What's a Solid Choice for a Handgun?

Morning everyone! As the title states, what do you guys feel is a solid choice for a handgun? Currently the only gun I own is an old 22 rifle that I gave to my brother about 15 years ago because my wife isn't a fan of having any guns in the house. She has since changed her mind and wants to go look at some this weekend. I know many of you have large collections and a wealth of knowledge out there. Help point me in the right direction. If we go looking, we'll probably end up getting one for each of us. I have very limited knowledge in this area and need some advice.

Thanks in advance.

 

Youtubes has a lot of content on handgun reviews.

 

Thanks, I'll give that a look. I just don't want to walk out with something that they sold me on to later find out it's not all that.

 

Glock 17. Dead reliable, easy to maintain and field strip, good mag capacity, massive aftermarket. 17 has a greater sight radius but a 19 may be better if she has small hands. Good luck finding a firearm among this pandemic now though, ammo and guns are sold out at most places around here at least.

Alternatively if you cant find any firearms in stock, if you're handy you can build a Polymer80 Glock which you can have shipped to your door since its not a firearm until you finish the frame using some files and a drill.

 

Good luck with your search... the outbreak has people snatching up guns all over.... Sounds like it’s been a while since you have shot anything... I’d go to a local range and try out some rentals in the caliber you are leaning towards. Some guys like glock, his buddy might be a sig sauer guy, his brother might like smith & Wesson... find the gun that fits you’re hand and ask questions at the range or gun shop. Don’t go cheap, you get what you pay for. I’d lean towards 9mm from your original post for a handgun, but a shotgun is always a great home defense choice

 

G17

 

for something to carry on your person daily I would go with the sig p365 for a home gun I would do a glock 34 with a light

 

Go test out the popular handguns at your local range. You will get a feel of each handgun real quick. I prefer Glock myself.

 

Thanks for the input. I haven't heard of places being sold out around here, at least not to my knowledge.

 

You can't go wrong with a mid-full size Glock 9mm (17/19/45). Simple to use and works. As others have said, you just gotta train with it. Also as others have said, good luck finding one any time soon!

 

Glock 19 IF you can find one

 

As mentioned above, Glock 17 or Glock 19 is hard to beat.

 

I'm a Glock fan also. Very simple and reliable but...lack of safety makes it a poor candidate in pockets and purses without a proper case/holster. You'll get a better answer if you give a little idea as to what your plans are for these handguns. Carry? Truck? Bedside table? Target practice?

 

The Sig p365 is actually one that caught my eye while researching a bit this morning. I'll be sure to check that one out.

 

Wife is looking for just some type of protection while I'm away and not home. I work long days from roughly 6am til 9pm throughout the week. For myself, if there is something that is a jack of all trades would be pretty sweet.

 

Springfield also makes great polymer pistols, very similar to Glocks. You might have an easier time finding one of those.

 

Honestly if she's looking for a weapon for home defense as opposed to conceal carry, i would recommend an AR15. Put on a red dot and a light and its MUCH easier to use, 30 rd mag capacity, and with the 5.56 caliber theres much lower chance of overpenetration through walls. Adrenaline is a hell of a drug and impacts accuracy significantly. This can make a big difference especially with a handgun without regular training.

 

I know this will be unpopular with most but a good first handgun is a revolver. Here's my reasoning.
1. If you pull the trigger and it goes click instead of bang just pull the trigger again.
2. No safety
3. Minimal disassembly for cleaning.

Once you become more comfortable with a handgun you should buy a magazine fed pistol.

 

Second the notion that right now is a bad time to be looking as stocks will be low. I'll add another plug for the Glock 19. I like it because of it's flexibility, reliability and if the SOF community has rallied around this gun then I know it's been checked by some of the best for positive attributes. The Glock 19 is a mid-size frame 9mm that works across many functions. In it's normal state you can configure the grip size out of the box for different hand sizes. It's also easier to carry concealed (if that's your plan) or just on your hip for driving in your car or walking 3 miles on a trail. I added an XGrip grip extender to 2 Glock 17 mags (17 round capacity) for home defense posture and for range shooting. I like the extra grip length when I can get it. Otherwise I leave a regular mag in it for the more compact form. And, like other have said, it's infinitely expandable with accessories if that'll be your thing. I strapped a halogen light on my rail again for home defense posture. This is my only handgun so I wanted it to be something that worked great to good in many situations.

 

As long as you stick with a well known brand there really isn’t a wrong answer anymore.

But one of my favorites is an HK VP9.

 

Reminder that guns are tools and are only as useful as the training you put into their use. I'll strongly advise that both of you get professional training and keep it up at the range or additional training classes. Make it a hobby and make it fun and the ability for both of you to protect yourselves will be dramatically improved.

 

G17 is my choice

 

You really need to hold different guns to see what feels best in each of your hands. My wife prefers an M&P sub compact 9mm, I had bought her a shield, but she did not like it. Friends have sigs, glocks, beretta. I was not fond of the beretta and glocks just do not feel right in my hand. The new gen glocks do feel better in my hands.
Unfortunately You will have to hunt around to find ammo right now and all the ranges around me are temporarily closed

 

Decide what you want in the gun first. I have a Ruger SR40C for carrying and a Sig Sauer P238 for the summer months. The smaller micros are better size wise for my wife’s hand but you’re going to have to spend some coin to get a Micro that has a nice trigger and is accurate. My wife likes the p238 as guns go... still a little trigger shy. Very little kick and it’s accurate enough for a micro. I usually carry my Ruger SR40C. It’s quite accurate and has been very reliable.

If you’re thinking about home defense in the immediate near term, TBH, I wouldn’t even look at handguns. It would take me some time and a lot of rounds to feel really confident with a new handgun and i shoot them pretty regularly. Plus, in my own house, I’d grab my semi auto 12 gauge packed full of 3” 00 buckshot before I’d even think about pulling out my Ruger or Sig. I’ve found the smaller, locally owned gun stores are usually staffed with really knowledgable gun lovers. Tell them your needs and I would guess they’ll point you in the right direction. Good luck!

 

Thanks for all the input guys, much appreciated!

 

The best home defense gun IMO is a shotgun. Remmington 870 is about as simple and reliable as they get. Load it with 2-3/4" OO or a purpose made defense round. Take the wife out for training until it becomes something she can handle in the dark under stress.

As for you I'll say I'm still a Glock fan with enough training to keep yourself out of trouble. Just like all ice chests keep things cold but different sizes are better in different situations, pistols all shoot a projectile but different frame sizes work better depending on what you are doing at that time. For example, a compact is easier to conceal but harder to shoot well. Choose your gun based on where it will be used most of the time...or buy more than one.

 

I prefer a heavier pistol and an exposed hammer. Beretta 92fs gets my vote. It doesn't sound like your wife is very familiar or comfortable with a handgun so lightweight Glocks and similar handguns can be really snappy and uncomfortable for new shooters. If she gets Glock bite even once, I bet she's gonna stop shooting. Glocks are great handguns but I'd keep my options open for a first timer

 

I carry that off duty and on duty in my vest it’s small it goes bang and carry’s a lot of rounds for the size. As far as the 34 it’s longer then the 17 but better grouping I would go 3rd gen best trigger. Stay to 9mm in side a house due to rounds having a better chance of not going threw Sheet rock. That being said if u want a rifle I would go with a psa ak-v9. Easy to shoot and if u miss it won’t go threw a wall. Also keep in mind u want something that you can hold with one hand for example most people say shotgun but re racking or grabbing someone or helping someone with staying on target can be a challenge. Just my 10c tho

 

Lots of good comments here but to me the best are to suggest that you handle and shoot a few for yourselves and see what feels right for you.

It really does not matter at all as long as you stick with any of the main manufacturers and learn how to operate and maintain the gun,they should all perform well and get the "Job" done whatever that is.

I will say that if came down to having to make a single choice and living with it alone mine would be a Glock without hesitation.
Just reliable and light weight and easily and cheaply enhanced and maintained and I would look at 9mm,maybe a 19 or 17 for you and a 26 for the Lady.
The Magazines interchange essentially and both of you will already be familiar with each of them if the need arises.
I actually carry my G26 the most as it is so compact but still capable.

I also have not heard anyone claim that the Glocks feel Snappy or uncomfortable for new shooters as one poster suggests,I think they seem to mute the feel in hand for what they are.

I am not saying that they are the best or that I even shoot them the best but they are so damn good and light and can be relied on when needed that it seems like an easy recommendation.

Also a Shotgun for at home is a terrific choice no matter the handgun choices.

 

Depends on what you want to use it for:
Target, home defense, Conceal Carry?

once you have that narrowed down there are several manufacturers and models to choose from.

At that point, it’s best to try a few to see what feels comfortable in your hands and what you like.