Gun choice??

[Rascus]

So after being out of the gun scene for about 10yrs I recently got the bug back after going to a local gun show. I'm looking to get one for home defense and the occasional range shooting. I'm down to picking two different kinds, listed below both 9mm's. One problem I have is that i'm left handed. It's been so long since I shot a gun that i'm not sure if they make left-handed guns?? The one I used for MIO boardings when i was in the Navy were all right-handed.

Any inputs and or suggestions would be appreciated



Smith and Wesson (SW99)

Glock17

[alaska cajun]

I was looking at a 40cal Bereta today with a 4" barrel and a 10 mag clip for $500.

If you've been out that long,you should know that a 9mm won't stop a crack head.A lot of cops are going to the 40cal or larger for that reason.

And I would wait till after Monday to see if the assalt weapon ban is lifted.If so you will soon be able to buy handguns once agin with a 15 mag clip.

[fengler]

if you want home defense get a 12 guage tactical shotgun, the pros of a shot gun is that if for whatever reason you miss the guy the pellets will be stopped by the drywall and your family has a less chance of being injured. With a 9mm or 40 cal what if u accidently miss and it goes into your kids room , just my $.02

[Rascus]

Good point fengler...I will eventually get a 12gauge. But I also enjoy going to the range as well, that's why i was thinking 9mm. I may look at the .40 cal but not sure. Like I said it's been awhile since I've been out.

Thanks so far for the inputs

[Krazy Hawaiian]

Hay Rasc, check here --> http://www.cycleforums.com/forums/fo...s=&forumid=195 Gun Freekz n Bikers too.

You'll see some of my posts there. Were you aware we have the toughest gun laws in the nation?

[Rascus]

A guy at work was saying all i need to do is go down to HPD headquarters...fill out a form, pay 25 bucks and 2wks later i get a permit???

[Krazy Hawaiian]

Pretty close. They also want background checks and more. I havent been through it in a while though.

[GhostRiderGT]

The sw99 .40 cal is a good gun my uncle loves that thing (hard to find , the things sell almost as fast as they come in ), and is taking it to Iraq with him when he deploys , ive shot it and damn the thing is accurate as hell. Ive shot an H&K .40 cal as well , not bad a lil too much barrel rattle for my taste but other than that still a really good piece. Either weapon will allow u to stop whatevers comin at you if you can hit it . These are the 2 weapons i have experience with when it comes to .40 cals and reccomend either. As do alot of Marine friends of mine , their backup for their backup weapon is either a S&W , H&K , or a Colt.

[deuce22]

I own a glock 23, great tactical handgun, you can't go wrong with a glock, only 36 moving parts and you can damn near do anything to it and it will still fire. the 23 model is a 40 cal. and the 40 cal round is a great round. It has the best one shot stop ratio out of 45, 40, & 9. Just in case you are not familiar the one shot stop means that it is more effective with one shot than the other two rounds, a 9mm isn't enough and a 45 is to much, it will travel through the target... I actually have a good friend who is a gun freak, I didnt' research and get all of that info myself... in fact I didn't know much about my gun at all when I bought it?

didn't mean to ramble,
later

deuce22

[Rascus]

Originally Posted by deuce22

I own a glock 23, great tactical handgun, you can't go wrong with a glock, only 36 moving parts and you can damn near do anything to it and it will still fire. the 23 model is a 40 cal. and the 40 cal round is a great round. It has the best one shot stop ratio out of 45, 40, & 9. Just in case you are not familiar the one shot stop means that it is more effective with one shot than the other two rounds, a 9mm isn't enough and a 45 is to much, it will travel through the target... I actually have a good friend who is a gun freak, I didnt' research and get all of that info myself... in fact I didn't know much about my gun at all when I bought it?

didn't mean to ramble,
later

deuce22

No, didn't ramble..thanks for the info. I don't want to go 45 because i think that would be too much and I don't want a 22 either. So i appreciate the insight

[GhostRiderGT]

LOL no u dont want to go .22 all that would do is piss an atacker off instead of stopping him unless ur a deadly assasin and can get point blank then ur ok. But nah i agree with deuce22 .40 is like the pouridge(sp?) and that lil blonde chick, its just right. If u take it to the range for practice and they let u use ur own ammo of any kind I like Wolf , its cheap and iirc it has a steel insert so its close to armor piercing (a certain rangemaster wouldnt let me fire it for this reason )

[deuce22]

also as far as ammo goes, I carry federal hollow points, hollow points are great for self-defense, a hollow point won't usually travel outside of the target (flesh n bones). A hollow point with fragment once inside the body and bounce around a bit, on the other hand ball ammo maintain it's shape and run the risk of exiting...so if you are concerned about hitting the innocent practice with the cheap shit, ball ammo and keep a couple magazines loaded with the expensive shit... just a suggestion...

later
deuce22

[steeltoe]

I'm a avid shooter. Ask my rangemaster I outshoot the majority of LEO in the area. I sold my other pistols and have one, Glock19. I had .40, .45 and the truth is there ain't a lick of evidence either is more effective than modern 9mm. Any of the top HP 9mm rounds will expand as well or bigger than .40 cal. .45 cal cuts a bigger hole no doubt but a 15-17rd .45 is ridiculously heavy opposed to 15-17rds of 9mm. .40 cal is a fun rd but for the price you'd better off with .45. I buy ammo by the case because I shoot a lot. Unless you reload 40 or 45 will break your bank. Good 9mm is so cheap it's hardly worth reloading unless you like playing with power ranges. Glock has a new (old now) proprietary rd basically a short .45. (named 45 GAP). I'd stay away from that stuff. Like .357 sig and 10mm the choices are limited as is it's use. I'm the kind to plan for when the SHTF. The most common, best developed rd on the ground is 9mm. I carry POWrBAll, staggered with Win Silvertips. Hard barrier and soft barrier prepared. Get the Glock man. Then get training! If you're not shooting a lot then you shouldn't be packing. Teach respect and skill. Not irrational fear. If you plan on a making a handgun your choice of defense think on this.
1. Most shootings occur at arm's length.
2. Most shots are misses.
3. A handgun is for fighting your way to your rifle or shotgun.

www.blackwaterusa.com (great folks)
www.glocksunlocked.com
http://www.tacticalforums.com/ (terminal effects forum)
http://www.1911forum.com/
http://brianenos.ibforums.com/ (shooting tips from top competitors)
http://www.packing.org/ (gun laws)
http://www.thehighroad.org/
http://www.georgia-arms.com/ (best damn ammo on earth)
http://www.hkpro.com/ (guess)
http://pistolsmith.com/ ($$$$$ 1911s)
http://www.hs2000talk.com/ (sweet pistol)
http://www.firearmstactical.com/hwfe.htm (Handgun Wounding Factors and Effectiveness from Dep of Justice)



Yes, I AM a gun nut.
Yes, the liberalveggyhippies want to take all our guns!
YES, I will defend myself and my loved ones BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.


FINGERS CROSSED THE AWB SUNSETS NEXT WEEK!!!!! If you don't know what that means don't worry. We've got everything under control.

[wct097]

Whatever you buy, wait for a couple days and insist you get a gun without limited capacity magazines. Glock 17's should start coming with 15 round magazines very shortly.

edit: After shooting both the SW99 and the Glock, I'd go with the Glock personally. I have a G29, 10mm.