Cafeoutdoors.com: Gettin' a handgun for protection and target

Let's add another variable to the equation....polymer vs: steel or alloy

There's a chit load of polymer pistols out there....most are decent if you stick with a name brand. I think Glocks are the most versatile and reliable. Any variation of size or caliber you would want. Get a model 20 in 10mm and you can easily change out parts for 11 calibers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcZUkMESzSw). A Glock 22 in .40 SW is cheap to get (no one likes .40 these days and the police are trading them in pretty often) now and can be converted to 9m or .357 Sig with a Lone Wolf barrel. There are endless supplies of parts and accessories. You can work on them with a couple of tools after watching youtube videos. The kicker is that if you are going to toss it in the console of your truck, you have to keep it in a holster.

Smith M&Ps in full size feel good in the hand but have a junk trigger. With the Shields, they aren't designed for anything but CCW ranges, so the trigger doesn't matter much. HK has a lot of neat plastic guns and there is a really cool factor about them. I've never tried a plastic Ruger. I just traded for a FNS 9. Lots to like there and I look forward to playing with it. It's striker fired like a Glock, but my version has a thumb safety so it could be carried in the glove box with a round in the chamber. All of these can be found for about $550 new, $350 used. I've bought all of them used with no qualms or issues.

Steel and alloy guns. Everyone should own a 1911. A Rock Island tactical (get it for the beavertail safety and extended controls, cost is less than $500 Nothing breaks like a 1911 trigger and there are a million ways to customize them. A Springfield Armory Range Officer is a great upgraded 1911, has everything you need (except a decent holster, right out of the box. Cost is about $750. Lots of used Beretta 92s out there. Great pistols and used prices are about $400. Used Sigs are the chiznit...great guns in whatever caliber you want. About $450 used. CZ75s are the best feeling pistol I have ever held. There are lots of clones, but a real CZ is a bargin at $450.

Revolvers - I'd stick with a S&W (686 or Model 10) or a Ruger GP100. A .357 will do it all and you can always shoot .38 Special through it.

Basically, stick with the brand names. Run from Taurus, Rossi, Hi Point, and the like. I like to buy guns with a lot of accessories (my FNS9 is the exception) because I like to tweak mine.

Used guns....yes, definitely. Most people get a gun, don't shoot it much and sell it to a dealer for about 50% of the new price. If you can do a trade or just buy it from an individual, you will save a lot of money. Armslist.com is my favorite. If you are on the west side of the state, check out http://www.summitgunbroker.com/.

I'd be happy to help, PM me if you want.

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Low speed....high drag

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