can anyone recomend a good pistol?

[traper]

i want to get a pstol but i dont no what kind to get because i want it for pretection but i dont want something that kicks like a 45 i want to be able to fire fast and acurat but something stronger than a.22

[ArmySGT.]

If your new to handguns (or firearms at all) my first recommendation is a .357 magnum revolver. You can shoot .38 Special cartridges through it. (note you cannot shoot .357 magnum in a revolver chambered for .38 Special)

It is easy to operate, easy to load and unload, .38s in a .357 will not generally have a harsh recoil.

Colt, Smith and Wesson, Ruger, Taurus, whatever strikes your fancy. Some gun shops have an idoor range attached or just check with any ranges in your local area to see if they have rentals you can try out.

Then seek out professional instruction from well qualified instructors. A good instructor shouls not be afraid to provide references and certificates from schools or classes they have attended.

[macgeoghagen]

springfield XD is available in .40 and 9mm, .45GAP as well as my favorite flavor .45ACP

[remington]

Well, for that purpose one of two. One, like ArmySgt said a 38/357 revolver. You've got load versatility, and ultra-simplicity. On the other hand a Glock 19 in 9mm is great too. High-capacity, simple, and can range from very light loads to Buffalo Bore +P+P+ loads.

[RangerRick]

The 380 might be a good choice. *I carry a Colt Government Lite in .380 with seven hollow points in the clip and one in the tube during the summer months. *It is a semi-automatic and looks like a miniture model 1911 and is a small pocket pistol, small enough for the hip pocket but still gives an adequate grip and the hollow points really gives it meaning without serious recoil. *IMHO the .32 just isn't enough and the 9mm requires a larger/heavier pistol frame. *The most important point to consider is if it isn't a comfortable pistol to carry you probably won't have it when you actually need it so rather it's a .50 or .17 cal doesn't mean squat, make sure it's comfortable.

http://i32.tinypic.com/oh8rvo.jpg

Rick *

[kawalekm]

Hi Traper
I second A.G.'s post about the .357. In fact, a Ruger .357 was my first handgun which I still have today. Whenever I go target shooting it's always in the case, waiting to be shot. The advantages of a revolver are strength, versatility, simplicity, and reliability. The biggest pistol cartridges are made in revolvers first! Thumpers like the 357, 44mag, 500S&W, all start out in revolvers, because of their strength. In a revolver, you can shoot very light target 38spl that just go pop, up to screeching hot .357magnuns usefull in deer hunting. A modern transfer safety revolver is very safe, and you only need to pull back the hammer or trigger to make it work. Just swing out the cylinder and you can instantly check if loaded. Finally, there are not spring sets that loose strength over time and need replacement. You can load a revolver and stick it up on a shelf for 20 years, and the day you need it, it's still as ready as the day you bought it.
Michael

[jim]

I started off with a .22 and then went to a 4" bbl .38 Spl. Later a similar .357 was purchased. I prefer Colts and S&W's, but most other brands are good too. This type will fulfill your needs.

jim

[AARTY]

Could you be more specific in what you need this handgun for? Concealed carry, woods work, truck gun, nightstand gun. These factors play large role in choosing the right handgun for your needs. If at all possible you should try to test fire as many different cal/makes/types as you can.

[sv_libertarian]

I like my Ruger Security Six. 6" barrel, carry it all the time with .38+p's in it. Can't go wrong with a Ruger revolver.

[ThisisDoc]

Since you did not mention price you can get a Glock 19c for around $550-600 and get the advantage arms conversion kit to shoot 22's fro around 250. the Glock carries a high capacity magazine has the stopping power and you can shoot it all day with the conversion kit

[Lanark_Sixgunner]

I would recommend a Sig .9mm for self defence. I like the full-sized frame e.g. P226, but a smaller frame gun with less capacity might work better for you. Check out the link below:

http://www.jgsales.com/product_info.php/handguns/sig/p/sig-p6-p225-9mm-caliber%2C-semi-auto-pistol-/cPath/16_234/products_id/1903

Hope this helps!

[FotoTomas]

The first handgun I received formal training on was the M1911A1 courtesy of the U.S. Army. I have been a big fan of the design ever since. When I purchased my first hadgun however it was a mid frame, 4 inch barreled revolver. I purchased a Colt Diamondback and then a Colt Trooper MkIII before I bought a semi-auto.

The mid frame .357 revolver is still (in my opinion) the best general purpose handgun for most any duty I might need. I think a 4" barreled, .357 Magnum, S&W model 19 Combat Magnum is the ultimate example of the breed. That revolver will handle any chore I would need to do with a handgun if I had only one.

I work as a cop and carry a 9mm Beretta for duty. A 9mm Kahr PM9, a .38 Special S&W Model 38 Bodyguard or a 9mm GLOCK 26 are my regular off duty guns. When I hit the field or woods or work on my 5 acres of heaven in GA I have the model 19 S&W as my every day carry. It is the answer for all my questions.

Having said that I will confess full house 125 grain JHP .357 Magnums will get your attention on both ends of the gun. My old GI M1911 in .45 is a mild pussycat compared to my "BelchFire Magnum". I reload and find the .38 special and often the milder target wadcutter 38 loads handle the majority of my shooting with that revolver. A 50 round qualification of magnums every year is all I want to shoot. .38's handle the rest. :)

[Stinger]

:) *Most novices believe the 45 acp is a hard kicking round. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth! *

I'd rather have a 45 acp pistol in my hands during an SD event than any other caliber. *If you know how to handle it, all the other popular centerfire pistol calibers are more difficult to control. *

(And you have to watch the lowly 380 acp, too, because many 380 pistols are tough to handle blowback action designs.) *

I've shot any number of IDPA matches against 9's and 40's. Generally, I'm able to fire two accurate shots for everyone else's single round within the same period of time. *

Why? Because while 45 acp recoil is heavier it is, also, slower. Consequently I have less front sight dwell time; and I'm able to pull the front sight back down faster than the next fellow who is shooting a lighter faster round with a much sharper recoil impulse.
Yes, I've carried them; and, personally, I feel naked while using a 9mm or 380 acp for SD. 357 magnum? You betcha! It's a great SD round; but, it definitely kicks more than most people are, either, comfortable with or able to control well; and lots of luck finding a semiautomatic SD pistol that'll chamber the 357! * ;)

[Florida_boy]

I'd go with the .357 revolver. There's a lot of retired S&W police guns out there now for good prices. Use .38's to learn to shoot it and shoot it you must, to get comfortable with it. A good coach with experience will allow you to reach your goal with a lot fewer rounds fired.

[cubcadet]

I have an old police duty gun. It`s the Cambat Magnum. It has a 7" barrel, which makes it a pleasure shooting reloads in .38 Spec.. However, even with the longish barrel, it hurts shooting factory .357 Mags. Much too stiff for me, and I`m 6` 4", 220 LBS.. I shoot a big Ruger 7 1/2" Super Redhawk with 300 gr. slugs, and the .357 beats that for recoil.

[Badger]

Have you thought of a used Glock 19?

[justgettinby]

Traper,

Get what you can afford and what you think you will feel comfortable with. Everyone has their own opinion of what caliber, and what style of pistol to carry. The best thing you could do is go to a local gun club or gun store that has a range and ask around and even try a few out to see what you think you would like.

There is no magic pistol that fits everybody's style, need, or use. I have carried and shot everything from a .22 to a .45, and I can tell you I have liked all of them for one reason or another.

Don't let someone tell you a caliber is too big or to small. If they want to argue that fact then see if they would like to stand down range as you sling some lead in their direction. The most important thing is feeling comfortable with the gun and practice.

I would rather face some gangbanger shooting a .45 that never practices shooting than Grandpa Jones who can pluck a squirrels eye out at 100 yds with a .22

[Theyeti]

+1 on no magic pistols

[commonsense]

First choice would be Kimber pro-carry 45 acp, does not kick that bad. If you want a revolver S&W 19 or Ruger Sp 101, you get a extra round with the 19.

[Tuckahoe]

For protection I have one word for you, GLOCK. Reliable beyond belief. GLOCKS come in a size and caliber for most jobs.

[iammarkjones]

Go to the gun shop hold em all, you will know when the right one is there. Stick with a respectable brand DON'T buy a cheap weapon! Your life is worth more than the 100.00 bucks you'll save one a cheap firearm.

[medic]

Go to the gun shop hold em all, you will know when the right one is there. Stick with a respectable brand DON'T buy a cheap weapon! Your life is worth more than the 100.00 bucks you'll save one a cheap firearm.

This is probably the best advice you'll get. ALL the name brnads are very well built and accurate pistols, be it revolver or auto loader. If id doesn't feel comfortable, you'll have to train and re-train alot which cost quite a bit of money considering the ammunition prices. Me, I prefer Sig-Sauer P226 and the newer Pro2022. They fit my hand and point right where I want them to whenever I put it on target. Being a paramedic for the past 35 years I've seen more than my share of pistol wounds and am not impressed with the .40 and.41cal rounds. Impressive numbers but not so with wound ballistics. I've actually had people walk to the ambulance after getting shot with both those calibers. The .357, 9mm, and 45ACP do the job. A .44mag does to, but I don't know too many Dirty Harrys out there.

[bkwudzhom]

I couldnt agree more. Go to a range where you can rent and fire several weapons. Usually range personell are more than happy to assist you in going through the variety of brands and calibers. If there is a question if you are comfortable or not. Leave and come back another day. Get another range person and go through again. Best case -you get the best gun for you. worst case--you have a sore hand.