Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Forgive me if this was already a thread, but I looked back a bit and didn't see it, so I figured it was safe to start.

What is your ideal handgun/caliber? Everyone is on the longarm train from what I've seen, but not so much handguns. I myself am playing with the idea of getting the Smith and Wesson M&P in .40 for a few reasons. I have small hands, and it fits amazingly for a full sized gun. As I'm moving into a trailer, anything bigger then a .40 will ruin someones day if I have to fire it and miss. Plus .40 is not too expensive, and handles well. Another option I've been checking out is the Sig Sauer P250, also in .40. My uncle (ROTC instructor and former Ranger) swears by this gun.

What about y'all?

I do love the S&W 4006, but thier can only be one.

There can't be much wrong with a gun that makes a hole in your enemy that you could through a Dachshund through.

Easily the Colt 1911,I've owned mine for almost 20 years and it's as reliable today as it was the first day I purchased it.

.22 caliber is a great round for a pistol. Lets you practice and practice and practice for cheap. On top of that, it's a heck of an accurate round that's excellent for small game, trail hunting, and varmint control. You can use the same round for your pistol as your .22 caliber rifle. It's not as sexy as the larger calibers, but it's really the most practical workhorse round you can get. Only problem with the .22 is that you can't hunt large game with it (humanely) and it's questionable for self-protection (Better than a sharp stick, but rimfire ammo can be finicky quality-wise and stopping power is...lacking.)

My vote goes for the Ruger Mark III.

My favourite is the one that shoots the part of people's minds that think that these are interesting threads.

1-UP wrote:My vote goes for the Ruger Mark III.

This actualy on my top 10 list
1] M1911A1
2] S&W 4006 [.40 S&W]
3] Broomhandle Mauser [7.62mm]
4] COP .357 [.38 Special/.357 Mag]
5] S&W M38 [.38 Special]
6] SOCOM [.45 ACP]
7] Ruger Mk III [.22 LR]
8] Thunder Five [.45 LC/.410 Gauge]
9] Ithica Auroburgler [20 Guage or 12 Guage]
10] Sawed off Winchester 1887 [12 Guage] {Termiator II}

Gotta go with the Colt 1911 as well.

Fine piece of weaponry.

WARBOSS TZOO wrote:My favourite is the one that shoots the part of people's minds that think that these are interesting threads.

boooo, go away.


I love the 1911, but this one....



Kimber makes such fine quality guns...anybody who has loaded a fair amount of .45 into a clip, knows that the last 2 rounds is a beech. Not with Kimber, every part of these guns operates so smoothly.


I also like these two, because I own them....



this is my carry, which I keep loaded with .38, instead of the .357...unless I am going to be camping, or out somewhere at night. I don't really go camping, per se, but when I venture out of the city, I keep it loaded with .357...you never know when a manitou is going to charge you...


I also bought this awhile back because it's cool as heck.



Makerov 9x18..which is a sweet round, btw.

I like 9mm. That's probably my dad rubbing off on me. Neither of us really enjoy the heavier kick in larger rounds.

Granted my dad still keeps a .45 around. Better to have it and not enjoy using it than need it and wish you had it lol

We went to a gun show last week and bought about 1000 rounds of 9mm ammo . We're ready for the zombie apocalypse around here.

Pretty much depends on what you mean by "favorite." For personal defense I prefer a .40 Glock, either a compact or subcompact frame (23 or 27). The .40 is a pretty optimal defensive round, and the Glock is a pretty optimal fighting handgun.

That said, I don't really like to shoot .40 and I don't really find the Glock very fun. The .40 can be a bit punishing to shoot a lot, and the Glock's feel isn't the best.

As far as shooting goes, I mainly like variety, but if I had to pick one gun it might be a Beretta M92. They're a very smooth gadget laden gun. I also like the CZ97B, it's got style and I just feel a fondness for it.

Inquisitor Lord Bane wrote:Forgive me if this was already a thread, but I looked back a bit and didn't see it, so I figured it was safe to start.

What is your ideal handgun/caliber? Everyone is on the longarm train from what I've seen, but not so much handguns. I myself am playing with the idea of getting the Smith and Wesson M&P in .40 for a few reasons. I have small hands, and it fits amazingly for a full sized gun. As I'm moving into a trailer, anything bigger then a .40 will ruin someones day if I have to fire it and miss. Plus .40 is not too expensive, and handles well. Another option I've been checking out is the Sig Sauer P250, also in .40. My uncle (ROTC instructor and former Ranger) swears by this gun.

What about y'all?

I can tell you from firing an M&P .40 that its a dream. My oldest brother carries that exact same gun, and I LOVE it. I was completely surprised at how smooth it fires. The bullets get a little pricey in the long run if your going for something other then slugs but still its a great gun.

Personally Im a revolver nut, and am a sucker for the .357. I know it almost seems like "hey Im cool! BELIEVE ME! I shoot .357" but I just love the power of them, the look (again revolvers are sexy works of art in my eyes) but also if I want to go on the cheap, I can fire .38 from my gun as well.

are you me?

I love my Taurus Judge. My S&W .45 is also nice to shoot.

I'd like to get a Raging Bull next. Shot my buddies. For a .44Mag it sure as hell kicks a lot less than others. I never once feared wrist strain or clocking myself in the face.

I have no favorite, I never will.

I am considering buying a Ruger LCR when I turn 21, possibly a Ruger LCP. Plus many more handguns there after.

I have some .44 handloads that are loaded hot, in case Manbearpig gets uppity. But those are for emergency only.

In the land of reality I like 9mms mostly, but prefer .45ACP on the offensive front. The difficulty with .45ACPs is that the CC pistols kick like mules. I do like the new double column .45ACPs from Springfield and STI.

9mms, I can literally shoot all day and can be extremely accurate.

Ive been thinking about getting a 9mm for shooting purposes. That and because the wife gets a little nervous before shooting because my .357 barks like holy hell.

Any suggestions on styles?

My favorite is .45ACP on a 1911 platform.

My CCW is a Kimber Pro Carry 2.

It's really strange, but I'm very good with the Kimber but can't hit anything with my 9mm pistols. I've tried Taurus 9mm, Beretta's, Walther, Luger and several other types. I can barely hit a 6" X 6" target at 10 yards. With the Kimber I'm virtually hitting bullseye all the time as long as I do it right.

2nd favorite is my Colt King Cobra. It is an extremely accurate pistol.

Could never get on with the grip safety on the colt 45, but like the feel of the gun.
Favorite would be a colt python without a doubt.
Wide range of ammo available, and gun felt balanced

KingCracker wrote:Ive been thinking about getting a 9mm for shooting purposes. That and because the wife gets a little nervous before shooting because my .357 barks like holy hell.

Any suggestions on styles?

Let chat offline about that, but I'm a bit busy today.

9mm's are very fun. Relatively easy to shoot.
Good handguns are probably either the G17 or Springfield XD

Heckler and Koch P2000, chambered in a .40.

I've fired a few handguns in ym life, but this one I like. It takes some time to get used to it, but once you do, it's a very fine weapon.
I've also found it to be very accurate too.

My brother fired it one handed, from about fourty yards out at a target, hitting it in the head four out of five shots.
Now tell me that's not cool?