Using a gun
08-21-2012, 11:57 PM
If at all possible I'd buy from an individual. Make sure you call the cops and run the serial first if you do that though. Buying from an individual means there is no 4473 form that links that gun to you. That's a big plus.
If you are buying for concealed carry my personal recommendation would be either a Glock 27 in .40 S&W or a Glock 26 in 9mm. Anything smaller than 9mm just doesn't impress me with terminal ballistic performance...and truthfully I'm not that sold on most 9mm rounds either. Once you decide I'll throw some advice on what rounds to buy for it. Stick with smaller frame pistols that you can actually hide...you won't like trying to conceal a medium or large frame handgun. It just doesn't work out that well.
Best advice is to go to a range and shoot several different weapons. See what feels best and what you are most comfortable with. Anyone (me included) is going to have certain bias toward or against certain pistols...go see what you like and then go from there.
Some links to check out:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.slickguns.com/">http://www.slickguns.com/</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gunbroker.com">http://www.gunbroker.com</a><!-- m -->
Both ought to give you an idea of what real world prices are. Don't be afraid of a used gun. For example with Glocks they have a lifetime warranty. One of these days I'm going to get around to sending my 1988 Glock 17 9mm that was my first duty weapon on the PD back to Glock for a full re-build. You can't beat free.
If you are buying for concealed carry my personal recommendation would be either a Glock 27 in .40 S&W or a Glock 26 in 9mm. Anything smaller than 9mm just doesn't impress me with terminal ballistic performance...and truthfully I'm not that sold on most 9mm rounds either. Once you decide I'll throw some advice on what rounds to buy for it. Stick with smaller frame pistols that you can actually hide...you won't like trying to conceal a medium or large frame handgun. It just doesn't work out that well.
Best advice is to go to a range and shoot several different weapons. See what feels best and what you are most comfortable with. Anyone (me included) is going to have certain bias toward or against certain pistols...go see what you like and then go from there.
Some links to check out:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.slickguns.com/">http://www.slickguns.com/</a><!-- m -->
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.gunbroker.com">http://www.gunbroker.com</a><!-- m -->
Both ought to give you an idea of what real world prices are. Don't be afraid of a used gun. For example with Glocks they have a lifetime warranty. One of these days I'm going to get around to sending my 1988 Glock 17 9mm that was my first duty weapon on the PD back to Glock for a full re-build. You can't beat free.