the safe!

[Bama Red]

Two good revolvers - the Ruger SP101 in .357/.38 Spec., or the Ruger LCR, which has either just come out in .357 or will be out very soon.

http://www.ruger.com/products/sp101/models.html

http://www.ruger.com/products/lcr/models.html

Street prices are considerably lower than the prices quoted above.

I'm a semi-auto guy - my primary carry is a Rock Island Armory 1911 in .45 ACP (carried it my last five years on the job), backed up by either the Ruger LCR in .38 Spec., or a Taurus PT145 in .45 ACP. For serious social situations, I've been known to carry all three. And there's also almost always a rifle in the truck for WTSHTF.

[PAVALKER]

A 22 in the hand is worth TWO 45's at home in the safe!

So true....  recently picked up a Walther P22 (short) and I really like the way it feels and shoots.  I am considering getting a suppressor for that... but it is a PITA to get.

[Pale Rider]

I am reading a couple things in your post.  You want a handgun, with the ultimate goal of carrying it while on your bike.  I have ran the whole gambit of handguns and have concluded revolvers fit the bill 99% of the time.  If your goal is to rid society of "evil-doers" then a modified trench coat capable of holding a "street sweeper" on one side, and an Uzi on the other would work quite well. (tongue in cheek)  I always marvel at some of the size/caliber that these people say they carry.........where in the hell do they put them?  If conceal & carry is a goal, then find one that fits comfortably in your jacket or pant pocket, or can be holstered comfortably on your body without being cumbersome while riding.  Buying a gun so large that it can only fit in your saddle bags or sissy bar bag makes absolutely no sense.

I would steer clear of any caliber less than 38.  There are so many special loads for each caliber making "stopping power" a non-issue.  God forbid you would ever have to use a gun in a life or death situation, just remember that most of these confrontations occur in a 10'-15' range or less.  Most revolvers will chamber 5-6 rounds, and for all practical purposes are fail proof.  If you can't get out of the situation in 5 or 6 shots, then you should have stayed home.  Good luck in your search!

[john]

and after you've made your choice and purchase your hand gun   ...
the  r e a l  fun begins ...     
how and where to carry the thing ...   
the choices are endless ...     

[Alaskamike]

Pick up a Ruger 357 small frame stainless and see how that feels in your hand.  I love mine and although I have several automatics that are great guns, almost always carry the Ruger (when I do carry).   And, even though it is a revolver, it fits very nicely in a holster for carry.  very tight to my body and easily concealed with my shirt out.