Alrite, so Im looking at purchasing a handgun in the future and needed to have some information for my parentals. They are not buying the gun for me, I just would like to offer them information so they can see that I actually spent time and wasnt an impulse buy. Ive been looking around, trying to stay in the $600 range or lower. Glock, XD, and a few others fit.

First off, I will be getting my CCW in a few months, so the gun cannot be massive nor obstructive when walking/driving.

Second off, whats the advantages and disadvantages to having .40 vs. .45?

Third, options, what kinda stuff should I be looking at?

Lastly, in terms of repair/upkeep/ammo, which gun would be best for someone who shoots every weekend?

I know there are a few threads on this, but they tend to go stray from my intent.

 

I'm logging on because I'm planning on buying my gun here in the next month or so.

 

If it is your first handgun I would recommend a 9mm. Ya its not the big cal. but you can get ammo at a very reasonable price and still afford to shoot it regularly. There will be a ton of different opinions on that so you can decide that on your own.
As for guns there are several good manufacturers out there. I personally own a smith and weston revolver in .44 mag one of my favorite handguns I own. It is balanced perfectly and I can shoot it just as accurate if not more so then my 9mm. I have a semi-auto Taurus 92 para 9mm with hi capcity clips. Both guns are very very reliable guns, with the normal cleaning and maintence they will last forever.
Either way you will love having a handgun, they are a blast to shoot!

 

I second the 9MM suggestion. Cheap ammo, great selection of guns, decent price and the option of Hollow Points for security

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrZbjQe8XRU

I love my 9

 

so i kinda like the XD 9? its the 9mm with the 4 inch barrel. although, when looking through the selection, theres like 10 guns that fit this, but have slightly different options. why the difference? i just want the normal, "stock" one

 

In today's market those are the "stock" ones. You have choices so you can have a gun that works well for you. The XD9 is an amazing gun you can't go wrong with it. I have shot my friend's XD9 and it is on my list to buy.

 

:o

My bad! I fixed the wording there! Good catch
And all my friends are alive and kicking no one has been shot!

 

Cheney Jr

 

Mamma always wanted me to be a politician

 

The difference for many between the 45ACP and the 40 SW is the recoil factor. The 40 shoots lighter bullets and therefore has less felt recoil. If you are using it for self defense, the person getting hit in the chest won't know the difference- he's pretty much dead. For weekend plinking and having to buy ammo instead of reloading, I'd suggest the 9mm. Ammo is cheap, recoil is not much, ammo is available everywhere, and if reloading, is also a cheap date. A 9mm is also fairly decent as a self defense weapon. It will also carry more in the clip than a 45 or 40. I'm not a fan of tupperware pistols so the Glocks and such are out for me. Here's a linky to Impact Guns. You can look at all of the pistols available here. You might also want to go by the Gun Directory and read the reviews from users about the various handguns/pistols. I would suggest going to a range and renting a few first. A glock, for example, doesn't fit my hand and I don't care for the XD either. But I have large hands and maybe you don't but you need to have a gun in your hand and fire it before buying one. Internet recommendations don't really count when it comes to handguns. It's like me telling you that my boots are better than yours. WE may not have the same feet or walk in the same environment.
http://www.impactguns.com/store/hg_semi.html

 

Great post all excellent points!

 

most important part is righhhhht there. cant buy a gun without testing em out first.

--so you must be turning 21 soon then, I presume?

 

If you are looking for a CCW weapon, I would stay away from a .45 or even the .40. There are 9mm out there with very narrow slides, which make it a lot easier to conceal. I have a XD-45 which I love, but even with the 4" barrel, it is too big to carry during the summer months. Also look at the Kahr....I have a PM9, really small and narrow, but handles the full sized 9mm, so it has plenty of stopping power. Plus it is light weight, another factor when using it for CCW.
XD-9 Compact 6.25' long and 26oz
PM-9: 5.3" long and 14.0 oz, .90" wide




In a Desantis Super Fly Pocket Holder

Woof
Bowser

 

Yep, turning 21 in September.

 

i personally have a Beretta Model 92FS. Similar to what military uses ( i think) except mine is stainless. It is a 9mm semi-automatic that is balanced pretty decent. It can be kind of pricey unless you find a used one. I used to work at a sporting goods store a few years back during junior college and high school and picked this up on trade for 300.

If you are going to be on top of things and keep it cleaned than an 9mm auto is the way to go. Cheap, reliable and fun to shoot.
If you think you might be lazy, then a revolver is the way to go. no matter how dirty those things are they always fire.

I wouldn't worry about the laser too much to start off with. The laser will have to be adjusted and sighted in for it to work. I would suggest on buying the pistol and learning how to and becoming accurate shot with it before you put a laser on.