Why did you choose the hand gun you did?

SixT9er · #1

I’ve had a few handguns over the years but they were given to me. I finally bought my first the other day. Before I bought it I’d been thinking about buying one for a long time but had to decide my priority first & not let my ego or looks drive the decision. Let’s face it a Desert Eagle is damn cool but how practical? 45 cal 1911’s are cool, my son has one & it’s a Great gun. When I was a kid always wanted a 357 Magnum or 44 Mag (Dirty Harry).
After much deliberation & consulting with my personal gun expert I decided on the Glock G45 9mm.
Reason(s)
Reliability! Nothing more reliable than a Glock
Accuracy
Cost of ammo
Size I could conceal carry if I wanted

Next gun will most likely be an American made 1911

Cobia · #2

I changed from a Judge 45 to a PMR-30 . One reason is the judge would pull your pants off. This new gun holds 30 rounds and is very light. I have taken out 18 Javelinas so for with it.

Boone · #3

All my handguns are revolvers. All purchased for hunting and not for personal carry. .357 is mostly used for plinking with either .38 special or full load 357 for some distance shooting. Also carry the 357 on my backpack belt when hunting the mountains out west. I use a 454 Casull for deer hunting and hope to bear hunt with it. I can also shoot 45 colt out of the 454 for plinking as the 454 Casull is a beast to plink with. I like to have the options on both guns to be able to use the lighter loads or the magnum loads depending on the activity I am doing.

wrb55roscojr · #4

My first handgun was given to me. Its a 1911 COLT GOLDCUP. mfg1973 .In 45acp.....Was given to me by a roommate from school. Who went into the military... Then I got the bug. And now I have 8 total hand guns! In 45 app,and 9mm Luger..... Good thing I live in
Columbia Mo .Where I can go to MidwayUsa,for ammo............Its only 5 miles from the house.......

firefighter · #5

I bought most of my handguns when I was a FFL from 1980 to 2000 during the time I was a firefighter.

I chose the following 4 handguns for CCW because they're concealable, reliable and have sufficient stopping power. Also, ammunition for these 3 calibers is readily available. California implemented a 10 round magazine capacity limit a few years ago so high capacity magazines are illegal. California requires CCW holders to list handgun serial numbers on their permits but most other states do not. My current concealed carry weapons are:

Smith & Wesson M60 Stainless Steel 2" barrel 38 special (older model not chambered for 357)
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-60

Glock M27 3.4" barrel subcompact 40S&W
https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g27
I fitted a Pearce mag extension for better grip and control.
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_inf ... sion+black

Kimber Eclipse Stainless Steel 5" barrel full size 45ACP
https://www.kimberamerica.com/eclipse-custom-ii-lg

Glock M22NS 4.49" barrel full size 40S&W
https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g22

These are some of the handguns I bought for target practice and hunting.
Wilson Combat CQB OD Green 5" barrel full size 45ACP
https://shopwilsoncombat.com/CQB-Full-S ... NDGUN5613/

Smith & Wesson M69 Stainless Steel 2.75" barrel 44 Magnum (could be used as CCW with 44 special ammo)
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/m ... bat-magnum

Smith & Wesson M460XVR Stainless Steel 8.38" barrel 460 S&W Magnum
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-460xvr
(Hornady 460 S&W Mag 200gr FTX ammo provides 2200 fps muzzle velocity & 2149 ft/lb energy)
https://www.hornady.com/ammunition/hand ... -gr-ftx#!/

Glock M29 3.78" barrel compact 10mm (could be used as CCW - same bullet diameter as 40S&W but longer case with more velocity & energy)
https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g29-gen4

Smith & Wesson M629PC V-Comp Stainless Steel 5" barrel 44 Magnum
https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/p ... 629-v-comp

Chicagobob · #6

My 38 Special fits in my front pocket. Nuff said... 8)

sgtaliin9150 · #7

I've got a .44 Western Style six shooter. While it's modern, it's a replica of the old 1850 Colt. Kinda hard to handle, but it's stopping power is great.

G · #8

My first pistolla was a 1911. Why because they are cool as hell and you can use it for a hammer if you run out of ammo. Now I mostly shoot striker fired 9mm's because they are super reliable and the ammo is cheap.

#9

Wasn't much left.

Prospector Bob · #10

My personal protection hand gun is a 4" barreled Smith & Wesson Model 19 .357 magnum revolver. I load it with .38 Special +P 158 grain semi-jacketed hollow point ammo. This round is sometimes called the "FBI Load." It's what they used when their agents still carried revolvers. I chose it 'cause it's a good solid gun. It's kinda heavy so it mitigates recoil better than a lighter gun. The weight makes it better for a quick second shot if needed.

raving loon · #11

Picked up a Sig P320 because I was sold on the modularity of the frame (trigger action is the serialized part), like converting to different calibers and sizes (carry, compact, subcompact models). For those of you that live in a free state I realize that's not a big concern. However I live in a land that does Pistol Permits so having that versatility option can come in handy in a pinch. My SW 586 I wanted a revolver and I always loved that classic dark metal/wood grip look. Picked up my S&W 29-2 because I had a permit that was expiring and I didn't want to waste it, in fairness though nothing was really jumping out at me until I saw it on the local bulletin board, very nice ;D . Got a few others, but those two are the ones where the reasons just jump out at me 8) .

SixT9er · #12

Loving my Glock! Shot it & my sons 1911 last night. I want one of those too! Lol

Bigfoot · #13

Glock 357 sig.

Mikey · #14

S&W 38 special, 6" barrel, 'cause revolvers don't jam. I've had it for 35years. Also a Browning medalist 150 target pistol for the range, because the ammo is cheaper than the 38's.[/size]

SixT9er · #15

Mikey link wrote: S&W 38 special, 6" barrel, 'cause revolvers don't jam. I've had it for 35years. Also a Browning medalist 150 target pistol for the range, because the ammo is cheaper than the 38's.[/size]

Mikey, I’m actually surprised you own a gun!

Good for you!

Mikey · #16

Hell, my childhood fascination with guns and John Wayne is how I ended up in the Marines, and they teach you how to shoot.[/size]

#17

Mikey link wrote: Hell, my childhood fascination with guns and John Wayne is how I ended up in the Marines, and they teach you how to shoot.[/size]

A man in a suit :-*

#18

Wanting to get a gun when everything opens up again.. what would people recommend for a beginner to purchase for personal safety? It will stay at home.

CronusWalker · #19

AlexaWu link wrote: Wanting to get a gun when everything opens up again.. what would people recommend for a beginner to purchase for personal safety? It will stay at home.

Something that fits your hand size, that you can function without fumbling around or having problems with. Something that you wont have problems firing. Suggest you go to gun store with range and rentals, talk with them, then rent what they are suggesting and test fire it. They should be able to provide range person to show you how to safely use the weapon, and how to shoot. After Purchase take gun safety/shooting courses, and practice, practice, practice. Revolvers are good for basic reliability and function, but you have to reload after 6 rounds which can take time when you are under stress, where most semi-autos have between 7 to 10 rounds, and you can reload fairly fast with just ejecting the magazine and inserting a full magazine.

The Toffeeman · #20

As a Brit the gun culture in the US has always been fascinating to me. The UK effectively ended handgun ownership after Dunblane, rightly or wrongly. Most European countries still have a more relaxed attitude to firearms. I fall into the pro-gun camp still. Not being brought up in a gun culture makes them 'scary' to noobs, but I think that is a good thing (at least in the range sessions I have had with friends).

I have been thinking of getting a 9mm. The 9mm was always suppose to be between the sig sauer P226 (if good enough for the seals) and the H&K USP compact (looked right, separate safety). Was always wary of the Glocks, since 'didn't have a safety', which was a fallacy I learned was incorrect. I fired a G17 gen 4 and it was great. So I will probably get a Glock 17 gen 5 when the time is right (after partying of course). I live in Cal so will never be a close carry :

BrothelLife