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Post by Ninjaskillyou on Mar 17, 2004 2:35:43 GMT -5
I am not currently a gun owner and am looking into buying a gun for self defense. I've done a little research and it seems that the beretta 92f is a good choice as far as safety and reliability goes. What do you think? I'm pretty sure I want a semi-auto and double action for the first shot. How big of a safety factor is single versus double action? What calibre of a round would you suggest for good stopping power? Thanks for any help.
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Post by Misfit on Mar 17, 2004 3:24:02 GMT -5
Ninjas,
There are literally dozens of different models to choose from, in a multitude of calibers.
My best advice would be to spend some time at a range where they rent different types of handguns, and try out as many as you wish. Usually the rental fees are reasonable, and in any case, the experience will be worthwhile in helping you choose the one that fits you best. As far as a suitable caliber, anything 9mm or heavier will generally suffice. There will be those who look down upon anything smaller than .44Magnum, but truly, finding one that you're comfortable with and can shoot competently is the key.
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Post by Ninjaskillyou on Mar 17, 2004 14:06:02 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice. A hands on test would definitely be the best way of telling what I am most comfortable with.
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Post by XavierPassword on Mar 18, 2004 7:15:05 GMT -5
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Post by timitim on Mar 20, 2004 17:04:22 GMT -5
Listen to Misfit, he knows.
IMO, I don't trust myself at 4:00 A.M. to wake up groggy, half asleep, and stumbling aroung to react compitently and shoot a 9mm pistol in the right area of my target to ensure that target is going to go down.
There is a reason why dynamic entry teams (S.W.A.T) carry 45's. Then again, not everyone can shoot a 45 caliber bullet. Correct me if I am wrong out there if I say that one of the major reasons why the military switched from the 1911 to the 9mm was because they found that not everyone could fire the pistol . Especially women.
If you want the most reliable home defense weapon, you want the buck to stop with you, you want your target to go down no matter what, each and every time, your answer is simple my friend. 12 Gauge pump action shotgun.
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Post by ronbwolf on Mar 22, 2004 9:39:31 GMT -5
Please do yourself a favor and avoid the Beretta product unless you need a sinker for holding down bait while fishing. Follow the advice and go to a range where you can shoot various models. Anyone just beginning with handguns would be well served to start out with a double action revolver. If you insist on starting out with an automatic, my recommendation would be, in order,
1. Glock 17, or 19
2. Glock 22, or 23
3. Walther P99/or S&W version
4. Sig 226, but train a lot with DECOCKING
5. Any good 1911, but train even more with use of safety.
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Post by Whocares on Apr 12, 2004 16:17:20 GMT -5
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Pitt
New Member
Posts: 3
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Post by Pitt on Jun 7, 2004 12:37:32 GMT -5
While Ron's advice is excellent, have you noticed the number of neophyte gunowners who refuse to purchase a wheelgun as their first pistol?
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Post by Speedpig on Jun 23, 2004 6:57:35 GMT -5
No doubt about it, revolvers are excellent handguns for the new shooter. As far as Ron's Beretta comments, I'm an Army guy and fortunately I haven't experienced any problems with any of my issued Beretta M9s. They all shoot pretty well and never jam.
Of course, I only get to shoot it a couple times a year at best during qualification, so my experience is relatively limited. Although it's a decent firearm, I wouldn't buy one of my own. Too darned expensive.
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Macx
Full Member
Posts: 121
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Post by Macx on Jul 13, 2004 17:33:36 GMT -5
92F, way to big and heavy a package for what it delivers, open slide to trap all the dirt and crap you could ever want to jam your gun . . . hmmmm, no. Think about a Makarov. Maks are cheap $165 or so for a nice one. Maks are reliable with only 27 or so parts none of which are prone to breakage. Maks are simple so you can field strip or detail strip in scary fast time. Maks are slim with their single stack magazines, short though still carrying over 3.5 inches of barrel, and easy to conceal. Maks are cheap to feed at about $5 for a box of 50 rounds give or take depending on how many boxes you buy at a time. So cheap to feed that you can get in the range time to work on shot placement that may make a bigger difference in a conflict than calibre . . . that said, 9x18 is about as small as I would want to go for a carry pistol - but I have every confidence that I can hit something vital on just about any target inside 25 yards (that is worth a JHP  none of this take a wing off that fly stuff, but I mean targets that matter). Yeah, if you have your heart set on semi-auto, and a military pedigree sounds good to you, look at the Makarov. Otherwise, I concur with most of the other respondants . . . pick up a used but nice S&W service revolver trade in. It's your first handgun, find out what you like and don't like after you've spent some range time. |
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Post by MLB on Jul 14, 2004 21:59:31 GMT -5
MacX, haven't heard from you in quite a while. Good to have you back. Since this forum started it's downward spiral I haven't been around as much. There are other more civilized forums. Take a look...
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Post by redfoxe on Aug 3, 2004 19:54:55 GMT -5
The Beretta 92F is a good quality pistol. The .40 caliber is a good caliber for stopping power with a 185 grain hollowpoint. We were carrying the 92F and it was a well rounded firearm; however, we have currently changed to the Sig 226 .40 cal. I would suggest double action versus the single action.
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Post by DoubleAction on Aug 4, 2004 17:34:21 GMT -5
The Beretta 92F is a good quality pistol. The .40 caliber is a good caliber for stopping power with a 185 grain hollowpoint. We were carrying the 92F and it was a well rounded firearm; however, we have currently changed to the Sig 226 .40 cal. I would suggest double action versus the single action.  |
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Post by kynardsj on Apr 19, 2005 13:27:04 GMT -5
Shooting several pistols in different calibers is sound advice. Be comfortable with your weapon. Also consider where you live. If you're in close quarters with your neighbors you wouldn't want a big bore bullet to go thru the wall and hit them. If such is the case a 12 guage full of number 6's or 4's is a holy terror at distances inside a home and you won't kill your neighbor unless he's the one in your home un-invited.
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none of this take a wing off that fly stuff, but I mean targets that matter). Yeah, if you have your heart set on semi-auto, and a military pedigree sounds good to you, look at the Makarov.