Pistol Thread

[behemoth]

I'm considering an XDm in .40 - any thoughts? Stuck in NJ, so the laws aren't quite as terrible as CA, but they are damn close. No carry issues.

Check out the XD, M&P, and Glock - Rent if you can, shoot them, and find which one you like better.

Also, I originally went with .40sw, and sold and rebought the same gun in 9mm. Cheaper ammo means more trigger time, means being a better shot.

Hey skunk bate. I'm giving my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

Only reason I mentioned a revolver is cause of the easy to shoot them by anyone in the house hold. Would that be my first go-to gun? No. Would I give it to my wife during a home invasion. Yes. And if you can't hit some 20' away with a six shooter then your not going to hit them with a 8 to 12 round magazined semi-auto.

umad?

Shotgun is the best home defense.

YOU JUST RACK IT, AND THE INTRUDER WILL POOP THEIR PANTS, AMIRITE?

[Ando]

Shotgun is the best home defense.

100% agree.

umad?

UAD-BAG?

[SCpoloRicker]

One of the ranges near me allows you to use *any* of their rentals for a larger rental fee.

If you can find something similar, I highly recommend going and trying multiple brands. Shoot what feels best.

[maxama10]

100% agree.


UAD-BAG?

Clever clever

[cabldawg]

Personally I shoot a Baretta PX4 Sport. 40cal

[Mayvik]

You ended up with a pretty pricey caliber for target shooting.

I has pistols (and a bunch of other guns)!

MMmm...PA-63s! Are they both 9x18, or do you have one of the .380 in there? I inherited a .380 version from my father, with some new springs in there it's a nice "fullish" sized carry gun.

For a home defense/range queen only handgun, I would say a large (N) frame, "high" capacity .357 revolver is your best choice. High capacity autos have their place but unless you really intend to practice a LOT (a jam or FTE can really ruin your day if you're already stressing), a point and click revolver is safer. This is extra true if there are "non primary" users in your household who won't be practicing a LOT/at all, but understand the concept of how to pull a trigger and which direction the pointy end goes in case you are not able to get to the handgun for some reason.

A shotgun would be preferable due to intimidation and over-penetration factors. Use the handgun to get to your shotgun, or as a NY reload for the shotgun. If for some reason a handful of shotshells and 7-8 rounds of 357 is not enough to convince a home invader to rethink their life of crime, you should consider saving your money and moving to a better neighborhood.

Don't bother with a snubnose revolver for home defense. There's no reason to own one other than concealment. The short barrel nerfs your energy so you end up having to shoot +P or 357s to get decent power, which in turn gives you ridiculous muzzle blast for an indoor setting and uncomfortable recoil for practice. Same thing goes for compact or subcompact autos, especially in mousier calibers (.380 or less). You get all the hassles of an automatic, with lower power to boot.

[LegumeOfTerror]

One is mine and one is my roommates. They are both in 9x18mm. I got mine a few years ago for $100 as my first handgun in a private sale at 19. It is still one of my favorite firearms.

[Mayvik]

One is mine and one is my roommates. They are both in 9x18mm. I got mine a few years ago for $100 as my first handgun in a private sale at 19. It is still one of my favorite firearms.

They are nice little pistols, especially considering the price. I've thought about trying to pick up a 9x18 version but I figured I'd get them confused.

Is that an LCP or Kel-Tec underneath them in the pic? Looks like a P32/P380 but I can't tell for sure.

[mpsd]

I don't know much about real firearms as they are so difficult to get here in Brazil (the law is VERY restrictive). I'm moving from my apartment into a house on the next months and I was thinking about getting a Glock G28 (here in Brazil the only allowed calibers are 22, 25, 32, 38 and 380 and Glock only sells the G25 and G28 here). A friend of mine has a G25 which we use at the shooting range once or twice a year and I liked it for being so light and easy to disassemble and clean. The recoil is also very tolerable for someone who doesn't shoot a lot. I like the G28 better because it's more compact (my hands are really small) and it also takes the longer magazines so it just looks right for me to have in the house.

In the other hand, I've heard that these smaller Glocks only work good on +P ammo so what do you guys can tell me about it? Is it a good, reliable gun? I could also get some Taurus guns with the same caliber for about half the price buy they are heavier, more complicated and have more recoil (at least the ones I've tried).

I'm also thinking about the internal laser sight by Lasermax: http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=5

Thanks.

[Mayvik]

I don't know much about real firearms as they are so difficult to get here in Brazil (the law is VERY restrictive). I'm moving from my apartment into a house on the next months and I was thinking about getting a Glock G28 (here in Brazil the only allowed calibers are 22, 25, 32, 38 and 380 and Glock only sells the G25 and G28 here). A friend of mine has a G25 which we use at the shooting range once or twice a year and I liked it for being so light and easy to disassemble and clean. The recoil is also very tolerable for someone who doesn't shoot a lot. I like the G28 better because it's more compact (my hands are really small) and it also takes the longer magazines so it just looks right for me to have in the house.

In the other hand, I've heard that these smaller Glocks only work good on +P ammo so what do you guys can tell me about it? Is it a good, reliable gun? I could also get some Taurus guns with the same caliber for about half the price buy they are heavier, more complicated and have more recoil (at least the ones I've tried).

I'm also thinking about the internal laser sight by Lasermax: http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=5

Thanks.

First off...not a Glock guy so I can't help you there...but I didn't even know Glock sold anything smaller than 9x19?? EDIT: Oh. They do, it's just not for sale in the US thanks to our dumbass import restrictions.

Er..when list your allowed calibers, can you be more specific on those? For example, is .38 ANY .38 caliber gun, .38 S&W, .38 Special, etc? Makes a big difference, for example the .32 ACP is a tiny little pocket pistol round, but a .327 Federal Magnum is a heavy revolver cartridge hanging out between .38 Special+P and .357 magnum. They're both technically a "32" caliber.

Assuming .38 is .38 Special (and not inclusive of .357 mag..), I would consider a 4 or 6" medium frame (+P+ capable) revolver in that chambering. The .380 is great for an ultra-compact concealed carry cartridge, but leaves a little to be desired as an all-around gun. Not to mention ammo ranges between moderately expensive and impossible to find, although it's been getting better. In Brazil, I'd imagine it's even harder to get ammo than it is here.

[mpsd]

First off...not a Glock guy so I can't help you there...but I didn't even know Glock sold anything smaller than 9x19?? EDIT: Oh. They do, it's just not for sale in the US thanks to our dumbass import restrictions.

Er..when list your allowed calibers, can you be more specific on those? For example, is .38 ANY .38 caliber gun, .38 S&W, .38 Special, etc? Makes a big difference, for example the .32 ACP is a tiny little pocket pistol round, but a .327 Federal Magnum is a heavy revolver cartridge hanging out between .38 Special+P and .357 magnum. They're both technically a "32" caliber.

Assuming .38 is .38 Special (and not inclusive of .357 mag..), I would consider a 4 or 6" medium frame (+P+ capable) revolver in that chambering. The .380 is great for an ultra-compact concealed carry cartridge, but leaves a little to be desired as an all-around gun. Not to mention ammo ranges between moderately expensive and impossible to find, although it's been getting better. In Brazil, I'd imagine it's even harder to get ammo than it is here.

Thanks for you reply. As I said, I really don't know much about firearms. What I do know is that 357 isn't allowed here. I believe the 38 Special is the one they allow here. The 380 is the main caliber sold here. Even so, in order to buy ammo, one have to show it's gun license and they will only sell you that specific caliber. Also, as everything here, not only the gun but also the ammo is way too expensive. The gun itself costs $2,000.00 here. Waaaaaaaaaaaaay too expensive.

[LegumeOfTerror]

They are nice little pistols, especially considering the price. I've thought about trying to pick up a 9x18 version but I figured I'd get them confused.

Is that an LCP or Kel-Tec underneath them in the pic? Looks like a P32/P380 but I can't tell for sure.

It is a P3AT. It is probably my least favorite handgun, but it is reliable, nuch more so than my Colt Officers ACP, so I carry it in my pocket from time to time. The Colt sits at home.

[going_home]

You ended up with a pretty pricey caliber for target shooting.

I picked up a couple boxes for $15 each. Everywhere else its at least $2 more. I didn't think that was pricey.
Edit : He had like 40 boxes of. 380 so I'm going to load up

[sjrtk]

I don't know much about real firearms as they are so difficult to get here in Brazil (the law is VERY restrictive). I'm moving from my apartment into a house on the next months and I was thinking about getting a Glock G28 (here in Brazil the only allowed calibers are 22, 25, 32, 38 and 380 and Glock only sells the G25 and G28 here). A friend of mine has a G25 which we use at the shooting range once or twice a year and I liked it for being so light and easy to disassemble and clean. The recoil is also very tolerable for someone who doesn't shoot a lot. I like the G28 better because it's more compact (my hands are really small) and it also takes the longer magazines so it just looks right for me to have in the house.

In the other hand, I've heard that these smaller Glocks only work good on +P ammo so what do you guys can tell me about it? Is it a good, reliable gun? I could also get some Taurus guns with the same caliber for about half the price buy they are heavier, more complicated and have more recoil (at least the ones I've tried).

I'm also thinking about the internal laser sight by Lasermax: http://www.lasermax.com/product.php?id=5

Thanks.

Glocks are great pistols (I prefer my 1911 colt but that isn't a factor) they are as reliable as a brick. Easy to shoot, easy to clean (my manual even says its dishwasher safe [not kidding i'll try to find it]), and easy to maintain (buy the Glock armorers tool just in case), and have a decent selection in your caliber restrictions. Starting to sound like a mag huh? The only thing i would suggest is getting one of the bigger/intermediate modles, they tend to point better than the smaller models. Skip the laser grips a good night sight front blade and the proper hold will do wonders close in a house. A revolver would be my choice though, a medium frame in .38 special rated for +P at least and a 4 inch barrel they are usually well balanced, point very well, and track smoothly. My .02.

[Mayvik]

If that's the case, I'd stick to a medium frame 38 special with 4-6" barrel and loaded with +P hollowpoints, unless you're gonna be carrying it. Little extra barrel length will give you better velocity, and +P hollowpoints are nothing to sneeze at.

If you decide to go with an automatic, can you get a PPK or PPK/S down there for a reasonable price? You may find it more comfortable than the Glock, which I'm assuming has a "fatter" grip due to the staggering of rounds in the mag. Walthers are single-stack, so you lose a little capacity but they are thinner. Similar argument to a 1911 vs a staggered mag with more capacity.