I know there are some folks on here that are gun aficionados. I have grown up around firearms and own several, however, I am looking to purchase a handgun for general range shooting and that can double as a home defense weapon. I won’t carry unless traveling long distances in a car, so it doesn’t really have to be concealable. My problem, while I know a bit about rifles and shotguns for my hunting, I am a novice when it comes to handguns. The only handgun I own is an old H&R S&W .32 long revolver, that while dependable, isn’t really fun to shoot. I am certainly looking for something that is a semi automatic. I want a dependable, fun to shoot handgun that has a little stopping power. A coworker suggested an H&K USP .40, and I also would love to perhaps own some brand of a 1911 .45, however, those are probably out of my price range. I’m looking to spend in the $600 - $700 range. A reputable dealer selling used guns would be acceptable as well if anybody has any suggestions. I await advice from the handgun experts.
The USP is a great gun, but if I was buying one, I'd certainly get it in .45. It is one of the few .45 autos with a double stacker magazine that doesn't seem..........too big. I've never owned a Glock, but everyone swears by them. The new Springfield Armory XD's are fine guns and certainly within your budget. And I'm sure you could get some Sigs with that budget. Carters occasionally has some Kimbers pretty close to the upper end of your budget as well. I'm sure some people might tout one or another way over the others, but honestly, any of these are fine firearms. Go with your gut and get the one that feels and looks the best to you. If you can get a chance to fire some of them, do that as well.
So you suggest, that if I'm looking at .40, might as well go on up to .45? Cool. I was surfing around and started looking at the Kimbers. They are very nice guns, the only problem is they only issue about 40 different 1911 models. I keep looking at Glock as well. They seem to be lower in price, and have seem to have higher capacity.
Not......necessarily. .40's and .45's are both great rounds, they are both popular enough that economies of scale keep them relatively cheap to practice with, and they both have plenty of "stopping power." I'm just saying that with the USP in particular, I would consider the .45 because it is rare to find a double stacker (higher capacity) magazined .45 that still feels comfortable in the hand. Granted, depending on the size of your hands, it might still be too big, but I find them to be very comfortable. The 1911 style .45's have single stack mags, so you are somewhat limited with fewer rounds. However, if you are dead set on a .40 (and there is nothing wrong with that), I wouldn't rule the USP out. It is a fine handgun.
So far the only decision I have seen you make is you want a semi-auto. Here are the others you need to make: 1. External safety or not (cops carried 38 specials for years no external safety) A. If not, then look for SA/DA guns like some variants of the HK USP, Sig, and striker fired guns like the Glock B. If so check out the 1911, HK USP (variants with external) and most others 2. Do you want plastic, aluminum, or steel? --- Pros and cons to all, but if you are going to carry it on your person, plastic is much much lighter 3. Overall Size ----Semi-Auto pistol sizes are pretty standard now, if you want it for range shooting and home defense full size is the best idea. 342. Caliber ----Caliber arguments are so dumb it isn't funny. Anything standard is fine. 40 S&W, 9mm, 10mm, 357 sig, 45 acp. They all have similar performance. Seriously there is so little difference between them I would go with whatever you just like. 9mm is the cheapest so range shooting much less expensive. Avoid anything under 9mm as it is a big drop off. 32, 38acp, 25, 22, don't do it. My advice is a carbine is best for home defense but if you want a pistol, go check some out. The only large difference between most of the quality level guns that will not be obvious (plastic vs steel) is the trigger pull, the action that dictates it (external safety, single action, double action, SA/DA) and the feel of the gun when you aim it.
Get a glock. Functional, reliable, and high quality at a relatively low price. Get a G17 or a G22 and you'll have enough left over for a hogue hand grip and maybe a tac light for it too while still being under 700 bucks. I've got a glock 17 and it's cheap to shoot at the range and I've got some hollow points for home defense. JMHO.
The only handgun I've fired was a 1911 model .45 and I was impressed by its ease of operation and easy to handle. A friend of mine is an ex-cop who also does CHL training and spent time in Iraq and he swears by his Glock 9MM, I don't recall what specific model. He says for ease of use, safety and price they are the best. I will also give my obligatory if you are really concerned about self-defense study martial arts too.
Beretta 92F and CZ-75 are both great, underrated pistols which aren't sexy because they aren't made of plastic. Allong the same lines, if you want something exotic and luxurious, find an old Sig P210 somewhere.
The bigger, the better. <a href="http://photobucket.com/images/big%20gun" target="_blank"><img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd211/theBUBBAMANcan/stupid_gun.jpg" border="0" alt="big gun Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>
Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I'm heading up to the Tomball Pawn store later this week to check things out. (I live close by and have been told it beats all the other gun shops in Houston).
I went and looked at several of the suggested guns. I made the decision to go ahead and go with .45. It came down to the SA XD series vs. spending a little more for an H&K. I ended up spending just a little over my budget and took home the suggested H&K USP .45 ACP compact. It just feels tight and like its an extension of my hand, also I like the switch safety feature rather than grip/trigger safety. Now I can't wait to go run a few boxes of rounds through it at the range. (If I can find any range grade .45 ACP rounds anywhere. Thanks for the help.
