Hello,
New to this site as well as new to shopping for a hand gun. I'm not sure that this is the correct venue to post in, but here goes.

I'm looking to purchase a hand gun. It's for many things. Mainly protection, but also non-competition target practice, some training courses (safety & tactical). I enjoy skeet & trap, so think I will enjoy target shooting a fair amount too. I might obtain a CCW as well. I bought some magazines (Guns&Ammo and Combat Hand Guns) and am more confused than before. A friend of mine sold me a 1936 German Luger 9mm and I sold it several years later. I have shot other HGs since, but much prefer a "slim" inline magazine like the Luger. I have average size hands and so a nice fit is important. I also have to have room for all four fingers to wrap around the grip. I prefer rubber grips instead of wood or plastic. As far as finish goes, durability is most important. I'm looking for mid-range price as I do appreciate quality and reliability over price. At this stage though, I doubt I'll be able to tell the difference between a highend vs. medium priced HG. As for caliber, I've tried 9mm, 10mm, .40S&W, .45ACP and .22. The .45 seemed to kick a lot, but that could have just been the model. I like the idea of a medium size to larger caliber. So far I like the Glocks that I've read about, I don't know if they have a slim magazine though. I once handled a Colt Government model IV ?? Not sure if that's the right number, but it fit well in my hand. Never got to shoot it though. I've been reading about model 1911s from multiple manufacturers and feel overwhelmed with the vast selections and options.

So my question is: What would you suggest I look at for my new HG considering all that I have said above? I hope I gave enough info to get some responses. If you need more info, just ask.

Thank you for taking the time to read and answer my questions.

I have a Kimber Pro Crimson Carry II 45acp. It comes from the factory with Crimson Trace Laser Grips which are a valuable training tool and very useful for PP. IMHO it could fill most of the needs you listed. I think the .45acp is the best all around personal protection round and with a little practice quite manageable.

For what you described I would first look at the various model 1911's on the market. They can get pricey real quick though.

I personally hate the grips of the glock and if you are looking for a slimmer feel then Glock sure as heck aint the gun for you. I have fairly good sized hands and most Glocks grips are way too large for me.

Others to look at are Springfield XD models, Smith and Wesson M&P's, Sig Sauer, H&K.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=3305&return=Y

I do not have this, but am seriously considering. I have other rugers and I love them. This is nice and slim. Comes in 9mm and looks to be an awesome pistol. Buuut I have no experience with it, just something for you to check out.

I would never consider a semi-automatic as a first hand gun for a person. I would always recommend a revolver first. IMO the revolver is more accurate(across the board). And much easier to use.

I own both semi's and revolver's. All my CCW hand guns are revolvers. They always go bang. And the second shot will always go bang. You never need to worry about malfunctions. Just buy quality. I prefer S&W revolvers. But I would consider a Ruger. The SP101 series of revolvers are nice, but they are just too heavy for me. Tom.

THe best advice I can give you is stop reading and go to a gun shop or bass pro and handle a few and see what you like best. After that you can check some reviews and pick from the ones that fit you. I was in the same situation as you for a while and I checked every shop in town till I found the one I wanted. It was a Magnum Research Baby Eagle I too didn't like the plastic grips so I bought the Hogue rubber grips and its perfect now.

For a first time CCW weapon, I think a revolver would be your best option for the most carry options and safety. S&W makes some really small hammerless revolvers that would do nicely. If you are set on an auto, look at the Kel-tec and Kahr lines. North American Arms also makes a nice little pistol in .32NAA that I have heard good things about.

I love my semis but i have to agree that a nice small revolver in 38 or 357 would be a great choice. S&W has some great ones to look at.

If you're going with an auto, and you might be carrying, you need to give serious thought to what type action you want. For example, 1911s are almost all single action (SA) only. What does this mean if you're carrying? You either start with a round in the chamber or not. If not, you have to jack the slide to get into business. Not the highest state of readiness. If you start with a round in the chamber, then either the hammer is down or it's cocked. If it's down, you either have to cock it or jack the slide (losing a round) to get into business. Not the highest state of readiness. If it's cocked, then you're carrying a cocked and locked (safety on) pistol. This may be something you're comfortable with, but not me. Law enforcement officers who carry single action pistolscocked and locked use a holster thathas a flap that goes between the hammer and firing pin, but you'll be hard-pressed to find a concealed carry holster with this design.

So, you might want to consider either a double action only (DAO) pistol, or SA/DA. With a SA/DA, you can carry with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, and the first shot will be DA. Each shot after that will be SA.

Hello all,

I went to a local gun shop (Target Sports in Royal Oak, MI) and tried the Glock (way to fat for my hand) and then tried the H&K P2000 V3 in 9mm at the range that Ken suggested. It felt very good. Not sure it's THE one, but I did fare well in my own opinion. The salesman showed me some of my initial mistakes regarding my hold and 2nd hand placement. Just that alone improved my accuracy dramatically. I like the 9mm so far for cheap ammo for lots of target practice & can get semi serious loads for defense. I also handled a Walther inline 9mm that felt good as well. I hope to go back and spend more time and try your suggestions as well. Thanks for your input, any other ideas? I'm making a list to try and hold all of the ones you suggested. I'm a very safe person with attention to detail so the DA/SA with de-cocking and exposed hammer are appealing to me.

Thanks again,

Greg