[Aramark]

i've been looking at hand guns the last few week, i have never owned one, only rifles .22, 30-30, .243, .410, 5.45x39, 6.8.

i'm looking for something for HD, as well as a good back-up in the woods. i've been looking at .45 acp and .45 GAP.

i have shot .22, 9mm,38, and a 357 handguns.

so i am looking for people that have either one, and tell me why you picked that over a different caliber. The reason i picked those to as they seem to have the best stopping power, but i could be wrong as i don't know much about handguns.

 

[airdj10]

IMO .45 GAP is a bad idea. Ammo cost is high and availability is poor even when ammo is plentiful. A lot of shops don't even carry it. I understand Glock's idea for it but if a double stack .45's grip is too big for ya' (not YOU Aramark just people in general) than send it in for a grip reduction or buy something else. For cripes sake don't saddle yourself with a caliber that's headed for the scrap heap.

I assume that since you've been looking at .45's your wanting a semi-auto and not a revolver. You also mention stopping power and a good back-up woods gun. That screams 10mm to me, Glock 20's to be specific.
IMO, In the common semi-auto platforms there is no equal to a 10mm for what you want to use it for.
HD use? Stopping Power? How does 165gr gold dots at 700+ft.lbs. & 1400fps sound.
Woods back-up? 230gr WFNGC at 600+ft.lbs & 1120 fps.
It's a very versatile caliber with loadings from 135gr screamers to the aformentioned 230gr thumpers that hit like a freight train.

I thought REAL long & hard and did a lot of research before deciding on my G20. After owning it for almost 3 years now my only regret was waiting so long to get one.

 

[ArtFWTx]

You'll receive many opinions on handguns. Find a proven brand with a solid track record for reliability. Rent or try as many as you are interested in if you can. You'll find some models seem to fit your hand and point well for you with the sights seeming to be aligned with less effort than others.

As far as caliber, any of the major defensive calibers 9mm, 40SW, 45ACP with modern hollow point ammo perform well in a defensive mode. Personally with your choices given, I'd go with the 45ACP because that is common ammunition and more available with a variety of loads compared to the 45GAP. 45ACP is going to be in stock somewhere if you need it. The 45GAP, maybe not.

SW M&P 45 would be a good all around pistol to check out. 45 ACP, large magazine capacity, interchangeable grips for tailored fit. They're priced right, and more and more LE agencies are adopting the M&P.

 

[6.8Vol]

Yea to what they both said, especially about the GAP. It won't be around long. .45ACP is the old reliable and the easiest choice. I have Glocks 21,30,17 and love them. My son has a 1911 and a Baby Eagle and he loves them. What can I say? Pick what feels good and then shop for price.

 

[Aramark]

thanks alot guys. yeah i was thinking more along the line of .45acp but thought i would throw the GAP into the mixto see what people thought of it. as i have never heard of it, but didn't mean it wasn't good.

maybe i should of thrown the .40SW into the mix

but thanks for your inputs.

 

[marinesg1012]

I have to agree on trying as many as you can before you decide on one, also while I love the 45 acp i wouldnt limit yourself to just that caliber, I carry a 9mm every day and I know if I do my part the round will do its. making sure you can shoot the handgun accruatly is more important then buying a larger caliber you cant hit crap with....

 

[Jamesb74]

Try different ones out and see what you like. I have a Glock 21 sf, xd tactical (9mm) and a S&W compact .45. They all feel great. The M&P is now my carry. The G21 is at home for hd especially because of the high round count 13+1
I have a kimber also and it is a great gun. As well as a CZ (definitly a underated gun). So pick what you like and try them all.
With the new designs in bullets these days 9mm,.40cal,.45 acp are all proven, reliable,effective, calibers that you can find ammo for even in these times. .45GAP is going the way of the dodo bird.

 

[Alloy Snake]

For a lighter gun I really like the XDs,For heavier the 1911 or Sig 226 in 357sig.The smaller size grip of the 1911 can help alot with accuracy depending on your hand size.

 

[ArtFWTx]

thanks alot guys. yeah i was thinking more along the line of .45acp but thought i would throw the GAP into the mixto see what people thought of it. as i have never heard of it, but didn't mean it wasn't good. The 45GAP is an interesting attempt to get a 45 caliber round into a 40SW/9mm framed handgun. The thing is, several handgun manufacturers have trimmed and shaped their grip frames for their high capacity 45ACP's to the point where they are now very ergonomic. Combine ergonomic high capacity 45ACP's with widespread availability of 45ACP ammo and the 45 GAP has a rough climb to gain acceptance. Which in my opinion, takes the wind out of the 45GAP's sails. SW's MP series is an example of ergonomic design, as is the XD series and FN"s newer handguns also,

maybe i should of thrown the .40SW into the mix 40SW is a great round. I have a Sig P229 that's been great for years. MPs, Glocks, XDs, Sigs, and other good brands offer good 40SW products.

but thanks for your inputs.

Let us know what you come up with.

 

[borderpatrol]

If you've never owned a handgun before I would suggest a 9mm. Anyone can shoot one comfortably. It is our nation's standard sidearm as well as NATO's and most of the world. Ammo is always available. I would choose 9mm first, before going to .40 or .45. 357 magnums are a great round if a revolver is an option. Buy any one of these and you'll be in the middle of the pack as far as components and availability is concerned. The great thing about .357 magnum is you can shoot .38 Special target loads through the same handgun. This allows for cheap recoil free practice and the option of using either type of ammo any time you want. .45 ACP is very accurate and pleasant to shoot with light target loads. It's a definite learning curve for a new shooter to hit well or often with full power 230 grain bullets.

Go with a major manufacturer that has a huge network and great reputation. Sig, Glock, S&W just to name a few. Don't worry about capacity, or barrel length, instead hold a bunch of them and find the one that fits your hand the best. If it's uncomfortable in the slightest try another. Lots of shapes and sizes are out there and there is no reason for you to settle for anything less than perfect as far as ergonomics is concerned. Also try the triggers, Sig double actions are usually horrible, but their single action (after the first round has been fired) is very good. S&W N frames usually have better triggers than the L frames. Glock triggers can be improved for very little money. Good luck.

 

[Raph]

I use to be all about the .45ACP, but ironically, I now have come to own more 9mm pistols! I shoot the .45 better as a rule (not sure if its the kind of pistol, but I find the 9mm usually has more snap (muzzle flip) to it than the .45ACP). The exception has been my Springfield EMP. I like it because it has more capacity than a .45ACP, the ammo is cheaper, the pistol is lighter and more compact while still feeling like I have a good grip and enough pistol in my hand. Plus, with the proper ammo, it is going to do just fine for what you want or need out of it. If price is an issue, then I'ld look at the Springfield XD series of pistols... My next pistol purchase!

 

[onmyown]

Which handgun caliber is a little like asking, "which do you prefer, blonds or brunettes?" You will get several opinions, and all may be correct to some degree.

I would find a range in your area that will allow you to try a few different calibers, such as 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP, from different companies. You should be able to try a wide array of handguns for under $100 (ammo, targets, range time). This time and money may prevent you from making a several hundred dollar poor purchase. Concentrate on what matters most to you, such as the fit and feel and ease of use for you. Then consider ammunition cost and availability in your area. Once you make your purchase, practise, practise, practise. It will do you no good and possibly more harm, if you purchase a handgun, hide it in a drawer, and hope you remember how to use it in a time of crisis.

You may consider a safety course. In my state, Cabela's and Gander Mountain are advertising free handgun safety courses for civilians. This too, may be time well spent.

 

[OC455]

If you are looking for a good back up gun in the woods, you can't go wrong with a .357 magnum wheel gun. If you want to practice, you can run .38spl. through it and if you want the punch while you're in the woods, the full on magnums are the way to go. Just my two cents. When I was in the Marines on MSG duty, we carried a 4inch S&W Model 19, and it was a great gun to shoot fast and accurately.

If you're leaning toward a semi-auto, my self personally would go with the .45ACP. Plenty of ammo choices for defense and practice and it's been around forever...proven track record in my opinion.

I'm assuming when you're in the woods of Minnesota, you are worried about things other than deer being a problem, like black bears? I would more apt to go with a .357mag. IMHO.

Didn't they make a wheel gun sometime ago that could digest anything from .380 to .357mags.? If I remember right it was called the Medusa revolver? That would be something to look into if they still made it....

 

[Sak007]

You can choose 1 gun that covers all your needs. The Sig 250 is interchangeable between 9mm, 357 sig , 40 s&w , & 45acp
http://www.sigsauer.com/products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=54&productid=183

 

[ArtFWTx]

You can choose 1 gun that covers all your needs. The Sig 250 is interchangeable between 9mm, 357 sig , 40 s&w , & 45acp
http://www.sigsauer.com/products/ShowCatalogProductDetails.aspx?categoryid=54&productid=183

I'd like to see some high round count tests of the 250. I read on other forums that Sig had some issues with magazines in the early production, but the newer ones are supposed to be much better.

It's a cool concept. I hope it works well for Sig.

 

[pantherdude]

Which handgun caliber is a little like asking, "which do you prefer, blonds or brunettes?" You will get several opinions, and all may be correct to some degree.

I would find a range in your area that will allow you to try a few different calibers, such as 9mm, .40, and .45 ACP, from different companies. You should be able to try a wide array of handguns for under $100 (ammo, targets, range time). This time and money may prevent you from making a several hundred dollar poor purchase. Concentrate on what matters most to you, such as the fit and feel and ease of use for you. Then consider ammunition cost and availability in your area. Once you make your purchase, practise, practise, practise. It will do you no good and possibly more harm, if you purchase a handgun, hide it in a drawer, and hope you remember how to use it in a time of crisis.

You may consider a safety course. In my state, Cabela's and Gander Mountain are advertising free handgun safety courses for civilians. This too, may be time well spent.

Very good advice! Whatever you choose, get some training with it and shoot it alot. In the 45ACP, take a look at the XD's and XDm'S in the .40. You can't go wrong with a good 1911 although you would be limited to 7 or 8 rounds to a mag. But that can be remedied by carrying extra mags....remember that 1 is none and 2 is 1 as far as mags are concerned (true for all autoloaders). Just pick whichever fits you best. With the advent of the internet and forums such as this, there aren't to many manufacturers that can afford to put out a POS product anymore.

 

[Trapdoor]

You'll receive many opinions on handguns. Find a proven brand with a solid track record for reliability. Rent or try as many as you are interested in if you can. You'll find some models seem to fit your hand and point well for you with the sights seeming to be aligned with less effort than others.

As far as caliber, any of the major defensive calibers 9mm, 40SW, 45ACP with modern hollow point ammo perform well in a defensive mode. Personally with your choices given, I'd go with the 45ACP because that is common ammunition and more available with a variety of loads compared to the 45GAP. 45ACP is going to be in stock somewhere if you need it. The 45GAP, maybe not.

SW M&P 45 would be a good all around pistol to check out. 45 ACP, large magazine capacity, interchangeable grips for tailored fit. They're priced right, and more and more LE agencies are adopting the M&P.

This is top notch advice for a pistol. I would like to add a couple things. Unless you're willing to spend a lot of time learning the single action Government the modern DA semi-auto is the way to go. Before some of you have a stroke, I am a fan of the Government and own a couple of them, and have carried them at work for years. But they take extra dedication to run professionally. The DA pistol is easier to learn. Also, for home defense and the use in the woods it may be worth looking at revolvers also. They are reliable and even easier to operate plus there is a wide range of cartridges available to them. Don't be in a hurry and try out as many as you can.
Trapdoor

 

[Cold]

i've been looking at hand guns the last few week, i have never owned one, only rifles .22, 30-30, .243, .410, 5.45x39, 6.8.

i'm looking for something for HD, as well as a good back-up in the woods. i've been looking at .45 acp and .45 GAP.

i have shot .22, 9mm,38, and a 357 handguns.

so i am looking for people that have either one, and tell me why you picked that over a different caliber. The reason i picked those to as they seem to have the best stopping power, but i could be wrong as i don't know much about handguns.

Glock 17,19 or (yes I know what its chambered in) a Glock 20 would be my suggestions for HD, just my 2 cents

 

[PMD428]

For me I would never own a 9mm but that is just my opinion, I think a 40 Smith would be a better choice. I carry a Glock 20 in 10mm and that cartridge is just amazing to me.

 

[QuadBomb]

The GAP was developed by Glock to confer all the ballistic advantages of the ACP that could be fired from the same-sized frame as the 9mm and .40 S&W, e.g. so people wouldn't have to carry bigger guns. I don't know if they succeeded or not, but it hasn't caught on. I can't recall seeing a .45 GAP pistol or box of ammo at a gun store. For home defense and self-defense out in the woods, size shouldn't be much of an issue.

The best gun is the same gun for everyone - it's the one you are most comfortable with, the one you have the most confidence in. Whatever you get you should be able to operate without having to look at it, so you can use it by touch in the dark or when speed is of the essence. For those criteria, a revolver may indeed be your best solution.

I have an XD45 Compact in ACP, and it serves as my concealed carry gun. I'm 6'0" and 185lb and have been carrying it almost two years, and have never been made. It may not seem like a compact, but compared to a full-size pistol like the M9, believe me it is. I trust the XD - it's a good combination of accuracy, reliability, ammo capacity and safety features. For a .45, the recoil is very good. And if the worst should happen, I know that those 230 grain hollowpoints will do their job just fine.