I'm looking to buy my 1st handgun and not sure what I want...for home protection and targets. Was thinking .40

Question

not looking to spend over 700...thought about Glock .9mm, .40, or a .45. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

I love my GLOCKs and I have a few but the one I favor most is the G35, a 40cal. S&W though the G23 with it's shorter barrel may work better for the home. The G22 is next on my Glock list.

Lifetime member of Glock Sport Shooting Foundation..GSSF.

Answer 2

I would like to offer my opinion. I hope ti helps.

The .40 S&W is a very capable round and there are many good guns out there. Glocks, SIG's, berettas, all are good choices. The most improtant thing is that you practice with it endlessly. That will be what saves your life if it ever came to that. Let's hope it never does. For home defense, I suggest some type of frangible ammo. It does not overpenetrate and is very lethal on intruders. You could look some of the suppliers up with the links below.

I will also suggest a shotgun as the better alternative for home defense. They are more powerful, more intimidating, and more lethal. Loaded with 00 or 000 buckshot, and you have the all around best system for home defense. If you go a little further you can mount a tactical flashlight on it, and have a great home defense system. 12 gauge is best, but if you don't like the recoil get a 20 gauge. You want something compact. I suggest the Remington 870 series. Perhaps a youth model. I bought that gun for my wifes aunt, and it has been a great gun. You might want to exchange the traditional stock for a pistol grip type set up. Now you are really in business. These modifications can all be done easily in your $700 budget. One other thing you might add on is glow in the dark night sites. Personal preference here.

The only drawback to a long gun is if you let the attacker get close enough to grab the muzzle and wrench it away from you. This is less of a problem with a handgun.

I hope this was helpful. Best regard and shoot safely and responsibly.

Answer 3

If you're not going to carry it all day long, why not just get a revolver? You can get some quite good ones for a lot less money, and the 38 Special is comparable to 9mm, 38-40 to 40 S&W, 45 Colt to 45 ACP (as a matter of fact, these last two are a little hotter and usually loaded with bullets a little heavier than the auto counterparts), and 44 Special or Magnum is also available. 38 and 44 Special are famous for target accuracy, and revolvers are simpler, don't jam, and are less maintenance-intensive.

Answer 4

Seven hundred will buy you any caliber Glock you want. The .40 S & W caliber is a good choice for home/personal defense. Be sure and take your gun safety course and comply with all your State's gun laws. Remember, bullets shoot through dry wall so consider pre-fragmented (like Glazer bullets) for home protection.

If you are not very familiar with handguns, consider instead the milder shooting Glock 19 in .9mm, or even a .357/.38 Specials revolver.

Good luck.

H

Answer 5

If you go with a pistol, I'd go with a 9mm as your first gun. There is less recoil. Glock 17's are nice because they can hold 17 rounds. They are chambered in 9mm. That being said, I would not go with a pistol to defend my life. I'd use a revolver. Pistols are more complicated to use which can become a huge factor in a life and death situation. They are also more likely to jam or malfunction than a revolver and require more maintenance. A revolver chambered in .38 special is a simple, reliable home defense gun that packs adequate firepower and very manageable recoil. I use a smith and wesson model 686 revolver for home defense and keep it loaded with .38 special hollowpoints.

Answer 6

.45 will effectively stop a silhouette whether they be real or paper. .40 is good and small. 9mm is really small, and is used by law because it's enough to stop a person but not necessarily kill them. The main compliant of 9mm in a hairy situation is lack of stopping power, or the amount of force it hits with. I recommend Heckler & Koch, Smith & Wesson, Colt, Springfield , Glock, and Ruger. I am strongly opposed to Beretta.

Answer 7

Yep. Get yourself a Taurus in .40 S&W. It's not expensive, works real well for home protection and they make accurate pistols. Glock is high priced and over rated, just cause cops carry them dosen't mean they are the best... it means the local and state governments got Glock to cut them a rock bottom deal!

Answer 8

I suggest you purchase a revolver as your first handgun. The ammunition is more available, they are easier to use and manipulate, they are more reliable, and less mechanically complicated (less to clean and less to fail).

A revolver is also a sound choice, because guns used in home defense tend not to be used a lot, and there's a lot less that can go wrong with a revolver when it's sitting loaded in a closet. That's not to say you should keep loaded firearms, but you'll use your discretion, I'm sure.

Revolvers are, however, harder to reload, harder to conceal, and hold less rounds. I don't predict this would be a major problem for you.

As far as brands and models, I would suggest a small smith and wesson revolver. Depending on your price range, you could find one for as low as $500, which isn't bad. If you want something a little larger in calibur, plan on spending nearly 1k (or more) for a solid tool. I personally am a fan of the Smith and Wesson 629CL Classic .44, but if that gives too much kick, consider going with a 357.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Glock 19, 9mm

Answer 10

You need to think about you purpose first. your size also any one can shoot with instruction. But shoot for a long time and be comfortable and confidant at the same time. NRA will help you. Remember guns kill. A 45 is and can be used to back you up in lots of situations.Personal and Recreation.I carry a 44 colt python but I hunt in some very ugly situations.Bears/Mountain Lions. I'm also 6'2" 275lb it also plays into the situation. O boy and you thought this would be easy. I have something for you to do not to confuse you but to help you understand your reason. Take the Hunters education class has nothing to do with concealed weapons class but it has a lot of merit.I play out side alot I hunt mostly with a Bow use 44 to back me up just in case. The 44 is big enough to hunt with as primary weapon. but that's me. Reason= Remember you first bike how long before you wanted a bigger one. Luck [woods-nut]