Handgun recommendation

[53' Stude]

Good Morning folks. I’m currently looking at a S&W 380 and same manufacturer 9mm

Talked to some older friends at my American Legion. They think I’d love a 380. I’ve shot a 9mm and 45 before. Any info and guidance is greatly appreciated also. Thank You

 

[THORROMIG]

Since I have purchased my H/K 9mm... I have never looked back. Research and feedback is all good Adam.

 

[ripcord]

How do you intend to use this pistol? Bedside gun? Pocket carry? Belt holster?

 

[53' Stude]

How do you intend to use this pistol? Bedside gun? Pocket carry? Belt holster?

Basically take it to gun club I belong to and target shoot it. I don’t live in bad area

 

[53' Stude]

Since I have purchased my H/K 9mm... I have never looked back. Research and feedback is all good Adam.

I’ve shot a 9mm before; kinda like the small round of a 380. Is it true it’s hard to find 38” ammo

 

[ripcord]

For target shooting, I would suggest a regular size 9mm pistol. 9mm ammo is way cheaper than .380 as it is much more common. .380's tend to have snappy recoil as they usually have barrels that do not move with the slide and come in tiny, light weight pistols which tend to be difficult to shoot at more than close range. I think you would be frustrated with a .380 as a range gun.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

It is hard to find any affordable good ammo these days. I reload and cast my own bullets. The problem is the price of powder and primers have more than doubled in the past two years. Used to by powder for $24 a pound and primers for $26 a thousand. Now its 40 something to 60 something a pound and primers are $100 a thousand. I used to load 100 rounds of quality 38 target ammo for ten dollars.

 

[53' Stude]

For target shooting, I would suggest a regular size 9mm pistol. 9mm ammo is way cheaper than .380 as it is much more common. .380's tend to have snappy recoil as they usually have barrels that do not move with the slide and come in tiny, light weight pistols which tend to be difficult to shoot at more than close range. I think you would be frustrated with a .380 as a range gun.

I’m heading to my Rural King later or tomorrow since I’m off. Thank You for insight and info

 

[ripcord]

It is hard to find any affordable good ammo these days. I reload and cast my own bullets. The problem is the price of powder and primers have more than doubled in the past two years. Used to by powder for $24 a pound and primers for $26 a thousand. Now its 40 something to 60 something a pound and primers are $100 a thousand. I used to load 100 rounds of quality 38 target ammo for ten dollars.

It's depressing, for sure. I used to be able to load a hundred .38 Special wad cutters for $5 bucks.

 

[f355spider]

For target shooting, I would suggest a regular size 9mm pistol. 9mm ammo is way cheaper than .380 as it is much more common. .380's tend to have snappy recoil as they usually have barrels that do not move with the slide and come in tiny, light weight pistols which tend to be difficult to shoot at more than close range. I think you would be frustrated with a .380 as a range gun.

This.
9mm is the standard caliber in the western world and the most reasonably priced in the USA because of its popularity.
Full size pistols are easier to shoot, than a compact or subcompact, and now with adjustable back straps, it is easier to fit your hand.
I work part time for the past 25+ years teaching new shooters and that is our formula for success. Get a Glock 17 or any of the "fake Glocks" (polymer framed competitors) as we like to call them, and you will have an easy shooting, comfortable range session.

Concealed carry or self defense might change the recommendation slightly...but depends on your situation.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

Range toy and a gun 'just to have'? Get a full-size 9mm.

 

[Ranger83]

Target only? Ruger .22.

 

[Rand]

9mm
Springfield Echelon about $600

Cheaper
Ruger RXM- $360+tax at rangeusa. glock gen 3 clone(sorta)

 

[maintenanceMan]

I like the Smith and Wesson M and P Shield 9mm and variants. They are nice for the money.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Does the range you go to, or one around, have rental guns so you can try a couple different ones? Anyone around you with property/setup that you can try some different ones from friends?

For just range/plinking the various 22LR ones are not that expensive and neither is ammo.

We have a couple CMMG conversion 22LR for the AR's so we can just shoot and have fun at a much cheaper price than the .223/5.56

My wife has a smaller Ruger LC9s 9mm for carry. When we go to range she takes it and keeps up practice. Overall she prefers my Glock 17 and shoots it better more consistently as well as the Glock 19. Size, short barrel, etc. make it harder to stay on target.

Not that I'm to worried about her aim.....

 

[k1xv]

If you only intend to shoot targets, I agree, get a Ruger Mark IV target .22LR. Accurate, cheap ammunition, easy to take down and clean.

If you insist on .380 ACP or 9mm, get the 9 mm. Cheaper ammo, and a better selection of guns.

If buying a 9mm handgun, I would prefer one with a frame made of metal and with an exposed hammer. I like the CZ 75 series, or the Sig Sauer P226

You could also consider the Beretta 92, as that is an updated version of the Walther P-38 action.

 

[goingplacesanddoingstuff]

S&W Equalizer or Shield EZ.

 

[wavinwayne]

A .380 will kick more than a .22LR for target shooting, but is still easier on the hands and wrists that a 9mm, if that matters to you. Ammo shouldn't be hard to find, but may be a bit more expensive than 9mm. It's sort of a crap shoot what you will find depending on where you shop.

 

[AZjeff]

100% agree for target shooting only full size .22 makes most sense. A micro or subcompact anything won't be a good target pistol. You'll get frustrated when you keep shooting patterns instead of groups.

I recently got a Taurus TX22 Gen 2 due to high recommendations from friends who shoot a lot and have been impressed with it so far. Grips like any full size pistol has a decent trigger and sights and comes with 15 rd and 22 rd mags. Can't speak to accuracy at 10 yds yet as it doesn't have enough rounds through it. .22 ammo is more that it used to be but way less than anything else.

The Ruger target above is a sweet pistol but it ain't' cheap in that config. Worth it.

 

[Rand]

A .380 will kick more than a .22LR for target shooting, but is still easier on the hands and wrists that a 9mm, if that matters to you. Ammo shouldn't be hard to find, but may be a bit more expensive than 9mm. It's sort of a crap shoot what you will find depending on where you shop.

That is assuming all else being equal.
A lightweight 380 vs a full size 9mm isnt equal. IMO.
9mm at half the price of .380 is a huge plus

now .22lr.. what recoil
I have shot a mark II ruger quite abit. Its more accurate than I am.