Basic, Reliable Pistol?

IMHO

Home self defense for someone not well practiced with a pistol is best accomplished with the good old fashioned 12 guage shotgun loaded with #4 bird shot. A new mossberg 500 is less than $300

 

Aah.... In that case a double action revolver. I like S&W in 357 magnium because you can practice with low power low recoil 38 special ammo but use .38 +P or even full .357 loads when you feel you need to make holes in something tougher than paper targets. New retails in the 500 to 600 dollar range but used can be a lot less.

That's the short version, I have a lot of reasons for my choices and can explain them if you want the details.

 

Ditto to what Roland said. It's the same advice I would give.

 

A revolver has fewer moving parts and is easier to maintain. It can remain loaded for a lifetime (With an empty chamber under the hammer please) without weakening the springs.

An automatic pistol's ammo is fed by a spring loaded magazine. If left full of ammo for extended periods the spring can get weak and cause malfunctions.

Revolvers are easier for the novice to use. Pick it up, aim, squeeze.

Automatic pistols have safetys, slides, magazine releases which you have to be intimately familiar with before attempting to use it under the stress of a life or death situation.

Revolvers cost less than the equivalent quality automatic.

Revolver practice ammunition is less expensive because you can use a lower powered round for practice. Lower powered loads are also more pleasant to shoot than combat loads. Lower cost and not getting beat up by the gun = more likely to practice enough to be a good enough shot to save your life.

Reduced power loads can cause problems with an automatic.

 

In a combat situation I completely agree. In real world self defense with few exceptions 1 or 2 rounds are all that get fired.

That would put you firmly out of the category of a novice. An experianced shooter will be well served by either of the guns mentioned....or a revolver unless you've somehow stepped into the middle of a gang war.

 

I couldn't agree more with Roland, as a matter of fact with his experience and background I would call this gospel.

 

Everyone has a valid point. However, if the intent is to carry as a side arm for protection and not becoming a gun nut, I would say a revolver. If you can't hit something after 6 shots you have no business carring a gun. you will become the threat to society more than the attacker.

Don't get me wrong, I love semi autos but a revolver is the most reliable and easiest to maintain. the likelyness of a round getting lodged in the barrel of a revolver is far less likely than an auto jamming. Assuming the revolver is not a cheap one.

Also, if you take one of each that is of high quality, the likeliness of the revolver failing is much less likely if the owner is careless in cleaning and maintaining

 

Hey Chris!

lsocoee was asking about a cost sensitive gun for a novice. There are a LOT of fantastic guns out there. Heck I've shot most of the major brands and owned S&W, Ruger, Springfield Armory, Remington, Winchester, Anschutz, Colt, Mossberg and a couple oddballs. As a competitive shooter, combat arms instructor and NRA rifle/pistol instructor I've fired hundreds of thousands of rounds and supervised millions of rounds being fired over the years.

While I would not store or carry a gun with a round in the chamber or suggest that to a novice gun owner I know a number of good shooters that do. Based on their level of expertise I have no doubt they are safe. It's a personal choice to be made by an experienced shooter

I assume your glock's mag has been used a number of times over the years and (hopefully) rotated with other mags. Funny thing about mechanical devices is that they tend to keep working right up until the point they stop. Murphy's law says that if it happens it will be at an inopportune time.

I mentioned a used gun as an alternitive to new. Last time I was in the gun shop there were several nice used S&Ws for about half the price of new.

I mentioned low powered loads, specifically .38 special for practice NOT under powered loads. No commercially produced .38 special round will have a problem making it out of even an 8" revolver barrel. I said nothing about reloading which if not done correctly can be dangerous. (Under powered loads are the result of a hand loader not knowing how to use a balance beam scale. I've seen it happen to a guy who fired 3 rounds and was wondering why there were no holes in the target, they were lined up in his barrel..... He sold the reloading gear.)

Edit: P.S. When did Glock and Sig do away with slides and magazine releases?

 

Hey lso-what prompted the sudden desire to get a weapon??

 

Can't go wrong with a Glock. They're reliable as hell and you can get great prices on them new or used. Go to a range where you can rent pistols and try them out. Go with what works best in your hand. I love the 1911's, Sigs ,and Glocks. All different though!!!

 

Smith and Wesson 642 (hammerless)

This is a very very reliable firearm. It is very easy to use. It is light, and pretty easy to conceal. It is rated for +P so has plenty of stoping power when the time comes (hopefully it never does). It is easy to maintain, easy to clean, and has a clean look. Crimson Trace laser grips are also avaliable for them which would only help in a high stress self defense situation. It has a clean cut design that dosnt snag on clothes when being pulled out.

That is what I use for personal carry. In the home, I have a M1911A1, right beside my 642. I trust both to be excellent firearms and I think thats saying something as I rely on that 642 to protect myself, and my wife and unborn child. As far as cost goes, I would say that you get what you pay for. I would say look to spend around 400 dollars give +or- 50. Remember, when it comes to your life, and the lives of your family, you may want to ask if it was worth saving that 100bucks.

 

Get yourself an old fashon wheel gun in .38

 

"a fight with my wife."

Man I'm sorry but I don't find that funny in the least. Way too much spousal abuse going around.

Ok then, as another person with a lot of firearms experiemce I too would recommend a .357 caliber revolver. Some of the Smith's can be had with a 7 round cylinder. If you're not going to get a CCW then get a 4" barrel.

Whatever you wind up with the most important thing is practice with it. You can start out with less expensive .38special ammo then shoot some .357 magnum target load. But don't forget to practice with your carry load as well.

Personally I carry a Springfield XD SC in 9mm. The XDs have been the most reliable semi-autos I've ever owned. I own 3 of them. The SC, a 4" 9mm and a 4" .45auto. The 4" 9 is stashed in the house and the .45 is my bedside gun. It is equipped with a TLR-2 light/laser combo.

Good luck with the wife.

 

Tons of great advice already, but if cost is a factor as mentioned, I would recommend a Taurus wheel gun in 357 mag. for reasons Roland mentioned.
Make sure you check Gun Laws, and look into getting a conceal carry permit, also note not all states recognize other states CCP.
To get busted carrying illegally would be really really bad.