Seeking advice on that first handgun or next weapon purchase? Ask AW!

[Randy Daytona]

Just saw a new round called the .224 Valkyrie. Quite impressive. Anyone have a rifle chambered in this yet and if so, what are your thoughts?

https://www.range365.com/224-valkyrie

 

[Renegade One]

I am actually a great Powerpoint writer/briefer. I enjoy it. I've written decks and briefed them to O9 level. Women think I'm quite a catch, if I do say so myself.

FIFY.

 

[nittany03]

Just saw a new round called the .224 Valkyrie. Quite impressive. Anyone have a rifle chambered in this yet and if so, what are your thoughts?

https://www.range365.com/224-valkyrie

First question, "no." Second question, "yet another answer to a question nobody asked." If you want to go out and touch 1,000 yards in an AR platform, why not just bite the bullet (so to speak) and use a .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor?

But far be it for me to tell another gun owner what they "need."

 

[Gatordev]

why not just bite the bullet (so to speak) and use a .308 or 6.5 Creedmoor?

My understanding on why this round is a bigger deal is because it gives 6.5 performance (or nearly so) in an AR-15 package. That's not insigficant. It helped that Federal waited to release it until it had industry buy-in, allowing ammo to be available immediately, unlike the 6.5c.

I don't have a need for the round, but if owned fewer rifles, it would be something I would be looking into.

 

[Birdbrain]

Thinking about picking up a dedicated home defense gun, perhaps a shotgun or full sized pistol. Anybody have recommendations on either of those (or other recommendations)? I was thinking about the good old Mossberg 500 but there's so many good pistol choices too.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

Thinking about picking up a dedicated home defense gun, perhaps a shotgun or full sized pistol. Anybody have recommendations on either of those (or other recommendations)? I was thinking about the good old Mossberg 500 but there's so many good pistol choices too.

will you be living in a house or apartment with paper thin walls? one other thing to consider is if you get a nice handgun it may not be CA compliant, I myself like the Mossberg 500

 

[Gatordev]

one other thing to consider is if you get a nice handgun it may not be CA compliant,

That really only matters if you're trying to buy a handgun (new) while living in CA. You can import "non-compliant" handguns all day long.

or full sized pistol.

If you want a pistol, go to a large/reputable gun store and see what fits your hand. Bonus points if they rent like guns at their range. If a Glock works for you, it's generally bullet proof. If it doesn't fit your hand (and that's not abnormal), there are other decent options (M&P, Sig, etc). If you have hands that smell like cabbage, maybe a(n) XD will work for you.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

That really only matters if you're trying to buy a handgun (new) while living in CA. You can import "non-compliant" handguns all day long.



If you want a pistol, go to a large/reputable gun store and see what fits your hand. Bonus points if they rent like guns at their range. If a Glock works for you, it's generally bullet proof. If it doesn't fit your hand (and that's not abnormal), there are other decent options (M&P, Sig, etc). If you have hands that smell like cabbage, maybe a(n) XD will work for you.

Good to know on the CA rules!

Sound advice, I know several who have bought a gun who when they went to fire it were not happy with it.

 

[Birdbrain]

will you be living in a house or apartment with paper thin walls? one other thing to consider is if you get a nice handgun it may not be CA compliant, I myself like the Mossberg 500

I don't know whether I'll be living in an apartment or a house yet, that's why I was going to err on the side of caution with a shotgun or pistol instead of a carbine length rifle.

That really only matters if you're trying to buy a handgun (new) while living in CA. You can import "non-compliant" handguns all day long.

Great to know!

If you want a pistol, go to a large/reputable gun store and see what fits your hand. Bonus points if they rent like guns at their range. If a Glock works for you, it's generally bullet proof. If it doesn't fit your hand (and that's not abnormal), there are other decent options (M&P, Sig, etc). If you have hands that smell like cabbage, maybe a(n) XD will work for you.

Good idea. I've rented a few times before in the past, if I recall the M&P9 was nice as was the Sig P320. I've shot my buddy's Glock 19 as well and I still think it's hands down one of the smoothest pistols for me. I don't know why but it just feels damn good in my hands and I shoot much better with it than with other pistols. I may get a Glock 17 then, or pony up to a Glock 20 in case bath salts becomes all the rage again.

 

[exNavyOffRec]

I don't know whether I'll be living in an apartment or a house yet, that's why I was going to err on the side of caution with a shotgun or pistol instead of a carbine length rifle.


Great to know!



Good idea. I've rented a few times before in the past, if I recall the M&P9 was nice as was the Sig P320. I've shot my buddy's Glock 19 as well and I still think it's hands down one of the smoothest pistols for me. I don't know why but it just feels damn good in my hands and I shoot much better with it than with other pistols. I may get a Glock 17 then, or pony up to a Glock 20 in case bath salts becomes all the rage again.

I like the 40's, have for years, most of my LE friends prefer them as well. I have found that a Rock Island .45 shoots well and has been very reliable, fun to shoot as well.

 

[Birdbrain]

I like the 40's, have for years, most of my LE friends prefer them as well. I have found that a Rock Island .45 shoots well and has been very reliable, fun to shoot as well.

To be honest I've never even tried a .40. You a big fan of the 1911? Does Rock Island's model feed hollowpoints alright?

 

[exNavyOffRec]

To be honest I've never even tried a .40. You a big fan of the 1911? Does Rock Island's model feed hollowpoints alright?

I do like the 1911, mine feeds hollow points fine, my Springfield 1911 was not that easy as I had to have it ramped and throated to feed those hollow-points.

My at the time 15 year old daughter picked up the RI 1911 and at 25 feet was putting the rounds in an 8" circle, which for only shooting a .22 rifle wasn't bad.

I would go to a range and shoot a variety of pistols, like Gatordev said, find what feels good in your hand and feels good when you shoot.

 

[Birdbrain]

I do like the 1911, mine feeds hollow points fine, my Springfield 1911 was not that easy as I had to have it ramped and throated to feed those hollow-points.

My at the time 15 year old daughter picked up the RI 1911 and at 25 feet was putting the rounds in an 8" circle, which for only shooting a .22 rifle wasn't bad.

I would go to a range and shoot a variety of pistols, like Gatordev said, find what feels good in your hand and feels good when you shoot.

Sounds good, I'll do that and report back. There's a veteran-run gun range near me with a rental wall, I'll check them out. See if they have a RI 1911 to try too. Maybe it will make me as accurate as your daughter was

 

[wink]

Highly recommend going to range and shooting a variety of guns. Borrow some or go with a friend who can bring a couple to share. Nearly 30 years ago when I first got into LE I didn't own a semi auto pistol . A friend with a huge gun collection and competition shooter challenged me. He set up steel targets got out a timer and laid out 9 or 10 handguns. He insisted the gun I shoot the best cold I buy, because my life depended on it. Best score was with his $5000 custom competition 1911 race gun. That wasnt an option and a stock 1911 I didn't shoot so well . Second place behind the custom gun was Sig P228. So that was it. Carried it for 25 years. Put thousands of rounds through it.

 

[TimeBomb]

Don't overlook a good revolver. You might be pleasantly surprised. A .38/.357 gives you lots of options.
R/