Handgun recommendation

[SaberOne]

I’ve been a revolver guy for most of my life. Sure, I’ve tried my fair share of semi-autos, but I always find myself coming back to the wheel gun. Now that I’m undeniably getting older—though I hate admitting it—it makes even more sense. My reflexes aren’t as sharp as they once were, and that goes beyond just my hands.

As a retired instructor, I always told beginners to start with a revolver. It’s like learning to drive with a stick shift—you’ve got to master the basics first. Revolvers are easy to learn, and hard to forget. On the other hand, small pocket autos? They’re like loaded mousetraps waiting to snap.

 

[Urshurak776]

So, my family has bought (3) 9mm in last 3 months.

I got a Taurus G3C.
Oldest son got a Sig P365
Youngest son just got a Glock G19 a few days ago. Ruger makes a clone of this gun called the RXM (about $100 cheaper.)

All seem good. The Taurus is the cheapest, but once dialed in shoots pretty well. I changed the barrel and recoil spring to Lakeline. Improves the gun dramatically.

As others have said, you need to go look at them and see how they feel to you.

 

[53' Stude]

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.....
View attachment 256459

I’m leaning toward a 9mm as it will be for self defense too. I’m still thinking stuff over. Good info sir

 

[dubber09]

I'd suggest you go to a store or two with widest selection of those 9mm guns and you handle them all after narrowing down your list to say 10. It has to feel right in the hands and sights have to be easy to use. Check all functions - safety, mag change, as well as partial disassembly for cleaning. Your hands size will tell you if you need a smaller or larger frame to have comfortable grip and to allow easy control of the safety, trigger, mag release and potentially hammer.
If those 2-5 guns you are to pick from are available for rent at a range - it's well worth it spending money to try them in action. There is low recoil ammo available for practice, just cannot recall what and who sells it in US. SD ammo normally is loaded full power or +P so it'd recoil a bit heavier.
Personally, I like DA/SA with external hammer, mine is CZ Shadow. They have similar ones in smaller sizes. Check out CZ Custom shop if they appeal to you.

 

[53' Stude]

I'd suggest you go to a store or two with widest selection of those 9mm guns and you handle them all after narrowing down your list to say 10. It has to feel right in the hands and sights have to be easy to use. Check all functions - safety, mag change, as well as partial disassembly for cleaning. Your hands size will tell you if you need a smaller or larger frame to have comfortable grip and to allow easy control of the safety, trigger, mag release and potentially hammer.
If those 2-5 guns you are to pick from are available for rent at a range - it's well worth it spending money to try them in action. There is low recoil ammo available for practice, just cannot recall what and who sells it in US. SD ammo normally is loaded full power or +P so it'd recoil a bit heavier.
Personally, I like DA/SA with external hammer, mine is CZ Shadow. They have similar ones in smaller sizes. Check out CZ Custom shop if they appeal to you.

Thank You for advice and info. I’ll do that.

 

[6.7 CTD]

Keystone shooting center is probably reasonably close to you. They have an indoor range and you can rent different guns if that’s something you are interested in prior to pulling the trigger on a new one; pun intended. I personally have not been there but the place looks pretty big.

 

[factorytuned2012]

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

I personally carry a ruger lcp 380 it’s a great gun and easy to conceal. Only reason I’d suggest a 9mm is availability and cost of ammo and if you really wanted you could get a 9mm in the footprint of the lcp. I would suggest
Ruger security

 

[4WD]

I personally carry a ruger lcp 380 it’s a great gun and easy to conceal. Only reason I’d suggest a 9mm is availability and cost of ammo and if you really wanted you could get a 9mm in the footprint of the lcp. I would suggest
Ruger security

BiL has that 380 - compact little dude …

 

[Astro14]

You may find this thread of interest:

Thread '9mm handgun recommendation'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/9mm-handgun-recommendation.381389/

Personally, I would stick with 9mm. The ammo is much cheaper and easier to find than .380. Performs better, too.

I will echo what I said in that thread:

Post in thread '9mm handgun recommendation'
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/9mm-handgun-recommendation.381389/post-6849227

 

[AZjeff]

I’m leaning toward a 9mm as it will be for self defense too. I’m still thinking stuff over. Good info sir

You just tossed out half of the thoughtful advice given. You stated early on target shooting only.

Now what is your definition of self defense? Defending the homestead or carrying in public? If homestead a full size 9mm will do that perfectly as well as be a good target pistol. If carrying a compact in the Glock 19 size will work for both. Fullsize = less recoil and more sight radius for better accuracy sooner. The new Ruger is getting really good reviews. They developed it with Magpul, not a bad thing. 9mm does everything .380 does but better and cheaper.

 

[mikeduf]

P365 using hollow point spreaders. It's your everyday carry 365 days a year.!

Or P229 with the same ammo.

 

[shortyb]

I don’t live in bad area

But you live in a not so good world sometimes. Get as much gun as you are comfortable with to handle the situation adequately.

That said, sounds like you've narrowed it down to 9mm. As others have said, go to a range that rents guns and try a few. Pick the one that suits YOU and you will USE. Nothing worse than a gun you hate to shoot because of something you don't like. I picked up a Ruger RXM recently and really like it. Not hatefully expensive (misquoted the price I paid in another post, $369, not $399), and based on (clone of) another benchmark, the Glock 19. I carry a S&W M&P Shield Plus in 9mm. Another really nice piece and a bit smaller for carry. Lots out there, try some out. Also, lots of very experienced shooters on here and they have excellent advice. Put the 2 together and find your perfect gun.

 

[TPK]

There is nothing nicer than a Smith & Wesson

 

[KJSmith]

What is your budget?

A 9mm 1911 Commander would be my choice.
Colt, Kimber, Springfield. Dan Wesson
For a little more $, Ed Brown

 

[DuckRyder]

But you live in a not so good world sometimes.

Preach on man!

Little pistols are not much fun for target pistols, small size and weight contribute to increased recoil and fatigue, plus shorter sight radiuses are harder to shoot accurately.

380s have their place, i have one i sometimes carry if i am dressing in something especially light... you can bet the Defender is going though if i can hide it. Same for the Comander over the defender and the Government if possible.

A lot of 380 pistols are straight blowback, they are worse then a 9mm with a locked breach from a recoil perspective. (Bersa i'm looking at you) and are decidedly not fun. If i had to buy a 380 now it would probably be a Cheetah, but they are fairly large and expensive.

I also agree for Target a 22 like the Ruger is a good choice.

My reccomndation would be to look at full size pistols that you can get a 22 conversion for, 92/m9, CZ75, 1911, just make sure you can actually get the 22 kit.

I'm a 1911 guy if that's not clear, Kimber probably wouldn't make my list, but a Government Model with Target sights is fun at the range, and can be had in 9mm, 45, Super 38 and probably 10mm with a little looking. not cheap though.

 

[6.7 CTD]

I should have posted in my previous comment but my personal choice would be a Glock. They just simply work. Reliable, easy to clean, easy to shoot, and plenty of models in varying calibers. Happy shopping!

 

[riff1006]

My carry is a SW Shield Plus Carry Comp in 9mm and I like it. The wife prefers revolvers and has a Ruger SP101 that she loves. I can't get her to shoot anything else. I love my 1911 Government .45ACP, but I'm not very good with it. My best shooter is a Walther PPQ, wow, it's really nice! I like the idea of finding a place you can rent and see what you like. Otherwise you can drop a lot of change trying to find out.

 

[burbguy82]

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

If price is not a huge concern, for the purposes of having a full size 9mm, that is not a glock or a glock copy.........I recommend the USP in 9mm

 

[dubber09]

Imho, full size guns are great to shoot but not as a CCW one esp in warm weather, added bulk and weight of a full mag plus full spare mag holding 18 or so 9mm rounds each is another thing to consider.

 

[GR_CoB]

I got a Taurus G3C.
The Taurus is the cheapest, but once dialed in shoots pretty well. I changed the barrel and recoil spring to Lakeline. Improves the gun dramatically.

I've been pretty happy with my G3C in stock form, but could you expand a bit on improvement you noticed?