Handgun recommendation

[ripcord]

Our department/State issued was the 66. First one I got going through NJSP Academy only clicked once in double action. They quickly replaced it. Had to keep the issued Pachmyr Presentation grips on it though...which was fine with me.

Not mine but identical:View attachment 263421

I had the exact same model with the same grips. I gave it to my brother when he moved to Idaho bear country.

 

[JHZR2]

S&W 17.

 

[JHZR2]

Our department/State issued was the 66. First one I got going through NJSP Academy only clicked once in double action. They quickly replaced it. Had to keep the issued Pachmyr Presentation grips on it though...which was fine with me.

Not mine but identical:View attachment 263421

There are quite a few 64/66 out there that were LEO/duty revolvers. OP wants .380 but not clear why. 9mm is cheaper… maybe I missed it. I said 17 above because of economy of shooting. But these old school revolvers are really my favorites for the range.

The old school S&W SA that @Astro14 mentioned before really are great too.

 

[53' Stude]

There are quite a few 64/66 out there that were LEO/duty revolvers. OP wants .380 but not clear why. 9mm is cheaper… maybe I missed it. I said 17 above because of economy of shooting. But these old school revolvers are really my favorites for the range.

The old school S&W SA that @Astro14 mentioned before really are great too.

I am buying a 9mm Beretta very soon.

 

[Astro14]

I am buying a 9mm Beretta very soon.

Which one? The 92 is a classic, and a nicely made, accurate firearm. It makes a great target 9mm

 

[Cropduster172]

Which one? The 92 is a classic, and a nicely made, accurate firearm. It makes a great target 9mm

I bought the poor man's version. Taurus PT92. Safety on the frame, not the slide. I like it. It's duty level though, not carry.

 

[GR_CoB]

I bought the poor man's version. Taurus PT92. Safety on the frame, not the slide. I like it. It's duty level though, not carry.
View attachment 264413

These are basically made by Beretta ways, by Beretta's plans and blueprints, with Beretta tooling, etc... Maybe not 100% anymore, but it did start out that way. So in my book - this is not a knock-off clone, but a full on sibling to the original 92.

 

[UncleDave]

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

Go to a range and rent a few.

Get what speaks to you and fits well in your hands.

When it comes to semis Im kind of a Ruger guy, but guns are little like women to me - I pretty much like them all.

As the other guys said - for punching paper a 22 is just unbeatable for cheap fun.


Grandpa and dad had this hobby right.
The most fun for dollar to be had is a cowboy combo revolver/lever carbine.
Each gun can use the same cheap or high performance ammo - no running out of ammo for one or the other.
The slower manual cycling naturally encourages careful shot placement and take longer to go through a set number of rounds.

A .357 base for both guns allows for cheap 38's giving you a lot of paper and target fun- or load it with red hot 357Magnums that can bring down just about any game with a well placed shot you can reasonably go after, the carbine hits harder than a 223 at short range an flat out vaporizes cinder blocks.


Have fun - send picts.

 

[53' Stude]

Which one? The 92 is a classic, and a nicely made, accurate firearm. It makes a great target 9mm

The USA variant. I’m happy with it

 

[Astro14]

The USA variant. I’m happy with it

A nice choice - I am certain you’ll be very happy with it.

And if you’re ever in Virginia Beach, I would welcome you as my guest at the range!

 

[53' Stude]

A nice choice - I am certain you’ll be very happy with it.

And if you’re ever in Virginia Beach, I would welcome you as my guest at the range!

Very good sir. Much appreciated.