Handgun Help

[reconman]

HK USP 45, or with the USP 40 you can get the jet funnel mag conversion. A great condition usef one is not to bad price wise for what you are getting.

[Outback]

I like my springfield xd .45 but I have had trouble finding inexpensive ammo. It's my first auto and it feels very safe. I never have liked the 1911 style with the trigger coked at all times. It just doesn't look safe although I know it isn't any less safe than my .45. Shoot several and pick one that feels right.

[Tarleton Jake]

For a beginner to Handguns I say try out:

Springfield XD 9mm
Smith and Wesson M&P 9mm
Glock 19

The reasons being, as a new handgun shooter, the worst possible thing would be that you find yourself "uncomfortable" shooting either a .40 or .45. The second being, you'll need to spend a lot of time with your new handgun, shooting MANY rounds. You'll be more likely to accomplish this with a 9mm due to ammo prices. Don't let the naysayers fool you, with modern hollowpoint ammunition like Corbon DPX, Federal HST, RangerT, Speer Gold Dot's, Gold Saber's, Hornady XTP's....ect. the 9mm will kill any two legged varmint D E A D. Just remember that like with any pistol caliber, shoot 'em to the ground.

My carry piece is a Colt commander in 45ACP, while this rig works for me, the 1911 is NOT a beginner's gun. The three weapons that I mentioned in the beginning of my post have another thing in common besides being containing polymer frames, they have no external safety to disengage. The more simple the weapon system is to a newcomer , the better. They are all double action only. Why there still exist DA/SA pistols, I have no idea...(shudder at the thought). The exact same trigger pull each time that is generated from either a double action only weapon or single action only weapon will help your consistency.

In the end, a pistol is the most PERSONAL choice that I believe an individual can make firearms-wise. Pick up as many different models as possible, shoot as many to get a better feel for them, and choose what YOU want. Don't be bullied into buying a "mans" gun that neither points naturally for you nor fits your hand. You will know what fits and what won't, the three choices I've listed are just a start point that I believe you'd do well to try out and see how they feel.

Good luck and have fun!

Jake

[billfromtx]

XD 45 Compact!!!!!!!! nuff said.

[Leon County Slayer]

G26....when you talk about a concealable sidearm and a bear hunting gun, that's a tough combo! I took a nice hog with my .9mm this year from the tree stand - you might want to look at the .40 G27 - very conceleable

[Stykbow]

Springfield XD compact 40 cal.
or subcompact 40 cal.
I love mine. No complaints.

[TexMax]

Do any of y'all really want to shoot a bear with a 9mm!?

Or .40 for that matter.

[Street2Peschel]

Glock 20.

10mm is exactly what you are looking for. It is the most versatile round on the market. I load my 10mm with 165 grain bullets for personal defense (will drop any predator with two legs) and a "hot load" for hunting applications. Look at the data surrounding the energy transfer from a 10mm bullet...it says it all. I have just about every caliber pistol made and I still carry a 10mm everywhere I go.

[StrayDog]

Sounds like you might need two pistols....or maybe 3

9 mm, .40 cal, .45 cal etc. OK for personal defense - NOT OK for bear hunt.

44 mag (minimum) or larger OK for bear hunt but hard for a average size man to conceal.

Another thought is to buy a .22 pistol and learn to shoot without breaking the bank (pistol shooting is very different from rifle or shotgun). You can then rent different pistols at many ranges and make your decision from there. You could trade the .22 in on new purchase if you wish. I did this and was thankful!

1st rule of a personal defense weapon - The weapon you can shoot accurately trumps bullet size, brand, etc. almost everytime!

[Eagles1181]

Do any of y'all really want to shoot a bear with a 9mm!?

Or .40 for that matter.

TexMax and I were thinking on the same line.

For your first gun I recommend a Glock 19. Easy to operate, and reliable as all get out. Go to a range and rent one. If it feels good to you and you shoot it reasonably well (considering it is your first time shooting it) then go buy one. If not, expand out to the S&W and XDs mentioned above.

Now you have your bad guy gun.

Next time you are out in bear country, I recommend something in 44mag.


There is just not really anything on the market that is small enough to conceal, but large enough to handle bear comfortably. And trying to push a gun to do both will mean it fails at one (and probably both) task.

Eagle

[texag93]

I'm thinking a S&W 4" 686+. 7rds of .357 is good stuff.

[CaptainDave]

Glock or Springfield.

For a first gun, I'd look at either 9mm or 40.

Contrary to some opinions around here, 9mm can be a very effective self defense round, with the right ammo selection. Actually, it's somewhat funny to see so many people write off the 9mm around here...

[TexMax]

B e a r

[bsimpson]

Sounds like you might need two pistols....or maybe 3

9 mm, .40 cal, .45 cal etc. OK for personal defense - NOT OK for bear hunt.

44 mag (minimum) or larger OK for bear hunt but hard for a average size man to conceal.

Another thought is to buy a .22 pistol and learn to shoot without breaking the bank (pistol shooting is very different from rifle or shotgun). You can then rent different pistols at many ranges and make your decision from there. You could trade the .22 in on new purchase if you wish. I did this and was thankful!

1st rule of a personal defense weapon - The weapon you can shoot accurately trumps bullet size, brand, etc. almost everytime!

X2

I know my hunting pistol is way different than a personal defense. I would go with a 357mag revolver at a minimum for hunting with at least a 6inch barrel. And for personal defense, go with the glock 9mm.

[Gummi Bear]

I have a Glock 22 (full frame .40 cal) and I've carried it as a hunting sidearm for near 15 years. Over those years it's been wet, muddy, cold and hot; not once has it failed to fire. I've dispatched dozens of hogs with it and a few other nasties.


I hope to never be faced with the situation where I have to point a gun at another human, but I put my full faith in my Glock.