I have a friend who’s getting married in a few months and he approached me not long ago about wanting to get a gun primarily for HD, but maybe also for CC. I recommended Glock, M&P, and HK to him, in either 9mm, .40, or .45. I feel like this is pretty sound advice, the only issue is that he sent me a picture today of a Heritage Rough Rider .22 SA cowboy gun that he likes… I told him it looked like a fun toy, but that I wouldn’t defend myself with it and he responded that he didn’t want a “hand cannon.” :rolleyes: I told him that none of these constituted that, but then he replied “they’re so damn expensive!” I’m an HK guy, but I obviously wouldn’t recommend that to him if money’s an issue for him. But I told him I could help him shop around for Glocks or M&Ps in the $500 range and that it would be worth it to save a little more to get something proven and of high quality/reliability/durability, etc. (not to mention stopping power).
So, my question is: do you guys have anything else that I should recommend to him that’s reasonably priced (maybe no more than $500) that would fit his needs, that I haven’t mentioned to him?
My dad has a Taurus 9mm. I think its a PT111 or something like that. Its been a great gun. The trigger is a little heavy for my liking but it has a few thousand rounds through it with no issuse. Itll eat anything you feed it. Trust me we have tryed it. I think theyre under $400 still.
How serious is your friend about shooting? and how serious is he about HD? Two questions you need to ask him. If he approached you and asked for advice then turned around and talked about a SA .22 because he likes it. Seems like he didn’t really take your advice. Is he a new shooter and will he put the money and time in to get better and become confident in his skills? I would go with a Gen 3 Glock 19. I carry mine on duty for all operations and Off duty as well. Perfect size weapon as long as you do not have extremely thick fingers and hands as those will get in the way during stress reloads and even normal reloads sometimes. I have no problem manipulating the gun with gloves on and im 6’8 with big ole hands haha. HD and protecting yourself is very serious and I know the chances are very small that he will need to use the gun, But taking a saying from an instructor. everyone will have that one percent in life where they either have to draw or dispatch a target. If he’s just looking to shoot on the weekend occasionally and sling some lead downrange then steer him in that direction with a pistol he would like. But if he is serious about training and defense then explain to him what he needs and how he needs to get there.
I’d say a 12G shotty is perfect for HD. However, if $500 is too much try looking for LEO trades. That’s how I pick up most of my guns. G3. Glock w/nightlights $350, Cleveland PD S&W 5946 $350 and another for $250. Colt A3 $650…
If this is going to be mainly a HD weapon and MAYBE one day a CC piece then I recommend the last gen S&W steel autos such as the 5906, 5946, 4006…very tough, durable guns. Built like tanks. The **06 have a DA/SA trigger and a slide mounted safety. Avg price $300.
He asked me about a shotgun, but then mentioned he also wanted a pistol to carry so I told him he’d be better off putting the money he’d spend on the two on a good pistol he could use for both HD and CC.
And I recommended a G19 as many have talked about it being a perfect size for duty and CC; and a good combo of size and firepower. But I do think that something with a safety would probably be best for him, so I also recommended the M&P9c. Grant has them for $480 I believe.
Its kind of funny someone wanting a cheap gun for self defense. Its his life though, right! This is a big one to go cheap with
This is exactly what I told him.
Jaxx, I don’t think he’s that serious at all about shooting. He’s just concerned about being able to protect himself and his soon-to-be wife. Understandable for sure, but still, I see that to be no reason to not get something reliable and of good quality.
Try selling the reasons why you need something in a more substantial caliber than .22 by talking about how there are standards that must be met and that is why police, FBI, military, etc carry pistols in the range of 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45 for a reason and make sure its clear that it isn’t a death ray as LE and Mil both use much more substantial weapons when things go down when they can and that pistols are more “better than nothing” even if 9MM.
From there work on the major brands where you should be able to (once again) use real world examples and give reasons why quality is important.
Going after a particular pet model is one of the last things and your “give” point to show there is compromise. Best have compromise at something not as crucial as caliber and good vs bad quality.
Roger that and I know your trying to be a good friend, but just make sure he knows he will be accountable for every bullet that leaves his weapon if or when he discharges it. He needs to know especially how ammunition works and how they penetrate (walls, cars, flesh, etc…). Maybe if you have a few handguns. take him to the range and let him try them out and try and teach him some things he needs to know. especially if he’s not to into shooting. Still needs to know which end to point at the bad guy haha. also I’d recommend to him getting a nice flashlight to go with the handgun.
CDNN has the Beretta 92FS on sale right now for $499.00 and that’s a smokin’ gun for a smokin’ price.
Or how about one of those Smith 5906 trade-ins for three hundred?
How abut a CZ75BD? Or a Taurus PT92? A SIG P6?
Does he want a revolver? Does he want plastic fantastic? Has he been to a range and rented anything to try out? About the only thing I would insist on were he my friend would be that he start out with a 9mm whatever make/model gun he decides to go with.
And I would probably recommend that he stay away from striker fire / 1911 style pistols for his first gun.
Try selling the reasons why you need something in a more substantial caliber than .22 by talking about how there are standards that must be met and that is why police, FBI, military, etc carry pistols in the range of 9MM, 40 S&W, and 45 for a reason and make sure its clear that it isn’t a death ray as LE and Mil both use much more substantial weapons when things go down when they can and that pistols are more “better than nothing” even if 9MM.
From there work on the major brands where you should be able to (once again) use real world examples and give reasons why quality is important.
I’ve already done some of that, though I’m sure he could do with hearing some more. And I’m not trying to force any one gun on him, just trying to steer him in the right direction of some good brands/calibers. When he very first approached me, he said he wanted a 1911 (I was thinking he’d come to the wrong place as I know very little about 1911s, for the most part) and next thing I know he’s gone the complete opposite direction and wants a SA .22 revolver. :rollseyes:
I’m trying to point him in the 9mm direction as he has very little experience with pistols and I can also see him not liking the price of .40 and .45 ammo. Also, I can see wanting him to have a hammer fired gun with a safety from a cautious perspective, but I can also see him getting hung up with the more controls that a gun like the M9 or CZ has, as opposed to something like a Glock or even an M&P with a safety. I’m fine with stuff like that, but I grew up shooting a Browning Hi-Power and a Walther P22, and I now carry a P30S, but for someone like him who has minimal experience, I’m inclined to think simpler is better. Just me.
Again, I’m trying not to push him in any direction. Just trying to give him help as he asks and let him make his own decision, but I just don’t want him to settle, when he may be staking his or his wife’s life on the purchase.
Glock 17 or 19 + NS + SF X300 + 3 spare mags + RCS Phantom holster and carriers + 500 rounds of practice ammo + reputable 2-3 day class = the perfect entry to the handgun world.
I won’t refute that. Unfortunately, if I showed him this, I think he might have a heart attach. At least after he saw how much all of that would cost him haha.
Sounds like he needs to gain some more experience before cc. For a solid HD pistol I would reccomend several pistols; ruger sr9/40, sig pro, SW sigma, almost anything from Taurus.
Personally, if he really needs some hd, there’s nothing better than a pump shotty. I’m sure that once that intruder hears that thing pump, he knows to get the eff out!
Then start with the stock Glock and ammo which should run him about $600-700. He can use it as a HD gun until he gets the training and other accessories needed to carry concealed in a responsible manner. Consider a gently used pistol if cost is still a concern. All of the other accessories can be added at a later date after the training.
Bottom line, resist the urge to by a cheap pistol.
In the motorcycling world there’s a saying
“buy a $50 helmet for a $50 head”
If he’s unwilling to spend what it costs to purchase a pistol of sufficient quality to defend himself and his new family then he’s not really interested in what he says he is.
I don’t waste a lot of time with these people. I have helped multiple friends purchase firearms over the years. This involves going with them to the store, having them look at multiple guns, and then spending several hours at home going over the fundamentals prior to going to the range and learning to shoot. If I get grief at any point along the way, I tell them “good luck” and move on.
You can’t make someone get their head right, and trying will just make you want to bash your own in with a hammer.
