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Alright guys, I am fixing to buy a pistol. I want one just to enjoy shooting and for personal defense. I have looked around a little but I am undecided as to even which caliber to buy.

It seems that 9 mm ammo is cheaper? and I know it doesnt have the knock down power of some of the bigger loads (40 & 45) but is that really going to matter, I mean if I am shooting at some one it is most likely going to be close quarters and hopefully center mass.

Just looking for opinions on caliber and make of pistol that will get me the most bang for the buck (no pun intended........well ok maybe intended)

Springfield Armory XD 45. I'm a 45 guy from the miltary days when we issued Colt 45's. When the 9mm's came out we lost alot of capability. My second choice would be a 40 S&W. The XD really fits my hand well and I can shoot it better that the other brands.

Just a few other things to consider....

If you pull a gun you better be dam sure you are willing to pull the trigger because the other person is

Where do you live, and how thin are the walls....When I lived in Jackson I had a duplex with thin walls....I didnt want something so powerful its going to pass through the person I shoot, the wall, and the person sleeping in the next room...

This is my next purchase.

http://www.kimberamerica.com/pistols/co ... covert_II/

This will become my carry weapon once I get it. It's a little pricey but is sweet. I prefer 45acp.

I shoot a S&W model 66 revolver in a .357 mag. You can shoot high powered .357 mag loads for hogs, protection, and such, and then turn around and plink and target shoot with .38 specials. Just my opinion. I like revolvers in that there isnt much to malfuntion, not that many of todays autoloaders do on a regular basis, i just like a revolver. If I were to get an auto, it would be either an XD-40 or a Kimber or Springfield 1911.

What Greenhead said, don't shoot +P if you have to worry about who's living around you. That's one of the things I like about the 45. It's slower, with jacketed hollow points they don't penetrate walls as bad and it has great knockdown power with a center mass hit.

What price range you looking at.. That will greatly affect your options..

go with a compact glock 40 cal

great gun to shoot and the rounds are not as hot a 9mm

Guys, I aint gonna pull a gun unless there is no where to go, when I said personal protection I meant in my home only, I live in the country and dont really see the need to stay "strapped" all the time.

I just want a pistol to have in a locked gun box by my bed just in case and I also like to go out and plink. That is the reason I was looking at ammo prices and just cheap ball ammo.

I am definately not buying one to shoot someone without my families life being in danger first.

cwinkler wrote:What price range you looking at.. That will greatly affect your options..

I dont want a cheaply made gun but I dont need one like that kimber posted above, I am thinking around 500, but cheaper if I can get just a reliable piece for less. Realistically I am not going to shoot it very much so I dont really need a high end gun.

for that $$ go with an XD in 45

Glock.

Either the XD or a Glock both are about the same in price and very easy to shoot. I have both and love em!!!!!!!!

Seymore wrote:Glock.

Can't beat the price of a glock and the reliability of one.

G19 (9mm) - G23 (.40) - G32 (.357) All are the compact model which is easy to handle. If you have small hands, then the subcompact may fit better or if you have large hands, the standard may fit better.


The Glock and XD pistols are both great brands. Personally, I would suggest you hold both and see which one best fits your hand. Don't buy something just because it looks good, but something that you can hold comfortably and not have to fumble around with it.


There's this model to that is available: http://thegunzone.com/gagpix/g-nokia.html

SFDdelta1 wrote:go with a compact glock 40 cal

great gun to shoot and the rounds are not as hot a 9mm

This is not true. The .40 S&W round genereates significantly higher pressures than 9mm. Google "glock + kaboom".

It's slower, with jacketed hollow points they don't penetrate walls as bad and it has great knockdown power with a center mass hit.

.45 may be slower but it will penetrate plenty. Plenty of drywall, plenty car doors, plenty windshields.


HT if your budget is $500 you have a number of good options. If you favor plastic then Glock, Springfield XD, S&W M&P all make quality reliable guns. Pick the one that fits you best. If your looking for a revolver then a Ruger GP100 in .357/.38 would fit the bill. You could probably find a used S&W 686 as well.

As far as ammo cost 9mm and .38 will be cheapest to plink with. With any of them 9mm, .38, .357, .40, .45 you can get quality effective self defense ammo.

My personal preference is XD or GP100.

J