Question for the gun geeks

What, too early?

Prices have dramatically increased in the past few months due to supply and demand and price gouging of some retailers. The more popular and in demand the caliber, the more expensive it is.

If you are just putting holes in paper and are not as concerned about needing it for self defense, stick with a 22. It is much much cheaper and has almost no recoil. However, because of this, 22 ammo is in short supply as well. Best of luck.

Well, I do want to make sure if, God forbid, I ever have to shoot somebody, that he is unable to harm me or mine anymore. Plus, the snappy recoil of the .40 made me happy. :-)

Right now, conventional caliber a such as 9mm is just about impossible to acquire ammo for. Keep that in consideration.

If you can have only one handgun get a glock 19. It is a no nonsense get the job done for both home defense and CCW. Make sure you buy good HP for defense. I use gold dot. Then buy the cheapest ammo you can find for making holes in paper because a Glock will shoot anything.

Glock 17 or 19 and a KelTec Sub2000 - 9mm, gets you a handgun and a carbine that uses the same ammo and mags.

Or if you prefer .40 go with a Glock 22 and a KelTec Sub2000 in .40. The carbine greatly increases the power out of those rounds.

Ammo prices are what they are. Supply and demand post Sandy Hoax, or maybe a product of DHS buying it all out... Used to be you could get self defense 9mm for under $0.20/round shipped. I've seen it up to $1 + shipping now.

Find some 22, let me know where. Now is NOT the time for plinking, sorry. Maybe if things cool off, but prices and availability on nearly all calibers is stupid.

That's what everybody's been saying, but I wanted to see what you guys said. Crazy as it sounds, I trust GLP.

.40 ammo is easier to find than 9mm right now....

A lot of choosing a caliber is really just what makes you happy.

Those prices will reverse in the future, if everything goes back to normal.

The reason its up is because demand is up.

But when demand goes down the economics of the round make it cheaper to produce.

Its smaller, less power, less lead.

It will always be cheaper then .40 except in circumstances like this where the supply is weak and demand is going crazy.


There are just more 9mm guns out there.

I am a somewhat slim build, 5'8", 160lbs. I find that .45ACP is easier to control than 9MM. 9MM is too "snippy" for me. It snaps instead of "pushing" like a larger caliber does.

As for which firearm to buy: FNH. They make a better handgun than Glock or S&W (which are both fine weapons manufacturers). Of those (3), the FNH FNX Tactical .45 would win the ticket for me.

Too big to conceal carry. But a perfect range toy, and an ever better Home Defense pistol.



If you are serious about home defense though, you'll want a Shotgun or a Carbine.

Shotgun - I like a 12 Gauge loaded up with 00 Buckshot, 7+1 Mag Tube. FULL STOCK. Pistol Grips are for Duke Nukem and Hollywood. I prefer a Mossberg 500 as the Safety is in a very instinctual place. The Remington safety is just awkward.

Carbine - I like an AR-15 loaded up with some type of frangible round. I like 50 Grain V-Max's sitting on top of some Varget powder. I do like red dot sights but I would NOT give up the use of my Irons. Mount in a way that it cowitnesses.



As for accessories - these are firearms, not fucking legos. If your using something for home defense - no one knows your house as well as you. You shouldn't need a light. And if you have to have it - get a small model with a pressure switch. Lasers, well, are fun at the range. I could maybe see it being practical on a handgun for CCW but other than that - they serve no purpose for me.

Buy the ABSOLUTE BEST holster you can afford, and a good belt. It makes a huge difference when your carrying something.

I'm starting to think Glock 22.

A Glock 22 would be a fine choice, but if you ever plan on concealed carry, I'd go with a Glock 23. It's a bit smaller, but still has a full-size grip, and it will accept the magazines from a Glock 22. Plus, I think you'll find you are just as accurate with the 23 as the 22.

I suggest you shoot one BEFORE you buy it.
I hate Glocks.
They feel like a toy in my hand.
XD's -same thing.
Try a Sig,Beretta,M&P and a 1911 before you buy anything.

Currently the ammo situation lends you to make an ammo choice first.
Honestly it is not the best time to learn to shoot a handgun due to ammo constraints.
Whatever you buy get familiar as you can with the weapon handle it and carry it as often as you can around the house etc.
Learn to handle it unloaded first and dry fire it or snap in with it using a "snap cap" for dry firing. Put up a target across the room and practice front sight aiming in a “Weaver type stance” with both eyes open.
Do not get used to a non-combat style relaxed stance it will ruin you in a real fight or flight situation or good marksman ship. Proficiently firing a handgun accurately is a bit of a discipline. Honestly, I have fired many thousands of rounds.
This will shorten the live firing needed to be reasonably proficient at close range for defensive needs. Relaxing with a weapon is an oxymoron the drill is relaxing because it takes your mind away from the daily grind and it's fun.
Remember in this day and time AMMO is what you need to get plenty of first.
Good Luck!
my .02

you know your stuff^^^^Marine

The only ones I've actually fired are the Beretta M9 (I'm in the Navy) and the M&P 9mm and .40.

Id get the M&P .40 fullsize


But if self defense was 1st a glock 22

Also, one of my considerations is that I have small hands for a guy.

Perfect choice.

I shot a friends .40 M&P compact. Nice gun. More recoil than a 9 but if 40 is what's available buy that. Whatever u buy spend some time looking for ammo. Buy all u can find. Once they call martial law that will be the end of all ammo sales for good.

Ammo will never get back to 'normal'. Our government will not allow that to happen. You must understand what is happening to our country and get ready.