What would you recommend...*Update

[novalty]

A friend of mine contacted me recently stating he is looking to get his first handgun, primarily for home defense. Asked if he was looking for a revolver or semi-auto, and he thinks he wants a semi-auto. So my first suggestion was that he visit our local Cabelas, as they have the largest selection, and handle a few to see what fits his hand. Gave him a few manufacturer's and models that have good reputations for reliability so he could have something to say to the guy behind the counter when he got there. Wanted to ask what people on the forum here would recommend on a $400 budget? This weekend I am hoping to get out to shoot, and offered to allow him to shoot my handguns, so that he could get a feel for recoil:22lr, 9mm, and 45acp.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

A friend of mine contacted me recently stating he is looking to get his first handgun, primarily for home defense. Asked if he was looking for a revolver or semi-auto, and he thinks he wants a semi-auto. So my first suggestion was that he visit our local Cabelas, as they have the largest selection, and handle a few to see what fits his hand. Gave him a few manufacturer's and models that have good reputations for reliability so he could have something to say to the guy behind the counter when he got there. Wanted to ask what people on the forum here would recommend on a $400 budget? This weekend I am hoping to get out to shoot, and offered to allow him to shoot my handguns, so that he could get a feel for recoil:22lr, 9mm, and 45acp.

Honestly, if he's looking STRICTLY for home defense, and isn't concerned with ever carrying it elsewhere, a handgun is not the best choice. JMO, but he's better off with a 12 gauge pump. It'll cost him way less than $400. If he's set on a handgun then a revolver is better. Pull the trigger, it goes bang.

However... if he's set on a semi-auto, I would say to get a full-sized model in steel rather than a compact one in alloy or plastic. The extra size and weight will help to mitigate recoil.

Don't know if Cabelas sells only new, or if they have used firearms - I've never been in one. But you should be able to find a good, solid used 3rd gen S&W semi-auto in 9mm or 40S&W for that $400 with a little shopping. Heck, I'll sell you my 4046 for that price and do backflips.

Seriously, a LEO trade-in gun can be had for 3 franklins. Or less. All you have to do is look around a little.

 

[OKFC05]

My standard answer for this is first learn to shoot, then shoot a variety of guns, THEN pick out the one he wants.

Having someone who does not know how to shoot a handgun pick a gun is like having someone who does not know how to drive pick out a new car. He should learn how to shoot first. If he can't handle the recoil from a 9mm or .38, he does not know how to hold the gun (unless physically handicapped).

$400 is OK for a gun, especially a used M&P or revolver, but what about the budget for the many boxes of ammo needed to become proficient, and what about taking lessons, or are you going to be his instructor?

 

[feralmerril]

For a handgun and the amount of money, any used s&w or colt revolver in 38 special or 357 mag but shoot .38 special in it, and be preffably a m&p or model 10 something with a 4" barrel. A model with adjustable sights are okay and so is a six inch if that turns up in the price range, just useless and the gun will cost more.

 

[tripledipper]

Revolvers for sure. You can't go wrong with a 4" Model 10/64 from Bud's, JG, etc.

 

[novalty]

The longer the barrel the more accurate it will be. Generally fullsize guns have a 4-5" barrel and a large grip so it fits in your hand easier. Then there are compact guns, where the grips is shorter, holds less rounds, and barrel is generally around 3.5". Then there are sub-compacts which have really short grips, hold even fewer rounds, and generally have terrible sights--as they are really only meant for concealed carry. Some other things to keep in mind, 22lr is the cheapest caliber to shoot and least amount of recoil, but not really meant for self or home defense. The most popular calibers are:9mm, 40S&W, and 45ACP. Beware of .380acp and .357sig about the size of 9mm, but more expensive to buy and generally not as easy to find in stores. Two other calibers to stay away from are 10mm, yes it is big but has a lot of recoil, and very expensive, and .45GAP (generally only will see this caliber in Glocks), these 2 calibers are also harder to find in stores.
The 9mm is very popular, as it has less recoil, is cheap(er) to buy, and is still sufficient for self/home defense. If you like metal framed guns, some decent ones to look at besides S&W are:EAA Witness, Beretta 92, CZ model 75B, or any Sig Sauer. If you are looking for a polymer framed gun, then some to look at are the S&W M&P, CZ SP-01, Sig Sauer SP2022, and Glock model 17 or 19.

This was my meager amount of advise given (pre-$400 budget info.) Wanted him to actually get the feel for some, before just jumping into a purchase-then regretting it. I would have recommended a revolver for the purpose specified, especially for first firearm--just because of functionality, less moving parts, simple operation. However, he does seem to have the notion of semi-auto in mind. I have offered to show him how to shoot with my S&W's:2206, 5906, and 1911. That way he can get a feel for the functioning of semi-auto's, and experience some different recoils.

 

[hatt]

If he's going in blind and set on an auto. GLOCK 19. Big enough to shoot well. Small enough to conceal. Easy to find parts and mags. Just hard to go wrong. Next would be an M&P9.

 

[gunlovingirl]

If he's new to handguns, he needs to accept your generous offer and go shooting with you so he has an idea what he likes and shoots best, before spending hundreds of dollars, and way before he relies on it for defense, whether home or personal.

 

[diamonback68]

Shoot, shoot, shoot first......................................then buy!

 

[novalty]

Unfortunately, up here in Maine, we don't have any gun ranges that you can go and rent firearms to try out. Glad he is at least asking questions, and not just going out to buy whatever was in his price range.

 

[johnsonl]

Borrow and shoot a variety, then make a choice.

 

[chief38]

I am on the same page as OKFC05 with this one! Which ever caliber, model & type of gun he winds up buying, it should be something he can handle and shoot well. I always recommend starting out with a Double Action .22 Revolver to learn how to shoot. It's low recoiling, cheap, simple and easy to shoot. After he learns the basics, then he should try other types and calibers before a home defense gun is purchased. Strictly for home defense, I would also agree that a 12 gauge shotgun beats any handgun.

If he just goes into a Gun Store and buys what either the clerk behind the counter recommends or what "looks cool", it will more than likely not be the right gun for him. I have seen this happen soooooooooomany times it's not even funny anymore.

Chief38

 

[JCS&W]

Most of my neighborhood knows I like guns, have guns, and shoot guns. From time to time, I am asked "what should I have for home defense?". I do not like to answer that question, for a couple of reasons. But, here is what I tell them. Pick a day, I will go with you to the range. I will bring a couple of mine to shoot, and we can handle and shoot some of the range guns. I will pay for all of the cost at the range. But, before we go to the range, come by the house and let's go over how to be safe with any firearm. I am not an instructor, but I can give them the basics of saftey. I have yet to have ONE person take me up on my offer. I even offered to take a family to the range, pay for all of them to shoot, if they would come by and let me show the the basics of saftey. Never happened. Guess that training part was the deal breaker.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Shoot, shoot, shoot first......................................then buy!

Yes, people that buy first........ Well, that's why the used gun market is so good.

 

[Kanewpadle]

Unfortunately, up here in Maine, we don't have any gun ranges that you can go and rent firearms to try out. Glad he is at least asking questions, and not just going out to buy whatever was in his price range.

Might there be some other considerations such as a spouse? Kids?

What about gun storage?

If the spouse will use it then a revolver might make more sense. If kids are about, a hand gun will be easier to store safely and easier to get to than a long gun that's locked in a closet.

If he gets hooked, remind him that this won't be the last gun he buys.

He can always buy a semi auto later.

I have one of those two gun Gunvaults bolted to the top of my dresser. Top shelf holds my wife S&W 49 and the bottom shelf holds my Springfield Loaded. Rem 870 locked in the closet.

 

[GatorFarmer]

For $400... Well in terms of things that one can walk into a shop and find or order... and will have a warranty... Pretty much limits the choice to a 9mm Sigma. Cheap, bad trigger but you can get used to it, usually works, ammo is cheap.

$400 will buy a used Glock, usually, but sans warranty and support.

It would buy a used K frame, but finding one when you want one can tend to be rather a problem.

 

[NE450No2]

When asked that question, and I get asked it quite a bit, I always recommend some sort of S&W 357 Mag revolver, even it they will be carrying 38 Specials.
Once you know your S&W works, you can pretty much depend on it to do so.

Revolvers are simple, safe, and when properly handled deadly...

 

[quneur]

The is a thread (tread!) on here concerning a female student and firearm instructor shooting a glop at the range for the first time. What came out of it was:
1. Learn firearm safety first.
2. Use one bullet only on the first time shooting.
3. Graduate the # of bullets when they show you they can safely handle it.

I would also say let them learn to shoot first before letting them concentrate on targeting.

 

[5Wire]

How far south in Maine? The Manchester Firing Line in Manchester NH rents firearms and provides instruction. Less than an hour from Portsmouth. Very large new & used selection at Kittery Trading Post (searchable online). Stop on the way or on the way back.

 

[sourdough44]

How about a 4" 357 revolver? A S&W or Ruger will do. Of course don't really worry about the 357 loads either, shoot 38s.