Brushscrubber
Plinker
Thank you to all who was able to welcome me in the introductions section. Now onto a question that has been plaguing me since Saturday.
Tomorrow morning I will be finishing up applying for my LTCH by giving my local the money. If all goes well (don't see why it may not), once I receive the license I will be purchasing my first handgun. I have always had my 12 ga shotgun for bird hunting, and a Hungarian M44 Rifle for coyote hunting. But have never dealt with a handgun. I went on Saturday to Beech Grove Firearms and although they were fairly busy they went out of their way to help by showing my some choices. I am wanting to purchase a handgun mainly for personal protection since my neighborhood has been going down for the last couple of years, but I am also interested in possibly getting into competition shooting. My buddy has advised me (he already carries) that he doesn't think there really is a handgun meant for both of the things I want one for.
I would rather purchase for protection now then keep adding later for the other reasons. My problem that I seem to have is that I am not sure in the direction of choosing a good handgun for protection and carry. I can tell you that the sub compacts and medium size I did not like. I have large hands and I felt like I would drop the dang thing.
So now the actual question. Is there a particular gun that would be good starting out with? I am looking around 700 or less in budget (I know this limits me on somethings). I really would prefer something larger caliber than 9mm. Or is there some direction that I should go to? Any help would be appreciated (I'm thick skinned lay it on me)
Tomorrow morning I will be finishing up applying for my LTCH by giving my local the money. If all goes well (don't see why it may not), once I receive the license I will be purchasing my first handgun. I have always had my 12 ga shotgun for bird hunting, and a Hungarian M44 Rifle for coyote hunting. But have never dealt with a handgun. I went on Saturday to Beech Grove Firearms and although they were fairly busy they went out of their way to help by showing my some choices. I am wanting to purchase a handgun mainly for personal protection since my neighborhood has been going down for the last couple of years, but I am also interested in possibly getting into competition shooting. My buddy has advised me (he already carries) that he doesn't think there really is a handgun meant for both of the things I want one for.
I would rather purchase for protection now then keep adding later for the other reasons. My problem that I seem to have is that I am not sure in the direction of choosing a good handgun for protection and carry. I can tell you that the sub compacts and medium size I did not like. I have large hands and I felt like I would drop the dang thing.
So now the actual question. Is there a particular gun that would be good starting out with? I am looking around 700 or less in budget (I know this limits me on somethings). I really would prefer something larger caliber than 9mm. Or is there some direction that I should go to? Any help would be appreciated (I'm thick skinned lay it on me)