Well i'm gonna go down sometime this week and apply for a carry and conceal weapon license. I'm starting to do a little research on what to get as my first gun. I'm kinda looking at some kind of a semi-auto pistol.

The few that i've looked at are the Glock's and Ruger's (mainly the 40, 45, and the SR9)

In due time, I would like to get a Desert Eagle 50 AE. Not really for shooting purposes but just as a "show-off" gun. Because that thing is sexy and mean at the same time.

I was just wanting some advice on different guns and to see if anyone else owns a gun.

Thanks!

I do not own a gun, but my friend's dad has enough for world war III. He's shown me his desert eagle...I know where I'm going If something bad happens. That thing is freakin sweet. I don't know much about guns, but that's the one I had heard of before he showed me. I know that none of this helps you, just my 2 cents

i have also wanted to pick up a handgun, idk personaly i like the 45 and the 9mm some that i like are

Ruger - they got some top dollar guns
beretta
S&W if you want revolvers

i know im forgeting some right now

also what size are you wanting, something extreamly small and compact or what?

I'm going to get a Berette 9mm next weekend. I'm going to take it to the range 3 or 4 times, then get my CHL.

I'm not exactly sure size wise. Down the road I might get some small enough to strap to my leg/ankle.

Right now just looking at something like the glock-ish size.

I was talking to my dad and were probably gonna take a trip to the range and test some guns out, to get the feel of different types.

as guns to just mess around with i have to admit ruger 22's are so fun you can shoot all day and only spend a few bucks compared to the price of 9mm and 45 shells

That desert eagle is a BA gun. Gotta check out the vids on YouTube. That gun would do some serious damage, as long as you can hit the target. Def not a gun I would really wanna use in self defense though.

After this gun I wanna look into getting some kind of high powered rifle. ...Then a shotgun ...then another handgun LOL

Here is a short video of mine and my friends arsenal.
The two pistols at the beginning are mine along with the sawed off 12 gauge which I attempted to fire at the end. It was loaded but not racked.

We've been in Galveston since Monday staying with my wife's dad. This morning he gave me his Remington 12 gauge with a short and a long barrel. The thing looks like it's brand new. It surprised the crap out of me because I've been wanting to get a 12 gauge for the annual dove hunt in Uvalde. I've been having to borrow a gun in the past. This year I get to use my own. I can't wait to get back to Austin and get with my friend so we can go back out for a day of shooting.

Edit:
My wife's dad just gave me 3 more rifles. 2 are 22's, 1 bolt action and the other is a single bullet shooter. The 3rd rifle is a 410. He's got them all wrapped up so I haven't seen them yet. I'll open them up when I get home tomorrow.

Check this thread out I made last year.

http://www.grandprix.net/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=002345#000000

My dad and I hunt pretty much all seasons.

I own:
Stoeger 5 shot 12gauge (Turkey 3in shells/ upland)
Beretta over under 12gauge (Pheasant/ upland bird)
Winchester side by side 20gauge short barrel (dove / upland)
Thompson omega .50cal muzzle loader (Buck)
Remington Riffled barrel 3 shot 12 gauge for hollow point copper slugs (Buck)

My dad has an insane collection

Can't use Riffles in RI but we have 2 30-06 for NY

Once I turn 21 ill buy some hand guns.

I was gunna get an M4 or something along those lines. My friend used to have an M4 carbine that he bought cheap for like 700 sold it for 1900 since the whole banning high powered rifles is coming into affect. He still has his mp5 and the guy just bought a freakin 98 bravo .338 Ya no comment haha

I want to buy an M4 by the end of the year. That's my goal.

Better shoot for an earlier goal because you won't be finding ammo or guns at anywhere near a reasonable price once the law gets close to the final stages. Once its passed were looking at an 150% increase in price... on the black market...

I own the Sig P239 .40S&W. If you want a GOOD concealer, and are not afraid of having no safety, THAT would be the one to own. WARNING: It is a subcompact, so it fits my hands PERFECTLY, but guys with larger hands say that the thing is REALLY uncomfortable.

From my own experience shooting Beretta 92FS 9mm Parabellum (AKA M9), DO NOT GET THAT piece of effin [trash]. The partial frame rails are known to crack, break, and throw the upper receiver at the shooter. I have nothing good to say at all about the Beretta 92FS.

Glocks, eh, I wont own one, but I know a BUNCH of folks who swear by them.

Look for a compact/subcompact .40-.45 for a CCW. You need to be able to hide it, maneuver the thing around your clothing, and still have some serious knock-down power for the close-range fight (also known as Close-Quarters Battle/Combat).

Food for thought: Sig Sauer had signed a contract with Dept Homeland Security a few years back for the P239 .40S&W. No word yet as to when they're gonna let that contract expire.

That Desert Eagle .50AE: why? That thing is so effin heavy, the slide has so much momentum comin back at you that it is impossible to get a good bead for a follow-up shot, and it costs well over a grand. The bullets themselves cost $7 US. PER ROUND! No. Beautiful weapon, without a doubt, great for a mantle piece, but nothing else beyond that. I had shot the .357MAG a few years back in Savannah. I will never EVER shoot another DE if I aint gots ta. That thing HURT.

Talkin rifles? I have a 1944 Mosin Nagant M41 7.65x54R from Russia. Hopefully in the next year or two, I'm gonna pick up a M4. Hopefully even get the M68 to go along with. Love them little SMGs. So much fun to shoot and move with. MP5 would be GREAT, if I could afford the $10,500 pricetag. Ever seen some of the assault rifles made by H&K? Hmmm, tasty. I would like to add the Springfield M1908 and the M1 Garand to my collection, but them things are outrageously priced.

I could go on all evening on this topic, but you didnt ask all this.

Of every gun that I have shot, I would have to say that my buddies Glock 40 is probably my favorite. Has enough power to put someone down pretty easily, while not having a crazy kick to it. And it's easy to assemble/disassemble.

Agreed, Glocks are a lot of fun to shoot IMO, and easy to handle.

My dad has me leaning toward a Glock or a Springfield 45.

Corey, what other guns have you shot? and what's your take on them.

Like I stated before Rick, if I were to ever get my hands on a DE .50, it would be my "trophy gun". That thing is a beauty to just look at. Would never be my first choice in self defense. By no means a cheap gun to shoot, i've seen 20 bullets for $40 ($2/round). $7/round is a little over the edge...

just goin off some information that my friend gave me. I really should research it for myself.

I realize you asked Corey, but I enjoyed the Hi-Point 9mm, albeit a lower-quality weapon. Ruger, Walther, Taurus are some REALLY high-quality weapons. Problem is that they have a price to go along with that quality.

Asking an arms dealer some well-educated questions will get you the tool of death best suited to you. Good luck. What else are your questions?

I'm not sure of any of the brands, as I usually just shoot whatever my buddies have. Another gun that I liked was the Colt 1911, but it was a .45 and was a bit too much of a gun to carry. A couple 22s and 9s, but I wouldn't feel safe with the 22, and am unsure about the 9. I think the .40 is the perfect gun to carry.

I have a beretta px4. I love it. I know that there are some polymer gun haters, but their opinions are generally unfounded.

Glocks are good guns, many law enforcement agencies have been using them for years. Berettas are good, they have been carry weapons for police and military personel for years as well.

My advise would be to find a gun that fits you. Take it to the range a lot and shoot at least 500 rounds through it. THEN go apply for your CCW. Get to know your gun before you trust it with your life.

Since you want a carry piece and not a range only gun, I would recommend that you get at least a .40. The .40 caliber offers a nice balance of stopping power and economy.


My Recommendations:
Springfield XD
S&W M&P
Beretta PX4
Glock
Taurus PT140 or PT145

I like to hear everyone/anyone's input. If you have a pro/con about a gun you've used, just post up. I like to hear all angles of an opinion.

No real question's (at this moment in time) besides a list/opinions of different pistols.

I am looking for a gun right now that I will be able to carry. Price really isn't a factor in the decision. I just want something I will be confortable with if I were to have a life/death situation.

...But like someone else said, I will want to practice over and over so I will know how to use the gun if/when the time comes to use it "for real".

And thanks brown for the recommendations. A lot of those are on my list to research/look at!

That's what I carry. I'm not as accurate with it as I am with my S&W 910 but the 910 is a full size frame, my hands don't fit the compact as well.

I'll never carry a .45 since the ammo in my .40 wieghs the gun down so much. I'm tempted to drop to a 9mm sometimes just to lose a few ounces but the stopping power is what keeps the .40 in my pocket. My brother in law stopped an attacker with a point blank shot to the mid section out of a 9mm. That's the only thought that would steer me toward the nine.

With all that being said, something else to keep in mind is ammo. It comes in different styles and wieghts. If you're going to carry concealed you will want to try a few different PDA's(Personal Defense Ammo) to find out which works best with your gun. A couple of my fav's are Federal Hydro-Shock and Speer Gold Dot. For target practice you can buy some FMJ's of the same wieght. Even FMJ's can be innaccurate. I bought some Blazers with aluminum casings shortly after acquiring my .40 that made me think the gun was crap. In the same sitting I put 50 rounds of UMC through it that made me realize it was the ammo that was crap, not my gun.

Last but not least..... I TOTALLY agree with brown.... Get acquainted with the gun before you decide to use it for protection. The last thing you need is your attacker grabbing it from you as your fumbling with it.

Oh..... And don't be this guy.....

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/strange/Man_drops_gun_shatters_toilet2163036

LMFAO! What an idiot, that's awesome.

Buy a holster with a strap. And turn the safety on. Oh, and just be more careful, moron!

Good thing he just went, otherwise it would have probably scared the **** out of him. lol

I havent owned a handgun in years...I sold all of mine off after my son made off with one of my 44mag rounds and carried it to school (I took more than a little heat over that one)

I had a Dan Wesson revolver with interchangable barrels in 44mag and a polished stainless Colt P King Cobra in 357mag. The Dan Wesson was heavy but with Pacmyr grips was still comfy to shoot. (yes I have big hands) The Colt on the other hand was an absolute sweetheart. Smooth action and deadly accurate up to 25 yards (which is the longest we used to shoot...7-15-25 yards with handguns)
I also owned two Desert Eagles, a blued 357mag and brushed hard chrome 44mag. The 44 was plenty to handle even with two hands. I cannot begin to imagine the hand held cataclysm that 50AE would be...no thanks. I had plenty of people looking down at me at the shooting range with my 44 DE as hot load shells are required for any DE for good gas operation. This beast routinely blew 6-8inch flame bursts from the barrel and when you ripped off a three round burst the noise was like a hand cannon.
The 357 DE actually turned out to be my favorite over time and I had a nice shoulder rig to carry it in with quik pull holster. 10 rounds in the mag gave it good capacity and the slide action takes so much of the recoil off your hands it becomes a very smooth shooter. I used to love using the "hostage" targets at the range and blasting three round burst to the head of the assailant. I found this gun to be much more fun to shoot than any 45 1911 I ever tried and it had much less recoil.

crimpton makes the strongest point, USE whatever you buy...get familiar with it like your own hands. I could put my DE together blindfolded (it does have very few parts) but still hope you never have to use it, but if you do be able to use it with confidence and poise. You cant do too much research on this in my opinion...its lot of money, make it count and be comfortable with what you get...dont fall prey to a "show gun" that doesnt serve a good purpose.

Good Hunting

Not interesting guns stuffs but this story is crack me up. I can't imagine if he actually really sitting in bathroom for doing it. It would be funny to see pile of craps on floor.

I sure feel sorry for that guy, kinda. Maintaining your arms and your equipment MUST be the first order of business for anyone who wants to enter the life of arms. Then his holster fails him. Embarrassing. I would certainly not wanna go home to my wife:

"Honey, you remember how I begged and pleaded for the Kitchen Authorization for that REAL nice thousand-dollar concealer that I bought?"

"Yes, sweetie, I sure do. Why do you bring it up? Lemme guess. You want another, don't you?"

"Well, kinda. The cops have mine, so I think I need another."

"What in the world happened? Was anyone hurt?"

"Kinda. Some woman complained of chest pains after I shot the [crap] out of a [crapper]."

T-Bat's right. You need to have the feel and personality of any weapon you buy to become symbiotic.

The ranges at which you are likely to engage any threat will be at 25 meters and less. That does not mean that you should or can skimp on 50-meter training. Reflex shooting. Ok, lemme stress this adequately:

REFLEX SHOOTING!!!

Once done with that,

TRAIN ON REFLEX SHOOTING!!!

Then do stress shoots. Strenous exercise to point of physical incapicatation, then PERFORM REFLEX SHOOTING!!!

A cop or combat-arms service member should be able to train you adequately before you go through the CWL certification.

You heard from the others here that they LOVE the feel of the M9 and M1911 and DE weapons. I can NOT stand the grip of any of these. The M1911 was a DREAM to shoot, but a beast to hold...for me. Likewise, if I told T-Bat to shoot my sub-compact Sig 239, he'd gripe all day. Here's a plan that I developed for you to try. Lemme know if it works.

Find a holster that you would make good use of. Shoulder, verticle? Shoulder, horizontal? Waist, rear? Waist, front? Cross-draw? Stuffed into your boxers and hope it dont fall down your pants leg? Find a holster that best fits you.

Find the weapon size that you like. Appropriate grips for your hands. Weight. Balance. Control locations. Hammer or hammer-less (for a concealer, I recommend hammer-less of a low-profile hammer). Barrel length. Revolver or handgun? Caliber that you feel is just above-adequate (the Army is so effective because we dont fight fair. You bring a knife, we bring a M249. You bring a M249, we bring Abrams and Blackhawk gunships. That kinda thing.)

After finding the holster and the weapon, find the practice ammo. Then find the service ammo that you want. FMJ? JHP? Hydro-shok? Flachette (dont get caught with these rounds. You've been warned)? There's another kind out there, I'll hafta talk to my co-worker about them. Cor-Bon makes them.

Once you got the weapon, the holster, the rounds, the target, the cleaning kit with CLP, find the range. Shoot fast, shoot slow. Shoot reflex, shoot point-target. Shoot close-in, shoot something stupid far, like 150+ meters. Stress shoot, shoot relaxed and fresh. Change mags/cylinders fast, take your time with it.

After AT LEAST 500 rounds, the weapon should be broken in and ready to train with. After 5,000 rounds, you SHOULD be familiar enough with the weapon to attempt the CWL.

After months and months of looking... I think I have fell in love.

http://www.the-m-factor.com/

Went down to the shop to check her out. I am more 'n likely gonna pick up a Springfield XD(m) .40 caliber pistol. I understand this is not the carry type of weapon but as my "first firearm", I am in love with the features and feel of this pistol. Now i'm on the phone with different places trying to find a reasonable/"best" price.

I have had my CCL for about a month now and I think for a future carry piece I might pick up the Springfield .45 Compact.

So many nice guns, so many choices, not enough ammo... LOL!

One thing I noticed that wasn't hit on. When it comes to ammo you really should practice with what you intend to carry. In a panic situation predictability is key. You need to know what to expect when you pull the trigger. Each brand/type of round could give you a different sensation when firing. Cheap ammo may be short on powder as a result when you practice with it you'll get a smaller kick then what rounds you intend to carry will have. Resulting in poor control.

good point, Herc, that had totally slipped my mind. Good catch.

Taz, my dad bought an XD(M) in 9mm. It's a very nice weapon, and has won all sorts of Best Pistol-type awards.

I personally prefer my Beretta, but that's just me.

Ace, I do love the look of your pistol. Just something about that Beretta style that pulls me in. Might have to give that a look too, the next time i'm at the shop.

Come to Texas, I'll take you to the range.

I like the safeties on the XD(M), but there are some things about that type of pistol that I don't like, like not having a hammer.

To my knowledge, his weapon has never jammed so far (nor has mine). They are only a few months old, but both reliable.

*EDIT* One thing I like about mine is the .40 caliber. It's got enough kick to make you feel totally safe should you have to defend yourself, but not enough to have trouble keeping on target.