pistol or cigars?

[Ranger_B]

Devan I would look at a 9 or 45. Dont get me wrong I love the 40 but if you are not reloading I would consider the availability of ammo. Knowing you are in the army I am sure you are familiar with the 9mm. I would go to the gun shop and pick up a bunch of pistols and see what feels right. After the feel test then go shoot your top 3 or 4 about a mag each with a few rounds two handed on and off hand and then a few one handed shots in each hand to see how it shoots for you. Then you should be set on your choice. If the .40 is your choice its a good one dont get me wrong I just like knowing I can get ammo when I want it. On a side note I just bought my first revolver and it has opened a whole new world of shooting to me. You can find an XD, Glock, M&P for about the cost of 2 boxes of cigars and the gun will last a lifetime. The gun helps ensure you last a life time as well.

[floydpink]

I'm a skinny guy who is normally in cargo shorts.

An Airweight S&W 38 special is perfect for me and is always on me.

Crimson Trace laser grips sure help with accuracy.

yeah it only carries 5, but if I need more, that means I am in a long gun battle and should have been gone long ago.

I'd rather have it on me than any cigar.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by floydpink

I'm a skinny guy who is normally in cargo shorts.

An Airweight S&W 38 special is perfect for me and is always on me.

Crimson Trace laser grips sure help with accuracy.

yeah it only carries 5, but if I need more, that means I am in a long gun battle and should have been gone long ago.

I'd rather have it on me than any cigar.

Love my S&W 340PD (38+P & .357 @ 11oz). icehog I love my sigs as well. So those would be my two choices..

I also agree with the other comments about gun first, cigars next.

Like other said the gun can save your life....

[floydpink]

Originally Posted by Starz26

Love my S&W 340PD (38+P & .357 @ 11oz). icehog I love my sigs as well. So those would be my two choices..

I also agree with the other comments about gun first, cigars next.

Like other said the gun can save your life....

Nice, I love that scandium model.

Mines just the plain old 38. I'll bet yours has quite a kick shooting 357's.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by floydpink

Nice, I love that scandium model.

Mines just the plain old 38. I'll bet yours has quite a kick shooting 357's.

You know, I had read that people who shot it said the web by their thimb would bleed and that the recoil was horrible...and that was with .38+p

When I first shot it I did not have the same experience. The way the grip and gun are designed the recoil seems to go straing back instead of lifting the barrel up....

My dad was afraid to shoot it as well but then i bough some .357 to put through it. After he saw me shooting it he gave it a shot. It actually kicked less than his Taurus...YMMV

With that said, I do not think I would be putting 10rds through it at a time....

either way it is a really fun gun to shoot..

To the OP, sorry for the thread jack but to get back on topic...

What have your experiences been up to this point? Make, model, cal...etc

What do you want to accomplish? Home defense, Conceal carry, competition, or just plain plinking....

Knowing your experience etc may help someone provide a most excellent suggestion..

[Devanmc]

Originally Posted by Starz26

To the OP, sorry for the thread jack but to get back on topic...

What have your experiences been up to this point? Make, model, cal...etc

What do you want to accomplish? Home defense, Conceal carry, competition, or just plain plinking....

Knowing your experience etc may help someone provide a most excellent suggestion..

goals are home defense and conceal carry, Michigan is the state for now

experience has been limited to assault rifles and machine guns(m16,m4,240B, and 249 saw) as enlisted doesn't normally get ahold of pistols, or atleast i didnt. One of these days ill take my buddies colt 45 and sig 22 to the range but its to cold for that currently.

[Starz26]

Originally Posted by Devanmc

goals are home defense and conceal carry, Michigan is the state for now

experience has been limited to assault rifles and machine guns(m16,m4,240B, and 249 saw) as enlisted doesn't normally get ahold of pistols, or atleast i didnt. One of these days ill take my buddies colt 45 and sig 22 to the range but its to cold for that currently.

Do not remember if it was this thread or not but the comment about going to the range and renting handguns to try seems a pretty good suggestion.

find one that feel good in your hand and then make sure you can actually shoot it.

Home defense and CC are typically accomplished by two different weapons but with careful consideration of all factors involved you can find a handgun that will accomplish both successfully. (Although, I prefer a shotgun for home defense with a handgun as backup)

Once you get into CC you will find that you need a different gun depending on what you are wearing / seasons, etc...

Basically, BEWARE, guns are a slippery slope as well, just like cigars.....

[neoflex]

Originally Posted by Ranger_B

Devan I would look at a 9 or 45. Dont get me wrong I love the 40 but if you are not reloading I would consider the availability of ammo. Knowing you are in the army I am sure you are familiar with the 9mm. I would go to the gun shop and pick up a bunch of pistols and see what feels right. After the feel test then go shoot your top 3 or 4 about a mag each with a few rounds two handed on and off hand and then a few one handed shots in each hand to see how it shoots for you. Then you should be set on your choice. If the .40 is your choice its a good one dont get me wrong I just like knowing I can get ammo when I want it. On a side note I just bought my first revolver and it has opened a whole new world of shooting to me. You can find an XD, Glock, M&P for about the cost of 2 boxes of cigars and the gun will last a lifetime. The gun helps ensure you last a life time as well.

I also vote for a pistol. Been seeing your recent pick ups and it seems like you have a pretty good stash going anyway.
I own a .45 and .40 and find in my area at least that .40 ammo is by far the easiest to pickup with 9mm slowly becoming more readily available but not as much as the .40 round. Around here at least I can run out and get .40 ammo whenever I want but .45 is just about impossible to find unless I am looking to overpay and when I do find it I am spending more than what I want to stock up. I would just research what ammo is easily accessible for you where you will be living.