Your First Purchase Part 2: The Handgun

Here it is finally, Part 2!  Time to talk handguns and personal defense.  Handguns/pistols are like the produce isle of the grocery store; they come in many shapes sizes and types.  And, just like the produce in those isles some may look good but can be rotten and taste disgusting after you bring it home.  As stated in Part 1 there are two basic types of handguns; semi-autos and revolvers.  I will be breaking down a list of the top three picks from both categories according to cost/market price.  Also I am only reviewing the ones I have personally used, so you can be sure I am not pulling stuff out of my ass.  I will also try to include the pros and cons of each one.  Finally I will wrap up with some other suggestions as it pertains to personal defense and utilization.  Let us begin!

Semi-Autos:

1. Hi-Point .40cal  $160.00-$170.00

Butt ugly, clumsy, balanced about as well as an elephant on a toothpick, and in general totally unpleasant; however IT WORKS!  The Hi-Point .40cal I had ran great even after many many rounds of ammo put through it.  Sure, it looks like something a 6 year old would design, but it serves its purpose and is mostly reliable.  However it will take a few boxes of ammo fired through it to get it broken in properly


2.  Canik TP9SA 9mm  $320.00-$375.00

The Canik is a relative new comer to the US handgun world and it is starting to gain a big following. The Canik will work right out of the box and uses the ever available 9mm Parabellum/Luger ammunition.  Also this gun comes with a standard 18 round magazine which is nice (assuming it is legal to own in your area).


3.  Glock 17 or 19 9mm (any generation) ~$500.00-$550.00 (depending on locale)

This, the Glock 19, is the probably the most ubiquitous handgun when people envision in their minds what a "handgun" looks like.  It has a standard 15 round magazine and is of an extremely simple design; easy to clean and disassembly.  It is also very reliable and is used by more law enforcement than any other handgun.  Again it uses the common, off the shelf, 9mm round.


Revolvers:


1.  Armscor/Rock Island Model 200 .38 Special $240.00-$260.00

The Armscor/Rock Island Model 200 is a standard looking 6 shot revolver in .38spl caliber.  It is reliable, has very little recoil and is surprisingly accurate for such an inexpensive handgun.  The ammo is readily available and .38spl revolvers were once the mainstay of police forces.


2.  Taurus Model 605 .357 Magnum w/2in barrel  $315.00-$350.00
The Taurus 605 is a great choice for a lot of gun in a small, concealable package.  It fires the always available .357 Magnum round and, as a bonus in case you were not aware, it can also use the standard .38spl ammunition as well.  Which is great for practicing with lower recoil.


3.  Taurus Tracker Model 44 .44 Magnum w/4in barrel  $540.00-$560.00

The Taurus 44 is a rather compact yet full power .44 Magnum revolver.  Again like the Taurus 605 it has the added benefit of being able to chamber and fire lower recoil .44 Special rounds, which are great for training.  .44 Magnum and .44spl are also again readily available rounds.


There you have it, my top three recommendations for handguns in both the semi-auto and revolver category.  But always remember that no matter how good or reliable a gun is it is only as good as the training effort you put into it to use it properly.

While some of these guns listed may not be available in your area that it not an issue.  The best advice is to shop around, visit a few stores and above all handle a few.  A gun must feel good in your hand or you won't feel comfortable using it.  A word of warning here; you may be enticed to buy a smaller handgun which may be chambered in something like .380ACP, .32, .25 or .22.  Yes they may be smaller and have even less recoil but they are not the best choice for personal defense.  If you are being attacked the idea of self defense is to STOP your attacker, and these lesser calibers may not work.  But again as I stated in a previous post "the best gun is the gun you have with you."

In closing I have two final points to make.  First, understand you state gun laws: Do you have a right to self defense?  Are you in a stand your ground State?  Know your laws!  The last thing you would want to happen is to be confronted by some deranged Trumptonian attacker who you know is hell bent on smashing your face, so you fire on this person, killing them then end up in jail because it was your "duty to retreat." (which is BS if you ask me, but I didn't write the laws)

Second point; when you do take the leap and make your first purchase you may discover that there are "extra" high capacity magazine for your gun.  Yes, in some cases there are even 50 round drum magazines for handguns, (ridiculous I know), but don't end up being like some of these righty-wingdingers who have massive drum magazines to masturbate over, you don't need it.  These magazines are,  1. heavy, 2. look stupid, 3. cannot be concealed and 4. nine times out of ten they jam; totally unreliable.  Steer clear.

Final note:  I know that California has something called the California DOJ Approved List of Handguns.  I know of the list but I am not familiar with what is approved or not in regards to legality and such, again consult your local expert on these matters.

Stay tuned for Part 3 - The Rifle!

-The Liberal Gun, OUT!