Jump to content

New to handguns, haven't a clue where to start!


Handsome Rob

Recommended Posts

  • Replies 52
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Guest jackdm3

You guys are looking at this the wrong way. What the man needs is twin gold-plated .50 Desert Eagles with pearl grips and customized stenciling. Won't hit the snake, certain of that, but you know it will die of shock from the concussion.

But then there's the cost ...

Link to comment
Guest gasman59

<<but is there anyone that makes a 'budget' revolver?>>

Your budget in mind, I'd be looking at Rossi or maybe Charter Arms, .38 special or .44 special.

Link to comment
I'd search for a police/ security guard turn-in. A model 10 Smith and Wesson. You can expect little finish left, but a gun in good mechanical shape that has been carried a lot and fired very little. The last one I bought was $70, but that's been a while.

Where in the world, much less in Tennessee, do folks find deals like that? Most of the model 10s I have seen are in the 'above $300' range and that is for older, beat-up looking ones at the shops where I consider them to have generally good prices! Most other used Smiths I have seen, in good shape, run closer to $400 or more.

I generally prefer revolvers but would absolutely trust my life to my Hi-Point 995 (9mm carbine) or to the Hi-Point 9mm pistol that is currently on loan to my mom so she can practice for her HCP (no, that isn't what she will carry - too heavy and bulky - but if I didn't trust it, she wouldn't have it.) That HP 9mm and my Ruger P95 are the only semiauto handguns I have that have never jammed, ever, period. Based on the results of everyone I have seen shoot it, the Hi-Point is also easy to shoot accurately. The 995 zipped right through some 'hard primered' ammo that the Ruger wouldn't even reliably fire without second strikes on every other round (meaning that the HP 9mm is the only semiauto pistol I have that has never even failed to fire on the first pull - of course, I don't have that many semiautos.) My brother in law bought a used HP .380 that looked as if it had never even seen a cleaning rod. The chamber was black from fired rounds and it looked to have little or no lube on it but we decided to see what it would do before cleaning, etc. Two boxes of ammo with zero malfunctions later, I was a believer. Thing is, snake shot isn't very likely going to have the power to cycle the slide on an HP. You could carry a mag full of regular rounds with a snake load in the chamber and then manually operate the slide after firing the snake load, I suppose, but I don't know that it would be optimal. The weight and bulk wouldn't be that big a deal if it were only going to be carried while hunting, etc.

As far as inexpensive revolvers, I have a Rossi R35102. It is a +P rated .38 Special five-shot snubbie revolver. My understanding is that these firearms are made for Rossi by Taurus under contract (the newer Rossi revolvers that are made by Braztech, that is.) They are said to be based on the old Smith and Wesson design with the firing pin mounted in the hammer. It shoots great, is quite accurate (as far as a snubbie goes) and the grips are very comfortable. The drawback is that the grips make it danged near impossible to use a speedloader but speed strips are an option and work fine, just not as fast. I got mine new in the box for $299 plus tax and background check (cheaper than even the least expensive, used S&W or Colt .38 in the same case.) That price was at my favorite LGS, though, and the other places I have seen them in this area have asked closer to $350 for them (at which price I'd spend the few bucks extra and get a used Smith.) I trust the Rossi 100% and it has been my primary carry, when I can carry, more often than not since I got it. I have practiced a little with it shooting at night with my mini-mag in my support hand as a light source and was surprised at how well I did with it. The advantage to a revolver, in your situation, is that it will fire snake loads as easily as anything else.

Edited by JAB
Link to comment
Unfortunately, probably half that. I know that I'm not going to get anything special or glitzy, but I don't want to have a bunch of money tied up in something that is undoubtedly going to get knocked around & scratched up and probably (hopefully) never even used.

I can't imagine I'm ever getting into collecting pistols like some do, because I suspect I'll never be able to carry one, so how it looks, who it's made by or wheter it's technologically up to date doesn't matter to me in the least. As long as it'll do what it needs to do, when I need it, I'llbe happy! :D

Then if you cant afford that get a high point then and be done with it 140 bucks out the door most places.

Link to comment

Thanks for all the help & info folks, I really appreciate all of your time!

Looking at things with a little more knowledge now, it seems like I should be able to get myself set up for less than $250, but probably not for $200, with a good quality .38 revolver, which was my initial thought also.

I guess it's time to start shopping! I suppose a want-ad on here couldn't do any harm either :D

Link to comment

PM Phantom6 here on TGO. He's with Austin's Tennessee Firearms in Oak Ridge, a TGO vendor, and has been known to get sweet deals on used Smith .38's and Rossi's. The very same security guard trade-ins you'll see on the net. His last batch looked brand-new, but that was last spring.

Link to comment
PM Phantom6 here on TGO. He's with Austin's Tennessee Firearms in Oak Ridge, a TGO vendor, and has been known to get sweet deals on used Smith .38's and Rossi's. The very same security guard trade-ins you'll see on the net. His last batch looked brand-new, but that was last spring.

Right on.

Long drive though from tullahoma.

Link to comment

This on phantom6 website right now

Austin's Tennessee Firearms Gun Shop

CZ82 9x18 Makarov 2 mags Excellent condition $290

Polish P63 9x18 Makarov Very Good Condition 2 mags $243 Colt DA 5" Revolover Chambered in .455 Webley (Canadian Contract gun) $375 Sig Sauer P229 Black Nitorn with SigLite Night Sights, 3 mags, extra grips and case $700S & W Model #637-2 Airweight .38+P Like New $490S&W Model #64 4" Service revolver 38+P Excellent Condition $280Remington Model #710 polymer stock Blue barrel with 3x9x40mm scope chambered in 30-06 Like New $375

Link to comment

from what you describe a Hi-Point c9 should do the trick and probably under $150 out the door. 9mm ammo is pretty accessable just about anywhere and still cheaper then most other calibers.

I have had 5 different models of these and each one ran reliable. I still keep a c9 in the tackle box. The only ammo I have seen be unreliable in hipoints has been winchester white box. for whatever reason they just wouldn't run in any of the ones I had.

however, having said that. I shot 1000's of rounds of jhp's and fmj's that were other then WWB ammo and ran at 100%

Now, would I use it as a carry gun? chuckle., I don't think so. their big, ugly, and just too darn heavy for me to carry. Would I trust my life to it? Sure, why not.. after flawless operation of several hundred rounds. (just as I would any weapon) I have and do trust my life with it as a utility weapon, truck gun, tackle box gun, etc...

heck the one in the tackle box gets fired about twice a year, never cleaned, it's got rust on it, dirt on it, probably even fish scales.. lol yet every time I test fire it.. it goes bang every time.

Do I have better guns, sure.. are they more reliable... trick question.. how can you answer that when everything has fired 100%

each to their own tho....

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

TRADING POST NOTICE

Before engaging in any transaction of goods or services on TGO, all parties involved must know and follow the local, state and Federal laws regarding those transactions.

TGO makes no claims, guarantees or assurances regarding any such transactions.

THE FINE PRINT

Tennessee Gun Owners (TNGunOwners.com) is the premier Community and Discussion Forum for gun owners, firearm enthusiasts, sportsmen and Second Amendment proponents in the state of Tennessee and surrounding region.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is a presentation of Enthusiast Productions. The TGO state flag logo and the TGO tri-hole "icon" logo are trademarks of Tennessee Gun Owners. The TGO logos and all content presented on this site may not be reproduced in any form without express written permission. The opinions expressed on TGO are those of their authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the site's owners or staff.

TNGunOwners.com (TGO) is not a lobbying organization and has no affiliation with any lobbying organizations.  Beware of scammers using the Tennessee Gun Owners name, purporting to be Pro-2A lobbying organizations!

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to the following.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Guidelines
 
We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.