Basic, Reliable Pistol?

+1 Go with a J-frame S&W and you can't go wrong. I have a few Sig's but I always start new shooters on a revolver. Less to learn up front so you can concentrate on shot placement and reflex.

Good luck!

Herbie

 

So very true I remember looking like a tard the first time i loaded mine thinking to myself why in the hell is this so hard??? but like you said I'm 98% sure it was designed that way, like you i too keep mine loaded to full capacity 24/7

 

The makers are so afraid that you might be able to get that 11th round in the mag. in those states that carry on with parts of the now void Clinton AWB.

I just load mine to 12, 15, or 17, and also keep them topped off.

 

The Glock 17 for me, cheap to practice with, very effective with the right ammo. I keep (3) 17 round and (2) 33 round mags in the glove box loaded up with hornady 147 grain hp/xtp. Also keep about 500 Federal 124 grain JHP and 1000 Wolf 115 grain FMJ in the tool box when I'm traveling. I'm gonna add a G19 as a CCW and a G26 for my girlfriend.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/Bullet_XTP_popup.htm

 

Also you want to have it conceled but be able to draw it in less than a second.

 

Here you go.


http://www.vincelewis.net/60magnum.html

 

So, seven pages and dozens of posts later......

As you've probably noticed by now, there are a lot of 'gun-experts' out there and they all have opinions containing varying degrees of merit. The general 'trend' that I've tried to glean from all of the responses would tilt toward the opinion that a 357/38 revolver or a 9mm/40/45 semi-auto would be your best choice for a personal defense handgun to be carried primarily in a vehicle rather than concealed on one's person.

I'd not disagree with that trend, those are excellent approaches. If you aren't going to carry on your person, I'd avoid something real small or light, like the scandium/unobtainiam hammerless 2" barreled revolvers, they're miserable little shits to shoot, not very accurate, and expensive. Likewise, if you're a novice to shooting you probably don't want some heavy recoil beast. A seasoned shooter isn't bothered by the very popular 45ACP, but a novice might be.

I concur with jrsmokestacks. Get a Glock 17. While some will decry the 9mm as being insufficiently powerful, that simply is not the case. Practice ammo (Full metal jacket stuff) is plentiful and inexpensive, and good defense loads which are very adequate for self defense are readily available.

I recently taught two young women who'd never shot before some basic handgun shooting skills. We went to the range with an array of guns, 38/357 revolvers, 9mms, and a 45, they tried them all, and both agreed that they loved the Glock. One went out and bought a 17 the next day. The other has one on layaway.

In conclusion, I will comment that the G17 isn't necessarily my favorite handgun, not by a stretch, but for the purpose you describe, it cannot be beat in my opinion. A S&W 686 with a 4" barrel in 38/357 would be my close second choice. But, whatever you get, spend a bunch of time at the range shooting and becoming familiar with it.

 

I'm not a huge fan of the 40 S&W round. I know that it has become very popular with cops and also non-LEO users, but to me it's a compromise round, kicks almost as much as a 45 and ammo costs are about 50% greater than 9mm, hence most people are going to practice less. Becoming skilled with the gun is more important than what caliber you're shooting IMHO. But if you are willing to put in the time, $ and effort to get good with it, a 40 is great.

 

wow, chris4x4 is wise in more than just trucks.

The HK P7M8, while being gas operated, is a pretty popular pistol for some reason. I have personally never shot one before though. However it is very accurate from what's I've read, and reliable.

The only thing that's different than jrsmokestacks' recommendation is that I recommend a Glock 19. Why? It fits more hand, and while it's small enough to carry all day, it is still large enough to FIGHT with. I carry a G19 EVERYWHERE unless that place has a metal detector or if I'm wanded.

 

The G19 was my original want for a gun, however after holding both in my hands the G19 didnt fit right. The G17 or G19 or even the G26 depending on hand size. Also it is VERY difficult to conceal the G17 as it is a full sized glock.

 

It is NOT VERY difficult to conceal a G17. In fact, I've done it before. No one was the wiser. And in restricted places like classes.

I was under the impression that concealed carry wasn't allowed in IL, or is it just the Chicago area where you can't have handguns nor carry?

 

I have a Sig P220 45 Auto , and just bought a Ruger LSP 380 Auto. Love them both. The Sig is a beast, and the LSP is a pocket pistol. Bought both new, Sig was around $900 and the Ruger was $288. The Sig is the better of the two, but I can't always carry it.

When I was researching pistols, everyone said go to your local gun shop and feel them in your hand. 100% accurate. I wanted a Glock for years, but it just didn't feel right in my hand and I didn't like the trigger.

I'm pretty cheap, but cost is always the last thing in my mind when looking for self-defense weapons. Just me. Heaven forbid I pull the trigger on someone, but if so I want the best.

I will only use Federal Premimum Ammo, until I start loading my own. Federal's the best IMO.

 

What kind of holster are you using?

Holster selection and a gunbelt are critical to concealed carry.