Looking for a 9mm or 357 - help me decide?

K

kingston73

Joined
Aug 24, 2009
Messages
100
Likes
5
Location
Blackstone MA
Feedback: 3 / 0 / 0
Like I said, I want to buy myself either a 9mm or a 357 revolver. Budget needs make me look at around $400, and I'm not opposed to buying a used gun. The possibilities I'm thinking of are:

Ruger SR9 or sr9C
Ruger GP100
Sig 225 (I've seen these used for $400 - $500 but don't know how reliable they are with modern ammo)
S/W M&P - either the full or compact size.
Glock 19 (used, can't afford new)

I've got my LTC-A ALP, and may occasionally carry concealed but most of the time it will be a range/target gun. I've shot 9mm and 38's, but don't own anything larger than a 22 right now. I've shot the Glock at the range and liked it ok, and I've shot the GP and like revolvers in general, but if I went with that I think it'd be very hard to carry. Thoughts and opinions appreciated, thanks ahead of time.
 
Skip the Ruger.

Get a used S&W Model 13 or Model 65. No finer medium frame revolver has ever been made.

A pair of Model 65s, 3 inch and 4 inch.

DSC00919.jpg


pic037.jpg


OBTW, revolvers are much easier to carry than semi autos. Their rounded contours make them disappear under clothes where a semi would print like a brick.

Here's me carrying a S&W Model 29 (.44 Magnum) under a T shirt

DSC00258.jpg


DSC00259.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Jose said:
Get a used S&W Model 13 or Model 65. No finer medium frame revolver has ever been made.
Click to expand...
Nice! I think I need one, and I generally do not care for wheelguns.

kingston73 said:
Ruger SR9 or sr9C
Ruger GP100
Sig 225 (I've seen these used for $400 - $500 but don't know how reliable they are with modern ammo)
S/W M&P - either the full or compact size.
Glock 19 (used, can't afford new)
Click to expand...

All of these are fine handguns. Get the one you like the feel of most. The GP100 wouldn't be my first choice because S&Ws (used) are available at a similar price. You also can get other (used) Sigs at a similar price point.
 
So a used Smith is better than a new Ruger? I hadn't even thought about that, guess I just assumed any Smith would be too expensive for me. I also never really looked into carrying a revolver, again just assumed they'd be hard to conceal. Now I've gotta rethink all my choices, I like the idea of a 357 because of all the ammo choices I'd have.
 
Jose said:
Get a used S&W Model 13 or Model 65. No finer medium frame revolver has ever been made.
Click to expand...

This. Also consider the 19 or 66, which are the same guns with adjustable sights. I have a 66-1 that I love. Hard to go wrong with any of the semi-autos on your list either. If I were you, I'd go either M&P full size or Glock 19. Try both and pick the one that feels better.
 
For some reason, the lower sight line of slick top S&Ws makes them miles easier for me to shoot fast and accurately.

That plus they draw out of the holster slicker than wet snot.
 
K frame S&W for sure, Model 13, 19 or similar, One of the best wheel guns ever made, will shoot everything from 5 dollar a box lead reloads to the hottest .357 ammo out there.

Everyone should own a K frame wheel gun IMHO

Since you are in MA, your semi auto options are limited, I would tell you to find a Glock 17. 19, 0r 26, because in the free states they are affordable, but since Glocks are premium guns in MA, I would suggest your next gun after this be a M&P9 or 9C, and send it to Greg Derr down in MArshfield for a little fine tuning.
 
I be in Favor of the glock 19 because you can have HI-cap mags and its is also a workhorse. Its is also makes a very nice IDPA gun and as long as you can conceal it properly it would be a perfect carry gun. In the end I cant tell what to pick because everybody is different, your the only person that can decide what firearms are best for you.

Mike
 
From that list I would consider the 225 or Glock 19. Or a smith 66 or 686. All very good guns. I have a 225 and yes it is very reliable with gold dot or hst. I currently own all but a 19. My 225 has seen a bazillion rounds and is very smooth and problem free. They are not to hard to find but mags can be. 400 -500 seems about right for a decent condition 225.
 
Here's a vote for the G19 out of the choices you've listed.

Though the real answer is to try as many out as you can and pick the one that fits you best and one that you shoot the best.
 
The S&W Round Butts are easier to conceal. Jose's first photos, including the one where he is carrying show Round Butts. His last photo shows a Square Butt.
 
You shouldn't have any problem finding a good used SW Model 19 or 65/66 for $400-500.

The 19 is the blued version of the 66 (stainless). The 65(stainless) is the same but with fixed sights.

There is no finer revolver in that size.
 
I think I'm leaning towards a smith revolver now. I went to the range and rented a glock 19 for an hour and after 50 rounds I don't think that's the gun for me. It just didn't feel that great in my hands. It shot ok, I managed 4 inch groups at 15 yards, but it just felt too boxy, like holding a block of wood. I handled an M&P in the shop, it felt a lot better in hand, and I'm going to go visit a couple of other gun shops that have a large inventory of used guns. Looks like I can find a smith 38 or 357 for under $400 easy. Any of you guys in MA ever visit Tombstone Trading Co? From the pictures it looks like a warehouse of guns, need to go visit it soon.
 
In a gun fight, don't lose track of the fact that a 357 mag will only give you six rounds before you have to reload.
A 9mm semi will give you 10 rounds (or more if you are in a free state) of firepower. And, doing a hot change on a magazine is a lot easier than a panic change on an empty 357 mag.

Just my two cents worth, with self defense in mind.

It's one thing to HAVE the gun with you. It's another to need it to shoot at multiple bad guys... you can run out of bullets in a hurry. . .
 
DukeInMaine said:
In a gun fight, don't lose track of the fact that a 357 mag will only give you six rounds before you have to reload.
A 9mm semi will give you 10 rounds (or more if you are in a free state) of firepower. And, doing a hot change on a magazine is a lot easier than a panic change on an empty 357 mag.

Just my two cents worth, with self defense in mind.

It's one thing to HAVE the gun with you. It's another to need it to shoot at multiple bad guys... you can run out of bullets in a hurry. . .
Click to expand...

Despite all that I carry S&W revolvers overwhelmingly over any semi auto.

The first rule of a fight is to be the one who hits first. I can do that much more quickly with a revolver.

As for reloads, that's why I drill speedloaders almost every day.
 
I vote for the Ruger SR9C.

I have one and it's a great shooter out of the box. Better then my MP 9 and MP 40c with trigger jobs. Plus is pretty cheap, I got my for $409 without tax. It's econ gun and it fitted the need for me.
 
Handled a few today and really like the S&W 66, felt really good in hand but I'm wondering how uncomfortable/difficult it is to carry a k-frame 4 inch concealed?

Also, I'm trying to understand MA laws, but don't know who to ask or how to find out this question: the Sig 225 is on the MA approved list, but does that mean the P6/225's listed on Gunbroker.com are legal here?
 

Similar threads

Looking for custom engraving on O/U shotgun
Replies
5
Views
114
tinhorn
tinhorn
Looking for suppressor storage ideas
Replies
7
Views
164
Tartakovsky
Tartakovsky
Help on which Rifle to choose
Replies
18
Views
394
P. Lopes
P. Lopes
Recommendation for custom engraving work
Replies
0
Views
49
aLuckyFourteen
A
Boston/North Shore Area looking to test fire a Keltec KS7? Or other cheap bullpup semi-auto/pump shotguns
Replies
0
Views
103
mmsteady
M
Back
Top Bottom