Hand Gun

[sillietillie]

OK, this is not meant to get into a political discussion. I'm buying one so we don't need to discuss pro's or con's.

I posted this on another forum and got some great feedback from Buffy & Manchy but just want to see if some other brands get mentioned.

I currently own a 410 gauge shotgun, .22 rifle, .22 revolver. I'd like to get a larger caliber handgun. I've got marine & ex-marine cousins & uncles who taught me to shoot and bring me regularly. However they all want me shooting heavy caliber hand cannons. No can do, I've shot .45 & .44 mag and my aim goes to pot because I aniticipate the kick too much. If I had to use one to defend myself I want to cut down on the number of factors that could affect my aim and reactions. Therefore the cannons my cousins love are out of the question. I'm accurate with .22 but granted... a .22 is, as my uncle refers to it, merely leathel shrapnel. So... I'm considering:
.32 caliber
.38 caliber
9mm

So, anyone have recommendations from personal experience with any of these medium caliber handguns? Name brand and price would be appreciated. I'm in a little town so I'd have to go into a larger city to shop for it , fill out application etc. and I don't trust a sales clerk who may just want to sell me th most expensive one on his shelf.

[A-Launch]

One of my clients is a 2nd Amendment Apocalyptic gun nut type who lives and breathes firearms, and he got his wife a lite-weight 5 shot S&W .38 revolver...it may have been Titanium, (or called an Air-Lite?)but I remember it was reduced weight somehow...she was rather thin, and carried it in her purse without any problems...

Not disagreeing with Marine family members, but I watched a witness testify after being shot 5 times at close range with a .44 magnum, it just ventilated him...the .22 will often hit bone/internal organs and start spinning and ricocheting internally, causing more damage.

I never practice with my lovely Walnut gripped Browning .380 automatic, and in the dark I wouldn't even know if the safety was on or off...not good...

I'm thinking about adding an S&W Model 66 revolver...just point and shoot...

[Uncle Paul]

I love the Glock 45mm and the wifey owns a Glock 9mm. They are really good guns and I plan on getting another one in the future.

[CrimsonSapien]

Perhaps Jerico Arms .380 would be more up to speed for you. Or perhaps a Steyr M-1A.

I know if I saw some pretty woman holding this I would seriously reconsider walking the other way. lol!

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/steyr_m-1a_3.jpg

[sillietillie]

In that case I won't wear makeup that day and catch you by suprise.:p I'll look like the ballarina in my sig

[sillietillie]

But thanks for the suggestions all, I'm looking them up on the net now

[StoleIt]

Kimber 1911

Colt is just too expensive, but I love the 1911.

[JKDZ28]

Go with a 9mm from glock!

Trust me!

[LWillmann]

I am very happy with my Ruger P95!

[cyphur_traq]

I have shot the 9mm Beretta, military version M9(basically a 92F). Not real impressed with the 9mm round - and I've shot somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand rounds of it. Just doesn't have the stopping power I would want if its a self defense weapon.

I don't own a handgun privately right now, but I'm getting ready to apply for my CHL in Texas and will be purchasing a handgun in the next few months, hopefully. It will be a Sig Sauer without a doubt, probably the 229 for concealed carry uses. They are really well designed, sharp handguns. Much nicer than Beretta, and it doesn't have the 'toy' feeling of a glock, but still is quite light.

[Glassman]

I like my .40 Ruger, I picked it up used for 275.00