re: Handgun Recommendation $500-$600

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357 mag doesn't provide that much different wounf than a 9 mm.

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I disagree with this. The 357 power is much greater. 357 has a much better one stop shot record in shootings.

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9 mm with more rounds fired at a faster rate for the win.

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I agree with holding more rounds is a plus for a 9mm. But learning the in's and out's of a semi is more difficult than learning a revolver. For example just having a misfire with either gun. For a revolver all you do is pull the trigger again and the gun shoots. For a semi pulling the trigger multi times will do nothing and this would be an easy thing to do with an attacker is approaching you fast. This could be life threatening for someone who does not know how to properly work a semi pistol. The revolver is more durable and reliable. Some of the S&W revolvers hold 8 rounds and in my opinion woukd make a great self defense weapon that could double as a woods gun too. 100 years from now you can pass your revolver down to family members while the plastic semi handgun is going to be recycled into a disposable tooth brush.


Just giving a few points for a revolver. Having a 9mm semi pistol is a great choice for you and your wife/girlfriend too. Just be sure you take a class or have a knowledgable friend teach you about the gun.

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I disagree with this. The 357 power is much greater. 357 has a much better one stop shot record in shootings.

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One stop shot record is pointless because in a shooting you are going to put multiple rounds on target and relying on one shot stopping power is like relying on hole in ones to win a golf tournamemt.

One shot stops very seldom occur with a pistol.

The more rounds the better.

When you look at wounds comparing a .357, .40, and 9 mm you don't see hardly any difference. It's not to you get to .44 mag and .45 you see a notable difference.

You can look at the Coates shooting as evidence. Coates fired 6 rounds from a .357 mag into the bad guys chest area and as he moved to cover to reload he was shot and killed by a .22 deranger.

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357 mag doesn't provide that much different wound than a 9 mm.

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Maybe if the 357 is using fully jacketed bullets but the heavier loaded semi-jacketed soft lead hollow points are going to leave a considerably larger wound cavity. Even +P+ 9mm isn't approaching the velocity of a .357 Mag loaded for serious self-defense use.

Most experts would tell you the vast majority of DGU's where a gun is fired is less than 5 rounds, typically 1 - 3.

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One stop shot record is pointless because in a shooting you are going to put multiple rounds on target and relying on one shot stopping power is like relying on hole in ones to win a golf tournamemt.

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Completely false.

357 using federal 125 jhp= 641 shootings with 615 one shot stops which equals to 96% one shot stops. That is a lot of hole in ones

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One shot stops very seldom occur with a pistol.

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Also false. See above. 615 one shot stops out of 641 for the 357 mag. For the 45 ACP shooting 220 grain it has a very good one shot stop record too. 166 out of 173 for a 96% one shot stop.

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When you look at wounds comparing a .357, .40, and 9 mm you don't see hardly any difference. It's not to you get to .44 mag and .45 you see a notable difference.

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The third false statement.

Best round for one stop. There is a wound difference and real data supports this.

357 mag= 615 out of 641 for a 96% one shot stop ability
40 s&w= 137 out of 146 for a 94% one shot stop ability
9mm= 202 out of 243 for a 83% one shot stop ability

Of the above three everyone will say the 9mm is the easiest to shoot and they should be able to put the bullet where it needs to go but shooting paper targets is different than people.

Take advice from what TigerOnTheHill said. The man is spot-on with his information.

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But learning the in's and out's of a semi is more difficult than learning a revolver.

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Honestly I've never understood this argument. From a simple shooting standpoint maybe you're right. But when it comes to reloading or accurately shooting, I've never seen anyone shoot a revolver better than a semi automatic. Well, unless the guy's name is Jerry Miculek.

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Having a 9mm semi pistol is a great choice for you and your wife/girlfriend too. Just be sure you take a class or have a knowledgable friend teach you about the gun.

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+1

A full sized 9mm is a great gun for pretty much everyone. Every class I teach, I let students shoot all my full sized 9mms. Beretta 90 Two, S&W M&P Core, FNS9, and my girlfriend's HK VP9. The FNS9 has been a crowd favorite class after class. The slide is a bit tighter since the barrel locks up snugly but it is extremely easy to shoot well.

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For the 45 ACP shooting 220 grain

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I kige your data, baw, but you mean 230 grain here (ETA: And very likely the round is the Federal Hydrashock JHP in 230 grain, but there is less variation among JHPs at that bullet weight).

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There is a wound difference and real data supports this.

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The round is still new, but the Federal HST 9mm (Essentially the child or grandchild of the Hydrashok) have to be doing better than 83% - I would think they're in the 90% range at this point.

But, the 125-grain Federal 357B (primarily out of 4-inch barrel Smiths and Colts, BTW) remains the Gold Standard for real world shootings. And, the data sample is so large because that's what the majority of state troopers and major law enforcement agency beat cops carried from the mid/late 50s through the early 80s.

Just buy a Glock 19 and call it a day! It's just about the most perfect "all around" handgun IMO. Throw some Tru-Glo night sights on it and your good to go.

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Ain't much better than a Glock 19 and right in your price range.

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I concur.

The only thing I would add is that the G19 may not fit your hand that well.

I'd try to shoot one first.

I would also take a look at the G17, Walther PPQ (M1 version preferably), and HK VP9. I find these to be much more ergonomic.

There is no reason to go bigger than 9mm.

OFF TOPIC

How does buying guns online work?

I see a few great deals right now on PSA and I want to make some purchases.