I'm always the first one to say "How can we pick for you?" "It's a matter of personal choice," etc.

 

This is more for morbid curiosity.

I'm down to my 2 choices, but the others are stuff I always wanted.

 

Why my last handgun purchase?

Because NJ is a pain in the arse, and because I need to save my money for awhile.

Someday we'll move down south, where my collection will continue to grow.

 

My 9mm is my goto sidearm.

What would you choose? And why?

A .22LR auto is the obvious choice. Cheap and fun to shoot.

I'd either go with a .22 semi auto or a .357/.38 revolver.

 

Your situation though, I'd go with a .357mag revolver and kill two birds with one stone. That way, your wife can shoot .38's out of it so you are satisfying her as well as satisfying your need to shoot .357 mags out of it that go BOOM!

It depends on what you already have. Assuming that 9mm is your only handgun and you're only purchasing one more for the foreseeable future, it has to be a .22LR. I'd recommend Ruger. In particular, the Mark III or 22/45. There are several styles to choose from.

 

This is my favorate so far.

 

 

Ooops. Sorry, didn't see the choices you had listed there. I'd still go with a semi-auto .22LR.

A .22LR auto is the obvious choice. Cheap and fun to shoot.

 

Tisk, tisk.

 

I'm thinking about a .22 MAGNUM, not LR.

 

LR are simply not fun to me. Freakin' cap gun...

It's gotta at least be a Magnum.

No .22 LR folks.

 

Can't stand .22 LR. I'd rather get a CO2 powered BB gun, or Crossbow.

I know apples-to-oranges.

 

If it's .22, it has to be a MAGNUM.

 

.

Just my 2 cents, but a 38 special j frame is not really a wifey gun. I have the 642 airweight and it has a nice solid kick to it.

 

Now a 686 loaded with 38 special is a wifey gun.

Tisk, tisk.

 

I'm thinking about a .22 MAGNUM, not LR.

 

LR are simply not fun to me. Freakin' cap gun...

It's gotta at least be a Magnum.

 

While more bang than a LR not more bang for the buck when you factor in the cost of the ammo. 22LR's you can shoot just about all day for 20 bucks, 22Mag no the case, plus when you factor in a lot of indoor ranges don't allow Magnum rounds, well yes that include 22Mag. while I have one out in AZ I don;t shoot it much just for the reasons mentioned, now all my 22LR's well that get the crap shot out of them.

Actually if you heart is set on 22Magnum find gun you like the looks of, and go take a look at it and shoot it if you can. I just can't see shooting a 22 that will cost the same to shoot as a 9mm and if you compare cheep 22Mg ammo to cheap 9mm ammo, the 9mm is actually cheaper to shoot, so I'd just ad another 9mm to what you have.

 

When you ask 22Mag and cheap plinker, well the 2 don't mix, just as 22WRF won't or .17HMR..

I was just about to same the same thing as HD. 22Mag is bout the same cost as 9mm anyways, but if that's

not a concern then I say go for it.

 

I voted 1911. It was a toss up between it and the revolver. Revolver would be nice since it's very different

from a semi. I just have a soft spot for 1911s and I think everyone should have at least one.

686.

 

It fills many rolls.

 

Firstly, its very different from what I presume you have, a 9mm auto

It can fire light loads for wifey

It can fire "boom" loads for giggles

It can be used as a defensive piece, very reliable

It has match-grade accuracy

It will last forever, which is good if its your last gun

S&W rocks

 

Get the 6"

686.

 

It fills many rolls.

 

Firstly, its very different from what I presume you have, a 9mm auto

It can fire light loads for wifey

It can fire "boom" loads for giggles

It can be used as a defensive piece, very reliable

It has match-grade accuracy

It will last forever, which is good if its your last gun

S&W rocks

 

Get the 6"

 

What he said.

 

Blue1

Tisk, tisk.

 

I'm thinking about a .22 MAGNUM, not LR.

 

LR are simply not fun to me. Freakin' cap gun...

It's gotta at least be a Magnum.

 

 

Shame on YOU!!

Sorry about the .22 LR comments, but they just aren't fun to me.

Sure I can shoot all day for a few bucks... but I'll fall asleep before getting through a few mags.

 

I guess another "behind the scenes" factor for me is that a firearm should always server a defensive purpose.

.22 LR is hardly a defensive load.

 

Sure "Well placed shots are as effective as any other round, etc."

 

Truth is, the LE's amongst my family/friends have heard of people getting shot multiple times with a .22 LR, and they kept coming...

 

Anyway...moving away from .22 LR...

 

I think I'm beginning to lean strongly towards the .38/.357 revolver.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the 1911... but it's alot of gun and alot of money for me to enjoy thoroughly at the moment.

 

Thanks for all your inputs so far.

Please keep them coming!!

 

*goes off to research the 686*

Almost forgot...

 

Another reason why I am considering the .22 MAG is because I am trying to get my mother to purchase a handgun (after getting FID, P2P).

 

.22 MAG is something she would be able to handle, and more importantly shoot regularly without hating every minute of it.

AND at the same time serve well as a defensive firearm.

Honestly, everybody says start out with a .22....

 

I never did. I started with a .38. .22s are pretty boring for me. Sure they are good for novices, but im not buying a gun just to show novices how to shoot. My .38 with HBWCs barely kicks more than a .22 so I use that. Sure its not $2/box but its alot more fun and I dont shoot 3,000 rounds/month anyways. I shoot 50-100 rounds and I go home. I have never owned a .22 pistol in my entire life

I love the 1911 to death but my vote went to the 357 magnum revolver. Reason being is that unless you are a trained operator in the functioning and maintenance of the 1911 then I would not use it as a self defense weapon. If you want semi auto thats reliable out of the box then buy an HK or Glock. The 357 revolver is user friendly and requires little maintainence. Also, little chance of it jamming up on you compared to a 1911. Again, you need to have lots of experience on how to clear out 1911 jams in order for it to be an effective defense weapon. If you dont then you have an expensive paper weight in your hands.

Ruger GP-100 ..... wow!

 

Shot this beauty over the weekend. Felt amazing.

Obviously much more kick than a 9mm, but not painful at all.

Very controllable, and decent time between follow-up shots.

 

To this beholder, it's absolutely gorgeous as well.

 

 

 

Those with personal hands-on experience:

 

How would you compare GP-100 to S&W 686?

 

 

.

Maaaan... I'm freakin' stuck.

 

Two handguns I love. Can only have one.

 

Price point is about the same.

 

One is harder to find.

 

1) Ruger SR1911

 

2) Ruger GP-100

 

...i feel another poll coming on....

Well maybe you can only have 1 now but not over time, so just pick what one you want first. Lol

 

(null)

Those with personal hands-on experience:

 

How would you compare GP-100 to S&W 686?

 

 

.

 

I don't own either but I have shot both. I shot the GP100 with hot 357 mag loads

and it was very very manageable. The 686 felt a little harsher but it was a 4"

model, I think the GP100 was a 5/6" model if that matters.

 

They are both iconic revolvers and have great reputations. If you like it get it.