Just bought a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact - a nice mid-size 9mm. About $500, not a full size but a $ was a lot more in the ballpark of other mid-size frames with a large magazine. So don't count'em out on price.
-
We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
-
If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
-
Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.
Looking to Buy 1st Handgun, What Do You Recommend?
- Thread starter RealestWhiteBoy
- Start date
Just bought a Beretta PX4 Storm Compact - a nice mid-size 9mm. About $500, not a full size but a $ was a lot more in the ballpark of other mid-size frames with a large magazine. So don't count'em out on price.
opencarry613
New member
I recommend you effing quit listening to these idiots, here's why..
How about before you look at what kind of gun you want, you have a look at what kind you'll need. These people who are trying to get you to carry a frigging Colt 1911 or it's Taurus equivalent? Yeah, they have no idea what they're talking about. I mean, yeah, good guns all, but I am going to tell you EXACTLY why you need to get some facts that gun freaks don't like to pay attention to and why carrying anything that big is sheer LUNACY. Let's look at some facts:
For one, you're going to be carrying this thing for long periods of time, right? Sometimes all day, so you want to go as small and light as possible. Believe me, even a small gun can have a, well "substantial" feel on your hip. I recommend a .38 snub revolver because it'll NEVER jam and it's easy to operate in a panic. Have a look at what Taurus or Charter Arms have to offer in that area, their quality is good and the cost won't break the bank. If you must have a semi-auto, go for a pocket .380 and have a look at the Taurus TCP, Ruger LCP or Bersa Thunder. All good, none of which is going to require you to sell your blood to buy. Now I am going to blow away every argument anyon could possibly have against carrying anything but those two varieties of guns, Here we go!
FBI statistics show that 95% of gun fights take place at a distance of ten feet or less and are over in two shots. Okay, got that? That means that since you're not law enforcement and you're not a zombie apocalypse battlefield, you have no reason at all to be carrying some massive, high capacity, high powered, nice, shiny,accurate-to-300 feet, $1000 gun. In fact, based on what I just said, you have no need at ALL to carry anything aside from the general style and size of the two types of guns I recommended. None. If you shoot someone, it's going to be close enough o see the whites of their eyes and believe me, five rounds will be MORE than enough unless you freak out and needlessly empty the thing into some slob.
And when you carry openly, you are much more likely to be noticed. You're a guy carrying a gun who is going to be surrounded by those who have no idea you don't need to be a cop in your state, nor do you need a license, to carry openly. I've looked people right in the face and told them you can carry a gun openly in NC so long as you know the rules, NO LICENSE OR PERMIT REQUIRED. Their next question is, almost 100% of the time, "You need a permit to do that, right?". It just goes right in one ear and out the other. So you're going to be standing out no matter what kind of gun you carry. At all times when in public, I've found it's better to maintain a humble, low profile and not be noticed any more than you need to whether you're toting or not. A gun on your hip puts you at a disadvantage, so a huge one puts you at an even greater one. When you first open carry, you'll feel as though EVERYONE is looking at you, but after a while you're grow more at ease with it and realize you don't stand out that much. But still, why give anyone a reason to scrutinize you and maybe call the cops with a "I'm at the grocery store and some guy has a gun!" call?
Let's also consider just what excuse on EARTH you're going to give to the cops or some jury as to why you shot a guy who was threatening you with a knife or baseball bat at 20 feet away, and with a gun that was three times more powerful than what was necessary. How could that individual possibly have hurt you at that distance? He couldn't, so why did you feel the need to shoot him? You aren't going to need that kind of accuracy, and in fact it's better you DON'T have it, left you pop someone that far away. Go ahead, sit on the stand and make me buy that argument when the guy's family is suing your ass months later when a picture of that shiny, massive, new 1911 or Dirty Harry revolver you were so proud when you left the shop with it is blown up to ten times size, mounted on a board and sitting out in the courtroom for days on end for the jury to gaze at and wonder why you used anything that obnoxious. This isn't about what kind of gun you LIKE, it's about carrying one that fits the purpose and nothing more.
Keep it to a modest .38 or .380, shall we? There is no justification on Earth as to why you need anything more.
How about before you look at what kind of gun you want, you have a look at what kind you'll need. These people who are trying to get you to carry a frigging Colt 1911 or it's Taurus equivalent? Yeah, they have no idea what they're talking about. I mean, yeah, good guns all, but I am going to tell you EXACTLY why you need to get some facts that gun freaks don't like to pay attention to and why carrying anything that big is sheer LUNACY. Let's look at some facts:
For one, you're going to be carrying this thing for long periods of time, right? Sometimes all day, so you want to go as small and light as possible. Believe me, even a small gun can have a, well "substantial" feel on your hip. I recommend a .38 snub revolver because it'll NEVER jam and it's easy to operate in a panic. Have a look at what Taurus or Charter Arms have to offer in that area, their quality is good and the cost won't break the bank. If you must have a semi-auto, go for a pocket .380 and have a look at the Taurus TCP, Ruger LCP or Bersa Thunder. All good, none of which is going to require you to sell your blood to buy. Now I am going to blow away every argument anyon could possibly have against carrying anything but those two varieties of guns, Here we go!
FBI statistics show that 95% of gun fights take place at a distance of ten feet or less and are over in two shots. Okay, got that? That means that since you're not law enforcement and you're not a zombie apocalypse battlefield, you have no reason at all to be carrying some massive, high capacity, high powered, nice, shiny,accurate-to-300 feet, $1000 gun. In fact, based on what I just said, you have no need at ALL to carry anything aside from the general style and size of the two types of guns I recommended. None. If you shoot someone, it's going to be close enough o see the whites of their eyes and believe me, five rounds will be MORE than enough unless you freak out and needlessly empty the thing into some slob.
And when you carry openly, you are much more likely to be noticed. You're a guy carrying a gun who is going to be surrounded by those who have no idea you don't need to be a cop in your state, nor do you need a license, to carry openly. I've looked people right in the face and told them you can carry a gun openly in NC so long as you know the rules, NO LICENSE OR PERMIT REQUIRED. Their next question is, almost 100% of the time, "You need a permit to do that, right?". It just goes right in one ear and out the other. So you're going to be standing out no matter what kind of gun you carry. At all times when in public, I've found it's better to maintain a humble, low profile and not be noticed any more than you need to whether you're toting or not. A gun on your hip puts you at a disadvantage, so a huge one puts you at an even greater one. When you first open carry, you'll feel as though EVERYONE is looking at you, but after a while you're grow more at ease with it and realize you don't stand out that much. But still, why give anyone a reason to scrutinize you and maybe call the cops with a "I'm at the grocery store and some guy has a gun!" call?
Let's also consider just what excuse on EARTH you're going to give to the cops or some jury as to why you shot a guy who was threatening you with a knife or baseball bat at 20 feet away, and with a gun that was three times more powerful than what was necessary. How could that individual possibly have hurt you at that distance? He couldn't, so why did you feel the need to shoot him? You aren't going to need that kind of accuracy, and in fact it's better you DON'T have it, left you pop someone that far away. Go ahead, sit on the stand and make me buy that argument when the guy's family is suing your ass months later when a picture of that shiny, massive, new 1911 or Dirty Harry revolver you were so proud when you left the shop with it is blown up to ten times size, mounted on a board and sitting out in the courtroom for days on end for the jury to gaze at and wonder why you used anything that obnoxious. This isn't about what kind of gun you LIKE, it's about carrying one that fits the purpose and nothing more.
Keep it to a modest .38 or .380, shall we? There is no justification on Earth as to why you need anything more.
WalkingWolf
Regular Member
Damn that was funny, your killing me!:lol::lol::lol:Nobody needs to justify anything to you, that is what is sooo funny.
Throwing out opinions with such apparent belief that only he is right is not unlike spitting into the wind - gonna get it all over him.
That and rudeness is neither appreciated nor tolerated here.
Rusty Young Man
Regular Member
I was about to address every single point of fail in the post of the drive-through troll-post, but I realized it would be an exercise in futility because you can't fix the stupid of someone that can spout that many myths and unsupported opinions in a single argumentative post. By the way, welcome to the forum, opencarry613. Hope you stick around long enough to see everything else that was wrong in your post.
Also, thanks to WalkingWolf and his generously polite reply, which pointed out only a few of the intellectual shortcomings of said troll-post.
Back on topic, I personally carry a Springfield Armory 1911 (for varying lengths of time, and as long as 18 hours, done so comfortably through the use of a good belt), but I would recommend the CZ 75B or its younger kin (CZ 75BD). Holds a standard 16+1 rounds in 9mm Parabellum, and the .40 holds 10+1. It's an all-steel gun, so recoil is minimal (if my mother could handle it without ANY problems for her first time shooting, I don't think anyone could argue it has unmanageable or uncomfortable recoil). You can find them at CZ custom shops sometimes, but it has increased in price after gaining popularity here in the U.S.
Another route for affordability could be buying a police trade in.
Also, thanks to WalkingWolf and his generously polite reply, which pointed out only a few of the intellectual shortcomings of said troll-post.
Back on topic, I personally carry a Springfield Armory 1911 (for varying lengths of time, and as long as 18 hours, done so comfortably through the use of a good belt), but I would recommend the CZ 75B or its younger kin (CZ 75BD). Holds a standard 16+1 rounds in 9mm Parabellum, and the .40 holds 10+1. It's an all-steel gun, so recoil is minimal (if my mother could handle it without ANY problems for her first time shooting, I don't think anyone could argue it has unmanageable or uncomfortable recoil). You can find them at CZ custom shops sometimes, but it has increased in price after gaining popularity here in the U.S.
Another route for affordability could be buying a police trade in.
Last edited:
JustaShooter
Regular Member
I made it as far as "I recommend a .38 snub revolver because it'll NEVER jam" and stopped reading. 
JoeSparky
Centurion
I was struck by the HECK OF A FIRST POST---- from someone who OBVIOUSLY not read all the posts on even THIS thread!
i'm impressed the op started this thread on 7 dec, as his first of only four total posts to date and almost sixty days later the thread has taken a life of it's own...
but hey, i'll stick with the fnx 9 thanks...
Hell in a SD situation i would settle for a 22 if it were the only firearm i had.
ipse
but hey, i'll stick with the fnx 9 thanks...
Hell in a SD situation i would settle for a 22 if it were the only firearm i had.
ipse
WalkingWolf
Regular Member
Trolls often look for old threads to stir the pot. I really not sure what they think they accomplish with the antics. I could not let his offensive post stand.
ETA I sometimes carry a 32-20 and sometimes I carry a 44 mag, and then sometimes 1911. It depends on my mood. Lately I have carried both the 32-20 and the 44 mag. The 32-20 is enough for dogs, or coyotes, the 44 is for bears.
Last edited:
mpguy
Regular Member
.45, it's not getting any smaller. That's my out look. Personally, don't want to be shot with none of them.
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Kopis
Regular Member
Meh, im not going to read through this whole internet war but to the OP, you can always go to a range and grip a few pistols, see what feels comfy then rent a few of the ones that seem to fit you well. I like glock, others like 1911, S&W, revolver etc. What's right for someone else isnt necessarily right for you.
OC or CC is also your choice. If you arent comfortable with it, dont do it. This is an OC site so people here are going to defend OC whereas if you go to a CC site, they will defend CC and say OC is bad. Each has it's merits. I do both depending on the situation. Good luck with your choices, there are lots of great pistols out there.
The one piece of advice i would give is dont get hung up on a certain round. A lot of my friends say anything less than 45 wont kill a mouse or 40 cal is the way to go however they rarely go to the range because rounds are so pricey for them. You can see from the recent FL theater shooting, it just took one single 380 that went through a hand and then killed a good sized man. I would think that most defensive shootings will be in close proximity whereas an LEO might be firing from 10-25 yards. Im a big 9mm fan because it's the cheapest to shoot, shooting regularly is an important part of carrying a firearm responsibly. The new high power/bonded defensive rounds really negate a lot of the old arguments against 380s/9mm.
OC or CC is also your choice. If you arent comfortable with it, dont do it. This is an OC site so people here are going to defend OC whereas if you go to a CC site, they will defend CC and say OC is bad. Each has it's merits. I do both depending on the situation. Good luck with your choices, there are lots of great pistols out there.
The one piece of advice i would give is dont get hung up on a certain round. A lot of my friends say anything less than 45 wont kill a mouse or 40 cal is the way to go however they rarely go to the range because rounds are so pricey for them. You can see from the recent FL theater shooting, it just took one single 380 that went through a hand and then killed a good sized man. I would think that most defensive shootings will be in close proximity whereas an LEO might be firing from 10-25 yards. Im a big 9mm fan because it's the cheapest to shoot, shooting regularly is an important part of carrying a firearm responsibly. The new high power/bonded defensive rounds really negate a lot of the old arguments against 380s/9mm.
mobiushky
Regular Member
Hey, HEy HEY! Whoa! What's the deal bringing logic into this....
Logic is illogical in the caliber wars
WalkingWolf
Regular Member
Logic is illogical in the caliber wars
My barrel may be short, but I have a huge caliber...:lol:
I've heard that "big bore" talk before. Size doesn't mean a thing unless you can put the shot where it counts, when it counts, double tapping is even better. Myself, for close encounters I prefer instinctive shooting, but that requires a lot of practice.
Think we should stop before it gets out of hand.
Firearms Iinstuctor
Regular Member
I hope it is out of the hand and back on target.
Running Wolf
Campaign Veteran
I realize the OP, "realestwhiteboy" only posted on the day this thread was created, and so probably has faded into the proverbial woodwork. But I'm going to ask nonetheless:
Did you purchase your first handgun? What did you decide on? Was any of the advice graciously offered here of any benefit?
I won't be holding my breath waiting for an answer . . .
Did you purchase your first handgun? What did you decide on? Was any of the advice graciously offered here of any benefit?
I won't be holding my breath waiting for an answer . . .
Confirming that it looks like a hit and run.
Last Activity:12-07-2013 07:01 PM
Join Date: 12-07-2013
Last edited:
Cavalryman
Campaign Veteran
Well, that's disappointing! And after I gave him the best-reasoned and only correct answer, too!
If you want to buy a handgun now, you must keep in mind that you are learning to shoot. Guns with 4" barrels or longer and grips that fill the hand (and provide palm support) will assist you in learning how to shoot a handgun. Stay with the major brands: Glock, Springfield, S&W, Colt, Walther, Beretta, HK, SIG and so on. Avoid small handguns or at least purchase a full sized gun at the same time.
Look at the following guns rather than looking at the dozens of models and hundreds of options:
Semi-Autos:
Glock 19, 23, or 32
S&W M&P 45 Compact (NOT S&W M&P 9 series)
HK P30, any of the USP Compacts
Beretta Px4 or 92
SIG P229, P239
Kahr K9, T9
Walther PPS
Springfield EMP 9mm
Ruger SR9
If you absolutely MUST have a gun RIGHT NOW, just get a Glock 19. Add night sights and have a total of six magazines. If you do not like it, you can always sell it off later.
DO NOT BUY A 1911. These guns require some technical knowledge to maintain and get running. Many production 1911's do not run out of the box and will require some tweaking. You may get lucky, but you will still need do follow the maintenance schedule. While all guns have a maintenance schedule, the 1911 owners have a special relationship with their guns. This translates into time and money.
Revolvers:
Ruger GP100
S&W 686 (prelock, not a modern POS of poor build quality)
Any of these should be great guns to learn with and carry for defense.
Follow these steps:
1) Get some friends together and shoot their guns. Rent a few to try out.
2) Attend NRA Basic Pistol ASAP. It covers safe gun handling, gun ownership basics and handgun shooting basics.
3) Attend a two day defensive training class that qualifies as training for the carry permit.
4) Purchase a gun. The instructor in #3 will have some recommendations.
#4 is placed correctly. You will have a very good idea of what you need in a handgun after attending training. Many guns that seem good in the store turn out to have flaws for you. The two day class will help you identify the attributes that work best for your style of shooting.
Step #1 will get you exposed to a variety handguns.
Step #2 is essential in that safety training is mandatory. You are a danger to yourself and others without it.
Regarding the Remington R51: It looks like it is not going to be a great gun. There are a few reviews on it that were not paid for by Remington that do not put it in a positive light.
A good rule of thumb is to never buy a design until it is at least one year old. I prefer to wait at least two years in make sure the design is thoroughly debugged.
Look at the following guns rather than looking at the dozens of models and hundreds of options:
Semi-Autos:
Glock 19, 23, or 32
S&W M&P 45 Compact (NOT S&W M&P 9 series)
HK P30, any of the USP Compacts
Beretta Px4 or 92
SIG P229, P239
Kahr K9, T9
Walther PPS
Springfield EMP 9mm
Ruger SR9
If you absolutely MUST have a gun RIGHT NOW, just get a Glock 19. Add night sights and have a total of six magazines. If you do not like it, you can always sell it off later.
DO NOT BUY A 1911. These guns require some technical knowledge to maintain and get running. Many production 1911's do not run out of the box and will require some tweaking. You may get lucky, but you will still need do follow the maintenance schedule. While all guns have a maintenance schedule, the 1911 owners have a special relationship with their guns. This translates into time and money.
Revolvers:
Ruger GP100
S&W 686 (prelock, not a modern POS of poor build quality)
Any of these should be great guns to learn with and carry for defense.
Follow these steps:
1) Get some friends together and shoot their guns. Rent a few to try out.
2) Attend NRA Basic Pistol ASAP. It covers safe gun handling, gun ownership basics and handgun shooting basics.
3) Attend a two day defensive training class that qualifies as training for the carry permit.
4) Purchase a gun. The instructor in #3 will have some recommendations.
#4 is placed correctly. You will have a very good idea of what you need in a handgun after attending training. Many guns that seem good in the store turn out to have flaws for you. The two day class will help you identify the attributes that work best for your style of shooting.
Step #1 will get you exposed to a variety handguns.
Step #2 is essential in that safety training is mandatory. You are a danger to yourself and others without it.
Regarding the Remington R51: It looks like it is not going to be a great gun. There are a few reviews on it that were not paid for by Remington that do not put it in a positive light.
A good rule of thumb is to never buy a design until it is at least one year old. I prefer to wait at least two years in make sure the design is thoroughly debugged.
Last edited: