Official HandGun Thread

[SilverII]

how much ammo can fit in that thing

[richpike]

Originally Posted by kevinbahnz

Hopefully my wife will buy me a Beretta BU9 Nano for xmas this year.

I picked one up a month ago and have put about 500 rounds through it since then. It is a joy to shoot, and fantastic to carry. I would highly recommend it, and they just released the 8rd mags for it this week!

BTW - one of my favorite videos:



-Rich

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

many have external hinges, they also have locking lugs on both sides of the door, even if you cut the hinges the door is not going to open

Didn't think about that. Good point.

[SAM135iAM]

I just picked up my first pistol, that I bought my self, last night. I got a Springfield XD 40 in OD Green with a 4" barrel.

[Nate4641]

Originally Posted by richpike

I picked one up a month ago and have put about 500 rounds through it since then. It is a joy to shoot, and fantastic to carry. I would highly recommend it, and they just released the 8rd mags for it this week!

BTW - one of my favorite videos:


-Rich

SICK! Although I doubt my issued M9 would handle that much. I would love to go out and shoot 1000 rounds through anything, the usual 50-100 never feels like enough. I would imagine the worse part of shooting that much would be loading the mags

[richpike]

Originally Posted by richpike

I picked one up a month ago and have put about 500 rounds through it since then. It is a joy to shoot, and fantastic to carry. I would highly recommend it, and they just released the 8rd mags for it this week!

BTW - one of my favorite videos:


-Rich

Originally Posted by Nate4641

SICK! Although I doubt my issued M9 would handle that much. I would love to go out and shoot 1000 rounds through anything, the usual 50-100 never feels like enough. I would imagine the worse part of shooting that much would be loading the mags

I have several magazines for it which helps. In addition I'll be getting the 8rd magazines too, so that will make it easier at the range as well. But I'm starting to think about getting some sort of speed loader as well to make reloading the magazines at the range easier. And I just bought another 1,200 rounds of 9mm on sale for less than $10 a box shipped (super cheap). There is no substitute for practice. In the next month or so I'll have probably put 2,000 rounds through it. So far not a single hiccup.

And even though it has a very short barrel, it is surprisingly accurate. I'm super pleased.

-Rich

[MisterSkiMask]

Revolver question, Smith & Wesson 686 .357 magnum, is the 'plus' model (7 shot instead of 6 shot) worth an additional $100?

The cylinders are the same size, I have not read anything bad a bout either (some say the 6 shot has a weaker cylinder due to the location of the notch for timing).

Thoughts?

[solefald]

well, crap. i picked a bad time to buy 2 shotguns from 2 different stores within 3 days of each other.

just got a call from the gun shop. DOJ put "do not release" on my DROS application and I have to call them to figure out why....


To clarify: both shotguns are over and under for trap shooting. Beretta Silver Pigeon 1 for myself and an SKB GC7 for my girl. Beretta was brand new from the store and the SKB is used from a private seller on GunBroker. Had to go with another gun shop, since the first one does not do private party FFL transfers. But I own multiple firearms already and CA does not have any limit on a number of long guns you can purchase, so I have no idea what their deal is.

Edit: Oh yeah, new grips!

[MP0WER]

Like the grips, how do they feel?

[solefald]

Originally Posted by MP0WER

Like the grips, how do they feel?

they feel awesome. a little rougher than i expected, but that makes them easier to grip and they don't slip at all, like the original ones did

[DanielGonz]

Hey guys,

In the next month or two I'd like to buy a handgun. I have no felonies or anything like that, and also have no gun knowledge. I need a step-by-step on what it takes to legally get a gun. I know there are tests, but where can I get material to study them and where do I take the test?

In regards to the type of hand gun I want..I want something reliable and of good quality. Something I can take out from it's bolster and it'll be ready to shoot. What kind of brands, sizes, features should I take a look at? This will be mainly for self-defense and will be kept in my bedroom. Semi-automatic, no revolvers. Also, I'd like to attach a laser-sight to it. Any packages or certain laser-sight brands to be aware of?

Also, I'd like to keep a handgun in my car as well, but what are the laws concerning keeping a gun in a car? I live in CA so maybe this will be tricky?

How much should I expect to spend per gun?

Thanks guys!

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

Hey guys,

In the next month or two I'd like to buy a handgun. I have no felonies or anything like that, and also have no gun knowledge. I need a step-by-step on what it takes to legally get a gun. I know there are tests, but where can I get material to study them and where do I take the test?

In regards to the type of hand gun I want..I want something reliable and of good quality. Something I can take out from it's bolster and it'll be ready to shoot. What kind of brands, sizes, features should I take a look at? This will be mainly for self-defense and will be kept in my bedroom. Semi-automatic, no revolvers. Also, I'd like to attach a laser-sight to it. Any packages or certain laser-sight brands to be aware of?

Also, I'd like to keep a handgun in my car as well, but what are the laws concerning keeping a gun in a car? I live in CA so maybe this will be tricky?

How much should I expect to spend per gun?

Thanks guys!

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/hscsg.pdf

Read the booklet and take a test, not a big deal.

Get a safe place to store it, and learn how to use it.

[ZJP]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

Hey guys,

In the next month or two I'd like to buy a handgun. I have no felonies or anything like that, and also have no gun knowledge. I need a step-by-step on what it takes to legally get a gun. I know there are tests, but where can I get material to study them and where do I take the test?

In regards to the type of hand gun I want..I want something reliable and of good quality. Something I can take out from it's bolster and it'll be ready to shoot. What kind of brands, sizes, features should I take a look at? This will be mainly for self-defense and will be kept in my bedroom. Semi-automatic, no revolvers. Also, I'd like to attach a laser-sight to it. Any packages or certain laser-sight brands to be aware of?

Also, I'd like to keep a handgun in my car as well, but what are the laws concerning keeping a gun in a car? I live in CA so maybe this will be tricky?

How much should I expect to spend per gun?

Thanks guys!

I tell people this all the time. The only way you'll be able to decide what gun is right for you is to go to the store and hold all of them until you find what fits best in your hand.

I personally just picked up a Springfield XDM in .45 ACP about a month ago and I love it... GREAT gun.

Some popular brands are S&W, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, Glock, H&K, Walther, etc. I'm sure I'm missing a few.

[kingofthedemo]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

Hey guys,

In the next month or two I'd like to buy a handgun. I have no felonies or anything like that, and also have no gun knowledge. I need a step-by-step on what it takes to legally get a gun. I know there are tests, but where can I get material to study them and where do I take the test?

In regards to the type of hand gun I want..I want something reliable and of good quality. Something I can take out from it's bolster and it'll be ready to shoot. What kind of brands, sizes, features should I take a look at? This will be mainly for self-defense and will be kept in my bedroom. Semi-automatic, no revolvers. Also, I'd like to attach a laser-sight to it. Any packages or certain laser-sight brands to be aware of?

Also, I'd like to keep a handgun in my car as well, but what are the laws concerning keeping a gun in a car? I live in CA so maybe this will be tricky?

How much should I expect to spend per gun?

Thanks guys!

Where I live you just go into the gun store and fill out a forum, and then they run a background check, but I guess it's different in California. As far as recommendations for a first gun, that will be kept in a bedroom go- I would say get a full frame sized pistol, not a small one. And the best laser sights hands down are viridian green laser sights, you should check out their website.




As far as full sized pistols my top choices follow:

Glock 17*

H&K USP* (compatible with laser with a special adapter)

Sig P226*

FNH 5.7*

H&K P30*

Kimber 1911

Colt 1911

Springfield 1911


Type each one of those in to youtube and watch reviews, you should get a good idea of which one you like the best, please note that not all are compatible with the viridian green laser sights, only the ones I marked with an asterisk.

[DanielGonz]

Awesome awesome info! Thanks guys! I really do appreciate it.

[solefald]

Originally Posted by solefald

just got a call from the gun shop. DOJ put "do not release" on my DROS application and I have to call them to figure out why....

lol. after allowing me to buy 2 handguns and 3 shotguns, they finally realized that I was arrested in 1996 and want to see the court disposition documents.

government at work.

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by solefald

lol. after allowing me to buy 2 handguns and 3 shotguns, they finally realized that I was arrested in 1996 and want to see the court disposition documents.

government at work.

Nothing but the finest. Good luck and let us know how you fared...

[MisterSkiMask]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

Revolver question, Smith & Wesson 686 .357 magnum, is the 'plus' model (7 shot instead of 6 shot) worth an additional $100?

The cylinders are the same size, I have not read anything bad a bout either (some say the 6 shot has a weaker cylinder due to the location of the notch for timing).

Thoughts?

I decided it was worth the extra $100, second buy on gunbroker in the bag.

My collection has been growing at an alarming rate this year.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by MisterSkiMask

I decided it was worth the extra $100, second buy on gunbroker in the bag.

My collection has been growing at an alarming rate this year.

You and me both. Mine went from zero to >0.

[slo_guy]

Originally Posted by DanielGonz

Hey guys,

In the next month or two I'd like to buy a handgun. I have no felonies or anything like that, and also have no gun knowledge. I need a step-by-step on what it takes to legally get a gun. I know there are tests, but where can I get material to study them and where do I take the test?

In regards to the type of hand gun I want..I want something reliable and of good quality. Something I can take out from it's bolster and it'll be ready to shoot. What kind of brands, sizes, features should I take a look at? This will be mainly for self-defense and will be kept in my bedroom. Semi-automatic, no revolvers. Also, I'd like to attach a laser-sight to it. Any packages or certain laser-sight brands to be aware of?

Also, I'd like to keep a handgun in my car as well, but what are the laws concerning keeping a gun in a car? I live in CA so maybe this will be tricky?

How much should I expect to spend per gun?

Thanks guys!

Answers to questions I don't think people addressed:

If it's for self defense and for your home, nothing beats a shotgun. The noise of hearing someone rack one is a deterrent enough. If you had to use it, no aiming is involved other than point and shoot. With a handgun, you're heart pumping like crazy because of an intruder, there's a good chance you can miss your target because all it takes is a little flinch.

If you live in CA, you can't legally carry a gun in your car unless it's locked, in the trunk and separate from the ammo.

[MisterSkiMask]

I finally got my M&P 40 to the range today, I brought one of my glocks (G26) for a bit of comparison (very different size).

The M&P feels very good in my hand and I like the feel of the trigger better then the Glock. The M&P definitely shoots low with factory nonadjustable sites, but it is consistent and it is easy to adjust your hold.

I like it, I will have to take a full sized Glock to the range for a real comparison, but I suspect there will be things I like better about both guns.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by slo_guy

Answers to questions I don't think people addressed:

If it's for self defense and for your home, nothing beats a shotgun. The noise of hearing someone rack one is a deterrent enough. If you had to use it, no aiming is involved other than point and shoot. With a handgun, you're heart pumping like crazy because of an intruder, there's a good chance you can miss your target because all it takes is a little flinch.

If you live in CA, you can't legally carry a gun in your car unless it's locked, in the trunk and separate from the ammo.

+1

A lot of recommendations will be based on what you're using it for. Self defense in the home, I agree with a shotgun. A handgun takes experience and practice under pressure to control properly.